slide layout presentation definition

Slide Layouts in PowerPoint – Everything You Need to Know!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

If you want to make great presentations, and you are not a design wizard, slide layouts can come in really handy! It is a great place to start designing your presentation. If you are beginning your journey with PowerPoint, you may wonder, what is slide layout in PowerPoint?

Slide Layouts in PowerPoint are pre-created slide designs that allow you to quickly and easily add text, headings, images, tables, etc. By default, PowerPoint provides 9 slide layouts (including a blank slide). PowerPoint also allows you to easily add, edit and delete slide layouts.

So, where can you find these slide layouts? How do you format them? Well, in this article, I will share with you all the basic details that you need to know in order to get started with using and understanding the slide layouts in PowerPoint!

So, let’s get started!

1. What is a Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

A slide on PowerPoint can contain several elements including text, shapes, tables, images, headers, footers. In fact, there may be more than one same type of element present on a single slide. When you start creating a presentation, you are basically using some of these elements to share an inspiring story or an important piece of information.

However, the aesthetics of the slide are determined by how well you lay out these elements on the slide. If you have fairly good design skills, you will easily be able to create an aesthetically pleasing slide! For the rest of us, slide layouts are the way to go!

In Microsoft PowerPoint, a “Slide Layout” refers to the way certain elements (such as text box, image, table, etc) are arranged on the slide. A slide layout is a pre-designed slide format with placeholders that allow you to add text, images, and other elements quickly to the slide.

Using slide layout and master slides, you can also control the color scheme of the presentation, type of fonts, effects, background, headers, footers, and other aspects of presentation design.

This functionality in PowerPoint that allows various pre-created designs to be added to a presentation is often leveraged by corporations. Organizations often create templates and not only control the way presentations look and feel, but also save time for their employees by providing them with various slide design options out of the box!

Pre-set slide layouts are amazing as they allow you to create or use PowerPoint presentation templates. These are pre-designed slide bundles that not only look great on a presentation even when used by a non-designer but also save time for the user of these templates.

For this article, I will be using one of the presentation templates from Envato Elements . With Envato Elements, you get access to thousands of presentation designs with unlimited downloads so you never run out of options again. Plus, you get free previews so you know exactly what you’re getting before buying! It is also very affordable.

2. Where is the Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

To get quick access to the different layouts of your PowerPoint presentation, click on the ‘Layout’ button in the ‘Slides’ section of the ‘Home’ tab . By clicking on the ‘Layout’ button you will see the various slide layouts present in your presentation.

How to Access Slide Layouts in PowerPoint?

To get complete access to all the Slide Layouts in your PowerPoint so that you can edit them, you have to go to the ‘Master Views’ section under the ‘View’ tab. The whole process is described in the steps mentioned below.

Step-1: Go to the ‘View’ Tab

The first step is to go to the ‘View’ tab which is the second to last tab in the ribbon of your PowerPoint.

Step-2: Go to the ‘Slide Master’ view

In the next step, all you have to do is click on the ‘Slide Master’ view option in the ‘Master Views’ section which is located in the ‘Views’ tab.

By clicking on the ‘Slide Master’ viewing option, you will be taken to the Slide Layout view of the PowerPoint presentation.

Related Article – Slide View Options in PowerPoint! [A Complete Guide!]

Here, you will notice that the menu options change. Furthermore, you now have access to the different shape, image and text placeholders present on the slide. You will be able to move these placeholders and get complete access to the slide layout.

3. How to Change the Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

You can change the Slide Layout of a slide in your PowerPoint presentation by using the Quick access ‘Layout’ option in the ‘Home’ tab of the ribbon. The process is described in 2 easy steps below.

Step-1: Select the Slide first

At first, you have to go to the slide you want to change the layout of and then click on the ‘Layout’ button in the ‘Slides’ section of the ‘Home’ tab. This will open a drop-down menu of all the slide layouts in your presentation.

Step-2: Click on Layout and Select a Different Layout

After clicking on the ‘Layout’ button, from the drop-down menu, simply select the layout that you want the slide to change into and the layout of that slide will be changed instantly.

4. How to Apply Slide Layout to All Slides?

Applying slide layout to all slides could mean a couple of things –

You want to make a change that applies to all slide layouts OR
You want a specific slide layout to be applied to all slides.

Whatever the case may be, we shall understand both in greater detail below –

4.1 How to Make a Change that Applies to All Slide Layouts

There are certain changes that you sometimes need to apply to all slides. For instance, adding a slide number, adding a company disclaimer, or a company logo.

To apply a change to all slide layout, you will have to edit the ‘Master Slide’ .

You will first need to access the “ Master Slides ” using the “ Slide Master View “. To do that, simply click on “ View “, then click on “ Slide Master “. (as described in the previous sections)

It is the first slide in the ‘Slide Master’ view option which you can find, as discussed earlier, in the ‘Views’ tab.

By applying a change to the ‘Master Slide’ the change will be added to all the other slides in the presentation as well. After going to the ‘Slide Master’ views, follow the simple steps described below.

In the following example, I’m going to add a “Star” (that shall act as a logo) to the top-right corner of the master slide.

Step-1: Apply the change in the ‘Master Slide’ layout.

To apply slide layout to all the slides, make the change that you want to have on the ‘Master Slide’ . In this case I have added a star on the top right corner of the Slide.

Step-2: Send the applied changes to the background

To keep the change, you have made on the background of every slide as a layout, ‘Right click’ on the objects and click on the ‘Send to back’ option from the drop-down menu.

That way, the object will be applied to the background of all the slides and the texts will be visible on top of the logo or the element added.

4.2 How to Apply Specific Slide Layout to All Slides?

If you want to apply a particular slide layout to all slides, follow the below mentioned steps –

Step 1 – Select All Slides

The first step is to select all the slides. To do that, first click on any one slide. Then, press the “ Ctrl+A ” (Cmd+A for Mac) key combination on your keyboard to select all slides.

Step 2 – Change the Slide Layout

The next step is simply choosing the layout that you want to apply to all slides. To do that, first click on “Home”. Then, click on “Layouts” and choose a layout from the array of slide layouts presented by PowerPoint.

As soon as you select a slide layout, PowerPoint will apply it to all slides.

5. What is the Default PowerPoint Slide Layout?

The default PowerPoint Slide Layout is the style of layout that the Microsoft PowerPoint software provides you out-of-the-box when you open a new PowerPoint file.

The default layout consists of 9 styles of slides which are:

Title Slide
Title and Content
Section Header
Two Content
Tittle Only
Content with Caption
Picture with Caption

6. How to Edit Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

To edit a slide Layout, you have to use the ‘Slide Master’ view as discussed earlier in the article and follow the simple steps given below.

Step-1: Go to the layout you want to change in the ‘Master Slides’ view

The first step is to go to the ‘Slide Master’ view in the ‘View’ tab and click on the Layout that you want to edit.

Step-2: Make the preferred edits to the layout

Now, all you have to do is make the preferred edits in the selected layout. After making the edits, the element of the layout will be changed accordingly in the ‘Layout’ option in the ‘Slides’ section of the ‘Home’ tab and all the slides that are using that layout.

Related Article – How to Edit Background Graphics Using Slide Master in PowerPoint!

7. How to Create a New Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

To create a new slide layout in PowerPoint, go to the ‘Slide Master’ view in the ‘Views’ tab in the ribbon and follow the 2 easy steps described below.

Step-1: Click on the position where you want to add the new slide layout

At first you have to click on the position where you want to add the new slide layout in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar.

Step-2: ‘Insert Layout’ button at the ‘Edit Master’ section.

After you have clicked on the position where you want to add the new slide layout, all you have to do is click on the ‘Insert layout’ button located in the ‘Edit Master’ section of the ‘Slide Master’ view.

7b. How to Insert a Blank Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

To insert a blank slide layout in PowerPoint, add a new layout and follow the simple steps given below.

Step-1: Select all the elements in the new slide layout

After inserting a new slide layout, select all the elements that are on the slide layout. You can do that by holding the ‘Left’ mouse button at one corner of the slide and dragging the selector cursor over all the elements of the slide.

Alternatively, you can also ‘left click’ on the elements one by one while holding the ‘Ctrl’ button on your keyboard or click on one of the elements in the slide layout and press the ‘ Ctrl + A ’ buttons on the keyboard of your computer.

Step-2: Delete the elements or object present on the slide

Finally, delete all the elements that you have selected on the new slide layout. You can do that by clicking on the ‘Backspace’ button or the ‘Delete’ button on the keyboard of your computer while keeping all the elements of the new slide layout selected. That way, the new slide layout will be blank.

Step-3: Rename the Slide Layout and Exit Slide Master

The last step is to rename the slide master so that you can easily identify the newly created slide layout in the layout menu. Once that’s done, simply click on “ Close Master View ” to exit the slide master.

8. How Many Types of Slide Layouts are There in PowerPoint?

In PowerPoint, there are 16 different types of slide layouts that you can apply to your presentation. All 16 of these layouts are divided into 4 categories. The categories and types of slide layouts is listed below.

Title and Text
Title and 2 Column Text
Blank
Content
Title, Text, and Content
Title and Text over Content
Title and Content over Text
Title, Text, and ClipArt
Title, Text, and Chart
Title, Text, and Media Clip
Title and Table
Title and Diagram or Organization Chart
Title and Chart

de5f0c5840276572324fc6e2ece1a882

How to Use This Site
Core Competencies
Fundamentals of Slide Design

Learn about slide design, its importance, and principles and strategies for designing strong slides.

What is Slide Design?

Through the use of different elements, including visuals, colors, typography, style, layout, and transitions, slide design provides a visual representation of the important points of your presentation. It not only complements your research, but can also enhance your presentation. Slide design can impact how much an audience understands and retains the content that you present.

Slide design strategies that thoughtfully consider and prioritize the experience of the audience can result in stronger presentations. Melissa Marshall —an expert in understanding how technical presentations can be transformed—advocates for an innovative approach to slide design. Her well-researched methods have been successful in the scientific community and we recommend her strategy. In an article on how to transform your technical talks , Marshall discusses the science behind the impact of slide design and how the overuse of text on slides while engaging in verbal communication during presentations increases the chances of cognitive overload for audience members. Marshall advocates for an “audience-centered speaker” approach, a technique in which you shift your focus from the speaker to that of the audience.

-Melissa Marshall

Audience engagement is an important indicator about the level of success of a presentation. Marshall argues that “a critical insight is to realize that your success as a speaker depends entirely upon your ability to make your audience successful.” In order to prioritize the experience of your audience and how they receive your presentation, Marshall advocates for a design strategy called assertion-evidence design which uses a succinct headline in the slide with the key assertion in the form of a sentence that is accompanied by visual evidence, such as charts, graphs, and flowcharts. This method prioritizes the utilization of strong visuals and minimizes the amount of text on slides. As needed, presenters can provide the audience with a handout of their slides that contain more detailed notes from their presentation as a reference. If you have not used assertion-evidence slides before, it is a good technique to further explore and consider as its approach can enhance a presentation when carried out effectively. Examples of strong assertion-evidence slides and a self-assessment checklist for this design strategy can be found on Create and Assess Your Slides , and a template can be accessed below.

(Click to Enlarge)

An assertion-evidence slide template that includes tips and layout suggestions by melissa marshall. .

To learn more about creating strong visual representations of your data and the importance of forming a mutual exchange between you and your audience, visit our pages on Data Visualization , along with Consider Your Audience which is part of the section on how to Deliver Authentically .

Watch these short videos by Marshall to further explore the impact of slide design, strategies for fostering audience engagement, and helpful ways to approach the scope and focus of your presentation.

Learn more about the impact of slide design.

Further explore how to analyze your audience.

Consider scope and focus of your slides and talks.

For additional resources to help you think about the organization and framing of your talk visit Deliver Authentically and Prepare for Any Talk .

What Does it Look Like to Design Effective Slides?

There are techniques and tools that can be utilized to strengthen the design of your slides in order to enhance the quality of your presentation. The following section presents one approach. Review this list and explore how each strategy can improve your slide design.

A more comprehensive slide design checklist and other resources can be found on Create and Assess Your Slides .

Inclusive Slide Design

Creating slides that are inclusive and accessible for different learners is a critical part of the design process. Consider the implications of your design on the viewer’s interpretation, including visual representation, language and color choice. As you engage in this process, explore the role of slide design in creating an inclusive environment that considers multiple perspectives, values, beliefs, identities, disciplines, abilities, experiences, and backgrounds. To learn more about what it means and looks like to design visuals that are inclusive, visit Visual Storytelling as part of the section on Data Visualization and Preferred Terms for Select Population Groups & Communities from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

Are You Ready to Create Your Own Slides?

To begin the process of designing your slides or to improve an existing deck, visit Create and Assess Your Slides . Use the provided resources to learn more about helpful design strategies, how to create effective slides and ways to assess them.

Data Visualization
Create and Assess Your Slides
Visual Design Tools

6.3 Formatting Microsoft PowerPoint Slides: Layout and Design Principles

Learning objectives.

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Format the layout of each slide
Understand best practices in design principles

It’s time to transform the five slides from My Life in a Snapshot by manipulating the layout and adding options. Formatting the layout of each slide in Microsoft PowerPoint is the process of adding, subtracting, and/or adjusting the arrangement of elements such as text, images, and shapes on a slide. You may want to format the layout of a slide in PowerPoint to make it more visually appealing and effective for your audience. PowerPoint includes many options for altering the layout of the slide. The slide layout can be changed by using the tool on the Home tab in the Slides command group . From the Home tab, select Layout tab from the Slides command group. Here, you will see a listing and image of the layout options.

We have used three types of layouts in My Life in a Snapshot . Here are some commonly used slide layouts:

Title Slide : This layout includes a title and subtitle and is typically used for the first slide of a presentation .
Title and Content: This layout includes a title, subtitle, and one or two content boxes that you can use for text or media. This layout is typically used to give an overview of the presentation and the main topics to be covered.
Comparison: This layout includes two content boxes, which can be used to present different types of information, such as text and images, or to compare and contrast two pieces of information.
Section Header: This layout is used to create a slide that can be used as a header for a section of a presentation. It typically includes a title and subtitle, with a distinctive design.
Content with Caption: This layout includes a content box and a caption box, which can be used to present a single image or other media and provide additional information about it.

These common PowerPoint slide layouts can help you create a clear and effective presentation structure. You can add, remove, or customize placeholders as you need, as well as use combinations of these layouts to create a unique, personalized presentation. PowerPoint also offers a variety of built-in slide layouts that you can use to create different types of slides.

Formatting Layout

When you design your slide layouts, arranging text boxes and other objects becomes key in making sure they are positioned in an effective manner. In this section, we will review the Alignment Guides option within the View tab and discuss the numerous built-in layout designs that PowerPoint can offer.

Alignment Guides

As stated previously, getting things to look exactly how you want them to appear next to each other is crucial to maximizing the design power of PowerPoint. But it can be difficult to align objects with other objects on a single slide, or objects with text, using only your mouse. Under the View tab, you will find a helpful alignment tool that you can access by checking the Guides box. When this box is checked, there will be two dashed lines on the presentation slide, one centered vertically and the other centered horizontally.

When you hover your mouse over one of these lines while holding down the Ctrl key, the cursor turns into a double line with arrows. Drag the line to where you want one guideline to be and let go of the mouse. When you do this, another line is created.

Hold down the Option key, not the Ctrl key, to turn your cursor into a double line with arrows.

You can continue to add guidelines anywhere on your slide to insert and align objects, text boxes, photos, and so forth. (In the section on Adding Visuals and Features to Microsoft PowerPoint Slides , we will cover inserting objects and images.) See Figure 6.23 for a visual example of what the guides look like after adding them to a slide. (If you see that the Guides box is checked but no lines are apparent, just uncheck it and check it again. That will usually bring the guides back into view.)

Link to Learning

Not every presentation has to be delivered by a person. There are many reasons why creating a self-running presentation is valuable. Many companies will design a presentation that can be left unattended in a booth or kiosk, at a trade show or convention, or saved as a video and sent to a client list. A self-running presentation can also help address time-related constraints. Read Microsoft’s steps for creating a self-running slideshow in PowerPoint to learn more.

Design Principles

In this section, you will learn about some basic design principles that are best practices for designing your own slides or choosing a theme for your presentation. You’ll find out how to use proximity, alignment, repetition, contrast, and white space to make your design elements stand out.

In photography, proximity refers to nearness —the distance between the camera and the subject being photographed. In the context of PowerPoint , it refers to the distance between the audience and the subject matter being presented. You can control the relative proximity within a PowerPoint slide. In photography, proximity can affect the composition of the photograph by changing the relative sizes of the elements in the frame. For example, if the camera is positioned close to a small subject, the subject may appear larger in the frame; if the camera is positioned farther away, the subject may appear smaller. The proximity of the camera to the subject can also influence the overall look of the photograph. A photograph taken from a close distance may have a more intimate or detailed appearance, while one taken from farther away may have a more distant or expansive look.

Proximity is an important consideration in designing PowerPoint layouts because it can affect the composition, perspective, and overall look of each slide. In Figure 6.24 , you can see two different sizes of the budget sheet. The first one is effective for an overall view of what the document looks like. The second one is more effective if you want the audience to be able to read it. If so, it’s preferable to zoom in as close as possible to that content.

Aligning objects or text on a page adds organization and creates a sense of cohesion, making your content in general more usable. When alignment exists on a slide, the human eye knows where to focus, and the slide is more comfortable to view. In PowerPoint, alignment is the way that text, images, and other elements are positioned on a slide. Proper alignment is important because it helps to create a cohesive, professional-looking presentation. When elements on a slide are aligned, they are more visually balanced, which can make the slide look more organized and appealing to the audience. Properly aligned elements can help guide the viewer’s eye and create a natural flow from one element to the next, making the presentation easier to follow and understand. In addition to the Guides checkbox that we reviewed in the section on Formatting Layout , there are also checkboxes for Rulers and Gridlines. Ticking these boxes will show additional lines on the slide that will help you align your slide elements.

Repetition is the use of similar or identical elements, such as colors, fonts, or design elements, across multiple slides in a presentation. In a slideshow, repetition—especially when similar elements are repeated across multiple slides—can make the presentation feel more polished and professional and make it easy for the audience to follow and understand. Repetition also promotes a consistent look and feel for the presentation. Repetition of important elements such as headings or key points can establish a visual hierarchy that guides the viewer’s eye and makes your presentation easier to follow.

Repetition of visual elements is a good way of reinforcing the key points you want to establish with the audience because they know where to look. In this way, repetition makes the main message of your presentation more memorable and connected for the audience.

In presentations, contrast refers to the use of different elements, such as colors, fonts, and other design elements, to focus attention and create visual interest. You may want to use contrasting colors, such as complementary colors or light and dark shades, or contrasting fonts, such as a bold or decorative font for headings and a simple font for body text. Using contrast helps create a hierarchy and makes your presentation easier to follow.

Using contrasting design elements, such as different shapes or patterns, can help to add visual interest and break up the slide into distinct sections. Overall, contrast is a useful tool in presentations because it can help to draw attention, create visual interest, and make the presentation more effective and engaging for the audience. Notice how in the new title slide of My Life in a Snapshot ( Figure 6.21 ), the title is in large font, the subtitle is in small font, and the colors used are off-white, red, and black. The different font sizes and colors contrast with one another and create an engaging, yet professional, appearance.

White Space

The last design element to consider within this section is white space . White space, also known as negative space, is the unoccupied areas of a slide that are not filled with text or other content. By leaving enough white space around text and other elements, you can make the content easier to read and understand. White space can be used to create visual interest by creating balance and separating different elements on the slide. By surrounding a key point or element with white space, you can draw attention to it and make it stand out. Additionally, using white space consistently throughout a presentation can help to create a cohesive look and feel. It is an important element of slide design and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the readability, visual appeal, and effectiveness of a presentation. Filling your slides with text or images will make them look too busy and hard for your audience to read. Using the Designer tool to suggest different layouts can help add white space and sustain interest throughout the presentation with aesthetically pleasing slides.

Another principle that underlies all the design principles reviewed in this section is known as the rule of thirds . This is a basic principle of photography and design that suggests that an image can be divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. It is essentially a tic-tac-toe game board!

Real-World Application

Applying the rule of thirds.

The rule of thirds theory suggests that if you place the important elements of the image along these lines, or at their intersections, your photo or design will be more balanced and will have more visual interest. By placing the main subject of your photo or design along one of the lines or at an intersection, you can create a sense of tension and dynamism that draws the viewer’s eye into the image. Additionally, using the rule of thirds can help you avoid placing the subject of your image dead center every time, which can make for a static and uninteresting composition.

Although the rule of thirds is not a hard-and-fast rule, it is a useful guideline that can help you create more visually appealing and dynamic compositions in your slide creations and layouts. Figure 6.25 provides an example of a grid created according to the rule of thirds.

There are other composition models you can use, as well. The point is that in design, composition is the basis of it all. You want a well-composed layout and placement of text and images, aligned so that the eye moves easily about the slide.

This book may not be used in the training of large language models or otherwise be ingested into large language models or generative AI offerings without OpenStax's permission.

Want to cite, share, or modify this book? This book uses the Creative Commons Attribution License and you must attribute OpenStax.

Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/workplace-software-skills/pages/1-chapter-scenario

Authors: Tammie Bolling, Angela Mitchell, Tanya Scott, Nyrobi Wheeler
Publisher/website: OpenStax
Book title: Workplace Software and Skills
Publication date: Nov 29, 2023
Location: Houston, Texas
Book URL: https://openstax.org/books/workplace-software-skills/pages/1-chapter-scenario
Section URL: https://openstax.org/books/workplace-software-skills/pages/6-3-formatting-microsoft-powerpoint-slides-layout-and-design-principles

© Jan 3, 2024 OpenStax. Textbook content produced by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License . The OpenStax name, OpenStax logo, OpenStax book covers, OpenStax CNX name, and OpenStax CNX logo are not subject to the Creative Commons license and may not be reproduced without the prior and express written consent of Rice University.

Free Online Microsoft Training

Free tips and tricks for using Microsoft Office and Windows

Choosing a slide layout in PowerPoint – why it’s important

By Belinda Anderson
23 October 2014
Updated: 6 May 2024
No Comments

Today I am going to discuss the use of the slide layout feature and how it can assist you to create a consistent and professional looking presentation. Microsoft PowerPoint is probably one of my favourite applications to teach. It provides a fun and versatile array of features that with a little bit of imagination can make a day of training finish in a flash.

Whenever I use Microsoft PowerPoint there are a few specific tasks that I believe are important to ensure you end up with a presentation that you can be proud of. One of those tasks is ensuring that you have applied the correct slide layout to each slide. I’ve worked with participants from corporate executives and classroom teacher’s right through to home users, and have found this to be one thing which is overlooked or misunderstood.

The slide layout feature in PowerPoint is there to provide you with pre-defined templates for the different types of slides you may wish to use. The slide layout provides placeholders, e.g. text boxes, tables, SmartArt, pictures etc that hold the content on your slide. Placeholders will define positioning and formatting for the content on your slide. The use of the correct slide layout can provide some great time savings as you do not need to design the layout of your slide from scratch.

The slide layout you choose depends completely on the type of content you wish to include on the slide. If you cannot find a slide layout that suits your exact needs then I generally recommend you select the layout which is closest to what you need. If none of the layout options meets your needs then you have the ability to create your own custom layout which can then be used in any future presentations.

The slide layout options available are listed below, along with a description of how you can use them.

The time-saving feature provided by slide layouts is the ability to click and type information straight into the placeholders. You do not need to create your own text boxes, apply formatting or a bullet list. The slide layout options will display prompts on the slide to show you where to enter information. The types of prompts include: “Click to add title”, “Click to add subtitle”, “Click to add text” etc. In placeholders which can contain elements such as pictures, tables, SmartArt etc you will be presented with the icons associated with those types of elements. You simply click the element icon you wish to insert and you will be able to choose from the various options available.

When I’m asked to review or assist in the improvement of a PowerPoint presentation I look at numerous aspects. One of the design aspects which I find causes users’ issues is having the slide layout set incorrectly on individual slides. A good example of this is shown below where the slide looks fine when viewed in slideshow mode, but when viewed in normal view, you can see there are still placeholders and prompts to add text, showing in the slide.

Having the incorrect slide layout applied to a slide can cause problems further down the track relating to text box positioning, animations, and is also the difference between providing clear and defined content or a badly designed presentation. This is especially important when multiple people are working on, or using the same presentation.

To use the correct slide layout, follow these steps:

Firstly you will need to open Microsoft PowerPoint (I’m using PowerPoint 2016)
By default, a new blank slide will be displayed along with a Title Slide. If you have a specific presentation that you want to adjust, press Ctrl + F12 and the Open dialog box will appear allowing you to navigate and open the file

Now select the first slide you wish to change the slide layout on or if you are using a new blank presentation simply change the layout of the first slide
Click the Layout button which is located on the Home tab within the Slides group

Click the Layout button to view the 9 built-in layouts available
Click the layout you wish to use or which is the closest match to what you want to include on the slide
The layout will now be applied to your slide

Once you have entered information into the relevant placeholders, ensure you delete any remaining placeholders which you do not intend to use
To delete a placeholder, simply click on the outside border and then press the Delete key on your keyboard

The placeholder should now be removed from the slide
Continue creating slide content as needed

I hope you have found these tips useful for ensuring your presentation is using the correct slide layout. For more posts relating to building your PowerPoint presentation why not check out:

Effective Presentation Design Tips using PowerPoint
Easily reuse slides from existing presentations
Use templates to create a presentation
Preview a slide show in PowerPoint
My favourite shortcut keys in Microsoft PowerPoint
placeholders , PowerPoint , Presentation , Slide layout
Microsoft PowerPoint

Slide layout

In Microsoft PowerPoint , slide layout refers to the design and placement of different elements on a slide. The default slide layout is a Title Slide with a title text placeholder and subtitle text placeholder. However, this default can include alternate text, images, and video. The slide layout can be considered an overview of the information being presented by the user.

If you don't want to start with any text or content placeholder, choose the Blank slide layout.

Slide layouts

In the Office Ribbon under the Home are the following nine slide layouts. We've also listed each of these layouts with additional information.

Title slide

The Title Slide layout is the default PowerPoint layout when you open a new blank presentation. It contains two text placeholders, one for the title of the presentation and the other for the subtitle.

Title and Content

The Title and Content layout is PowerPoint's most commonly used slide. This slide contains a title placeholder at the top for text and a placeholder for content like a chart , bullet list , images , or other content .

Section Header

The Section Header layout introduces new sections in your PowerPoint presentation. This slide contains two lower text placeholders.

Two Content

The Two Content layout has a title text placeholder at the top with two content placeholders next to each other under the title.

The Comparison layout is the same as the Two Content slide layout, with two additional text placeholders above the two content placeholders.

The Title Only layout has a title text placeholder in the top center of the slide with nothing else.

The Blank layout has no placeholders and allow you to create the layout.

Content with Caption

The Content with Caption layout has a title and caption text placeholder on the left and a content placeholder on the right.

Picture with Caption

The Picture with Caption layout has a centered picture placeholder above a caption text placeholder.

Am I limited to only these layouts?

No. A slide layout is only a starting point for each slide to help make inserting text, images, and other content easier and faster. After picking any of these layouts, you can move or delete any placeholders or add new content outside the placeholder.

Related information

How to create or add a slide in Microsoft PowerPoint.
Microsoft PowerPoint help and support.

Microsoft PowerPoint , Slide , Slide deck , Slide Master , Software terms

Don't have an account? Sign up --> Forgot Password? --> -->

Already have an account? Log in

Reset Password

Seamless Slides: Optimizing Slide Layouts for Impactful Presentations

In the realm of presentations, the design and layout of slides play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative and engaging the audience. Microsoft PowerPoint, a ubiquitous tool for presentation creation, offers a variety of slide layouts to enhance visual appeal and information delivery. This comprehensive guide delves into the definition of slide layouts, explores the myriad benefits they bring to presentations, provides practical how-to guides for their optimization, and concludes with insights into maximizing their potential for creating seamless and impactful presentations.

1. Definition: Navigating the Essence of Slide Layouts in PowerPoint

Slide layouts refer to the predefined arrangements of placeholders for text, images, and other content on a slide. PowerPoint provides a range of layout options, each strategically designed to cater to specific content types and presentation needs. By choosing the right slide layout, presenters can ensure a cohesive and visually appealing structure for their slides.

2. Benefits: The Power of Visual Consistency and Efficiency

Visual Consistency: Slide layouts establish a consistent visual theme throughout the presentation, contributing to a polished and professional look.

Efficient Content Placement: Predefined placeholders guide presenters in placing content such as titles, subtitles, and images in a structured and organized manner.

Time Efficiency: By using slide layouts, presenters can save time in designing individual slides, ensuring a standardized look across the presentation.

Message Clarity: Thoughtfully selected layouts enhance the clarity of the message by providing a clear visual hierarchy and structure.

Adaptability: Slide layouts offer adaptability, allowing presenters to choose layouts that best suit the content they wish to convey.

3. How-to Guides: Mastering the Optimization of Slide Layouts

3.1 Choosing the Right Layout:

Assess the content of each slide and determine the most suitable layout.

Consider the amount of text, the presence of images, and the overall emphasis of the slide.

3.2 Customizing Slide Layouts:

Access the "Slide Master" under the "View" tab for more advanced customization.

Adjust the placement and formatting of placeholders to align with specific design preferences.

3.3 Incorporating Images and Graphics:

Choose layouts with dedicated image placeholders for slides with visual content.

Utilize the "Insert" tab to add images and graphics seamlessly into designated areas.

3.4 Aligning Text and Titles:

Use layouts that prioritize text or titles based on the information hierarchy.

Adjust font sizes, styles, and alignments within placeholders for optimal readability.

3.5 Creating Custom Slide Layouts:

For unique presentation needs, create custom slide layouts.

Access the "Slide Master," click on "Insert Layout," and design a layout tailored to specific requirements.

3.6 Consistent Use of Fonts and Colors:

Maintain consistency in font choices and color schemes across all slides.

Use the "Slide Master" to set a uniform style for text and background elements.

3.7 Transition Effects and Animations:

Apply transition effects and animations consistently to enhance visual appeal.

Ensure that animations complement the content rather than distract from it.

4.Smallppt's AI PowerPoint: Mastering the Presentation Game

Smallppt's AI PowerPoint, a presentation-mastering AI PowerPoint maker, transforms the game of design. This intuitive online AI PowerPoint maker effortlessly crafts engaging presentations. The Redraw Feature refines text with precision, while real-time formatting recommendations from its Artificial Intelligence presentation PowerPoint suite elevate design dynamics. Integrated with Microsoft PowerPoint, it prioritizes efficiency, ensuring a focus on substantive content. Leading the charge in the AI for presentations movement, it seamlessly integrates traditional design with cutting-edge AI capabilitie s.

5. Conclusion: Elevating Presentation Impact with Slide Layout Mastery

In conclusion, the optimization of slide layouts in PowerPoint is a key factor in creating impactful presentations. The benefits of visual consistency, efficient content placement, time efficiency, message clarity, and adaptability underscore the importance of mastering the art of slide layouts. As presenters navigate the dynamic landscape of presentations, let slide layouts be the guiding framework that ensures a seamless and visually appealing journey for the audience. By following the outlined how-to guides and embracing the potential of slide layouts, presenters can wield a powerful tool for communication, leaving a lasting impression and ensuring that their message resonates with clarity and impact. Seamless slides, when crafted with intention and precision, become the canvas on which compelling narratives unfold, creating an immersive and memorable presentation experience.

Title / Email address / Description can not be empty!

30 Presentation Terms & What They Mean

Delivering a captivating presentation is an art that requires more than just confidence and oratory skills. From the design of your slides to the way you carry yourself on stage, every little detail contributes to the overall effectiveness of your presentation. For those who wish to master this art, getting familiar with the associated terminology is a great place to start.

In this article, we’ll explore “30 Presentation Terms & What They Mean,” shedding light on the key terms and concepts in the world of presentations. Whether you’re a professional looking to refine your skills, a student aiming to ace your next presentation, or just someone curious about the subject, this guide is sure to provide you with valuable insights.

Dive in as we explore everything from slide decks and speaker notes to body language and Q&A sessions.

Each term is elaborated in depth, giving you a comprehensive understanding of their meanings and applications. This knowledge will not only make you more comfortable with presentations but will also empower you to deliver them more effectively.

2 Million+ PowerPoint Templates, Themes, Graphics + More

Download thousands of PowerPoint templates, and many other design elements, with a monthly Envato Elements membership. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 2,000,000 presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.

Maximus Template

Pitch PowerPoint

Ciri Template

Animated PPT Templates

Fully animated.

Pitch Deck Templates

Startup pitch deck.

Explore PowerPoint Templates

Speaker Notes
White Space
Aspect Ratio
Grid System
Master Slide
Infographic
Data Visualization
Call-to-Action (CTA)
Color Palette
Negative Space
Storyboarding
Bullet Points
Eye Contact
Body Language
Q&A Session

1. Slide Deck

A slide deck, in its most basic sense, is a collection of slides that are presented in sequence to support a speech or presentation. The slides typically contain key points, graphics, and other visual aids that make the presentation more engaging and easier to understand.

Beyond merely displaying information, a well-crafted slide deck can tell a story, create an emotional connection, or illustrate complex concepts in a digestible way. Its design elements, including the choice of colors, fonts, and images, play a significant role in how the presentation is received by the audience.

2. Speaker Notes

Speaker notes are a feature in presentation software that allows presenters to add notes or cues to their slides. These notes are only visible to the presenter during the presentation. They can include additional information, reminders, prompts, or even the full script of the speech.

While the audience sees the slide deck, the speaker can use these notes as a guide to ensure they cover all necessary points without memorizing the entire speech. It’s essential to use speaker notes strategically – they should aid the presentation, not become a script that hinders natural delivery.

A template is a pre-designed layout for a slide deck. It typically includes a set design, color scheme, typefaces, and placeholders for content like text, images, and graphs. Templates can significantly reduce the time and effort required to create a professional-looking presentation.

While templates can be incredibly helpful, it’s important to choose one that aligns with the theme, purpose, and audience of the presentation. Customizing the template to match your brand or topic can further enhance its effectiveness.

4. Transition

In the realm of presentations, a transition refers to the visual effect that occurs when you move from one slide to the next. Simple transitions include fade-ins and fade-outs, while more complex ones might involve 3D effects, wipes, or spins.

Transitions can add a touch of professionalism and dynamism to a presentation when used correctly. However, overuse or choosing flashy transitions can be distracting and detract from the content. The key is to use transitions that complement the presentation’s tone and pace without overshadowing the message.

5. Animation

Animation is the process of making objects or text in your slide deck appear to move. This can involve anything from making bullet points appear one by one, to having graphics fly in or out, to creating a simulation of a complex process. Animation can add interest, emphasize points, and guide the audience’s attention throughout the presentation.

While animations can make a presentation more engaging, they must be used judiciously. Excessive or overly complex animations can distract the audience, complicate the message, and look unprofessional. As with transitions, animations should support the content, not detract from it.

6. Multimedia

Multimedia refers to the combination of different types of media — such as text, images, audio, video, and animation — within a single presentation. Incorporating multimedia elements can make a presentation more engaging, cater to different learning styles, and aid in explaining complex ideas.

However, it’s important to ensure that multimedia elements are relevant, high-quality, and appropriately scaled for the presentation. Additionally, depending on the presentation venue, technical considerations such as file sizes, internet speed, and audio quality need to be taken into account when using multimedia.

7. White Space

In the context of presentation design, white space (or negative space) refers to the unmarked portions of a slide, which are free of text, images, or other visual elements. Despite its name, white space doesn’t necessarily have to be white — it’s any area of a slide not filled with content.

White space can give a slide a clean, balanced look and can help draw attention to the most important elements. It can also reduce cognitive load, making it easier for the audience to process information. Good use of white space is often a key difference between professional and amateur designs.

8. Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a slide’s width and height. It’s typically expressed as two numbers separated by a colon, such as 4:3 or 16:9. The first number represents the width, and the second represents the height.

The choice of aspect ratio can affect how content fits on the screen and how the presentation appears on different displays. For instance, a 16:9 aspect ratio is often used for widescreen displays, while a 4:3 ratio may be more suitable for traditional computer monitors and projectors.

9. Grid System

The grid system is a framework used to align and layout design elements in a slide. It’s comprised of horizontal and vertical lines that divide the slide into equal sections or grids.

The grid system aids in creating visual harmony, balance, and consistency across slides. It can guide the placement of text, images, and other elements, ensuring that they’re evenly spaced and aligned. It’s an important tool for maintaining a professional and organized appearance in a presentation.

10. Readability

Readability refers to how easy it is for an audience to read and understand the text on your slides. It involves factors such as font size, typeface, line length, spacing, and contrast with the background.

Ensuring good readability is crucial in presentations. If your audience can’t easily read and understand your text, they’ll be more likely to disengage. Large fonts, simple language, high-contrast color schemes, and ample white space can enhance readability.

11. Infographic

An infographic is a visual representation of information, data, or knowledge. They’re used in presentations to communicate complex data in a clear, concise, and engaging way. Infographics can include charts, graphs, icons, pictures, and text.

While infographics can effectively communicate complex ideas, they must be designed carefully. Too much information, confusing visuals, or a lack of a clear hierarchy can make an infographic difficult to understand. It’s important to keep the design simple and focus on the key message.

To embed in a presentation context means to incorporate external content, such as a video, a document, or a website, directly into a slide. When an object is embedded, it becomes part of the presentation file and can be viewed or played without leaving the presentation.

Embedding can be a useful tool to incorporate interactive or supplementary content into a presentation. However, it’s important to remember that it can increase the file size of the presentation and may require an internet connection or specific software to function correctly.

13. Palette

A palette, in terms of presentations, refers to the set of colors chosen to be used throughout the slide deck. This can include primary colors for backgrounds and text, as well as secondary colors for accents and highlights.

The right color palette can help convey the mood of a presentation, reinforce branding, and increase visual interest. It’s important to choose colors that work well together and provide enough contrast for readability. Tools like color wheel or color scheme generators can be helpful in choosing a harmonious palette.

14. Vector Graphics

Vector graphics are digital images created using mathematical formulas rather than pixels. This means they can be scaled up or down without losing quality, making them ideal for presentations that may be viewed on different screen sizes.

Vector graphics often have smaller file sizes than their pixel-based counterparts (raster graphics), which can help keep your presentation file manageable. Common types of vector graphics include logos, icons, and illustrations.

15. Mood Board

A mood board is a collection of images, text, colors, and other design elements that serve as visual inspiration for a presentation. It helps establish the aesthetic, mood, or theme of the presentation before the design process begins.

Creating a mood board can be a valuable step in the presentation design process. It can help you visualize how different elements will work together, communicate your design ideas to others, and maintain consistency across your slides.

16. Hierarchy

In design, hierarchy refers to the arrangement of elements in a way that implies importance. In presentations, visual hierarchy helps guide the viewer’s eye to the most important elements first.

Hierarchy can be created through the use of size, color, contrast, alignment, and whitespace. Effective use of hierarchy can make your slides easier to understand and keep your audience focused on the key points.

17. Stock Photos

Stock photos are professionally taken photographs that are bought and sold on a royalty-free basis. They can be used in presentations to add visual interest, convey emotions, or illustrate specific concepts.

While stock photos can enhance a presentation, it’s important to use them judiciously and choose images that align with your presentation’s tone and content. Overuse of generic or irrelevant stock photos can make a presentation feel impersonal or unprofessional.

18. Sans Serif

Sans serif refers to a category of typefaces that do not have small lines or strokes attached to the ends of larger strokes. Sans serif fonts are often used in presentations because they’re typically easier to read on screens than serif fonts, which have these small lines.

Some popular sans serif fonts for presentations include Helvetica, Arial, and Calibri. When choosing a font for your slides, readability should be a primary consideration.

19. Hyperlink

A hyperlink, or link, is a clickable element in a slide that directs the viewer to another slide in the deck, a different document, or a web page. Hyperlinks can be used in presentations to provide additional information or to navigate to specific slides.

While hyperlinks can be useful, they should be used sparingly and appropriately. Links that direct the viewer away from the presentation can be distracting and disrupt the flow of your talk.

PDF stands for Portable Document Format. It’s a file format that preserves the fonts, images, graphics, and layout of any source document, regardless of the computer or software used to create it. Presentations are often saved and shared as PDFs to ensure they look the same on any device.

While a PDF version of your presentation will maintain its appearance, it won’t include interactive elements like animations, transitions, and hyperlinks. Therefore, it’s best used for distributing slide handouts or when the presentation software used to create the deck isn’t available.

21. Raster Graphics

Raster graphics are digital images composed of individual pixels. These pixels, each a single point with its own color, come together to form the full image. Photographs are the most common type of raster graphics.

While raster graphics can provide detailed and vibrant images, they don’t scale well. Enlarging a raster image can lead to pixelation, where the individual pixels become visible and the image appears blurry. For this reason, raster images in presentations should be used at their original size or smaller.

22. Typeface

A typeface, often referred to as a font, is a set of characters with the same design. This includes letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and sometimes symbols. Typefaces can have different styles and weights, such as bold or italic.

The choice of typeface can significantly impact the readability and mood of a presentation. For example, serif typefaces can convey tradition and authority, while sans serif typefaces can appear modern and clean. The key is to choose a typeface that aligns with the purpose and audience of your presentation.

23. Visual Content

Visual content refers to the graphics, images, charts, infographics, animations, and other non-text elements in a presentation. These elements can help capture the audience’s attention, enhance understanding, and make the presentation more memorable.

While visual content can enhance a presentation, it’s important not to overload slides with too many visual elements, as this can confuse or overwhelm the audience. All visual content should be relevant, clear, and support the overall message of the presentation.

24. Call to Action

A call to action (CTA) in a presentation is a prompt that encourages the audience to take a specific action. This could be anything from visiting a website, signing up for a newsletter, participating in a discussion, or implementing a suggested strategy.

A strong CTA aligns with the goals of the presentation and is clear and compelling. It often comes at the end of the presentation, providing the audience with a next step or a way to apply what they’ve learned.

25. Thumbnails

In presentations, thumbnails are small versions of the slides that are used to navigate through the deck during the design process. They provide an overview of the presentation’s flow and can help identify inconsistencies in design.

Thumbnails are typically displayed in the sidebar of presentation software. They allow you to easily move, delete, or duplicate slides, and can provide a visual check for overall consistency and flow.

26. Aspect Ratio

27. interactive elements.

Interactive elements are components in a presentation that the audience can interact with. These could include hyperlinks, embedded quizzes, interactive infographics, or multimedia elements like audio and video.

Interactive elements can make a presentation more engaging and memorable. However, they require careful planning and should always be tested before the presentation to ensure they work as intended.

28. Placeholders

In the context of presentations, placeholders are boxes that are included in a slide layout to hold specific types of content, such as text, images, or charts. They guide the placement of content and can help ensure consistency across slides.

Placeholders can be especially useful when working with templates, as they provide a predefined layout to follow. However, they should be used flexibly – not every placeholder needs to be used, and additional elements can be added if necessary.

29. Master Slide

The master slide is the top slide in a hierarchy of slides that stores information about the theme and slide layouts of a presentation. Changes made to the master slide, such as modifying the background, fonts, or color scheme, are applied to all other slides in the presentation.

Master slides can help ensure consistency across a presentation and save time when making global changes. However, it’s important to note that individual slides can still be modified independently if necessary.

In presentations, a layout refers to the arrangement of elements on a slide. This includes the placement of text, images, shapes, and other elements, as well as the use of space and alignment.

Choosing the right layout can make your slides look organized and professional, guide the viewer’s eye, and enhance your message. Most presentation software offers a variety of pre-defined layouts, but these can usually be modified to better suit your content and design preferences.

Stream Your Favorite Sports
Where to Watch WNBA Games

The Definition of a Slide (or Slides) in a PowerPoint Presentation

Brock University

Presentation software such as PowerPoint generates a series of slides to accompany a human presenter or to be recorded as a stand-alone presentation. A slide is a single screen of a presentation, and every presentation is composed of several slides. Depending on the subject matter, the best presentations may consist of 10 to 12 slides to get a message across, but more may be needed for complex subjects.

Slides keep an audience's attention during a presentation and provide additional supporting information in textual or graphic format.

Selecting Slide Formats in PowerPoint

When you open a new PowerPoint presentation file, you are presented with a large selection of slide templates that you can choose from to set the tone for your presentation. Each template has a series of related slides in the same theme, color, and font choice for different purposes. You can choose a template and use only the additional slides that work for your presentation.

The first slide of a presentation is usually a title or introductory slide. It typically consists of text only, but it can include graphic elements or images as well. Subsequent slides are chosen based on the information to be transmitted. Some slides contain images, or charts and graphs.

Transitions Between Slides

Slides follow one after another during a presentation, either at a set time or when the presenter advances the slides manually. PowerPoint includes a large number of transitions you can apply to slides. A transition controls the appearance of one slide as it transitions to the next. Transitions include one slide morphing into another, a fade of one to another, and all sorts of special effects such as page curls or animated motion.

Although transitions add extra interest to a slide presentation, overdoing them by applying a different spectacular effect to each slide tends to look unprofessional and may even distract the audience from what the speaker is saying, so use transitions judiciously.

Enhancing a Slide

Slides can have sound effects attached to them. The sound effects list includes cash register, crowd laughing, drum roll, whoosh, typewriter and many more.

Adding motion to an element on a slide – a line of text or an image – is called animation. PowerPoint comes with a large selection of stock animations you can use to generate movement on a slide. For example, you can choose a headline and have it zoom in from the margin, spin around 360 degrees, flip in one letter at a time, bounce into position or one of many other stock animation effects .

As with transitions, don't use so many special effects that the audience is distracted from the content of the slide.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

The 8 Best Slideshow Apps of 2024
What Is an Animation in Presentation Software?
How to Use Google Duet in Slides
Different Ways to View Slides in PowerPoint
The 8 Best Google Drive Add-ons for 2024
10 Free PowerPoint Game Templates
Beyond the Basics in PowerPoint
The 10 Most Common PowerPoint Terms
Tips for Memorial PowerPoint Presentations
How to Hide and Unhide a Slide in PowerPoint
Create a Wedding PowerPoint Presentation
How to Use Google Slide Animations and Transitions
PowerPoint Master Slide
An Introduction to PowerPoint
Make the Most of PowerPoint's Slide Transition Options
Converting PowerPoint Slides to Word Documents

The big SlideLizard presentation glossary > Slide Layouts

Slide Layouts

Term explanation • category powerpoint.

Definition and meaning

PowerPoint has different types of Slide Layouts. Depending on which type of presentation you make, you will use more or less different slide layouts. Some Slide Types are: title slides, section heading slides, picture with caption slides, blank slides.

In our blog post, we explain common mistakes in presentations so you can avoid them.

Other glossary terms

Written communication.

The goal of written communication is to spread messages clear and explicit. Written Communication can be: emails, a contract, a memo, a text message or a Facebook Post.

Break-out-Room

In live online training, it is sometimes useful to divide the students into small groups for certain exercises, as it would be impossible to have conversations at the same time. Break-out-rooms are used so that people can talk to each other without disturbing the others. When the exercise is over, they are sent back to the main room.

Game-based Learning

Game-based learning is a popular approach where the instrument for a learning process is a game. Game-based learning scenarios are often found online - they are often favoured because they engage learners in a way that few other learning methods do.

An e-lecture is a lecture that is held online. Many schools and universities offer e-lectures as technical opportunities improve.

The big SlideLizard presentation glossary

The SlideLizard presentation glossary is a large collection of explanations and definitions of terms in the area of presentations, communication, speaking, events, PowerPoint and education.

How to create a PowerPoint Template

How to insert a Check Mark in PowerPoint

Get started with Live Polls, Q&A and slides

for your PowerPoint Presentations

Be the first to know!

The latest SlideLizard news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox.

- or follow us on -

We use cookies to personalise content and analyse traffic to our website. You can choose to accept only cookies that are necessary for the website to function or to also allow tracking cookies. For more information, please see our privacy policy .

Cookie Settings

Necessary cookies are required for the proper functioning of the website. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information about the number of visitors, etc.

Different types of slide layouts in Presentation

PowerPoint Presentation is a useful tool to put your message/bid across to your audience in an impressive manner. It is used across the world in almost all sectors to engage the customers, stakeholders, and business partners. But what is important is to create a presentation that is designed and curated in a way that creates a powerful impact on the onlookers while taking your message across loud and clear. Be it an impressive design, correct usage of visuals, or concise text, making an impressive presentation is not always easy. That is why it is best to hire a PowerPoint Presentation Company to do the job for you. But if you do find a need to make it yourself, using the slide layouts properly is one sure way of creating an engaging presentation.

Using Different Types of slide layouts in a PowerPoint Presentation

PowerPoint Presentations are made of different individual pages or slides. These slides are similar to projector slides, and while projector slides only use static images, slides in a PowerPoint Presentation are more dynamic that include text, graphics, videos, sound, and other visual objects to create a powerful, interesting, and engaging viewing experience. The slides can also be animated apart from using exciting transition animation between two slides as well. Using all these techniques will help in making your presentation impressive and immersive.

Slides use some basic elements to make them visually attractive:

Title & sub-title: After opening the presentation, different titles and sub-titles can be used using different fonts, and colors to denote the subject matter, demarcate the sub-text, and differentiate between different sections

Text: This is where the content flows. You can use different fonts, sizes, and colors to highlight the content. Bullet points, etc are also effective.

Shapes: Different elements add more novelty to the presentation, so, using shapes to highlight some sections of the text can create an impressive design

Pictures: Visuals are always effective mediums to put your point across. You can choose attractive pictures to better explain your point.

Audio/video clips: This is the age of video and audio, and most people prefer video content for better understanding. You can insert videos and audio clips to give the audience a break from the monotonous textual format.

You can download the free templates here: Free Slides

Key benefits of creating PowerPoint layouts

Creating attractive layouts has its own benefits. Not only do they look appealing, but also make the presentation more impressive. But there are several other benefits than just making it visually appealing.

Creating your own slides/layouts:

When you customize your slides and layouts, it gives your presentation a unique look and feels that is none like any other. It adds a more creative look to your presentation and you can impress your audience with your design and visual sensibility
Creating your own slides will also mean that the overall look and feel of the presentation can be customized according to your theme, tone, and subject of the presentation. This will mean that every single element of the presentation is in sync with each other making it a cohesive whole. There are simple ways of doing it. You can opt for presentation slide PPT free download to get going.

Benefits of using templates for slides and layouts

There are several free PowerPoint Templates that you can download and use in your presentation to give it a professional look. These are also customizable and can be changed as per your needs. Using templates gives you ample options to choose from and makes your presentation look amazingly attractive.
With customizable options, you can change them to match your company’s design philosophy and products to give it a more in-house kind of look. This is great for branding and marketing.
Templates help you get your work done faster than creating slides and layouts right from the scratch. If you are in a rush to finish your presentation, or have an urgent meeting to attend, using a template will help you fine-tune your presentation within a short period of time.

There is no doubt that PowerPoint presentations are effective tools to impress your audience with great design and functionality. You can add more power to it by investing time and effort in slides and creating attractive layouts for better results. The best part is that PowerPoint gives you ample options to be creative and develop a presentation that will drive your point across while keeping the audience engaged and interested. While it is easy to make Business presentation design services , if you really want to create a lasting impression, have a professional PowerPoint Presentation company like Visual Spiders do it for you. A team of professional, expert, and experienced presentation designers provides PowerPoint presentations that will leave your audience spellbound. All you need to add is your captivating presentation skills and you are all set to woo your audience.

Related Content: Latest PowerPoint Presentation Trends 2022: Minimal presentation design

10 Presentation blunders
Audience Hates
Best Tactics for design slides
Bill Gates' persuasive techniques in PowerPoint Presentation
Business Slides
Creative PowerPoint Presentation
Global warming
Good presenter
Google slides
Infographic presentation
Nancy Duarte's concepts
Power of Online marketing
Powerpoint Presentation
PowerPoint presentation designs
Presentation Design Agency
Presentation Inspiration
Presentation techniques
Presentation Templates
Quality Checks
Steve Jobs Presentation
Sundar Pichai's Top Tips
Technology and Innovation
Uncategorized
Video Presentations

Revolutionary PowerPoint design for effective presentation

Elevate Your Business From Visualspiders

Visualspiders, your preferred presentation design organization, can help you enhance your corporate presentations

Unleashing Innovation: How AI Tools Redefine PowerPoint Presentations

Crossing Borders: How International Conflicts and War Between Countries Influence World Economy and International Business

Innovative Resilience: How Global Warming is Shaping New Design Concepts

Ready to work with us, [email protected].

Sell your ideas through powerful Visual Stories and unique Powerpoint Presentation Design creations that are crafted to perfection

Quick Links

Different types of slide layout in PowerPoint

Whether you’re getting ready to perform a new hire training, report financials, bidding or conduct an end of the year summary, let PowerPoint join your team.

PowerPoint layouts make it possible to organize and host important data and information the company wants to share with its employees and partners. In other words, a Powerpoint presentation reflects the identity and image of the company, hence the importance of creating a clear, organized and aesthetic slideshow that communicates your message in a professional way.

PowerPoint business uses

A Powerpoint layout is essential for all companies (large groups, ETI, SME, TPE) with more than 10 powerpoint users.

For example:

Companies with many sales reps having to match presentations to their customers.
Companies that respond to a call of tender via powerpoint support.
Companies where internal presentations are part of everyday life (training, project monitoring, financial reporting)

The benefits of creating PowerPoint layouts?

A properly constructed Powerpoint layout allows you and your team to keep a consistent look in all your presentations, simply and quickly. Powerpoint layouts are simply “ready-to-use” slide templates, combining different fixed objects and pre-defined editable elements.

In addition to being a great communication asset, a Powerpoint layout has many technical advantages:

• Respecting the company’s identity through a personalised and balanced artistic direction • Consistency and clarity of the entire presentation in accordance with a predefined and automated graphic chart • Ease and speed of work for all your employees who can put their energy where it counts, on basic data and information, instead of worrying about configuration

Whether it’s a simple slide-centered title or a complex combination of text fields, pictures and graphics, PowerPoint layouts are very effective tools. Here are some layouts to help you build your arsenal of reusable slides within your company.

Title Slide layout

The title slide layout is very important. It is a preview of the upcoming content for the rest of your presentation. Quality cover shows your audience how carefully your project has been handled. The most obvious benefit of using a title slide is informing listeners of what they will see and learn. Consider a title slide as a cover of a book or report. The cover mask gives the tone, the graphic chart and the artistic direction of the slideshow.

In a title slide layout the editable parts are usually the background image, the title, subtitle and some optional elements such as the date, or the name of the presenter.

Table of content Slide Layout

A table of contents will give your audience an overview of your Powerpoint presentation. It must be clear and precise in order to facilitate the general understanding of the subject.

The editable elements of a Summary slide layout are the titles of the different parts of your presentation as well as the number of the corresponding pages. Even though the table of contents is at the beginning of the slideshow, it will be the last one written.

Tip: Do not add a page number until you have finalized your presentation.

Simple Text Content Slide layout

Simple Content slide layout includes the title of the slide, a subtitle, and a central text box. All these elements are editable.

Two Text Content Slide layout

The twocontent slide layout is a variant of the previous mask. The main advantage of dividing the text into two blocks is to make reading more smooth and enjoyable, especially if the text is long.

The editable elements are the title, a possible subtitle and the two text blocks.

Content Slide layout [Text + Picture]

The Content [Text + Picture] slide layout offers a design that allows you to insert text and an image in 2 spaces reserved for this purpose. This type of mask can be declined in several variants with a horizontal or vertical permutation of the boxes.

The editable elements are the title, the possible subtitle, the body of the text and of course the image.

Content Slaide layout [Texts + Pictures]

This layout is an extension of the previous one that allows to insert several texts and several images on the same slide. There can be different variations, with 3 boxes or more, with horizontal or vertical permutations.

The editable elements are the title, the possible subtitle, the body of the text and the images.

Impact Message Slide Layout

It’s a very popular Layout for an Impactant Message. It is used to highlight a key message or a strong quote. In this case, the mask design favors a central text box that is highlighted by side boxes containing images.

The reader’s eye is guided towards the main information. Editable elements are title, subtitle, images and text.

The custom Slide Layout is designed to respond to a specific needs of the customer. This type of slide can accommodate many objects such as text, pictures, graphics, tables of data … or anything essential for your PowerPoint presentation.

The editable elements are the title, the subtitle, the images the text, the graphics …

For a company, it is important to have a good graphic and aesthetic coherence in all its presentations. The Powerpoint layouts allow employees to make quick and efficient presentations in accordance with the brand’s codes. Powerpoint Pokeslide can help you create customized masks that will meet all your needs.

Nos articles dans la même thématique :

5 tips to create an efficient Powerpoint credentials presentation
Presentation software

Apply a slide layout

Every theme in PowerPoint includes a set of slide layouts —predefined arrangements for your slide content. "Placeholder" boxes give you places to plug your content into with little or no manual formatting and arranging. You choose a layout from a menu in PowerPoint, then insert your words and graphics.

The predefined layouts include a Title slide to begin with, a general Title and Content layout, a side-by-side Comparison layout, and a Picture-with-Caption layout.

Your browser does not support video. Install Microsoft Silverlight, Adobe Flash Player, or Internet Explorer 9.

For more information about slide layouts, see What is a slide layout?

Arrange slide content with different slide layouts to suit your taste and preference, or to improve the clarity and readability of the content.

Select the slide that you want to change the layout for.

Select Home > Layout .

Select the layout that you want.

The layouts contain placeholders for text, videos, pictures, charts, shapes, clip art, a background, and more. The layouts also contain the formatting for those objects, like theme colors, fonts, and effects.

Note: Select Home > Reset if you made layout changes you don't like, and want to revert to the original layout. Using Reset doesn't delete any content you've added.

Change the orientation of your slides

A separate Help article describes how to switch between portrait and landscape orientations:

For PowerPoint 2013 or newer, see Change the orientation .

For PowerPoint 2010 or 2007, see Change the orientation .

Add placeholders to contain text, pictures, videos, etc.

What is a slide layout?

What is a slide master?

Add color and a design to your slides with a theme

Pick a standard slide layout

In Normal view, on the Home tab, click Layout .

Pick a layout that best suits the content of your slide.

On the Home tab click Layout to change the slide appearnce

Customize a slide layout

On the View tab, click Slide Master .

The slide layouts appear as thumbnails in the left pane below the slide master.

Thumbnail pane shows layouts when edit the slide master

Do one or both of the following:

Click the layout you want and customize it. You can add, remove, or resize placeholders, and you can use the Home tab to make changes to fonts, colors, and other design elements.

Click Insert Layout to add a new slide and format it.

Click Close Master to stop editing layouts.

Your revised slide layout will be available to insert as a new slide anywhere in your presentation.

Save your changes as a new theme

Click Design and point to any theme.

Click the down arrow under that appears under the themes panel.

Click Save Current Theme , give the theme a name, and click Save . Your new theme will contain your newly revised slide layout and will be available in Themes gallery.

To switch between portrait and landscape orientations, see Change the orientation .

Related information

Create your own theme in PowerPoint

Using templates in PowerPoint

Each slide layout contains placeholders for text, pictures, charts, shapes, and more. When you are arranging content on your slides, picking a slide layout that best suits your content gives you a head start.

Pick a layout when you add a new slide:

On the Home tab, click New Slide .

Pick a layout for your new slide and then click Add Slide .

Change the layout of an existing slide:

On the Home tab, click Layout .

Pick a layout that better matches the content on your slide, and then click Change layout .

On your phone or tablet:

Tap the slide whose layout you want to define.

On the floating toolbar at the bottom of the window, tap Home > Layout :

The Layout button on the floating toolbar lets you choose a slide layout

Tap to select the slide layout you want.

The layout is applied. You can continue editing the slide or move on to another one.

On your tablet:

On the Home tab, tap Layout .

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

IMAGES

What is a slide layout?
Slide Layouts in PowerPoint
powerpoint slide layout design
What is a slide layout?
How to Make Great PPT Slide Layouts in Microsoft PowerPoint 2021
What is a slide master?

VIDEO

አዲስ slide መጨመር፣ የshape ፎርማቶች፣ slide layout setup || How to insert new slide, shape formats...in ppt
How to Change Slide layout in Google Slides
How to change slide layout in wps presentation mobile
How to Apply Layouts on a Slide in Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation
How to change slide layout in PowerPoint
how to change slide layout

COMMENTS

What is a slide layout?
Slide layouts contain formatting, positioning, and placeholder boxes for all of the content that appears on a slide. Placeholders are the dotted-line containers on slide layouts that hold such content as titles, body text, tables, charts, SmartArt graphics, pictures, clip art, videos, and sounds. Slide layouts also contain the colors, fonts ...
Slide Layouts in PowerPoint
Step-1: Select the Slide first. At first, you have to go to the slide you want to change the layout of and then click on the 'Layout' button in the 'Slides' section of the 'Home' tab. This will open a drop-down menu of all the slide layouts in your presentation. Step-2: Click on Layout and Select a Different Layout.
Slide Layouts in PowerPoint
To add a new slide to your presentation, select Home > New Slide. This adds the Title and Content slide layout. This is the default slide layout and it contains placeholders for a title, bullet text, images, and illustrations. If you need a different type of slide, select the New Slide down arrow. This opens a menu that contains nine different ...
Fundamentals of Slide Design
Slide design strategies that thoughtfully consider and prioritize the experience of the audience can result in stronger presentations. Melissa Marshall—an expert in understanding how technical presentations can be transformed—advocates for an innovative approach to slide design.Her well-researched methods have been successful in the scientific community and we recommend her strategy.
How to Make Great PPT Slide Layouts in Microsoft PowerPoint 2021
1. Navigate to Slide Master View. Enter Slide Master View to create your own PowerPoint custom layout. Click on the View tab on PowerPoint's ribbon and choose Slide Master from the Master Views section on the ribbon. Choose View > Slide Master on PowerPoint's ribbon to edit the Slide Master and create your own layouts.
PowerPoint Slide Layouts Explained
2. The Title and Content slide layout is the second most common layout used in traditional slide decks. The smaller placeholder at the top is a title and underneath it the placeholder allows you to insert different types of content like text, pictures, charts, icons, SmartArt, tables, or video. 3. The Section Header layout is often used to ...
6.3 Formatting Microsoft PowerPoint Slides: Layout and Design
From the Home tab, select Layout tab from the Slides command group. Here, you will see a listing and image of the layout options. We have used three types of layouts in My Life in a Snapshot. Here are some commonly used slide layouts: Title Slide: This layout includes a title and subtitle and is typically used for the first slide of a presentation.
Choosing a slide layout in PowerPoint
Title Slide: This layout is used for your opening slide and ensures your presentation heading is the focal point of the first slide. Title and Content: A very common slide layout, this layout provides a title area at the top of the slide with content underneath. By default, content is displayed in bullet point form. Section Header
How to use and create slide layouts in PowerPoint
2 - Insert a new layout and rename it. Click the Insert Layout button. A new slide will appear. Right click on the new layout slide and select Rename Layout. Rename the slide as something meaningful.
What is a Slide Layout?
In Microsoft PowerPoint, slide layout refers to the design and placement of different elements on a slide. The default slide layout is a Title Slide with a title text placeholder and subtitle text placeholder. However, this default can include alternate text, images, and video. The slide layout can be considered an overview of the information ...
Slide Layouts Definition & Meaning
Definition and meaning. PowerPoint has different types of Slide Layouts. Depending on which type of presentation you make, you will use more or less different slide layouts. Some Slide Types are: title slides, section heading slides, picture with caption slides, blank slides. In our blog post, we explain common mistakes in presentations so you ...
What is a slide layout?
Slide layouts contain formatting, positioning, and placeholder boxes for all of the content that appears on a slide. Placeholders are the dotted-line containers on slide layouts that hold such content as titles, body text, tables, charts, SmartArt graphics, pictures, clip art, videos, and sounds. Slide layouts also contain the colors, fonts ...
Seamless Slides: Optimizing Slide Layouts for Impactful Presentations
1. Definition: Navigating the Essence of Slide Layouts in PowerPoint. Slide layouts refer to the predefined arrangements of placeholders for text, images, and other content on a slide. PowerPoint provides a range of layout options, each strategically designed to cater to specific content types and presentation needs.
30 Presentation Terms & What They Mean
3. Template. A template is a pre-designed layout for a slide deck. It typically includes a set design, color scheme, typefaces, and placeholders for content like text, images, and graphs. Templates can significantly reduce the time and effort required to create a professional-looking presentation.
The Definition of a Slide in a Presentation
A slide is a single screen of a presentation, and every presentation is composed of several slides. Depending on the subject matter, the best presentations may consist of 10 to 12 slides to get a message across, but more may be needed for complex subjects. Slides keep an audience's attention during a presentation and provide additional ...
The 29 Best Presentation Layout Templates for 2022 [Plus Design ...
Use high definition product images along with icons and brief explanations. Product Comparison. A comparison layout works for products, services and anything which needs to be compared. ... This financial report presentation layout has 10 slides, including informative slides as well as data slides. Customize this presentation template and make ...
Slide Layouts Definition & Meaning
Definition and meaning. PowerPoint has different types of Slide Layouts. Depending on which type of presentation you make, you will use more or less different slide layouts. Some Slide Types are: title slides, section heading slides, picture with caption slides, blank slides. In our blog post, we explain common mistakes in presentations so you ...
Different types of slide layouts in Presentation
Slides use some basic elements to make them visually attractive: Title & sub-title: After opening the presentation, different titles and sub-titles can be used using different fonts, and colors to denote the subject matter, demarcate the sub-text, and differentiate between different sections. Text: This is where the content flows.
Different types of slide layout in PowerPoint
The custom Slide Layout is designed to respond to a specific needs of the customer. This type of slide can accommodate many objects such as text, pictures, graphics, tables of data … or anything essential for your PowerPoint presentation. The editable elements are the title, the subtitle, the images the text, the graphics ….
How to Create Terms & Definition Slide in PowerPoint
How to Create Terms & Definition Slide in PowerPoint. Learn how to create a cool PowerPoint slide for your next presentation with this step by step video by ...
Edit and re-apply a slide layout
Click a location on the layout, and then drag to draw the placeholder. Add, edit, or remove a placeholder on a slide layout. To rename the layout, in the thumbnail list of layouts, right-click the layout that you customized, and then click Rename Layout. In the Rename Layout dialog box, type a new name that describes the layout you've just ...
Layout Design: Types of Grids for Creating Professional-Looking ...
It helps maintain balance from page to page or slide to slide. An important component of layout design are grids. Grids are the backbone of all layouts, infographics and presentations. When you are designing on an online editor like Visme, you are using grids without even knowing it. Our in-house designers use grids to create the templates you ...
Apply a slide layout
Arrange slide content with different slide layouts to suit your taste and preference, or to improve the clarity and readability of the content. Select the slide that you want to change the layout for. Select Home > Layout. Select the layout that you want. The layouts contain placeholders for text, videos, pictures, charts, shapes, clip art, a ...

Slide Layouts in PowerPoint – Everything You Need to Know!

1. What is a Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

2. Where is the Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

How to Access Slide Layouts in PowerPoint?

3. How to Change the Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

4. How to Apply Slide Layout to All Slides?

4.1 How to Make a Change that Applies to All Slide Layouts

4.2 How to Apply Specific Slide Layout to All Slides?

5. What is the Default PowerPoint Slide Layout?

6. How to Edit Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

7. How to Create a New Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

7b. How to Insert a Blank Slide Layout in PowerPoint?

8. How Many Types of Slide Layouts are There in PowerPoint?

More PowerPoint Related Topics

de5f0c5840276572324fc6e2ece1a882

Learn about slide design, its importance, and principles and strategies for designing strong slides.

What is Slide Design?

(Click to Enlarge)

Learn more about the impact of slide design.

Further explore how to analyze your audience.

Consider scope and focus of your slides and talks.

What Does it Look Like to Design Effective Slides?

Inclusive Slide Design

Are You Ready to Create Your Own Slides?

6.3 Formatting Microsoft PowerPoint Slides: Layout and Design Principles

Formatting Layout

Alignment Guides

Link to Learning

Design Principles

White Space

Real-World Application

Choosing a slide layout in PowerPoint – why it’s important

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Recent Posts

Slide layout

Slide layouts

Title slide

Title and Content

Section Header

Two Content

Content with Caption

Picture with Caption

Am I limited to only these layouts?

Related information

Seamless Slides: Optimizing Slide Layouts for Impactful Presentations

1. Definition: Navigating the Essence of Slide Layouts in PowerPoint

2. Benefits: The Power of Visual Consistency and Efficiency

3. How-to Guides: Mastering the Optimization of Slide Layouts

4.Smallppt's AI PowerPoint: Mastering the Presentation Game

5. Conclusion: Elevating Presentation Impact with Slide Layout Mastery

30 Presentation Terms & What They Mean

2 Million+ PowerPoint Templates, Themes, Graphics + More

Maximus Template

Pitch PowerPoint

Ciri Template

Animated PPT Templates

Pitch Deck Templates

Table of Contents

1. Slide Deck

2. Speaker Notes

4. Transition

5. Animation

6. Multimedia

7. White Space

8. Aspect Ratio

9. Grid System

10. Readability

11. Infographic

13. Palette

14. Vector Graphics

15. Mood Board

16. Hierarchy

17. Stock Photos

18. Sans Serif

19. Hyperlink

21. Raster Graphics

22. Typeface

23. Visual Content

24. Call to Action

25. Thumbnails