Productivity hacks in Microsoft PowerPoint
1. Master Slide: Use master slides to ensure consistent formatting across all slides. This makes it easier to update the design elements without manually changing each slide.
2. SmartArt Graphics: Utilize SmartArt graphics for visually appealing diagrams, flowcharts, and process illustrations. They're easy to customize and can make complex information more understandable.
3. Transitions and Animations: Apply transitions between slides and animations to elements within slides to add visual interest and engagement. However, avoid overusing animations, as they can become distracting.
4. Custom Fonts: If you're sharing your presentation on a different computer, embed custom fonts to ensure your intended design is preserved.
5. Alt Text for Images: Add alternative text to images and graphics for accessibility purposes. This helps people with visual impairments understand the content of your slides when using screen readers.
6. Collaboration: Use PowerPoint's built-in collaboration features to work on presentations with others in real-time. This is especially useful when multiple team members need to contribute to a presentation.
7. Presenter View: When giving a presentation, use Presenter View to see your notes, next slide, and elapsed time on your screen while your audience sees only the slides.
8. Embedding Media: Embed videos, audio clips, and other multimedia directly into your presentation to make it more dynamic and engaging.
9. Alignment Tools: Utilize alignment and distribution tools to ensure that your slide elements are properly aligned and evenly spaced. This creates a more polished and professional look.
10. Keyboard Shortcuts: Learn keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow. For example, pressing "Ctrl + D" duplicates the selected object, and "Ctrl + Enter" adds a new slide.