presentation slides bullet points

6 Ways To Properly Use Bullet Points For Presentations

• By Judhajit Sen
• May 2, 2024

Key Takeaways:

• Utilize bullet points in your presentation to offer a balanced mix of text and visuals, breaking down large chunks of information into manageable bits, enhancing readability and retention.
• Keep bullet points short, such   as mini headlines, to capture the main takeaways without inundating the audience.
• Complement bullet points with visuals such as graphics, images, and animations to enhance audience engagement and make key points more memorable.
• Ensure parallelism and grammatical consistency in bullet points to enhance clarity and coherence, facilitating comprehension and creating visually appealing templates.
• Follow the 6×6 rule. Limit each slide to six bullet points, each consisting of six words, to ensure message clarity and prevent clutter.
• Incorporate animations strategically to pace your PowerPoint presentation, sync bullet points with speaking rhythm, and maintain audience focus.
• Customize bullet points to make them visually appealing and aligned with your brand identity, exploring options like color alterations or icon incorporation to add visual interest and break the monotony.

Clarity and engagement are paramount in presentations. While images and graphics add vibrancy, words are sometimes essential for context. However, dense blocks of text can distract your audience. This is where bullet points come into play.

A bulleted list break down information into bite-sized, scannable chunks, facilitating effective communication with the audience. They serve as signposts, succinctly guiding the presenter and audience through critical points. However, their effectiveness hinges on proper utilization.

In a world where attention spans are dwindling, and information overload is rampant, bullet points offer a solution. They combat audience disengagement and aid retention by condensing information into easily digestible nuggets.

But like any tool, bullet points must be used skillfully. Misuse can lead to audience boredom and disconnection. Thus, understanding how to craft and deliver bullet points effectively is crucial for presentation success.

In this guide, we delve into the art of using bullet points in presentations. From understanding their purpose to mastering their execution, we explore strategies for leveraging bullet points to captivate audiences and deliver impactful presentations.

The Importance Of Bullet Points

Bullet points offer a balanced mix of text and visuals, breaking down large chunks of information into manageable bits. They create visual relief, avoiding text-heavy slides. They don’t necessarily need fancy symbols; they’re simply a list of key points.

Whether dashes, circles, or animations, bullet points add structure to your presentation. They highlight main points, simplify complex info, or emphasize crucial facts. By organizing content into digestible chunks, bullet points enhance readability and retention, making your presentation more persuasive. 

They’re versatile tools for summarizing arguments, contrasting perspectives, or emphasizing urgency. In short, bullet points add clarity, coherence, and impact to your presentation without cluttering it with excessive text.

The following are six ways to incorporate bullet points for presentations properly.

Keep Your Bullet Points Short

In presentations, brevity is key, especially when it comes to bullet points. Long, text-heavy PowerPoints are a no-go. Each bullet point should serve as a mini headline, capturing the main takeaway succinctly. Avoid full sentences; use phrases or short sentences that provide enough context without inundating your audience. Remember, bullet points are meant to complement your verbal explanation, not replace it.

Using bullet points effectively means conveying the key point clearly. Resist the urge to include lengthy explanations; leave room for elaboration during your presentation. Long-winded bullet points defeat their purpose and risk losing your audience’s attention.

To maintain audience engagement, avoid text-heavy templates at all costs. While bullets can help break up text, they only work if kept short and to the point. Lengthy sentences on slides create a barrier to understanding, hindering communication rather than facilitating it. Prioritize brevity and clarity in your bullet points to keep your audience focused and attentive.

Complement Your Bullet Points with Visuals

Incorporating visuals into your presentations can significantly enhance audience engagement and comprehension. While bullet points help convey information, overusing them can lead to boredom and disengagement. Strike a balance by interspersing your content with relevant visuals such as graphs, diagrams, pictures, or videos.

Text-heavy slides should be avoided whenever possible, but when necessary, bullet points should be focused. Restricting the number of bullet points per slide prevents disengaging your audience and allows them to digest information more effectively.

Utilizing white space strategically provides visual relief and aids in information processing. Avoid visual monotony by varying slide designs and incorporating different visual elements throughout your presentation. For instance, consider using full-screen images, infographics, or incorporating supporting visuals alongside bullet points to enhance visual appeal and aid comprehension.

Remember, even the smallest visual can significantly improve retention compared to plain text. Complementing your bullet points with visuals creates a more dynamic and engaging presentation experience for your audience.

Learn to engage your presentation audience better with these 5 sure shot strategies.

Ensure Parallelism

Parallelism is vital to crafting clear and effective presentations. It involves constructing sentences or bullet points with matching structures, ensuring grammatical consistency. While it might not directly enhance the memorability of your presentation, neglecting parallelism can turn it into a disaster. Improper sentence structures can divert your audience’s attention from your message to grammar mistakes, diluting the impact of your presentation.

What does parallelism entail? Take, for instance:

– Managing a business smoothly

– Tracking the website traffic

– Crafting efficient marketing strategies

Each bullet point starts with a verb, maintaining parallelism and ensuring grammatical coherence. Consistency is key when using bullet points:

– Begin each point with a verb or a noun, preferably a verb, for an action-oriented approach.

– Maintain the same tense for all verbs, commonly present or past tense.

– Apply consistent capitalization, typically capitalizing the first word and keeping the rest lowercase unless it’s a proper noun.

Additionally, strive for symmetry in bullet point length to foster a cleaner design and facilitate better comprehension. Keeping bullet points evenly structured contributes to a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.

Follow the 6×6 rule

Adhering to the 6×6 rule can greatly enhance effectiveness when crafting presentations. This rule dictates that each slide should contain no more than six bullet points, each consisting of no more than six words. Following this guideline ensures that your message remains concise and your slides remain uncluttered.

Implementing the 6×6 rule offers several advantages :

– Maintains message clarity.

– Facilitates effective slide design.

– Captures the audience’s attention.

– Enhances presentation structure.

Limiting the amount of information per bullet point prevents overload and creates a rhythmic flow in your presentation. While not an absolute rule, the 6×6 guideline is valuable for keeping slides clean and focused, ultimately leading to more impactful presentations.

Incorporate Animations

To elevate your presentations from mundane to memorable, consider incorporating animations strategically. Rather than presenting a static list of notes, sync animations with your speaking rhythm. As you talk, have bullet points appear one by one, keeping your audience focused on one point at a time and preventing distractions.

Animations not only enhance engagement but also contribute to the overall tone of your presentation. Choose animations wisely; for instance, a slow fade-in imparts a calm and sophisticated vibe, while abrupt animations may seem less refined.

Even the most captivating content can bore some audience members. Combat this by adding subtle animations to your slides, breathing life into your presentation, and re-engaging disinterested listeners.

Varying visual elements is key to maintaining audience interest. Animating bullet points adds dynamism and anticipation, breaking down your presentation into digestible segments. By infusing animations into your slides, you transform static bullet points into lively components, invigorating your presentation and captivating your audience’s attention.

Customize Your Bullet Points

When it comes to bullet points, creativity goes a long way. Rather than sticking to the default black dots, explore various customization options to make your bullet points stand out and align with your brand identity. Simple changes like altering colors or incorporating icons add visual interest and break up monotony.

Bullet points aren’t solely about the dots; they’re about conveying information succinctly. Avoid the cliché of using small black dots excessively. Instead, focus on presenting your content in an engaging manner.

Think outside the box when styling your bullet points. Consider how different visual elements can enhance the presentation of your information. By customizing your bullet points, you increase the visual appeal of your slides and make your  content more engaging for your audience.

Looking to better engage your presentation audience? Check out these  9 interactive ideas.

Wrap-Up: Mastering Bullet Points for Impactful Presentations

Bullet points are potent presentation tools that balance text and visuals. They break down complex information into manageable bits, enhancing readability and retention. Following six key strategies, you can effectively leverage bullet points to craft compelling presentations.

Keep Your Bullet Points Short: Succinct bullet points serve as mini headlines, capturing main takeaways without inundating your audience. Prioritize brevity and clarity to maintain engagement.

Complement Your Bullet Points with Visuals: Enhance audience engagement by incorporating relevant visuals alongside bullet points. Graphics, images, and animations breathe life into your presentation, making key points more memorable.

Ensure Parallelism: Maintain grammatical consistency and symmetry in bullet points to enhance clarity and coherence. A Parallel structure facilitates comprehension and aids in creating visually appealing slides.

Follow the 6×6 Rule: Adhere to the guideline of no more than six bullet points with no more than six words each per slide. This ensures message clarity and prevents slide clutter, facilitating effective communication.

Incorporate Animations: Use animations strategically to pace your presentation and maintain audience focus. Sync bullet points with a speaking rhythm to emphasize key points and enhance engagement.

Customize Your Bullet Points: Explore customization options to make your bullet points visually attractive and aligned with your brand identity. Simple changes like color alterations or icon incorporation can add visual interest and break monotony.

By mastering these strategies, you can harness the full potential of bullet points  and deliver presentations that leave a lasting impression.

To learn more about how to make your presentations exciting, check out our blog comprising 11 helpful tips.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why should I include bullet points in my presentations?

Bullet points offer a balanced mix of text and visuals, breaking down large chunks of information into manageable bits. They create visual relief, avoiding text-heavy slides. They don’t necessarily need fancy symbols; they’re simply a list of key points.

2. How do bullet points enhance my presentation?

Bullet points serve as signposts, succinctly guiding both the presenter and the audience through key points. They add structure, highlight main points, simplify complex information, and emphasize crucial facts, enhancing readability and retention.

3. What are the benefits of following the 6×6 rule?

Adhering to the 6×6 rule ensures message clarity and prevents slide clutter. By limiting each slide to no more than six bullet points with no more than six words each, you facilitate effective communication and maintain audience engagement.

4. Why is it important to complement bullet points with visuals?

Incorporating relevant visuals alongside bullet points enhances audience engagement and comprehension. Graphics, images, and animations breathe life into your presentation, making key points more memorable and impactful.

5. How can I ensure proper usage of bullet points?

   To use bullet points effectively:

• Prioritize brevity and clarity.
• Craft concise bullet points that serve as mini headlines, capturing main takeaways without overwhelming your audience.
• Avoid lengthy explanations and focus on complementing your verbal explanation.

6. How can I customize my bullet points to make them more visually appealing?

Think outside the box when styling your bullet points. Explore various customization options, such as altering colors or incorporating icons, to make your bullet points visually engaging and in sync with your brand identity. By customizing your bullet points, you elevate the visual appeal of your slides and make your content more enticing and memorable for your audience.

Create Stellar Presentations with Prezentium: Mastering Bullet Points

Bullet points are a cornerstone of impactful presentations, condensing complex information into digestible nuggets. Prezentium helps you master the art of bullet points, ensuring clarity, engagement, and retention.

Effective presentations are crucial for conveying ideas and engaging audiences in today’s fast-paced business environment. With Prezentium’s AI-powered services, you can transform your presentations into powerful communication tools that leave a lasting impact.

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Take Action Today! Don’t let mediocre presentations hold you back. Partner with Prezentium to create stellar presentations that inspire, inform, and influence. Contact us now to learn more about our services and unlock the full potential of your presentations.

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How to Add Bullet Points in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding bullet points in Google Slides is a simple process. First, click on the text box where you want to add bullet points. Then, click on the “Bulleted list” icon in the toolbar at the top of the page. You can choose from different bullet styles. Once you’ve selected your style, start typing your list, and new bullets will automatically appear as you press “Enter” for a new line.

After completing these steps, your Google Slides presentation will have a neat, organized list that will help emphasize key points and make your information easier to digest for viewers.

Introduction

Bullet points can often be the difference between a cluttered, hard-to-follow presentation and a clean, organized one that clearly conveys your message. They help break down complex information into bite-sized, easily digestible chunks, making it easier for your audience to follow along and understand your key points. Adding bullet points to your Google Slides presentation is especially important if you’re dealing with lists, steps, or any information that benefits from a hierarchical structure.

Whether you’re a student presenting a project, a professional outlining your business plan, or an educator teaching a new concept, knowing how to effectively use bullet points can significantly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your presentation. Plus, with Google Slides being a widely used tool for creating presentations for work, school, or personal projects, mastering this simple yet impactful feature can come in handy in various scenarios. So, let’s dive into the steps to add bullet points in Google Slides and make your presentations more effective.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add Bullet Points in Google Slides

Before we begin, ensure you have a Google Slides presentation open and that you’re on the slide where you wish to add bullet points.

Step 1: Select the text box

Click on the text box where you want the bullet points to appear.

Selecting the text box activates the editing mode and allows you to make changes to the text within it.

Step 2: Click on the “Bulleted list” icon

Find and click on the “Bulleted list” icon in the toolbar at the top of the page.

This icon typically looks like three horizontal lines with dots to the left, representing a list. Clicking on it will initiate the bullet-point formatting for your selected text box.

Step 3: Choose your bullet style

Select your preferred bullet style from the drop-down menu that appears.

Google Slides offers various bullet point styles, including traditional dots, squares, arrows, and more. Choose one that best fits the style and tone of your presentation.

Step 4: Type your list

Begin typing your list, and new bullets will appear as you press “Enter” for a new line.

As you type each point and hit “Enter,” Google Slides will automatically format the next line with a bullet point, making it easy to create a list without having to manually insert bullet points for each new item.

Additional Information

When adding bullet points in Google Slides, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind. First, ensure that your bullet points are concise and to the point; this will help maintain your audience’s attention and keep your presentation crisp. You can also customize the indentation of your bullets for sub-points or hierarchy by using the increase and decrease indent icons located near the bulleted list icon.

Remember, while bullet points are great for organizing information, using them correctly is crucial. They should enhance your presentation, not overshadow your main content. So, use them sparingly and only when they truly add value to your slide. Additionally, be mindful of the font size and color of your bullet points to ensure they are readable and match the overall design of your slide.

Lastly, consider the alignment of your text. Consistent alignment of your bullet points can greatly improve the professionalism and aesthetic appeal of your slides. Keep these tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to creating more effective and visually appealing presentations.

• Select the text box
• Click on the “Bulleted list” icon
• Choose your bullet style
• Type your list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i add custom bullet points in google slides.

Yes, you can add custom bullet points by selecting “More bullets” from the bullet point dropdown menu, where you can choose from various symbols and emojis.

How do I change the color of my bullet points?

To change the color of bullet points, highlight your list, click on the “Text color” icon in the toolbar, and choose your desired color.

Is it possible to adjust the spacing between bullet points?

Yes, you can adjust the line spacing by clicking on “Line spacing” in the toolbar and selecting your preferred spacing option.

Can I use images as bullet points in Google Slides?

While there isn’t a direct feature to use images as bullet points, you can manually insert small images next to your text to create a similar effect.

How do I remove bullet points from a list?

To remove bullet points, select the text, and click on the “Bulleted list” icon again to toggle off the bullet point formatting.

Mastering how to add bullet points in Google Slides is a game-changer for anyone looking to enhance their presentations. Bullet points offer a plethora of benefits, from improved organization to visually engaging slides that keep your audience focused on the important stuff. However, it’s also essential to be aware of the potential drawbacks like overuse and space consumption, which could detract from your message if not managed well.

By following the straightforward steps outlined above, you’ll be well on your way to creating presentations that not only look great but also deliver your content effectively. Remember, the key is to use bullet points strategically to emphasize and organize your key points without overwhelming your audience.

So, go ahead and give your Google Slides presentations the upgrade they deserve with some well-placed bullet points. Happy presenting!

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

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How to Add Bullet Points to Google Slides Presentations

Add bullets to quickly make your points

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In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Make Bullet Points in the Web App
• Make Bullet Points on iOS Devices
• Make Bullet Points on Android
• Extra: Add a Bulleted List Within Another
• Extra: Make Numbered Lists
• Google Slides Lists in Microsoft PowerPoint
• Uses of Bullet Points in Presentations

Google Slides is a powerful tool for creating and viewing presentations on the web and iOS and Android smart devices. This free app features a variety of style and formatting features that can be used to make professional-level slides, one of which is its ability to create bullet point lists.

Keep reading to learn how to add bullet-point lists to a Google Slides presentation and get them to look the way you want.

How to Add Bullet Points to Google Slides on the Web

The web version of Google Slides is accessible via the official Google Slides website on any internet web browser such as Google Chrome , Microsoft Edge , Brave , and Mozilla Firefox .

Open a Google Slides presentation and select the text area where you want to place a bullet point list.

Press More (the ellipsis icon) in the toolbar.

Select the Bulleted lists symbol.

Alternatively, you can also use the Ctrl + Shift + 8 keyboard shortcut to begin a bullet list in Google Slides.

The first bullet point appears in the selected text field in Google Slides. Type any word or phrase you want, and then press Enter on the keyboard to create a second item in the list.

How to Make Bullet Points in Google Slides on iOS

The official Google Slides iOS app is available for free from the App Store and works on Apple's iPhone , iPod touch, and iPad smart devices .

Open the Google Slides app on your iOS device and open the presentation you want to edit.

You can do a two-finger pinch on the screen to zoom in and out of a slide. This is particularly useful on smaller devices such as an iPod touch or iPhone.

Double-tap in the text area where you want to place a bullet to select it.

Tap the bullet point icon on the toolbar to place the first bullet in the text box.

Type your chosen word or phrase and then tap Return on the keyboard to move to the next line and begin another entry.

When you're finished with your list, tap the check mark in the top left corner.

Tap the area outside of the slide to view it without any editing guides.

How to Make Bullet Points in Google Slides on Android

Google Slides is available as an app for Android smartphones and tablets and is free to download from the Google Play Store.

Open the Google Slides app on your Android device and tap the project you want to edit.

Locate the text area where you want to place a bullet point list and double-tap to select it.

From the toolbar, tap the bullet point list icon to create the first entry.

All edits to Google Slides save automatically in the background so you don't need to manually save after making changes.

Type the text for the first point in the list and tap Enter on the keyboard to begin the second item. Repeat until you've completed your list.

When you've added all the points to the list, tap the blue checkmark in the top-left corner.

Tap outside of the slide to remove all visual guides.

How to Add a Bullet Point List Within a Bullet Point List

Adding mini lists inside of a main bullet point list can be a great way to organize different points or subjects and make your presentation easier to understand for the viewer. Here's how to do it on the web, iOS, and Android.

• Web : To make a mini list within the main list in the web version of Google Slides, simply tap the Tab key when starting a new point. Double-tap Enter to return to the main list of bullet points.
• iOS : To create a list within a list on the Google Slides iOS app, tap in the indent icon next to the bullet point icon in the toolbar while typing. It's the one that looks like a triangle pointing to the right of three horizontal lines sandwiched between two larger lines. To return to the main list, tap the indent icon that has the triangle pointing to the left.
• Android : The Google Slides app on Android also allows for mini lists to be created within the main list. While typing in the main list, tap the indent icon in the toolbar with the triangle pointing to the right. Tap the indent icon pointing to the left to go back to the main list.

The indent icons will only be visible while you're typing in the Google Slides presentation. If you can't see it, double-tap on a text area within the list you want to edit.

Can I Make a Numbered List in Google Slides?

In addition to bullet-point lists, Google Slides also supports numbered lists and a variety of other list styles. The numbered list icon is typically located next to the bullet point list icon on the toolbar when a text area is selected or you are actively typing.

If you can't find the numbered list icon on the iOS or Android app, tap on the Format icon (the one that looks like an A next to four lines) and then tap on Paragraph to bring it up.

Do Google Slides Lists Work in Microsoft PowerPoint?

All formatting made within Google Slides, including bullet point lists, is fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint . Adding bullet points or numbered lists to a Google Slides presentation shouldn't cause any formatting errors or glitches when converting to a PowerPoint file.

How to Use Bullet Points in Google Slides Presentations

Bullet point lists can be useful in a presentation when you need to convey a lot of information at once in an easy-to-understand and quick-to-read style that doesn't necessarily rank ideas in order of importance or value.

Here are some examples of topics where bullet point lists can come in handy:

• Ingredients in a food recipe.
• Side effects of medication.
• Compatible or incompatible hardware.
• A shopping list.
• Main points to remember from a speech.
• A list of examples such as this one.

Here are some situations where numbered lists might work better:

• A series of instructions or steps.
• A ranking of importance or value.
• When communicating a specific order of events.

Give it a try and make your point in a crisp, clear way.

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How to Do Bullet Points in Google Slides

Bullet points are the unsung heroes of presentations. They distill complex ideas into digestible bites, guiding your audience through your thoughts. They’re essential for emphasizing key points and enhancing understanding.

Enter Google Slides, Google’s free cloud-based software. Not only is it a platform for creating presentations, it’s also a toolkit for creating effective bullet points. It simplifies the task, making the process as intuitive as possible.

In this guide, we’ll explore the art and science of crafting bullet points in Google Slides. We aim to equip you with the know-how to make your content shine, keeping your audience engaged and your message clear.

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How to Add Bullet Points in Google Slides

Adding bullet points in Google Slides is a straightforward process. Here are the detailed steps to guide you:

1. Open Your Google Slides Presentation

To start, open your Google Slides presentation. If you don’t already have a slide prepared, click on the “+” button to add a new slide.

2. Add a Text Box

To add a text box, click on the “Text box” button in the toolbar, or simply press the shortcut Ctrl + Shift + t on your keyboard. Click anywhere on the slide to place your text box and drag its edges to adjust the size if necessary.

3. Input Your Content

Once your text box is ready, you can begin typing the content you want to add bullet points to.

4. Highlight the Text

Highlight the text that you wish to convert into bullet points. You can do this by clicking and dragging your mouse cursor over the text.

5. Add Bullet Points

With your text highlighted, go to the toolbar and click on the “Bulleted list” button. This will instantly convert your highlighted text into bullet points.

Customizing Bullet Points in Google Slides

Google Slides allows for a significant amount of customization to your bullet points, letting you adjust the style, color, and size to match the aesthetics of your presentation. Here’s how:

1. Changing Bullet Style

To change the bullet style, highlight the bulleted list, click on the “Format” option in the top menu, select “Bullets & numbering,” then choose the bullet style you prefer from the dropdown menu.

2. Changing Bullet Color

You can also change the color of your bullets. With the bulleted text highlighted, click on the “A” with the color palette beneath it in the toolbar. This will allow you to choose the color that you want your bullet points to be.

3. Adjusting Bullet Size

Similarly, you can adjust the size of your bullet points. Highlight the bullet points, click on the “Format” option in the top menu, select “Bullets & numbering,” then “Size.” From there, you can adjust the bullet size to your liking.

Creating Effective Bullet Points: Tips and Best Practices

Just knowing how to create and customize bullet points isn’t enough; you also need to use them effectively. Here are some tips to help you make the most of bullet points in your presentations:

1. Keep Your Bullet Points Concise

Bullet points should be short and to the point. They’re meant to summarize information, not provide detailed explanations. Aim for no more than two lines per bullet point.

2. Start with Strong Action Words

When possible, start your bullet points with action verbs. This makes your points more engaging and can also help keep them concise.

3. Use Consistent Grammar

Ensure that your bullet points follow the same grammatical structure. This helps maintain clarity and makes your points easier to read and understand.

4. Don’t Overuse Bullet Points

While bullet points can be incredibly useful, try not to rely on them too much. Overuse can make your slides look cluttered and monotonous. Mix it up with different types of content and slide layouts.

5. Use Sub-Bullets Sparingly

Sub-bullets can help break down more complex points, but use them sparingly. Too many levels can be confusing and defeat the purpose of simplifying information.

Using bullet points effectively in Google Slides can greatly improve the impact of your presentations. They provide a structured way to break down complex ideas, making them easier for your audience to digest. So whether you’re presenting a business proposal or an academic lecture, understanding how to use bullet points in Google Slides can significantly enhance your communication effectiveness. Happy presenting!

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Using Bullet Points: Interesting Ways To Make Presentations Effective

Bullet Point Presentations Bullet Points in PowerPoint Presentations PowerPoint Design PowerPoint Designers PowerPoint Presentation Presentation

PowerPoint is a tool that nearly everyone has encountered at one point or another. Whether for business, education, or personal use, all of us use PowerPoint presentations on a regular basis. But what separates a good presentation from a great one? While there are many reasons, one of the most ones is the effective use of bullet points in presentations. In this article, we'll explore what bullet points are,different types, benefits and different ways that that you can use them effectively.

What are Bullet Points?

Bullet points break down information into a list. They use symbols, like dots or squares, to highlight important details. They make content readable, especially in presentations or reports. Each bullet should be brief, focusing on a single idea. Bullet points offer a visual summary or an overview of a topic.

How Do Bullet Points Enhance PowerPoint Presentations?

Bullet points make presentations clear and concise. They split up text, aiding audience comprehension. In PowerPoint, they spotlight key data, stress important aspects, and enhance list readability. Adding bullet points keeps presentations visually appealing. With PowerPoint's customization options, bullet points can match any presentation style, helping convey messages effectively and keeping audiences engaged.

Bullet Points Symbols That You Use in Your Presentations

In presentations, particularly those made using software like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides, you're not limited to the traditional round or square bullet points. There are a variety of symbols that can be used to add a unique touch to your slides. Here are some different types of symbols you can use as bullet points:

Round Bullet (•) - The most traditional and widely used.

Square Bullet (■) - Often used for a modern, sleek look.

Arrow (→ or ←) - Great for showing direction or movement.

Check Mark (✓ or ✅) - Useful for lists of tasks, features, or benefits.

Star (★ or ☆) - Adds an element of importance or excitement.

Dash (– or —) - A minimalistic option that's less imposing than a full bullet.

Numbers (1., 2., 3., etc.) - Perfect for lists where order is important.

Alphabet (a., b., c., etc.) - Helpful for sub-points under a numbered list.

Question Mark (?) or Exclamation Mark (!) - Adds a sense of inquiry or urgency.

Custom Icons - Depending on the software, you can upload your own icons to serve as bullet points, allowing you to tailor them to your presentation's theme or subject matter.

Emoji 😊 - For more informal presentations, emojis can add a fun, relatable touch.

Remember to keep your audience and the tone of your presentation in mind when choosing a bullet point style. The key is to use bullet points consistently and ensure they complement, rather than distract from, your content.

Benefits of Putting Bullet Points in PowerPoint Presentations

Understanding the benefits of using bullet points can revolutionize your presentation style. Here are seven significant advantages:

1. Ensures Message Clarity

Bullet points in PowerPoint presentations help in breaking down complex ideas into simple, clear statements. They act as guideposts, directing the audience through your message. By outlining the key elements, they ensure that your message is conveyed accurately and without confusion.

2. Improved Audience Engagement and Interaction

Bullet points streamline information into digestible chunks, ensuring the audience remains engaged and focused for optimal communication. Additionally, interactive bullet points, with questions or prompts, foster audience participation, transforming a mere presentation into a two-way dialogue.

3. Versatility in Design

Bullet points provide a framework that can be creatively adapted to suit different content and styles. They offer flexibility in design, allowing you to express your ideas in a visually appealing manner, enhancing the overall aesthetic of your slides.

4. Time-saving

Bullet points help you condense information, making both the preparation and delivery of your presentation quicker. This concise structure saves time and keeps the presentation flowing smoothly, without losing the essence of what you want to convey.

5. Enhancing Memory Recall

By highlighting key information, bullet points assist the audience in remembering important points. Their simplicity and focus on the main idea help in firmly planting these concepts in the audience's memory, aiding recall long after the presentation.

6. Facilitates Comparison

Bullet points allow you to present different pieces of information side by side, making comparisons clearer. This structure helps in evaluating similarities or differences between concepts, enabling more insightful analysis.

7. Professional Appearance

Effective use of bullet points can make your presentation look polished and well-thought-out. A structured, organized slide with clear bullet points reflects a high level of professionalism and competence, instilling confidence in your audience.

6 Awesome Alternatives to using Bullet Points in Presentations

Bullet points are a popular way to present information in a list format. However, there are several alternatives that can be used to make presentations more engaging and visually appealing. Here are some of them:

Visuals: Use images, icons, or other graphics to represent information instead of text. Visuals can help to break up large blocks of text and make the content more visually appealing. They can also be used to emphasize key points and make the presentation more memorable.

Infographics: Create an infographic that summarizes key points and presents them in a visually appealing way. Infographics are a great way to present complex information in a simple and easy-to-understand format. They can be used to illustrate relationships between different ideas or concepts.

Tables: Use tables to organize information and make it easier to read. Tables can be used to compare data or present information in a structured way. They are especially useful when presenting numerical data.

Diagrams: Use diagrams to illustrate complex concepts or relationships between different ideas. Diagrams can help to simplify complex information and make it easier for the audience to understand.

Puzzle shapes: Use puzzle shapes to represent points that create a strongly connected idea. Puzzle shapes can be used to create a visual representation of how different ideas or concepts fit together.

Arrows: Use arrows to connect ideas and show the flow of information. Arrows can be used to illustrate how different ideas or concepts are related to each other.

By using these alternatives, presenters can make their presentations more engaging and memorable for their audience

10 Ways To Use Bullet Points Effectively

PowerPoint bullet points are not merely about listing information. They're an art form that, when used properly, can transform your presentations. Here are ten ways to use them effectively:

1. Highlight key points

Bullet points help to emphasize the most important information in your text. They make it easier for readers to quickly identify and understand the main ideas.

2. Organize information

Bullet points can be used to break up large blocks of text into smaller, more manageable sections. This makes it easier for readers to follow along and understand complex information.

3. Provide structure

Bullet points can be used to create a clear and logical structure for your text. They help to guide readers through your content and ensure that they don’t miss any important information.

4. Summarize information

Bullet points can be used to summarize key information in your text. This is especially useful when you need to provide a quick overview of a topic or idea.

5. Make comparisons

Bullet points can be used to compare different ideas or concepts. This makes it easier for readers to understand the similarities and differences between different pieces of information.

6. Provide instructions

Bullet points can be used to provide step-by-step instructions or directions. This is especially useful when you need to explain a complex process or procedure.

7. List items

Bullet points can be used to list items in a clear and concise way. This makes it easier for readers to understand the different components of a topic or idea.

8. Highlight benefits

Products, services and even ideas have multiple benefits. Using bullet points to highlight these makes it easier for readers to understand why they should care about what you’re offering.

9. Provide examples

You can use bullet points to list out examples of concepts or ideas. This makes it easier for readers to understand how something works in practice.

10. Create visual interest

Finally, bullet points actually help create visual interest in your text. By breaking up large blocks of text with bullet points, you can make your content more visually appealing and engaging.

Enhance Your Skills with PowerPoint Bullet Points

Being aware of the potential benefits and ways to use bullet points is only part of the equation. To truly master this tool, you must implement and practice these concepts regularly. Here are some extra expert tips to take your skills to the next level:

Focus on Your Audience's Needs

Understand what your audience wants and needs from your presentation. PowerPoint bullet points can help you break down complex ideas into digestible parts. Think about how to present information in a way that will resonate with your audience, guiding them through your thoughts and ensuring they grasp your key messages.

Experiment with Different Bullet Styles

Adding visual interest to your PowerPoint bullet points can make your slides more engaging. Instead of sticking to traditional dots or dashes, try different symbols, icons, or even colors that align with your theme. This creative approach adds visual flair and can make your presentation stand out.

Utilize Space Effectively

Proper spacing between bullet points helps in readability. Too much or too little space can make the text appear cramped or disconnected. Ensuring consistent and visually pleasing spacing not only enhances the look of your slides but also improves the flow of information, making it easier for the audience to follow. Remember to keep presentation rules such as the 5/5/5 rule and the 10/20/30 rule in in mind when doing this.

Review and Revise

It's crucial to evaluate your slides critically and be willing to make revisions. Every bullet point should serve a purpose and add value to your presentation. If something doesn't fit or feels redundant, don't hesitate to remove or modify it. Striving for quality over quantity ensures that each bullet point contributes to a clear and effective message.

Besides these excellent tips, there are more ways to visually enhance PowerPoint presentations. Chectk out our articles on using the right charts in presentations as well as how data visualisation can help.

Need Professional Presentation Design Services? Contact Deck Sherpa!

The craft of using bullet points in PowerPoint presentations goes beyond mere listing. It’s about structuring your content, engaging your audience, and conveying your message with clarity. By understanding how to effectively use bullet points and recognizing the numerous benefits they offer, you can take your presentations from ordinary to extraordinary. 

But why stop at self-learning? If you're aiming for excellence, reach out to us at Deck Sherpa. We're ready to transform your ordinary presentations into something extraordinary. With a team of seasoned experts specializing in crafting visually stunning and engaging presentations, we can enhance your slides with professional finesse. Check out our portfolio if you don’t believe us.  Contact Deck Sherpa today at 1800 121 5955 (India) or email us at [email protected] .

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Engage and inspire: great business presentation topics for 2024, understanding the magic of typography in presentation design, google slides vs. powerpoint: which is better for presentation design.

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6 Easy Steps to Make Bullet Lists in a PowerPoint Presentation

Last Updated: September 27, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Darlene Antonelli, MA . Darlene Antonelli is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. Darlene has experience teaching college courses, writing technology-related articles, and working hands-on in the technology field. She earned an MA in Writing from Rowan University in 2012 and wrote her thesis on online communities and the personalities curated in such communities. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 402,617 times. Learn more...

Do you want to add bullet points to your PowerPoint so it's easier to read? Luckily, you can insert bullet points easily with just a few clicks of the mouse. This wikiHow article teaches you how to add a bullet point in a PowerPoint presentation using a Mac and Windows computer.

Things You Should Know

• Select the text you want to bullet, then go to "Home > Bullet".
• If you're trying to make a bullet list from scratch, and you're in a "Title" box, only the first line will be bulleted. Pressing "Enter" will create a new unbulleted line.
• Use the "Text" box to create multiple bulleted lines.

• Alternatively, you can create a new slide .
• If you don't see the slides of your PowerPoint on the left side of your screen, go to "View > Normal."

• For example, you might click the "Title" box or the "Click to add text" box.
• If there's text that you want to add bullet points to, select that text instead.

• If you're using a Mac, the Home tab is different than the Home menu item that's in the top-left side of your Mac's screen.

• If you have an existing list of items you want to turn into bullet points, highlight them before selecting a bullet point format. This will add a bullet point to each individual line.

• If you're in a "Text" box, a new bulleted line will be created when you press "Enter/Return" but not if you're in a "Title" box. [1] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
• Press the Backspace key while your cursor is next to a new bullet point to stop using bullet points.
• *You can use different PowerPoint bullet formats to differentiate sub-points from main points. To do this, use the "Increase List Level" or press Tab on your keyboard.

Community Q&A

• Using too many bullet points may detract from the visual appeal of your PowerPoint presentation. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-bullets-or-numbers-to-text-a6f1b87e-fca8-47da-ade9-5d99b7f41f04

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How to Create and Format Bullet Points in Google Slides

Mastering bullet points in google slides: your complete guide.

Bullet points are a powerful tool in creating organized and visually appealing presentations in Google Slides. They help convey information concisely and enhance the overall impact of your slides. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how to create, format, and make your bullet points stand out in Google Slides. Let’s get started!

Creating and Formatting Bullet Points in Google Slides

Creating and formatting bullet points in Google Slides is a straightforward process that can elevate the quality of your presentation. Follow these steps to master bullet points:

Step 1 : Open your presentation in Google Slides.

Step 2 : Select the text box or shape where you want to add bullet points.

Step 3 : Click on the Text tab at the top of the window.

Step 4 : Choose the Bullets icon from the toolbar.

Step 5 : Enter the text for your bullet points.

Step 6 : To format the bullet points, select the Format tab at the top of the window.

Step 7 : Click on Bullets & Numbering from the drop-down menu.

Step 8 : Choose the type of bullet point you prefer, such as a circle, square, or arrow.

Step 9 : Customize the size and color of the bullet points to match your presentation’s theme.

Step 10 : Click OK to save your changes.

Your bullet points are now ready to enhance your presentation’s organization and readability.

Tips for Making Your Bullet Points Stand Out

• Use Color : Employ color to make your bullet points pop. Opt for a color that contrasts with your slide’s background to highlight your key points effectively.
• Incorporate Icons : Icons can draw attention to your bullet points and add visual interest. Select icons that align with your content to make your points more engaging.
• Embrace Bold Fonts : Bold fonts help emphasize your bullet points. Choose a clear and readable font style that captures your audience’s attention.
• Vary Font Sizes : Experiment with different font sizes to make specific bullet points stand out. Use a larger font size to highlight critical information.
• Experiment with Font Styles : Try different font styles to create contrast with the rest of the text on your slide. This can make your bullet points more visually appealing.
• Leverage Highlighting : Use highlighting to make your bullet points even more eye-catching. A well-chosen color can make your key information unmistakable.
• Utilize Animations : Animations can bring your bullet points to life. Pick animations that align with your content to engage your audience effectively.

How to Use Different Types of Bullet Points in Google Slides

Google Slides offers various types of bullet points that can enhance the visual appeal of your presentation. Here’s how to use different types effectively:

• Numbered Lists : Ideal for presenting information in a step-by-step format, such as instructions or processes.
• Bulleted Lists : Great for presenting lists of items or ideas concisely and clearly.
• Checklists : Encourage action by using checklists for tasks or goals, prompting your audience to take specific steps.
• Icons : Add visual interest and relevance to your content by incorporating icons alongside bullet points.
• Images : Enhance engagement by including relevant images alongside your bullet points, making your presentation more visually appealing.

By employing these various bullet point types, you can craft presentations that are both engaging and effective.

Best Practices for Using Bullet Points in Google Slides

To make the most of bullet points in your Google Slides presentations, consider these best practices:

• Emphasize Key Points : Use bullet points to highlight essential information and draw your audience’s attention.
• Conciseness is Key : Keep bullet points concise and to the point, avoiding unnecessary details.
• Limit the Number : Restrict the use of bullet points to no more than three per slide to maintain clarity.
• Consistent Formatting : Maintain consistent formatting for all bullet points to ensure a polished look.
• Parallel Structure : Keep bullet points grammatically consistent for clarity and coherence.
• Action-Oriented Language : Use action words to create more impactful bullet points.
• Visual Support : Use visuals like icons, images, and color to complement your bullet points.
• Avoid Overloading : Refrain from including excessive text in a single bullet point to prevent information overload.
• Organizational Aid : Use bullet points to break up dense text and organize complex information.

By following these practices, you’ll be well-equipped to create engaging and informative presentations in Google Slides.

Making Your Bullet Points Readable in Google Slides

Ensuring that your bullet points are easily readable is crucial for an effective presentation. Consider these factors to enhance readability:

• Consistent Font : Maintain a consistent font size and style throughout your presentation for clarity.
• Uniform Bullet Style : Choose a bullet style that is clear and easy to distinguish.
• Appropriate Color Scheme : Use a color scheme that enhances readability and aligns with your presentation’s theme.
• Optimal Line Spacing : Select an appropriate line spacing to ensure that your text is comfortably readable.
• Consistent Indentation : Keep your bullet points consistently indented for a clean and organized appearance.
• Alignment Consistency : Use consistent alignment to avoid visual distractions.
• Font Weight Consistency : Maintain a uniform font weight for readability.
• Appropriate Font Color : Ensure that your font color enhances readability and is consistent with your overall design.
• Background Color : Choose a background color that complements your text and aids in readability.
• Bullet Size : Opt for a bullet size that is visually balanced with your text.

By paying attention to these details, you can make your bullet points not only informative but also easily readable for your audience.

In conclusion, mastering bullet points in Google Slides is a valuable skill for creating impactful presentations. With proper formatting, creativity, and attention to detail, your bullet points can enhance the clarity and engagement of your slides, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. how do i change the bullet point style in google slides.

To change the bullet point style in Google Slides, follow these steps:

• Select the text with the bullet points you want to change.
• Click the “Bullets & Numbering” option in the “Format” tab.
• Choose a different bullet point style from the available options.

2. Can I create custom bullet point styles in Google Slides?

As of my last knowledge update, Google Slides doesn’t offer a built-in feature to create custom bullet point styles. You can choose from the available predefined styles or use other formatting options creatively.

3. How do I control the spacing between bullet points and text?

To adjust the spacing between bullet points and text in Google Slides:

• Select the text box containing your bullet points.
• Click the “Line spacing” option in the toolbar and choose your desired spacing.

4. What’s the best practice for using bullet points in a presentation?

The best practice for using bullet points in a presentation includes keeping them concise, using parallel structure, limiting the number per slide, and complementing them with visuals when necessary. Bullet points should emphasize key points and enhance the overall message.

5. How can I add animations to bullet points in Google Slides?

To add animations to bullet points in Google Slides:

• Select the text box with the bullet points.
• Click the “Slide” menu, choose “Transition,” and select your desired animation effect.

6. Can I use bullet points effectively in a data-driven presentation?

Yes, bullet points can be effective in data-driven presentations. Use them to summarize key insights, highlight trends, or emphasize critical data points. Pair them with charts, graphs, and visuals for a balanced presentation.

7. Are there accessibility considerations when using bullet points in presentations?

Yes, ensuring accessibility is essential. Use descriptive text for each bullet point, maintain proper color contrast, and consider screen reader compatibility to make your presentations accessible to all audiences.

8. What’s the ideal number of bullet points per slide?

While there’s no strict rule, it’s generally advisable to limit bullet points to three or four per slide. This keeps your slides concise and prevents overwhelming your audience with information.

9. How do I remove bullet points from a specific section of text?

To remove bullet points from a specific section of text in Google Slides:

• Select the text with the unwanted bullet points.
• Click the “Bullets” icon in the toolbar to remove the bullets.

10. Can I change the color of individual bullet points?

Google Slides typically applies the same color to all bullet points within a text box. If you need individual colors, consider using custom shapes or text boxes for each bullet point and formatting them separately.

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How to add bullet points to a google slides presentation.

Present your slide in an organized manner with bullet points

Google Slides is a feature-packed PowerPoint alternative. The free tool comes with style and formatting add-ons to elevate your presentation in no time. One such option is the ability to insert bullet points to simplify content on your slide. Whether you use Google Slides on the web, an iPhone, an iPad, or an Android phone , here's how to add bullet points to your presentation.

How to add bullet points to Google Slides for the web

We'll start with Google Slides for the web and then move to mobile and tablet apps to add bullet points. Since it's the web version, you can access it from a desktop browser on your Windows PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

1. Visit Google Slides on the web and open a presentation you want to edit.

2. Go to a slide and select the content to convert to a bullet list.

3. Select the Bulleted list icon at the top. You can also use Command + Shift + 8 (Mac) or Ctrl + Shift + 8 (Windows) to add a bullet list.

4. When you enter a bullet list on an empty slide, look for the first bullet point on the text field. Press Enter to add a second item to the list.

5. You can create a mini list beneath the main bullet point. This is an effective way to organize the listicle. To do so, press Enter on the main bullet point (or Return on Mac) and press Tab .

6. Add relevant points and press Enter to expand the secondary bullet list.

Change the bullet point color

By default, Google Slides uses black for bullet points. If it doesn't match your presentation theme, use the steps below to change it.

1. Launch a presentation in Google Slides.

2. Click any bullet point to select the entire list.

3. Click A at the top and change the bullet point color. You can use the same trick to change the bullet point color for the secondary list.

Change the bullet point style in Google Slides

Do the rounded-style bullet points feel repetitive? Use the tricks below to explore and add different bullet point styles for your presentation.

1. Open any slide and select the bullet points.

2. Click Format at the top. Expand Bullets and numbering .

3. Expand List options and select More bullets .

4. In the Insert special characters menu, pick a symbol from different categories, search by keyword, or draw one.

5. Select a relevant symbol and check the live changes.

What's the difference between Google Slides templates and themes?

Add bullet points in google slides for android.

Google also offers a robust Slides app on mobile platforms. It's helpful for making little tweaks on the go.

We use Google Slides for Android in the screenshots below. You can follow the same on Android tablets.

1. Launch Google Slides on your phone and select a presentation. Tap the slide you want to edit.

2. Select Edit slide

3. Tap any text area and select bullet list from the bottom menu.

4. Type your text and tap Enter to expand the list.

Use bullet points in Google Slides for iPhone and iPad

If you use Google Slides on an iPhone or iPad, use the steps below to add bullet points to it. Let's take the iPad as an example.

1. Open Google Slides and select a presentation.

2. Tap a slide and select Edit slide .

3. Select any text area and tap the Bulleted list icon at the top.

4. Tap Return to continue adding items to the list.

5. Tap Return and tap the indent icon next to the bullet point to add a bullet point within a bullet point list.

6. Tap the checkmark in the upper-left corner and you're set to deliver your presentation.

Does Google Slides bullet points work with PowerPoint?

Do you plan to open your Google Slides presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint? Your added bullet points show up exactly as they do on Microsoft's software. There won't be any formatting issues.

Make your presentation crisp and clear

Organizing relevant slide content in easy-to-understand bullet points leaves a positive impression on your audience. While you are at it, turn on autoplay to deliver your presentation effortlessly . If you want inspiration to get started with your upcoming presentation, check our dedicated Google Slides templates list for work, school, and home.

Home PowerPoint Templates Bullet Point

Bullet Points PowerPoint Templates for Presentations

Download PowerPoint templates and slide designs with creative layouts that you can use as an alternative to PowerPoint bullet points.

3D 5 Steps Dollar Sign Infographic Diagram

10 Steps Arrows Bars PowerPoint Diagram

Counting 1 to 5 PowerPoint Template

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Bullet Point Alternative Slides for PowerPoint

Key Takeaways Slide Template for PowerPoint

7-Step Pyramid Diagram PowerPoint Template

3D Four Steps List PowerPoint Template

2 Component Parallax Effect PowerPoint Template

5 Item Highlight Slide PowerPoint Template

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Download unlimited content, our annual unlimited plan let you download unlimited content from slidemodel. save hours of manual work and use awesome slide designs in your next presentation..

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What It Takes to Give a Great Presentation

• Carmine Gallo

Five tips to set yourself apart.

Never underestimate the power of great communication. It can help you land the job of your dreams, attract investors to back your idea, or elevate your stature within your organization. But while there are plenty of good speakers in the world, you can set yourself apart out by being the person who can deliver something great over and over. Here are a few tips for business professionals who want to move from being good speakers to great ones: be concise (the fewer words, the better); never use bullet points (photos and images paired together are more memorable); don’t underestimate the power of your voice (raise and lower it for emphasis); give your audience something extra (unexpected moments will grab their attention); rehearse (the best speakers are the best because they practice — a lot).

I was sitting across the table from a Silicon Valley CEO who had pioneered a technology that touches many of our lives — the flash memory that stores data on smartphones, digital cameras, and computers. He was a frequent guest on CNBC and had been delivering business presentations for at least 20 years before we met. And yet, the CEO wanted to sharpen his public speaking skills.

• Carmine Gallo is a Harvard University instructor, keynote speaker, and author of 10 books translated into 40 languages. Gallo is the author of The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman  (St. Martin’s Press).

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15 Ways to Turn a Very Text-Heavy, Bullet-Ridden Slide into Amazing! [Presentation Hackathon Part 3]

Anuj Malhotra

Beware if you are still creating slides full of bullet points!

Very soon, you will find audiences leave the hall in disgust or hold a placard in protest “No Bullet Points, Please.” Already you will find them moan in pain as soon as they see a bullet-ridden slide. That’s not surprising. The audiences are intelligent enough to know what will follow that boring slide on screen: a far boring talk with presenter reading the slides and audience figuring out whether to listen to the presenter or read the slides.

Such is the bullet-point terror in the presentation world that cognitive psychologist Chris Atherton writes, “ Bullets don't kill, bullet points do. ” [Tweet This Quote]

What are you supposed to do as a presenter then? All presentation experts will advise you to keep 1 message per slide. So if you have 6 bullet points on a slide, you can simply make 6 slides and save the audience a headache. But what if you do not want to follow this advice. What if you wish to keep those 6 bullet points on your slide.

Perhaps you are not presenting your slides on a stage. You want to send the presentation as an attachment to one of your prospective clients. You would therefore need descriptive slides in such instances. Or maybe you have a slide full of steps and you do not wish the break the process into multiple slides that’ll make it complicated for you as well as the reader. What to do then?

Can we keep text-heavy slides and still make them look visually amazing? Yes, of course we can. Let’s get started.

Suppose you have a text-heavy “About Us” or “Our Services” slide, a mandatory slide in any business presentation, like the one below:

Bad, right? If you are presenting this slide on stage, there is no logic why you should be having complete sentences in each bullet point. The audience will read the lines faster than you speak them out, making you look dumb. So, ideally you should have 6 or 7 words in each bullet point summarizing the main idea; you can elaborate upon them via your talk. The edited bullet points would then read as:

• Design and execute a digital marketing plan
• Give decision makers access to Mobile Insights
• Understand Past Performance and Prescribe Actions
• Setup up and manage Social Media Profiles
• Deploy Cloud Based Services
• Leverage Big Data Analytics

But assuming you are sending this presentation as a stand-alone file to be read at leisure by clients, we won’t play with your content. Instead, we’ll show you 15 hacks or ways to display 6 lengthy bullet points in style. Here we go:

Hack 1: Icon-ize the Bullet Points + Split Text into Columns

The easiest way to up the style quotient of your slide is to accompany your text with a corresponding icon. They hardly take any space at all, add visual interest to your slide and reinforce the message you wish to convey. What better do you want! It’s up to you to have vector icons that are fully editable or non-editable image icons. For this hack, split the content into aligned columns to give the modern look of a website to your slide. Just like this one:

We also have a Free PowerPoint Templates section on our site where you can download PPT templates, icons, maps and diagrams for absolutely free.

Alternate: Customize the Shapes of Icons for a Stunning Effect

Now that you have seen the difference icons can make to your slide, it’s time you go a step further and make the icons stand out more prominently. You can do that by using customized shapes as shown below and evenly space out your bullet points above and below those icons. You can download this awesome PowerPoint template and simply copy paste your text in the placeholders.

Hack 2: Convert to SmartArt

This is the least time-consuming hack of all. With a single click, you can convert plain text into eye-catchy graphics that visually communicate information. PowerPoint has built-in SmartArt feature with different types of professional graphics. These illustrations combine shape, line and text placeholders allowing presenters to show interdependencies of processes visually rather than through bullet points.

There are 2 ways to apply this hack. The first is to go to the Insert tab on the PowerPoint Ribbon, choose a SmartArt you like and paste your content in the placeholders. The second and easier way is to copy all the text, right click, select the Convert to SmartArt option (see screenshot below) and choose the graphic you like.

See how much better your slide now looks with a SmartArt graphic:

Hack 3: Split into Grid

Give a neat, polished look to your text-heavy slide by simply creating a grid using lines. Choose the Line shape from the Shapes menu and format its style and width to create neat blocks. Place each bullet point in a grid along with its corresponding icon. Do ensure that you have some breathing space in each grid. Notice how in the slide below a dartboard has been placed in the centre of the slide to bring further visual relief to the text-heavy slide. Use strong contrasting colors for maximum impact.

Hack 4: Alternate the Colors in the Grid

Unlike the previous hack, here you have to alternate the colors of the grids. You can choose the Rectangle shape from the Shapes menu and duplicate it until you have 6 equal compartments. Use two alternating colors to avoid having a color riot on the slide. So, like shown in the slide below, if you have chosen white and maroon as the alternating colors: you’ll be using maroon as the text fill in the white block and vice versa (white text fill in the maroon block).

Hack 5: Convert Bullets to Shapes

In this hack, you require no visual element at all. We will be using simple shapes with strong contrast to the background that will serve as visual element in themselves. See what we have done in the slide below: Divided the background into heading and text, in the content half added rectangular shapes, created a separate square shape for the bullet numbering and that’s it. The strong contrast rendered in the slide makes it awesome, and not a word was sacrificed in the process.

Here’s another design that can be created using these hack. All we have done here is add rectangular boxes for each bullet number and add another thin rectangular line to separate each bullet point.

Hack 6: Divide each Bullet by a Dotted Line

Simply separating each bullet point by a divider like a dotted line changes the look of your slide. A line separator creates 6 different chunks of text making them far easier on the eye than one long passage as was before. Rather than following the top-down approach of title-above-text-below, you can rotate the title to create a dynamic look. You can further separate the headings of the bullet points from the description with another line separator. Adding icons to each bullet point is your choice completely. In 2 minutes, you have created a far impressive slide than you started with.  

Hack 7: Insert One Visual Element (a large icon)

This is similar to the above hack, the only difference being that we add one visual element that summarizes the main idea of the slide. You can divide the slide into title and text sections with a strong contrast. You may choose any image; however we recommend using an icon due to the simplicity of the illustration and its neat, transparent look.  

Alternatively, you can choose a white background and give a strong contrasting background to the text boxes and the icon. As you can see in the slide below, the calendar bullet points enhance the look of the slide greatly. It’s very simple to create such customized shapes- all we have done is first drawn a blue square, superimpose a white square over it and add two small white boxes with colored outline to depict the wire binding. With a little effort, you can create this amazing slide.

If you love the drop shadow effect given to the icon in the slide below, you can download such icons   from the SlideTeam website. Creating them on own is a little tricky and we’ll be sharing this trick in our upcoming posts.

Hack 8: Go for a Circular Template

Circular processes look elegant and are very easy to understand. Microsoft PowerPoint has built-in circular SmartArt graphics that can be tried out for your presentation. If you want more professional and eye-catching circular diagrams, you can choose a professionally-designed template. The advantage of such templates are that they are fully editable. You simply have to paste your content in the placeholders and change the colors to match your company’s brand.

For instance, we used one of our professional templates to display services in the style of spokes of a wheel.

Here’s another professional template that gives an impression of unlocking your company services. The icons and perfect distribution of content around the slide canvas makes for a pretty impressive look. Using simple “Appear” animation, you can show each service one by one and keep the audience hooked to your presentation.

Hack 9: Semicircle Layout

Semicircles or half circles look as powerful, if not more, as complete circles. They are perfect to present the different segments of your audience, departments, services, etc. Creating a semicircle in PowerPoint is not tough, dividing it into segments and giving a different color to each segment is however a little tricky task. Here’s one workaround: Insert a Pie Chart from the Chart menu, divide it into 12 segments (say you give 10 value to each), save that piechart as an image and crop the bottom half. That way, you will be left with 6 equal segments with 6 different colors and a semicircle!

Or save yourself this trouble by downloading a semicircle template and pasting your content in the given placeholders. Here’s one semicircle slide design with world map as background- the perfect fit for any business services slide:

Hack 10: Half Page Image Layout

This layout uses the perfect balance of visual and textual content on your slide. We had shared this hack in the last Hackathon post Turn Boring PowerPoint Slides into Visual Masterpieces using 11 Image Hacks . The only thing that has changed here is that we are dealing with a lot of text.

A great way to present each bullet point is to show it via the ‘Folded Corner’ shape. You do not need to invest any time in creating these. It’s available in PowerPoint itself! Simply go to the Insert tab, open the Shapes menu and choose the Folded Corner shape from Basic Shapes . We picked the dark green and light green colors from the image on right to create harmony and balance in the overall slide.

Hack 11: Full Page Image Layout

This is similar to the hack that we shared in Hackathon 2: choose an impressive visual, let it cover the slide canvas, and add transparency to the text box. But we are faced with the same challenge: Lots of text! Even if you add transparency behind the text, it will look a mess. What to do? Check out what we have done in the slide below.

First, we added an Artistic Effect to the visual . Here’s how you can try it: select the visual on your slide, click the Format tab on the PowerPoint ribbon, click the Color menu and choose the gray option. That gives an earthy and classic look to the image.

Second, Mask the Image using Gradient Fill . The steps remain the same as shared in the last Hackathon post . Let us repeat it for you.

• Insert a rectangle from the Shapes menu under the Insert tab
• Right click on the shape and click Format Shape
• Under Fill , select the Gradient Fill radio button
• Add two to three gradient stops and choose their color as white
• Keep decreasing the transparency level of each gradient stop (the first stop with transparency between 95-100%, the second stop with transparency between 40-50% and the last having transparency between 0-5%).

Third, Insert Arrows as Tags over the Slide . Here’s how you can achieve that: choose the Pentagon shape from the Block Arrows section in the Shapes menu. Place each bullet point in the block arrow. Insert the Right Triangle shape from the Shapes menu, rotate it by 180 degree, give it the same color as the arrow and place it on corner left, bottom of the arrow. That’s it. All your bullet points get converted into awesome picture tags!

Hack 12: Use a Professionally Designed Diagram

If you want to settle for nothing less than the best, go for a professionally designed diagram. In a few dollars, you can choose a ready-to-use template, put your bullet points in the placeholders and present it. Professional designs are also the best solution when you face a time crunch. The fonts, colors, layout etc. are all well taken care of. Check out the professional template below which is the perfect fit for the digital enterprise slide:

Here’s another professional design that uses elegant shapes to give the impression of moving forwards and driven towards achieving the goal.

P.S. If you are an academician and are presenting education services, a tree diagram will be the perfect design for your slide.

Hack 13: Split the Bullets into Left & Right

Much like a timeline or signboard, you can draw a straight line in the centre of the slide and split the bullet points on the left and right side of the line. This sobre yet elegant design is easy on the audiences’ eye and very professional at the same time. It’s pretty easy to create a timeline on your own using basic lines and rectangular boxes.

Or you can use a readymade signboard design like the one we have used below:

Hack 14: Use a Textured Background + Left-Right Partition

You can give an academic touch to your slide by using a blackboard texture in the background. PowerPoint has several default textured backgrounds which you can try. Simply right click on the blank slide, click Format Background and further select the Picture or Texture Fill radio button. Bullet points on the same textured background do not look ugly, because of the vibrant slide canvas. You can make the points more visually appealing by alternating them left and right.

As you can see in the slide below, only basic shapes have been used to highlight the headings of the services. A basic rectangular box merged with a circle are all that has been used. This may not be the best design of all hacks but it is definitely far, far superior to what we started with.

Hack 15: Present Text in Linear Fashion

Again a very simple hack. In the slide below, basic rectangular shapes have been taken and put together linearly. Within each block, a rounded rectangle taken from basic PowerPoint shapes menu, has been added. You need not create six different blocks; create it once and keep duplicating till you have six for each of the bullet points. Use the lighter and darker versions of each color to give a color-rich yet soothing look and feel to the slide.

Phew! We have to end here, not because we are out of ideas but because the possibilities are endless. The list of hacks we have provided you are decent enough to create not just good but awesome slides.

Now that you know there are so many ways to show your bullet points, we hope you won’t go for that boring-to-death, bullet-ridden slide. Your audience won’t forgive you if you still do! 😀

P.S. If you don't have time to revamp your boring slides, send your rough PPT to our PowerPoint Presentation Design Services team and get a polished, visually stunning presentation in 48 hours.

Which hack or hacks did you like the most? Tell us in the comments below.

Related posts:

• How to Quickly Find the Best Content for Your Presentation on SlideTeam

Presentation Hackathon Part 1: 5 Incredibly Simple Hacks to Create Stunning Slides

• Turn Boring PowerPoint Slides into Visual Masterpieces using these 11 Image Hacks [Presentation Hackathon Part 2]
• Split Image into Multiple Pieces to Create the Most Breathtaking Effect in PowerPoint

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How to Quickly Turn a List of Bullet Points into Slides in PowerPoint

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Shortcuts & Hacks
• September 18, 2014

If you find that one of the most time-consuming parts of creating a PowerPoint presentation is knocking out the framework, or taking your pages of notes and turning them into slides, then I have good news for you!

PowerPoint has an ‘Outline View’ that allows you to view your presentation – as the name suggests – as an outline.

What does that mean? Well firstly, it means that you can not only follow your train of thought and make sure that your presentation has a clear progression – and that’s pretty cool!

But what fewer people know is that you can use this Outline View for more than just viewing; you can use it to actually generate slides based on a list of bullet points. And this means that you can create a bunch of slides in a few short seconds without having to do so manually.

And it doesn’t matter where your bullets points came from: a website, an email, a report, or something you quickly knocked out on your smartphone while riding the elevator to work!

Sound like a super time-saving trick? Absolutely.

Turning bullet points into slides in a nutshell

To turn your bulleted list of text into slides in PowerPoint, simply follow these steps:

• Go to the Outline View
• Copy / paste your bullet points as plain text in the Outline View
• Adjust the levels of your text by hitting TAB and/or SHIFT + TAB

[Watch] Bullet Points into Slides

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Regardless of where your list of bullet points comes from, you can use the Outline View in PowerPoint to quickly turn your list of bullets into PowerPoint slides.

Step #1: Navigate to the Outline View

Within your PowerPoint presentation, navigate to the Outline View of your deck by hitting CTRL + SHIFT + TAB on your keyboard. The left side of your screen should change from a visual graphic of the slides themselves, to a text version of the slides.

Step #2: Copy and paste your bullet points in the Outline View

Step #3: Choose ‘plain text’

Immediately after pasting the bullets, hit the CTRL key on your keyboard to open up the Paste Special options, and either hit T for Text or select Text in the dialog box that opens with your mouse. This ensures that your text defaults to the set formatting for your slides and saves you from having to reformat the text later.

Step #4: Adjust the levels of your text

Now you’ll need to re-arrange your bullet points based on how you want your slides laid out.

Within the Outline View, hitting ENTER will create a new slide, with the next bullet point becoming the title of the new slide (the bold text); if you hit the TAB key, you’ll demote a bullet point (i.e. take it from the title position to the subtitle position); and if you SHIFT + TAB, you’ll promote a bullet point (i.e. take it from the subtitle position to the title position).

Pro Tip:  One quick tip, as mentioned in the video tutorial, to avoid unnecessary formatting adjustments within your presentation, it is always wise to paste your list of bullets as Text Only. That way your bullet points will take on the default formatting that is already set within your PowerPoint presentation, saving you the trouble of having to reset the slide layout or reformat the objects.

Step #5: Return to the Normal View

Once you have made your adjustments here in the Outline View of your presentation, you can return to the Normal View of your presentation by hitting CTRL + SHIFT + TAB on your keyboard, and you can see all of the brand new slides created there on the left.

From here, you can invest your time building out the actual slides for your presentation.

What’s Next?

Related articles.

• What is a broken link chart in PowerPoint (and how to fix it)?
• Bar chart trick: Right aligning categories (PPT, Word, and Excel)
• PowerPoint settings: program level vs. presentation level
• What is a linked Excel chart in PowerPoint?
• Set Up Slide Show: Customize how your PPT presentations run

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Bullet Point PowerPoint Template and Google Slides

Bullet Points Presentation Slide

Transform your information from cluttered to clear with a tool - bulletins. This concise and efficient format enables you to present information in a structured and organized way. Bullet points are perfect for highlighting key takeaways, summarizing complex information, and breaking down ideas into manageable chunks. Our bullet points template is designed to create bullet points that are both visually appealing and informative. It will help you to keep your audience engaged and focused on your content.

Features of the template

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The eLearning Coach

For designing effective learning experiences

6 Alternatives To Bullet Points in eLearning and Slides

Get rid of those text heavy slides.

by Connie Malamed

Learners and audiences need novelty to maintain and sustain attention. The trick for going beyond bullet points is to think visually. By sprinkling in bullet point alternatives here and there, your minimal use of bullets will be more effective.

Here are six bullet point alternatives you can create in any graphics program or in PowerPoint. If you’re interested in more visual design ideas, see my book, Visual Design Solutions . 

Bullet Point Alternative 1: Use text boxes

A simple alternative to a list is to place each item into a a text box that is arranged in a suitable layout. With this approach, each point is more pronounced than in a list. It can also be accomplished easily with basic graphic tools and in PowerPoint. Below, what could have been a bullet list of eLearning design skills is placed in horizontally arranged text boxes with a 1 pixel border.

Bullet Point Alternative 2: Use icons to indicate the topic

Using the same text box idea as above, this approach adds icons to the mix. Not only does this add visual appeal, but it suggests what the topic is about. An image may also work as a mnemonic device to help a person retain information. If you need help finding suitable icons, see How to Use Icons in eLearning for more on this topic.

Here is a similar idea using long horizontal boxes. The text is longer than a phrase, but this could work with a shorter statement.

Bullet Point Alternative 3: Let People Speak Your List

If your learning design includes scenarios, you can use the characters to speak your bullets as shown below. This can work well as a summary of key points. When you use people cutouts to speak your points, no one will suspect this is a bullet list.

Bullet Point Alternative 4: Wrap the list around a muted picture

Another simple approach is to find a relevant silhouette or cutout of a person or object. Then wrap the bullet list around the silhouette or shape, gently following its contours. I prefer to use silhouettes when I want the text to be prominent. Silhouettes are a subtle way to add visual appeal without being too obtrusive.

Bullet Point Alternative 5: Draw a Diagram

Then there’s the diagram approach. Use a radial diagram when information is at the same level. Place the topic or category in a circle or ellipse in the center. Then place spokes around this shape in the form of arrows or pointers. Place what would have been a bullet list item at the end of each spoke.

For alternatives to the radial design, consider a hierarchical chart when there are key points and sub-points. Also experiment with PowerPoint’s predefined diagrams. Just remember to use grouping principles so learners will know which items are related to each other.

Bullet Point Alternative 6: Create a Table

If you analyze your content carefully, you might find that several bullet lists can be associated into one category. If so, you may be able to transform your bullet list into a table. The wondrous thing about a table format is that the values can be either words or numbers. In the media format example below, different multimedia file formats (on the right) are organized into a table by media type (on the left). This was able to replace four separate bullet lists.

July 15, 2021 at 11:16 pm

You’ve got some great ideas and I think they can work given the right context. The approaches in this article work for eLearning and many presentations, but his ideas would mostly work only for presentations. Spreading related points across multiple slides will often NOT work for eLearning but would be fine for a presentation. Also, much depends on the purpose of the presentation. If it’s to raise funds for a charity or to get volunteers, it might be completely different than if the the slides are for training on how to save a patient’s life or explaining scientific research. In some cases, the goal is to raise awareness and in others it’s for learning transfer.

July 14, 2021 at 6:32 pm

Thank you for this post, Connie! I’m new to your blog and so far have found it very insightful! You suggested some great ideas as alternatives to using bullets. A list of bullets might have worked in the past, but nowadays, you loose people’s attention in a matter of milliseconds, so the content has to be to-the-point and visually captivating. I was reading a post by Dirk Haun ( https://www.themobilepresenter.com/article.php/bullet-points ) and he suggests we use one idea per slide. He questions why presenters insist on cramming so much information in one slide if slides are free! He goes on to suggest using photos or visuals that emphasize the point you’re trying to make. Ned Potter also offered some interesting ideas on alternatives for bullet points ( https://www.ned-potter.com/blog/6-alternatives-to-bullet-points ). He mentioned some pretty persuasive reasons he found on the International Journal of Business Communication (2015), saying that “your audience engages less, remembers less, agrees less and likes you less when you use bullet points in your PowerPoint presentations.” Some of his ideas are similar to what you shared, but there are some different ones… worthy checking:) I kinda like the suggestion of using one idea per slide, but I’m just afraid people could loose the sense of grouping the information under one big umbrella or topic. My suggestion would be to introduce the main topic using one of your visual ideas with the “bullets” in the form of text boxes, icons, diagrams, or even a list wrapped around a picture, then present each idea in a separate slide with a short message and a picture, graphic, or visual that really captures the main idea, and at the end wrap up that point by sharing the first slide again and briefly reviewing the points that were touched. This way I feel that the audience would get a better sense of the categories under each main idea.

October 17, 2020 at 5:30 pm

Fabulous ideas for more creative bullet points. You must be a professional!

Thank you for the ideas.

February 8, 2019 at 2:08 pm

Yes, that’s a good approach. Glad you are sharing it.

February 1, 2019 at 7:48 am

Another top post, Connie. I’m relatively new to your site, and just catching up on “arrears” of your great ideas!

Like Craig Hadden, I favour displaying one item at a time in presentations and webinars – using “build ups”.

The easiest way to make this look seamless is to create the final slide in the series first – and then copy this as many times as necessary and delete text boxes from the earlier ones in the series as necessary.

So: create slide 6 with 6 text boxes and copy it so you have 6 copies. Then delete text boxes 2 to 5 from slide 1 (leaving box 1) – delete text boxes 3 to 5 from slide 2 (leaving boxes 1 and 2) – and so on until you build up to slide 6.

I find this works really well if I “highlight” the current point being discussed by the narrator. Usually, I keep the relevant text box in full colour, and fade the previous text boxes using transparencies.

Keep up the good work!

December 21, 2018 at 3:19 pm

Thank you. Very useful.

December 4, 2018 at 2:47 pm

I will be integrating this idea into my educational technology class at UVA Wise in the spring. Thank you

October 28, 2018 at 3:52 pm

You’re welcome, Shalini 🙂

October 26, 2018 at 8:51 pm

Great alternatives to the dreaded bullet list! Thanks for this insightful article and highly effective tips.

November 5, 2017 at 12:07 pm

Nicely done. More creative and visually attractive which is what we need.

June 28, 2016 at 11:18 am

Maybe five? People can process around 3-5 chunks of information at one time. Best, Connie

June 27, 2016 at 7:34 pm

I am a pastor and am trying to communicate more than 10 characteristics of God. I can just see the eyes glaze over. I imagined a graphic of some kind being a better approach than a list as long as your arm. I like the graphic you suggested above. How many satellite points can I use before they miss everything?

February 7, 2015 at 2:02 pm

Thanks, Aaron. Hope you enjoy the podcast.

February 7, 2015 at 11:30 am

These are awesome ideas. Thanks for sharing. I just found out recently you are doing a podcast. I been going through and listening to all of them. Great Stuff!

April 6, 2014 at 9:40 am

Thanks for the kind words, Belen. Glad it helps! Connie

April 3, 2014 at 3:25 am

Always a reference for me to get rid of bullets.

Belen Casado

August 19, 2013 at 11:52 am

Thanks for the excellent suggestion, Edward. This would work well with a professional narrator and with captions too.

August 18, 2013 at 11:07 pm

Use a blank slide (‘B’ ow ‘W’) and use your own voice, visibly counting on your fingers each point you make.

February 17, 2013 at 2:41 pm

I enjoyed reading your article, especially Alternative 3: Let People Speak Your List. While I have utilized the other techniques in my own PowerPoint presentations, this will be a useful addition to my slides.

August 3, 2012 at 10:04 am

Hi Craig, Thanks for all of your ideas and links. I love when readers share what they know. What a great community.

Best regards, Connie

August 3, 2012 at 9:57 am

Great post, Connie! This list is really accessible and useful because you’ve illustrated each idea and described them succinctly, yet also supplied links to more resources.

As for which alternative is best, I enjoy using icons (or even iconic photos), people and diagrams to replace bullet lists. (And to make diagrams, SmartArt’s a great help – you can even right-click a bullet list and choose Convert To SmartArt.)

To see what I mean by iconic photos, see this post: http://remotepossibilities.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/5-ways-to-be-a-top-presenter/#whats_in And a good use for a “list” of people is to create an audience-oriented agenda: http://remotepossibilities.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/intrigue-people-firstframework-part-1i/#structure_picture

Displaying a list of items one at a time works well, and you can do that with all 6 alternatives. That way, the audience is intrigued about what’s coming next. I blogged about that process (with illustrations) here: http://remotepossibilities.wordpress.com/2011/12/01/intrigue-people-firstframework-part-1i/#show_cues

Coming from a tech-writing background myself, I find tables really valuable, too, which might explain why I use them quite a lot in my posts!

Anyway, thanks for all the neat ideas here.

July 25, 2012 at 10:20 am

I’m glad you found it helpful, Tash. I’d love to hear other suggestions. I’m sure there could be many more. Connie

July 24, 2012 at 10:50 pm

What a great list of alternatives, Connie – thank you. I knew or could name all of thsoe but hadn’t really thought about using them more than bullet lists when I help clients with presentations. I do use tables a lot as well as lists with an image but you’ve reminded me to mix things up further.

March 30, 2012 at 12:13 pm

Very nice article, useful, succinct, to the point. Thanks for sharing!

February 26, 2012 at 9:28 pm

Hi Michaela, Thanks for your support. It’s not always easy to get around using bullet points, but it’s good to try (unless they are really needed). Best, Connie

February 26, 2012 at 4:57 pm

Connie, great article! I wish all the people read it and stop using bullets all the time..

I am glad to see your article as one of my readings in my EdTech course.

January 7, 2012 at 1:11 pm

Just saw this post via Scoop.it. Great ideas, thanks!

November 23, 2011 at 4:01 pm

I think it’s a good idea to mix things up, remembering what Chantelle (8/5/11 post) said, “need to make sure the graphic doesn’t pull away from or interfere with either the relevance of meaning of the information being presented.”

Also, bullets help to organize the information in a way the alternatives can’t do quite as well. Mixing it up keeps the participant “awake”…using styles appropriately helps them to retain the content. TX for the good ideas!

September 5, 2011 at 2:23 am

Such simple yet innovative and amazing tips….thank you. These will really bring substantial improvement to my presentations.

August 5, 2011 at 6:28 pm

I love these ideas and have used a few of them in my own design. However, I think we also should remember what I just learned in a statistics class, which is that you need to make sure the graphic doesn’t pull away from or interfere with either the relevance of meaning of the information being presented. For example, I love infographics, but if you look at some of them, the ratio of the pictures they use to display the information isn’t the least bit accurate. Obviously, it’s probably easier to confuse numerical data than it is when trying to simply display words to be interpreted, but still, at times a graphic might be interpreted to mean something with regard to the content that it is not meant to, so it’s good to keep that in mind.

August 3, 2011 at 12:05 pm

I just discovered your blog via School Library Media Activities Monthly. You have blown up my PPT presentations in my middle school library! I’m not a very creative person, so your suggestions made me see how dynamic a PPT can be.

I can’t wait to share these ideas with our 8th grade students, who do about 4 PPTs a year in history class. Their presentations fall into two camps–dry bullet pointed lists of information, or chaotic slides crammed with every transition and animation PowerPoint offers. Our teachers will be thanking you, too, as they wade through 150 PPTs each quarter.

I’m glad I am back at work 2 weeks before the students so I can work my way through your blog and website to educate myself on design! Thanks for sharing your insights.

July 29, 2011 at 11:03 am

I really like #4, which supports a list with items that contain more than a few words. I’ll try it out. Thanks!!

July 29, 2011 at 9:23 am

Thanks for posting! These look great, were very inspirational and got me thinking of more ways to do this!

July 29, 2011 at 5:10 am

Very good ideas. I usually use the nos 1, 2 and 5 ideas. Will now look for an opportunity to apply others. Bullet lists are quite cliched now-a-days, but at times, we can’t simply do away with them. This will help.

July 28, 2011 at 2:26 am

Great article – creative alternatives – love it!

July 27, 2011 at 7:17 pm

Excellent idea! Will share with all Trainers in Indonesia. Thank you!

July 27, 2011 at 10:32 am

Fantastic information and ideas – thank you!!

July 27, 2011 at 10:18 am

I agree, Jose. Icons can be leveraged so that they facilitate learning. Thanks for your comment.

July 27, 2011 at 9:54 am

I like your ideas. Specifically, I like the “Let the icons do the talking” since it takes advantage of the metacognitive study strategies of mnemonics and visual imagery.

Please keep bringing the good ideas, thanks for an excellent coaching.

July 24, 2011 at 4:07 pm

Nice video, Bruce. Thanks.

July 24, 2011 at 2:13 pm

This is a great set of options!

Here’s a video showing how to create your own set of icons so they look good together. http://speakingppt.com/2011/02/16/tip1-icons/

— Bruce Gabrielle Author, Speaking PowerPoint

July 17, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Thanks, Mark. So happy this is helpful. Teachers need all the help they can get. Best, Connie

July 17, 2011 at 10:25 am

Really like this post. As a teacher in school it is important to keep content fresh and engaging, and moving away from dry bullet points is a fast, easy and practical way to do that.

July 14, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Thanks. Really like the way you worded your comment. 🙂

July 14, 2011 at 4:46 pm

Really like the way you work around the dreaded list.

July 14, 2011 at 8:34 am

Hi Anne-Laure, Thanks for your comment. I’m sure it’s quite satisfying for you to improve your SMEs’ presentations. I’m guessing that their use of the word “NICE” means a lot more than that. It’s just a simple way to express the richness that you’re adding. 🙂 Keep up the good work! Best, Connie

July 14, 2011 at 8:30 am

Hi Scotty, What a great metaphor for information design–when food looks better, it tastes better. If you’re interested in information design, you may want to read these articles: – We Design Information Too – The Information Design Handbook: Book Review – Designing Text-based Information Thanks for your comment. Connie

July 14, 2011 at 8:06 am

This is a great message, reminded me to focus on the design of information. When food looks better, it tastes better, the same is true for information. My favorite use of this is the web 2.0 stick people… thanks for sharing

July 14, 2011 at 7:45 am

I am currently coaching SMEs in rewriting their marketing presentations into “elearning” material (as far as we can do with only PPT) so I show them like you do what alternatives can be much more engaging than dry bullet points (with endless sentences!) and no pictures. My only concern at the moment is that their comments after the work is done is “this is so NICE now”. I assume this means more engaging and will do the job… I will keep your examples also and put it in my best practices if you don’t mind (with mentioning you of course!). It will add credit to my speech if there is some English experts saying what i repeat every single day. Thanks for your always “just in time” posts.

July 14, 2011 at 6:54 am

Thanks, Bruce. Glad this helps. I still use bullets myself, but try to mix it up with these types of approaches.

July 14, 2011 at 2:56 am

Nice article. I have been trying to “ban the bullets” with clients recently, this is a nice set of alternatives – all simple and easy to explain. Nice one. Bruce

[…] Sometimes you can’t help but use a list of text. Instead of using a bullet list, disguise it through these simple text layouts, offered by Connie Malamed of “The eLearning Coach“– […]

[…] Thankfully, Connie Malamed of “The eLearning Coach” shares some wonderful text layouts, which will disguise a bulleted list for those times when the list is unavoidable. On her website, Malamed details 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists1. […]

[…] 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists […]

[…] way to meet their purpose visually, that would be great. Connie Malamed wrote a great article called “6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists” if you do have time. But the reality is there is not always the time or a graphic artist handy to […]

[…] Alternatives to Bullet Lists […]

[…] To get more ideas for replacing text with something far more engaging, see this great illustrated and succinct post by Connie Malamed on 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists. […]

[…] like the before and after example shown below, is more engaging than plain text. Also, see Alternatives to Bullet Lists for more […]

[…] 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists IEP GOAL BANK! </b></i>*} This IEP GOAL BANK is the place where you can "deposit" your own IEP goals/objectives and "withdraw" the goals/objectives contributed by others. […]

[…] blog The E-Learning Coach has some groovy tips for replacing bullet points.  Go on…try it..I know you want to! 0 […]

[…] view the article in full, or for more great online training tips, visit the eLearning coach blog. This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. ← Picking the Brain of […]

[…] To view the article in full, or for more great online training tips, visit the eLearning coach blog. […]

[…] 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists About Michael M Grant Dr. Michael M. Grant is a passionate professor, researcher, and consultant. He works with faculty members, schools and universities, and districts to integrate technology meaningfully and improve teaching and learning. When 140 characters just won't work, then he blogs here at Viral-Notebook.com. He has a beautiful wife and three equally beautiful daughters, who will change the world. Visit Michael M's Website. View other posts by Michael M Grant –> No Comments Yet – be the First! Leave a Reply Click here to cancel reply. Name Required: […]

[…] Tips. Let’s all do this –> 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists: The eLearning Coach theelearningcoach.com/media/graphics… (rt […]

[…] == 'yes') {document.getElementById('splittitletext').style.display = '';} } Bullet Points6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists: The eLearning Coach if (top!=self) { window.location = […]

[…] completare il quadro ecco oggi un’altra carrellata di alternative, proposte da Elearningcoach, […]

[…] Malamed zeigt Ihnen, wie Sie diese Bullet Points vermeiden können: 6 Alternatives To Bullet Lists. Diese sechs Alternativen […]

[…] on occasion. The presentation should enrich the classroom for the learners, not the presenters. The eLearning Coach, has 6 Alternatives to Bullet Lists to help us out. The suggestions not only help with the […]

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[…] to set out content in online courses to engage and motivate learners. Their latest post is about the alternatives to bullet points, which are a pet hate of mine. So i was pleased to read some of the alternative they came up with! […]

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Bullet Point PowerPoint

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What should a content creator do to get users’ attention? You could keep your content short, but there’s evidence that longer pieces get more social engagement and links. The key to writing articles that hold a reader’s attention is not to make them shorter but to make them more readable, and doing so requires organization that calls attention to key topics. There’s arguably no more useful organizational tool than the venerable bullet point. Some people argue that the essence of a great bullet is brevity plus promise. By using bullets, you’re demonstrating that you know how to be concise and cut to the chase. Then, you must deliver on that promise by making every point essential and impactful. Think of a bullet point as a mini headline. It needs to be concise and attention-grabbing in a way that intrigues readers and compels them to read more. Highlight elements key to understanding the content of your article. There’s no room for fluff here, so call out what’s most important. Avoid complex outlines and don’t use sub-bullets if you can help it. Keep bullets thematically related. Bullet points highlight key elements of very specific topics, so stay on a single track. Make your bullet points symmetrical. Notice how each point begins with a bolded directive and ends with a one-sentence. Don’t overdo it. You want your post to look like an article, not a grocery list. Bullet points often create confusion for writers. Do you capitalize each one? Put periods at the end? When should you use numbers instead of bullets? It turns out that making your articles easy to read through the strategic use of bullet points requires a little know-how. If the text introducing your list is a complete sentence, it should end with a colon. If it’s a fragment, forget the colon and jump straight into the list. If your action items need to take place in a specific order, use a numbered list rather than bullets.

The Bulletpoint Powerpoint Template consists of four professional slides, each with a vibrant colour scheme. The first slide gives you the opportunity to describe up to six bulleted lists. The multi-coloured stylized arrow markers immediately grab the attention of your audience. The next slide is presented as a list of what to do. This slide can be used in preparation for the meeting. For example, you can send this slide to everyone in an upcoming meeting and briefly display the meeting agenda. This slide will be useful for assistant executives and directors. The last two slides can be used by health professionals when preparing their safety instructions. Also, this template will be useful for team leaders when setting goals for the development team for weekly sprints. All slides in this template are easy to edit. Bulletpoint Powerpoint Template is a must-have for everyone who wants to structure their data and make it easier for the audience to understand.

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Abstract Fishbone Diagram

4 options , Abstract , Cause Effect , Failure , Fish , Fishbone , Horizontal , Ishikawa Diagrams , Success

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The Abstract Fishbone Diagram is a visually structured template for PowerPoint and Google Slides, designed to facilitate a systematic analysis of cause-and-effect relationships.

Structured Design for Effective Cause-and-Effect Analysis

The diagram features a central horizontal arrow. This arrow represents the main issue or effect. On either side, there are four triangular segments. Each segment is numbered and designated for categorizing contributing factors. Each segment provides ample space for titles, descriptions, and bullet points. Users can detail specific causes under each category.

The clear and organized layout guides the audience through the analysis process. It ensures a logical sequence and promotes a thorough understanding of the problem. Additionally, the template’s structured format helps presenters systematically identify and discuss various contributing factors. This approach fosters effective problem-solving and decision-making.

Ishikawa Fishbone Diagrams , also known as cause-and-effect diagrams, are widely used in many fields. These fields include quality management, project planning, and root cause analysis. They help teams identify, categorize, and prioritize potential causes of a problem or effect. This facilitates a comprehensive understanding of the issue. By using this template in presentations, users can effectively communicate complex cause-and-effect relationships. This engages their audience and drives meaningful discussions. The template’s versatility makes it suitable for various industries and contexts. These range from manufacturing and healthcare to education and business management.

The template includes two unique slides. It comes pre-populated with numbers and text placeholders. It offers fully customizable shapes for complete control. Users can choose between light and dark themes. They can also select Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) ratios. The template is available in both PowerPoint PPTX and Google Slides formats. Users can easily modify titles, descriptions, and colors to suit their specific presentation needs.

Download the Abstract Fishbone Diagram template and streamline your cause-and-effect analysis for impactful presentations.

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This template offers:

• 2 unique slides
• Options for both light and dark themes
• Pre-populated with numbers and text placeholders
• Fully customizable shapes for complete control
• Available in both Standard (4:3) and Widescreen (16:9) ratios
• Offered in both PowerPoint PPTX and Google Slides formats

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How to Animate Bullet Points One at a Time in PowerPoint?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Adding animation to bullet points in PowerPoint presentations can make them more engaging and visually appealing. However, animating all the bullet points at once can be overwhelming for the audience, making it hard to follow along.

To animate bullet points one at a time, select the text box containing the bullet list, choose your preferred animation style from the “Change Entrance Effect” dialog box in the “Animation” tab and click “OK”. Finally, choose “By Paragraph” in the “Sequence” section from the “Effect Options” button.

In this article, we will also educate you on how to make bullet points appear by clicking as well as if you want your text to appear one letter at a time. Let’s get started!

1. How to Animate Bullet list in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the “Animations” menu allows you to add animation effects to any object on the slide. To animate a text box containing a bullet list, follow the 3 quick steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Animations” tab

In the PowerPoint slide, you have to first click on the text box to select it. Then click on the “Animations” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

Step-2: Click on the “More” option

The next step is to expand the “Animation” gallery. To do so, click on the “More” option which is the down arrow at the bottom right corner of the “Animation” group in the “Animations” menu.

Step-3: Select your preferred animation style

Finally, all you have to do is click on your preferred animation style from the “Entrance” section of the expanded “Animation” gallery to animate the selected text box containing a bullet list.

2. How to Animate Bullet Points One at a Time in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, each bullet point is added to a text box as a new paragraph. So you can animate the text box by each paragraph to make the bullet points appear one at a time during a presentation. To do so, all you have to do is follow the 4 simple steps.

The first step is to select the text box containing the bullet list that you want to animate. Then click on the “Animations” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

Step-2: Click on the “More Entrance Effects” option

In the “Animation” group of the “Animations” menu, click on the “More” option which is the down arrow at the bottom right corner. Then click on the “More Entrance Effects” option at the bottom of the dropdown menu under the “Animation” gallery.

Step-3: Click on the “OK” button

In the “Change Entrance Effect” dialog box, click on your preferred animation style option. Then all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box to add the animation effect to the selected text box.

Step-4: Click on the “By Paragraph” option

The final step is to animate each bullet point. All you have to do is click on the “Effect Options” button in the “Animation” group of the “Animations” menu. Then click on the “By Paragraph” option under the “Sequence” section of the dropdown menu under the “Effect Options” button to make the bullet points appear one at a time.

3. How to Make Bullet Points Appear by Clicking in PowerPoint?

The “Trigger” option in Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to add animations so that the animated bullet list appears only when you click on the slide. To make bullet points appear by clicking on the slide, follow the 4 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Animations” menu

The first step is to add an animation effect to the bullet list. To do so, you have to first click on the “Animations” tab in the menu ribbon at the top of the screen to open the “Animations” menu.

Step-2: Click on your preferred animation

In the “Animation” group of the “Animations” menu, all you have to do is click on your preferred animation effect for the bullet list.

Step-3: Click on the “Effect Options” button

The next step is to animate so that the bullet points appear one at a time. To do so, click on the “Effect Options” button in the “Animation” group of the “Animations” menu. Then click on the “By Paragraph” option under the “Sequence” section which is at the bottom of the dropdown menu under the “Effect Options” button.

Step-4: Click on the “Trigger” option

In the “Advanced Animation” group of the “Animations” menu, click on the “Trigger” option. Then click on the “On Click of” option in the dropdown menu under the “Trigger” option. Then click on the name of the text box in the pop-up menu by the “On Click of” option.

4. How to Make Text Appear One Letter at a Time in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can add a typing effect to the text in a text box. To do so, you have to animate the text in a way that makes the letters appear one at a time. All you have to do is follow the 8 simple steps.

The first step is to open the “Animations” menu. To do so, you have to first select the text box where you want to add the typing effect. Then click on the “Animations” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

In the “Animations” menu, you have to now click on the “More” option. It is the down arrow in the bottom right corner of the “Animation” group. Then click on the “More Entrance Effects” option in the dropdown menu under the “Animation” group. This will open a dialog box.

Step-3: Click on the “Preview Effect” option

In the “Change Entrance Effect” dialog box, you have to first click on the “Preview Effect” option at the bottom. A check mark will appear by the “Preview Effect” option when it is enabled.

Step-4: Click on your preferred animation effect

In the “Change Entrance Effect” dialog box, click on your preferred animation effect. For the typing effect during the presentation, you can click on the “Appear” animation effect. Then click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box to apply the selected animation effect.

Step-5: Click on the “Animation Pane” option

The next step is to open the “Animation Pane” sidebar on the right side of the screen. To do so, click on the “Animation Pane” option in the “Advanced Animation” group of the “Animations” menu.

Step-6: Click on the “Effect Options” option

In the “Animations Pane” sidebar, click on the down arrow by the text box shape. Then click on the “Effect Options” option in the dropdown menu under the down arrow. This will open the dialog box.

Step-7: Click on the “By letter” option

In the “Effect” tab of the “Appear” dialog box, click on the “Animate text” box. Then click on the “By letter” option from the dropdown menu under the “Animate text” box.

Step-8: Click on the “OK” button

Finally, all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Appear” dialog box to add the typing effect to the text in the text box.

How To Get Free Access To Microsoft PowerPoint

E very time you need to present an overview of a plan or a report to a whole room of people, chances are you turn to Microsoft PowerPoint. And who doesn't? It's popular for its wide array of features that make creating effective presentations a walk in the park. PowerPoint comes with a host of keyboard shortcuts for easy navigation, subtitles and video recordings for your audience's benefit, and a variety of transitions, animations, and designs for better engagement.

But with these nifty features comes a hefty price tag. At the moment, the personal plan — which includes other Office apps — is at $69.99 a year. This might be the most budget-friendly option, especially if you plan to use the other Microsoft Office apps, too. Unfortunately, you can't buy PowerPoint alone, but there are a few workarounds you can use to get access to PowerPoint at no cost to you at all.

Read more: The 20 Best Mac Apps That Will Improve Your Apple Experience

Method #1: Sign Up For A Free Microsoft Account On The Office Website

Microsoft offers a web-based version of PowerPoint completely free of charge to all users. Here's how you can access it:

• Visit the Microsoft 365 page .
• If you already have a free account with Microsoft, click Sign in. Otherwise, press "Sign up for the free version of Microsoft 365" to create a new account at no cost.
• On the Office home page, select PowerPoint from the side panel on the left.
• Click on "Blank presentation" to create your presentation from scratch, or pick your preferred free PowerPoint template from the options at the top (there's also a host of editable templates you can find on the Microsoft 365 Create site ).
• Create your presentation as normal. Your edits will be saved automatically to your Microsoft OneDrive as long as you're connected to the internet.

It's important to keep in mind, though, that while you're free to use this web version of PowerPoint to create your slides and edit templates, there are certain features it doesn't have that you can find on the paid version. For instance, you can access only a handful of font styles and stock elements like images, videos, icons, and stickers. Designer is also available for use on up to three presentations per month only (it's unlimited for premium subscribers). When presenting, you won't find the Present Live and Always Use Subtitles options present in the paid plans. The biggest caveat of the free version is that it won't get any newly released features, unlike its premium counterparts.

Method #2: Install Microsoft 365 (Office) To Your Windows

Don't fancy working on your presentation in a browser? If you have a Windows computer with the Office 365 apps pre-installed or downloaded from a previous Office 365 trial, you can use the Microsoft 365 (Office) app instead. Unlike the individual Microsoft apps that you need to buy from the Microsoft Store, this one is free to download and use. Here's how to get free PowerPoint on the Microsoft 365 (Office) app:

• Search for Microsoft 365 (Office) on the Microsoft Store app.
• Install and open it.
• Sign in with your Microsoft account. Alternatively, press "Create free account" if you don't have one yet.
• Click on Create on the left side panel.
• Select Presentation.
• In the PowerPoint window that opens, log in using your account.
• Press Accept on the "Free 5-day pass" section. This lets you use PowerPoint (and Word and Excel) for five days — free of charge and without having to input any payment information.
• Create your presentation as usual. As you're using the desktop version, you can access the full features of PowerPoint, including the ability to present in Teams, export the presentation as a video file, translate the slides' content to a different language, and even work offline.

The only downside of this method is the time limit. Once the five days are up, you can no longer open the PowerPoint desktop app. However, all your files will still be accessible to you. If you saved them to OneDrive, you can continue editing them on the web app. If you saved them to your computer, you can upload them to OneDrive and edit them from there.

Method #3: Download The Microsoft PowerPoint App On Your Android Or iOS Device

If you're always on the move and need the flexibility of creating and editing presentations on your Android or iOS device, you'll be glad to know that PowerPoint is free and available for offline use on your mobile phones. But — of course, there's a but — you can only access the free version if your device is under 10.1 inches. Anything bigger than that requires a premium subscription. If your phone fits the bill, then follow these steps to get free PowerPoint on your device:

• Install Microsoft PowerPoint from the App Store or Google Play Store .
• Log in using your existing Microsoft email or enter a new email address to create one if you don't already have an account.
• On the "Get Microsoft 365 Personal Plan" screen, press Skip For Now.
• If you're offered a free trial, select Try later (or enjoy the free 30-day trial if you're interested).
• To make a new presentation, tap the plus sign in the upper right corner.
• Change the "Create in" option from OneDrive - Personal to a folder on your device. This allows you to save the presentation to your local storage and make offline edits.
• Press "Set as default" to set your local folder as the default file storage location.
• Choose your template from the selection or use a blank presentation.
• Edit your presentation as needed.

Do note that PowerPoint mobile comes with some restrictions. There's no option to insert stock elements, change the slide size to a custom size, use the Designer feature, or display the presentation in Immersive Reader mode. However, you can use font styles considered premium on the web app.

Method #4: Use Your School Email Address

Office 365 Education is free for students and teachers, provided they have an email address from an eligible school. To check for your eligibility, here's what you need to do:

• Go to the Office 365 Education page .
• Type in your school email address in the empty text field.
• Press "Get Started."
• On the next screen, verify your eligibility. If you're eligible, you'll be asked to select whether you're a student or a teacher. If your school isn't recognized, however, you'll get a message telling you so.
• For those who are eligible, proceed with creating your Office 365 Education account. Make sure your school email can receive external mail, as Microsoft will send you a verification code for your account.
• Once you're done filling out the form, press "Start." This will open your Office 365 account page.

You can then start making your PowerPoint presentation using the web app. If your school's plan supports it, you can also install the Office 365 apps to your computer by clicking the "Install Office" button on your Office 365 account page and running the downloaded installation file. What sets the Office 365 Education account apart from the regular free account is that you have unlimited personal cloud storage and access to other Office apps like Word, Excel, and Outlook.

Read the original article on SlashGear .