Introduction

PowerPoint is a presentation program that allows you to create dynamic slide presentations. These presentations can include animation, narration, images, videos, and much more. In this lesson, you'll learn your way around the PowerPoint environment, including the Ribbon, Quick Access Toolbar, and Backstage view.

Watch the video below to learn more about getting started with PowerPoint.

About this tutorial

The procedures in this tutorial will work for all recent versions of Microsoft PowerPoint, including PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, and Office 365. There may be some slight differences, but for the most part these versions are similar. However, if you're using an earlier version, you may want to refer to one of our other PowerPoint tutorials instead.

The PowerPoint interface

When you open PowerPoint for the first time, the Start Screen will appear. From here, you'll be able to create a new presentation, choose a template, and access your recently edited presentations. From the Start Screen, locate and select Blank Presentation to access the PowerPoint interface.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to become familiar with the PowerPoint interface.

Working with the PowerPoint environment

The Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar are where you will find the commands to perform common tasks in PowerPoint. Backstage view gives you various options for saving, opening a file, printing, and sharing your document.

The Ribbon

PowerPoint uses a tabbed Ribbon system instead of traditional menus. The Ribbon contains multiple tabs, each with several groups of commands. For example, the Font group on the Home tab contains commands for formatting text in your document.

Some groups also have a small arrow in the bottom-right corner that you can click for even more options.

Showing and hiding the Ribbon

The Ribbon is designed to respond to your current task, but you can choose to minimize it if you find that it takes up too much screen space. Click the Ribbon Display Options arrow in the upper-right corner of the Ribbon to display the drop-down menu.

• Auto-hide Ribbon: Auto-hide displays your workbook in full-screen mode and completely hides the Ribbon. To show the Ribbon, click the Expand Ribbon command at the top of screen.
• Show Tabs: This option hides all command groups when they're not in use, but tabs will remain visible. To show the Ribbon, simply click a tab.
• Show Tabs and Commands: This option maximizes the Ribbon. All of the tabs and commands will be visible. This option is selected by default when you open PowerPoint for the first time.

Using the Tell me feature

If you're having trouble finding a command you want, the Tell Me feature can help. It works just like a regular search bar: Type what you're looking for, and a list of options will appear. You can then use the command directly from the menu without having to find it on the Ribbon.

The Quick Access Toolbar

Located just above the Ribbon, the Quick Access Toolbar lets you access common commands no matter which tab is selected. By default, it includes the Save, Undo, Redo, and Start From Beginning commands. You can add other commands depending on your preference.

To add commands to the Quick Access Toolbar:

1. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar.
   
2. Select the command you want to add from the drop-down menu. To choose from more commands, select More Commands.
   
3. The command will be added to the Quick Access Toolbar.
   

The Ruler, guides, and gridlines

PowerPoint includes several tools to help organize and arrange content on your slides, including the Ruler, guides, and gridlines. These tools make it easier to align objects on your slides. Simply click the checkboxes in the Show group on the View tab to show and hide these tools.

Zoom and other view options

PowerPoint has a variety of viewing options that change how your presentation is displayed. You can choose to view your presentation in Normal view, Slide Sorter view, Reading view, or Slide Show view. You can also zoom in and out to make your presentation easier to read.

Switching slide views

Switching between slide views is easy. Just locate and select the desired slide view command in the bottom-right corner of the PowerPoint window.

To learn more about slide views, review our lesson on Managing Slides.

Zooming in and out

To zoom in or out, click and drag the zoom control slider in the bottom-right corner of the PowerPoint window. You can also select the + or - commands to zoom in or out by smaller increments. The number next to the slider displays the current zoom percentage, also called the zoom level.

Backstage view

Backstage view gives you various options for saving, opening, printing, and sharing your presentations. To access Backstage view, click the File tab on the Ribbon.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about using Backstage view.

You can review our lesson on Understanding OneDrive to learn more about using OneDrive.

Challenge!

1. Open PowerPoint and create a blank presentation.
2. Change the Ribbon Display Options to Show Tabs.
3. Click the drop-down arrow next to the Quick Access Toolbar and add New, Quick Print, and Spelling.
4. In the Tell me bar, type Shape and press Enter.
5. Choose a shape from the menu, then double-click somewhere on your slide.
6. Show the Ruler if it is not already visible.
7. Zoom the presentation to 120%.
8. When you're finished, your presentation should look something like this:
   

9. Change the Ribbon Display Options back to Show Tabs and Commands.

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