powerpoint presentation nice

That said, you can still use fun and eccentric fonts — in moderation. Offsetting a fun font or large letters with something more professional can create an engaging presentation.

Above all, be sure you're consistent so your presentation looks the same throughout each slide. That way, your audience doesn't become distracted by too many disparate fonts. Check out this example from HubSpot’s company profile templates:

Interested in this presentation template? Download it for free here.

5. Make sure all of your objects are properly aligned.

Having properly aligned objects on your slide is the key to making it look polished and professional. You can manually try to line up your images ... but we all know how that typically works out. You're trying to make sure all of your objects hang out in the middle of your slide, but when you drag them there, it still doesn't look quite right. Get rid of your guessing game and let PowerPoint work its magic with this trick.

Here’s how to align multiple objects:

• Select all objects by holding down Shift and clicking on all of them.
• Select Arrange in the top options bar, then choose Align or Distribute .
• Choose the type of alignment you'd like.

Here’s how to align objects to the slide:

• Select Align to Slide .
• Select Arrange in the top options bar again, then choose Align or Distribute .

6. Use "Format Object" to better control your objects' designs.

Format menus allow you to do fine adjustments that otherwise seem impossible. To do this, right-click on an object and select the Format Object option. Here, you can fine-tune shadows, adjust shape measurements, create reflections, and much more. The menu that will pop up looks like this:

Although the main options can be found on PowerPoint’s format toolbars, look for complete control in the format window menu. Other examples of options available include:

• Adjusting text inside a shape.
• Creating a natural perspective shadow behind an object.
• Recoloring photos manually and with automatic options.

7. Take advantage of PowerPoint's shapes.

Many users don’t realize how flexible PowerPoint’s shape tools have become. In combination with the expanded format options released by Microsoft, the potential for good design with shapes is readily available. PowerPoint provides the user with a bunch of great shape options beyond the traditional rectangle, oval, and rounded rectangle patterns.

Today’s shapes include a highly functional Smart Shapes function, which enables you to create diagrams and flow charts in no time. These tools are especially valuable when you consider that PowerPoint is a visual medium. Paragraphing and bullet lists are boring — you can use shapes to help express your message more clearly.

8. Create custom shapes.

When you create a shape, right click and press Edit Points . By editing points, you can create custom shapes that fit your specific need. For instance, you can reshape arrows to fit the dimensions you like.

Another option is to combine two shapes together. To do so, select the two shapes you’d like to work with, then click Shape Format in the top ribbon. Tap Merge Shapes .

You’ll see a variety of options.

• Combine creates a custom shape that has overlapping portions of the two previous shapes cut out.
• Union makes one completely merged shape.
• Intersect builds a shape of only the overlapping sections of the two previous shapes.
• Subtract cuts out the overlapping portion of one shape from the other.
• Fragment will split your shape into different parts depending on where they overlap.

By using these tools rather than trying to edit points precisely, you can create accurately measured custom shapes.

9. Crop images into custom shapes.

Besides creating custom shapes in your presentation, you can also use PowerPoint to crop existing images into new shapes. Here's how you do that:

• Click on the image and select Picture Format in the options bar.
• Choose Crop , then Crop to Shape , and then choose your desired shape. Ta-da! Custom-shaped photos.

10. Present websites within PowerPoint.

Tradition says that if you want to show a website in a PowerPoint, you should just create a link to the page and prompt a browser to open. For PC users, there’s a better option.

Third party software that integrates fully into PowerPoint’s developer tab can be used to embed a website directly into your PowerPoint using a normal HTML iframe. One of the best tools is LiveWeb , a third-party software that you can install on your PowerPoint program.

By using LiveWeb, you don’t have to interrupt your PowerPoint, and your presentation will remain fluid and natural. Whether you embed a whole webpage or just a YouTube video, this can be a high-quality third party improvement. To install the add-on, simple head to the LiveWeb website and follow the instructions.

Unfortunately, Mac users don’t have a similar option. A good second choice is to take screenshots of the website, link in through a browser, or embed media (such as a YouTube video) by downloading it directly to your computer.

11. Try Using GIFs.

GIFs are looped animated images used to communicate a mood, idea, information, and much more. Users add GIFs to PowerPoints to be funny or quickly demo a process. It's easy to add GIFs to your slides. To do so, simply follow these steps:

• Download and save the GIF you want.
• Go to the slide you want the GIF on.
• Go to the Home tab, and click either Insert or Picture .
• From the Picture drop-down menu, choose Picture from File .
• Navigate to where you saved your GIF and select it. Then, choose Insert .
• It will play automatically the moment you insert it.

PowerPoint Process

12. keep it simple..

PowerPoint is an excellent tool to support your presentation with visual information, graphics, and supplemental points. This means that your PowerPoint should not be your entire presentation. Your slides — no matter how creative and beautiful — shouldn't be the star of the show. Keep your text and images clear and concise, using them only to supplement your message and authority.

If your slides have dense and cluttered information, it will both distract your audience and make it much more likely that you will lose their attention. Nothing in your slides should be superfluous! Keep your presentation persuasive by keeping it clean. There are a few ways to do this:

• Limit bullet points and text.
• Avoid paragraphs and long quotes.
• Maintain "white space" or "negative space".
• Keep percentages, graphs, and data super basic.

13. Embed your font files.

One constant problem presenters have with PowerPoint is that fonts seem to change when presenters move from one computer to another. In reality, the fonts are not changing — the presentation computer just doesn’t have the same font files installed . If you’re using a PC and presenting on a PC, then there is a smooth workaround for this issue.

Here’s the trick: When you save your PowerPoint file (only on a PC), you should click File , then Options, then open up the Save tab. Then, select the Embed fonts in the file check box under Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation . Now, your presentation will keep the font file and your fonts will not change when you move computers.

The macOS PowerPoint version has a similar function. To embed your fonts on a Mac, do the following:

• Open up your presentation.
• On the top bar, click PowerPoint , then click Preferences .
• Under Output and Sharing , click Save .
• Under Font Embedding , click Embed fonts in the file.

14. Save your slides as a PDF file for backup purposes.

If you’re still scared of your presentation showing up differently when it’s time to present, you should create a PDF version just in case. This is a good option if you’ll be presenting on a different computer. If you also run into an issue where the presenting computer doesn’t have PowerPoint installed, you can also use the system viewer to open up the PDF. No laptop will ever give you trouble with this file type.

The only caveat is that your GIFs, animations, and transitions won’t transfer over. But since the PDF will only work as a backup, not as your primary copy, this should be okay.

To save your presentation as a PDF file, take the following steps:

• Go to File , then click Save as …
• In the pop-up window, click File Format.
• A drop-down menu will appear. Select PDF .
• Click Export .

You can also go to File , then Export , then select PDF from the file format menu.

15. Embed multimedia.

PowerPoint allows you to either link to video/audio files externally or to embed the media directly in your presentation. You should embed these files if you can, but if you use a Mac, you cannot actually embed the video (see note below). For PCs, two great reasons for embedding are:

• Embedding allows you to play media directly in your presentation. It will look much more professional than switching between windows.
• Embedding also means that the file stays within the PowerPoint presentation, so it should play normally without extra work (except on a Mac).

Note: macOS users of PowerPoint should be extra careful about using multimedia files.

If you use PowerPoint for Mac, then you will always need to bring the video and/or audio file with you in the same folder as the PowerPoint presentation. It’s best to only insert video or audio files once the presentation and the containing folder have been saved on a portable drive in their permanent folder. Also, if the presentation will be played on a Windows computer, then Mac users need to make sure their multimedia files are in WMV format. This tip gets a bit complicated, so if you want to use PowerPoint effectively, consider using the same operating system for designing and presenting, no matter what.

16. Bring your own hardware.

Between operating systems, PowerPoint is still a bit jumpy. Even between differing PPT versions, things can change. One way to fix these problems is to make sure that you have the right hardware — so just bring along your own laptop when you're presenting.

If you’re super concerned about the different systems you might have to use, then upload your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides as a backup option. Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation software that will show up the same way on all operating systems. The only thing you need is an internet connection and a browser.

To import your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides, take the following steps:

• Navigate to slides.google.com . Make sure you’re signed in to a Google account, preferably your own.
• Under Start a new presentation , click the empty box with a plus sign. This will open up a blank presentation.
• Go to File , then Import slides .
• A dialog box will come up. Tap Upload , then click Select a file from your device .
• Select your presentation and click Open .
• Select the slides you’d like to import. If you want to import all of them, click All in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box.
• Click Import slides.

When I tested this out, Google Slides imported everything perfectly, including a shape whose points I had manipulated. This is a good backup option to have if you’ll be presenting across different operating systems.

17. Use Presenter View.

In most presentation situations, there will be both a presenter’s screen and the main projected display for your presentation. PowerPoint has a great tool called Presenter View, which can be found in the Slide Show tab of PowerPoint. Included in the Presenter View is an area for notes, a timer/clock, and a presentation display.

For many presenters, this tool can help unify their spoken presentation and their visual aid. You never want to make the PowerPoint seem like a stack of notes that you’re reading off of. Use the Presenter View option to help create a more natural presentation.

Pro Tip: At the start of the presentation, you should also hit CTRL + H to make the cursor disappear. Hitting the "A" key will bring it back if you need it!

Your Next Great PowerPoint Presentation Starts Here

With style, design, and presentation processes under your belt, you can do a lot more with PowerPoint than just presentations for your clients. PowerPoint and similar slide applications are flexible tools that should not be forgotten. With a great template, you can be on your way to creating presentations that wow your audience.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in September 2013 and has been updated for comprehensiveness.

Don't forget to share this post!

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How-To Geek

8 tips to make the best powerpoint presentations.

Want to make your PowerPoint presentations really shine? Here's how to impress and engage your audience.

Quick Links

Table of contents, start with a goal, less is more, consider your typeface, make bullet points count, limit the use of transitions, skip text where possible, think in color, take a look from the top down, bonus: start with templates.

Slideshows are an intuitive way to share complex ideas with an audience, although they're dull and frustrating when poorly executed. Here are some tips to make your Microsoft PowerPoint presentations sing while avoiding common pitfalls.

It all starts with identifying what we're trying to achieve with the presentation. Is it informative, a showcase of data in an easy-to-understand medium? Or is it more of a pitch, something meant to persuade and convince an audience and lead them to a particular outcome?

It's here where the majority of these presentations go wrong with the inability to identify the talking points that best support our goal. Always start with a goal in mind: to entertain, to inform, or to share data in a way that's easy to understand. Use facts, figures, and images to support your conclusion while keeping structure in mind (Where are we now and where are we going?).

I've found that it's helpful to start with the ending. Once I know how to end a presentation, I know how best to get to that point. I start by identifying the takeaway---that one nugget that I want to implant before thanking everyone for their time---and I work in reverse to figure out how best to get there.

Your mileage, of course, may vary. But it's always going to be a good idea to put in the time in the beginning stages so that you aren't reworking large portions of the presentation later. And that starts with a defined goal.

A slideshow isn't supposed to include everything. It's an introduction to a topic, one that we can elaborate on with speech. Anything unnecessary is a distraction. It makes the presentation less visually appealing and less interesting, and it makes you look bad as a presenter.

This goes for text as well as images. There's nothing worse, in fact, than a series of slides where the presenter just reads them as they appear. Your audience is capable of reading, and chances are they'll be done with the slide, and browsing Reddit, long before you finish. Avoid putting the literal text on the screen, and your audience will thank you.

Related: How to Burn Your PowerPoint to DVD

Right off the bat, we're just going to come out and say that Papyrus and Comic Sans should be banned from all PowerPoint presentations, permanently. Beyond that, it's worth considering the typeface you're using and what it's saying about you, the presenter, and the presentation itself.

Consider choosing readability over aesthetics, and avoid fancy fonts that could prove to be more of a distraction than anything else. A good presentation needs two fonts: a serif and sans-serif. Use one for the headlines and one for body text, lists, and the like. Keep it simple. Veranda, Helvetica, Arial, and even Times New Roman are safe choices. Stick with the classics and it's hard to botch this one too badly.

There reaches a point where bullet points become less of a visual aid and more of a visual examination.

Bullet points should support the speaker, not overwhelm his audience. The best slides have little or no text at all, in fact. As a presenter, it's our job to talk through complex issues, but that doesn't mean that we need to highlight every talking point.

Instead, think about how you can break up large lists into three or four bullet points. Carefully consider whether you need to use more bullet points, or if you can combine multiple topics into a single point instead. And if you can't, remember that there's no one limiting the number of slides you can have in a presentation. It's always possible to break a list of 12 points down into three pages of four points each.

Animation, when used correctly, is a good idea. It breaks up slow-moving parts of a presentation and adds action to elements that require it. But it should be used judiciously.

Adding a transition that wipes left to right between every slide or that animates each bullet point in a list, for example, starts to grow taxing on those forced to endure the presentation. Viewers get bored quickly, and animations that are meant to highlight specific elements quickly become taxing.

That's not to say that you can't use animations and transitions, just that you need to pick your spots. Aim for no more than a handful of these transitions for each presentation. And use them in spots where they'll add to the demonstration, not detract from it.

Sometimes images tell a better story than text can. And as a presenter, your goal is to describe points in detail without making users do a lot of reading. In these cases, a well-designed visual, like a chart, might better convey the information you're trying to share.

The right image adds visual appeal and serves to break up longer, text-heavy sections of the presentation---but only if you're using the right images. A single high-quality image can make all the difference between a success and a dud when you're driving a specific point home.

When considering text, don't think solely in terms of bullet points and paragraphs. Tables, for example, are often unnecessary. Ask yourself whether you could present the same data in a bar or line chart instead.

Color is interesting. It evokes certain feelings and adds visual appeal to your presentation as a whole. Studies show that color also improves interest, comprehension, and retention. It should be a careful consideration, not an afterthought.

You don't have to be a graphic designer to use color well in a presentation. What I do is look for palettes I like, and then find ways to use them in the presentation. There are a number of tools for this, like Adobe Color , Coolors , and ColorHunt , just to name a few. After finding a palette you enjoy, consider how it works with the presentation you're about to give. Pastels, for example, evoke feelings of freedom and light, so they probably aren't the best choice when you're presenting quarterly earnings that missed the mark.

It's also worth mentioning that you don't need to use every color in the palette. Often, you can get by with just two or three, though you should really think through how they all work together and how readable they'll be when layered. A simple rule of thumb here is that contrast is your friend. Dark colors work well on light backgrounds, and light colors work best on dark backgrounds.

Spend some time in the Slide Sorter before you finish your presentation. By clicking the four squares at the bottom left of the presentation, you can take a look at multiple slides at once and consider how each works together. Alternatively, you can click "View" on the ribbon and select "Slide Sorter."

Are you presenting too much text at once? Move an image in. Could a series of slides benefit from a chart or summary before you move on to another point?

It's here that we have the opportunity to view the presentation from beyond the single-slide viewpoint and think in terms of how each slide fits, or if it fits at all. From this view, you can rearrange slides, add additional ones, or delete them entirely if you find that they don't advance the presentation.

The difference between a good presentation and a bad one is really all about preparation and execution. Those that respect the process and plan carefully---not only the presentation as a whole, but each slide within it---are the ones who will succeed.

This brings me to my last (half) point: When in doubt, just buy a template and use it. You can find these all over the web, though Creative Market and GraphicRiver are probably the two most popular marketplaces for this kind of thing. Not all of us are blessed with the skills needed to design and deliver an effective presentation. And while a pre-made PowerPoint template isn't going to make you a better presenter, it will ease the anxiety of creating a visually appealing slide deck.

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Vintage Vision Board with Monthly Calendars, free for PowerPoint and Google Slides. This free vision board template can be used as a planner for a monthly overview of your envisioned ideas, or, since I included a Title Slide and a Title and Body slide, you can also use it for […]

Vintage Vision Board with Monthly Calendars free template.

Looking to create a modern and engaging marketing presentation? Check out this free flat design marketing template for PowerPoint and Google Slides! This template utilizes a flat and clean aesthetic with geometric shapes and an orange and purple color scheme. It’s perfect for grabbing your audience’s attention and presenting your […]

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Spice up your art project presentations with this free template for Google Slides and PowerPoint. This free downloadable template is bursting with colorful illustrations of paint, brushes, yarn, and all the crafting supplies you could ask for. Perfect to present your next art project.  And since this template is 100% […]

Art & Crafts free illustrated template for Google Slides and PPT.

Unleash the power of your marketing vision with this free presentation template for both, Google Slides and Powerpoint. Eye-catching colors and a dynamic blend of photos and illustrations will grab your audience’s attention and leave a lasting impression.  This template is perfect for anyone who wants to create a bold […]

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Spruce up your next presentation with Minimal Social, a free downloadable template for Google Slides and PowerPoint. Craving a presentation that’s both stylish and versatile? Look no further than the Minimal Social template! This free downloadable theme boasts a clean, minimalist design with muted tones and a touch of social media […]

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Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme for presentations about money management. Ever feel like presenting personal finance topics could be a snooze? Well this free slide theme available for both PowerPoint and Google Slides uses friendly illustrations to make financial concepts engaging. This theme is perfect for anyone who […]

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Captivate your audience and transform your presentation on early childhood development with this free template!  Playful illustrations like children’s handprints, whimsical doodles, paper airplanes and windmills bring a touch of childlike wonder to your slides. This engaging template is the perfect backdrop to share your valuable insights on this crucial […]

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Launching a new business is exciting! But crafting the perfect introduction to potential customers can take time. This pre-designed template can help you quickly showcase your new venture.  This template is easy to customize with your information, logos and images, allowing you to create a professional brochure in no time. […]

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Geometric shapes and vibrant colors. The perfect backdrop for your ideas. Packed with geometric shapes and a vibrant color palette, this theme is guaranteed to grab attention and leave a lasting impression. Compatible with both PowerPoint and Google Slides, it allows you to tailor the design to your specific needs. […]

Geometric colorful shapes free marketing presentation template.

Flowers and Ladybugs free Spring Season template for google slides and PowerPoint. This free template for Google Slides and PowerPoint is the perfect way to add a touch of springtime cheer to your lessons. It features adorable graphics of flowers, bees, and ladybugs – a charming combination that’s sure to […]

Spring has sprung and it’s time to bring some floral fun to your classroom!

Get ready for some St. Patrick’s Day cheer with a free memory game template for Google Slides and PowerPoint! This festive template features charming clovers and lucky golden coins. It also includes a handy agenda slide and three different layouts specifically designed for creating memory games. Personalizing the game is […]

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a Fun Memory Game!

Free syllabus template for Google Slides and PowerPoint to inject personality into your class introduction. Forget about boring old paper syllabus, this free template is the perfect way to communicate the overview of your class, define expectations and responsibilities in an appealing way. It features a notebook with linked tabs […]

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Free syllabus template for Google Slides and PowerPoint to inject personality into your course introduction. Forget about boring old paper syllabus, this free template is the perfect way to communicate the overview of your class, define expectations and responsibilities in a stylish way. It features file folders with linked tabs […]

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Empower Your Productivity with this free teacher dashboard, for Google Slides and PowerPoint. The planner is all set up and ready to use. Simply click on the slides to start adding your notes and plans. You can easily add more slides by duplicating or copying and pasting existing ones. To personalize your […]

Teacher Dashboard. August 2024 – July 2025 FREE digital planner for teachers.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Customizable yearly planner template for teachers. I enjoyed so much creating the first two planners (Katie and the School Planner) that I decided to create a new one. By popular demand, this time, I started the week view on Monday, and even though […]

Teacher Digital Planner – July 2024 to July 2025 version.

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9 Tips for Making Beautiful PowerPoint Presentations

Ready to craft a beautiful powerpoint presentation these nine powerpoint layout ideas will help anyone create effective, compelling slides..

How many times have you sat through a poorly designed business presentation that was dull, cluttered, and distracting? Probably way too many. Even though we all loathe a boring presentation, when it comes time to make our own, do we really do any better?

The good news is you don’t have to be a professional designer to make professional presentations. We’ve put together a few simple guidelines you can follow to create a beautifully assembled deck.

We’ll walk you through some slide design tips, show you some tricks to maximize your PowerPoint skills, and give you everything you need to look really good next time you’re up in front of a crowd.

And, while PowerPoint remains one of the biggest names in presentation software, many of these design elements and principles work in Google Slides as well.

Let’s dive right in and make sure your audience isn’t yawning through your entire presentation.

1. Use Layout to Your Advantage

Layout is one of the most powerful visual elements in design, and it’s a simple, effective way to control the flow and visual hierarchy of information.

For example, most Western languages read left to right, top to bottom. Knowing this natural reading order, you can direct people’s eyes in a deliberate way to certain key parts of a slide that you want to emphasize.

You can also guide your audience with simple tweaks to the layout. Use text size and alternating fonts or colors to distinguish headlines from body text.

Placement also matters. There are many unorthodox ways to structure a slide, but most audience members will have to take a few beats to organize the information in their head—that’s precious time better spent listening to your delivery and retaining information.

Try to structure your slides more like this:

And not like this:

Layout is one of the trickier PowerPoint design concepts to master, which is why we have these free PowerPoint templates already laid out for you. Use them as a jumping off point for your own presentation, or use them wholesale!

Presentation templates can give you a huge leg up as you start working on your design.

2. No Sentences

This is one of the most critical slide design tips. Slides are simplified, visual notecards that capture and reinforce main ideas, not complete thoughts.

As the speaker, you should be delivering most of the content and information, not putting it all on the slides for everyone to read (and probably ignore). If your audience is reading your presentation instead of listening to you deliver it, your message has lost its effectiveness.

Pare down your core message and use keywords to convey it. Try to avoid complete sentences unless you’re quoting someone or something.

Stick with this:

And avoid this:

3. Follow the 6×6 Rule

One of the cardinal sins of a bad PowerPoint is cramming too many details and ideas on one slide, which makes it difficult for people to retain information. Leaving lots of “white space” on a slide helps people focus on your key points.

Try using the 6×6 rule to keep your content concise and clean looking. The 6×6 rule means a maximum of six bullet points per slide and six words per bullet. In fact, some people even say you should never have more than six words per slide!

Just watch out for “orphans” (when the last word of a sentence/phrase spills over to the next line). This looks cluttered. Either fit it onto one line or add another word to the second line.

Slides should never have this much information:

4. Keep the Colors Simple

Stick to simple light and dark colors and a defined color palette for visual consistency. Exceptionally bright text can cause eye fatigue, so use those colors sparingly. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background will work well. Also avoid intense gradients, which can make text hard to read.

If you’re presenting on behalf of your brand, check what your company’s brand guidelines are. Companies often have a primary brand color and a secondary brand color , and it’s a good idea to use them in your presentation to align with your company’s brand identity and style.

If you’re looking for color inspiration for your next presentation, check out our 101 Color Combinations , where you can browse tons of eye-catching color palettes curated by a pro. When you find the one you like, just type the corresponding color code into your presentation formatting tools.

Here are more of our favorite free color palettes for presentations:

• 10 Color Palettes to Nail Your Next Presentation
• 10 Energizing Sports Color Palettes for Branding and Marketing
• 10 Vintage Color Palettes Inspired by the Decades

No matter what color palette or combination you choose, you want to keep the colors of your PowerPoint presentation simple and easy to read, like this:

Stay away from color combinations like this:

5. Use Sans-Serif Fonts

Traditionally, serif fonts (Times New Roman, Garamond, Bookman) are best for printed pages, and sans-serif fonts (Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana) are easier to read on screens.

These are always safe choices, but if you’d like to add some more typographic personality , try exploring our roundup of the internet’s best free fonts . You’ll find everything from classic serifs and sans serifs to sophisticated modern fonts and splashy display fonts. Just keep legibility top of mind when you’re making your pick.

Try to stick with one font, or choose two at the most. Fonts have very different personalities and emotional impacts, so make sure your font matches the tone, purpose, and content of your presentation.

6. Stick to 30pt Font or Larger

Many experts agree that your font size for a PowerPoint presentation should be at least 30pt. Sticking to this guideline ensures your text is readable. It also forces you, due to space limitations, to explain your message efficiently and include only the most important points. .

7. Avoid Overstyling the Text

Three of the easiest and most effective ways to draw attention to text are:

• A change in color

Our eyes are naturally drawn to things that stand out, but use these changes sparingly. Overstyling can make the slide look busy and distracting.

8. Choose the Right Images

The images you choose for your presentation are perhaps as important as the message. You want images that not only support the message, but also elevate it—a rare accomplishment in the often dry world of PowerPoint.

But, what is the right image? We’ll be honest. There’s no direct answer to this conceptual, almost mystical subject, but we can break down some strategies for approaching image selection that will help you curate your next presentation.

The ideal presentation images are:

• Inspirational

These may seem like vague qualities, but the general idea is to go beyond the literal. Think about the symbols in an image and the story they tell. Think about the colors and composition in an image and the distinct mood they set for your presentation.

With this approach, you can get creative in your hunt for relatable, authentic, and inspirational images. Here are some more handy guidelines for choosing great images.

Illustrative, Not Generic

So, the slide in question is about collaborating as a team. Naturally, you look for images of people meeting in a boardroom, right?

While it’s perfectly fine to go super literal, sometimes these images fall flat—what’s literal doesn’t necessarily connect to your audience emotionally. Will they really respond to generic images of people who aren’t them meeting in a boardroom?

In the absence of a photo of your actual team—or any other image that directly illustrates the subject at hand—look for images of convincing realism and humanity that capture the idea of your message.

Doing so connects with viewers, allowing them to connect with your message.

The image above can be interpreted in many ways. But, when we apply it to slide layout ideas about collaboration, the meaning is clear.

It doesn’t hurt that there’s a nice setting and good photography, to boot.

Supportive, Not Distracting

Now that we’ve told you to get creative with your image selection, the next lesson is to rein that in. While there are infinite choices of imagery out there, there’s a limit to what makes sense in your presentation.

Let’s say you’re giving an IT presentation to new employees. You might think that image of two dogs snuggling by a fire is relatable, authentic, and inspirational, but does it really say “data management” to your audience?

To find the best supporting images, try searching terms on the periphery of your actual message. You’ll find images that complement your message rather than distract from it.

In the IT presentation example, instead of “data connections” or another literal term, try the closely related “traffic” or “connectivity.” This will bring up images outside of tech, but relative to the idea of how things move.

Inspiring and Engaging

There’s a widespread misconception that business presentations are just about delivering information. Well, they’re not. In fact, a great presentation is inspirational. We don’t mean that your audience should be itching to paint a masterpiece when they’re done. In this case, inspiration is about engagement.

Is your audience asking themselves questions? Are they coming up with new ideas? Are they remembering key information to tap into later? You’ll drive a lot of this engagement with your actual delivery, but unexpected images can play a role, as well.

When you use more abstract or aspirational images, your audience will have room to make their own connections. This not only means they’re paying attention, but they’re also engaging with and retaining your message.

To find the right abstract or unconventional imagery, search terms related to the tone of the presentation. This may include images with different perspectives like overhead shots and aerials, long exposures taken over a period of time, nature photos , colorful markets , and so on.

The big idea here is akin to including an image of your adorable dog making a goofy face at the end of an earnings meeting. It leaves an audience with a good, human feeling after you just packed their brains with data.

Use that concept of pleasant surprise when you’re selecting images for your presentation.

9. Editing PowerPoint Images

Setting appropriate image resolution in powerpoint.

Though you can drag-and-drop images into PowerPoint, you can control the resolution displayed within the file. All of your PowerPoint slide layout ideas should get the same treatment to be equal in size.

Simply click File > Compress Pictures in the main application menu.

If your presentation file is big and will only be viewed online, you can take it down to On-screen , then check the Apply to: All pictures in this file , and rest assured the quality will be uniform.

This resolution is probably fine for proofing over email, but too low for your presentation layout ideas. For higher res in printed form, try the Print setting, which at 220 PPI is extremely good quality.

For large-screens such as projection, use the HD setting, since enlarging to that scale will show any deficiencies in resolution. Low resolution can not only distract from the message, but it looks low-quality and that reflects on the presenter.

If size is no issue for you, use High Fidelity (maximum PPI), and only reduce if the file size gives your computer problems.

The image quality really begins when you add the images to the presentation file. Use the highest quality images you can, then let PowerPoint scale the resolution down for you, reducing the excess when set to HD or lower.

Resizing, Editing, and Adding Effects to Images in PowerPoint

PowerPoint comes with an arsenal of tools to work with your images. When a picture is selected, the confusingly named Picture Format menu is activated in the top menu bar, and Format Picture is opened on the right side of the app window.

In the Format Picture menu (on the right) are four sections, and each of these sections expand to show their options by clicking the arrows by the name:

• Fill & Line (paint bucket icon): Contains options for the box’s colors, patterns, gradients, and background fills, along with options for its outline.
• Effects (pentagon icon): Contains Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Soft Edges, 3-D Format and Rotation, and Artistic Effects.
• Size & Properties (dimensional icon): Size, Position, and Text Box allow you to control the physical size and placement of the picture or text boxes.
• Picture (mountain icon): Picture Corrections, Colors, and Transparency give you control over how the image looks. Under Crop, you can change the size of the box containing the picture, instead of the entire picture itself as in Size & Properties above.

The menu at the top is more expansive, containing menu presets for Corrections, Color, Effects, Animation, and a lot more. This section is where you can crop more precisely than just choosing the dimensions from the Picture pane on the right.

Cropping Images in PowerPoint

The simple way to crop an image is to use the Picture pane under the Format Picture menu on the right side of the window. Use the Picture Position controls to move the picture inside its box, or use the Crop position controls to manipulate the box’s dimensions.

To exert more advanced control, or use special shapes, select the picture you want to crop, then click the Picture Format in the top menu to activate it.

Hit the Crop button, then use the controls on the picture’s box to size by eye. Or, click the arrow to show more options, including changing the shape of the box (for more creative looks) and using preset aspect ratios for a more uniform presentation of images.

The next time you design a PowerPoint presentation, remember that simplicity is key and less is more. By adopting these simple slide design tips, you’ll deliver a clear, powerful visual message to your audience.

If you want to go with a PowerPoint alternative instead, you can use Shutterstock Create to easily craft convincing, engaging, and informative presentations.

With many presentation template designs, you’ll be sure to find something that is a perfect fit for your next corporate presentation. You can download your designs as a .pdf file and import them into both PowerPoint and Google Slides presentation decks.

Take Your PowerPoint Presentation to the Next Level with Shutterstock Flex

Need authentic, eye-catching photography to form the foundation of your PowerPoint presentation? We’ve got you covered.

With Shutterstock Flex, you’ll have all-in-one access to our massive library, plus the FLEXibility you need to select the perfect mix of assets every time.

License this cover image via F8 studio and Ryan DeBerardinis .

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50 Best PowerPoint Presentations (2023 Update)

Find the perfect PowerPoint presentation template

Bring your next presentation to life with customizable powerpoint design templates. whether you're wowing with stats via charts and graphs or putting your latest and greatest ideas on display, you'll find a powerpoint presentation template to make your ideas pop., presentations.

Help your data, insights, and recommendations make a statement with beautiful and easily customizable presentation templates.

Certificates

Celebrate accomplishments big and small with customizable certificate templates. From gift certificates to awards for finishing a course or training, find a template that highlights their accolades.

Boost visibility for your show, project, or business with easily customizable poster templates. Find templates for all your promotion needs and make them uniquely yours in a flash.

Keep track of whatever you need to in style. From personal planning to promotional calendars, find templates for every kind of project and aesthetic.

Infographics

Say more with less using helpful and easily customizable infographic templates. Add clarity to business presentations, school projects, and more with these helpful templates.

Start with the best PowerPoint templates

Elevate your storytelling

Tips, tricks, and insider advice from our business and design experts

A quick way to create beautiful, powerful PowerPoint presentations

Create captivating, informative content for PowerPoint in just a few minutes—no graphic design experience needed. Here's how:

1. Find the perfect PowerPoint template

2. Customize your creation

3. Show it off

Let's create a powerpoint design, frequently asked questions, where can i find slide templates and themes that i can customize.

To find customizable slide templates and themes, you can explore the business presentations templates or search by PowerPoint templates . Once you find a template that resonates with you, customize it by changing its color scheme, add in your own photos, and swap out the font.

How do I use pre-made PowerPoint templates?

After you've chosen a PowerPoint template to use, customize it. Explore [design tips] on how to customize a deck that resonates with your brand while putting emphasis on the topic at hand. Play with other design elements, like photo shapes, to make each slide unique.

How can I make or edit my own custom PowerPoint templates?

Start from scratch by creating your own PowerPoint template . Follow tips for designs and business presentations so that your unique template is cohesive and relevant to your brand. Incorporate your brand's color scheme and graphics so that all your slides aren't text only.

What kinds templates can I get online for PowerPoint?

You can get PowerPoint templates that have modern designs, animated ones, or even hand-drawn art in each slide. The color schemes range from bold to subtle. Each template's slides are also organized based on what you may want to include in your presentation . You can use the template as a starting point and customize its specific details from theme.

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27 minute read

67 Free PowerPoint Templates to Make Your Life Easier

Devan Ciccarelli

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Are you looking for the best free PowerPoint templates?

After a quick Google search, you may have been overwhelmed with all your choices -- and too short on time to check them all out.

Fortunately, today’s guide will help you find the right template to suit your every need.

We’ve rounded up a healthy mix of templates that can be used for both personal and professional presentations so there’s something for everyone.

Plus, since we’ve broken down our list of templates into smaller categories, you can quickly scan each section for only the ones you need right now and save even more time:

• Business PowerPoint templates
• Charts PowerPoint templates

Industry-specific PowerPoint templates

• Construction and architecture PowerPoint templates
• Health and nutrition PowerPoint templates
• Food PowerPoint templates

Science and technology PowerPoint templates

• Medical PowerPoint templates

Education-based PowerPoint templates

Imagery-based powerpoint templates.

• Modern PowerPoint templates
• Nature PowerPoint templates

Animal PowerPoint templates

• Christmas PowerPoint templates

Can’t wait to view them one by one? We’ve put together a selection of the best free powerpoint templates in one easy-to-download file, just click on the link below.

Get your free PowerPoint templates

Templates perfect for business or personal use.

To start, let’s jump right into PowerPoint templates for businesses.

Free PowerPoint templates for business

These are the best free PowerPoint templates for your business:

1. Business sales PowerPoint template

This business sales presentation template is sure to make an impact, featuring a stunning glass building on the title slide. This template includes slides for the benefits of your product or service, costs, and business opportunities to make it easy to plug in your own content and go.

2. Grant proposal PowerPoint template

This grant proposal template has an eye-catching design and is laid out for you with slides on the project objectives, timeline, and an organizational chart, to help you wow at your next presentation.

3. Corporate PowerPoint template

If you are presenting to corporate clients or investors, you need a template as polished as your pitch. The big typography and image showcase slides in this Nowco corporate template by Kata Ragasits at Slideist will give your message a professional boost.

4. Finance PowerPoint template

This numbers-centric Balthasar template sets the scene for any finance related presentation, suitable for accounting, banking, economics or even if you’re just reporting on your department’s budget.

5. Status report PowerPoint template

To keep your project on track and make sure everyone is in the loop, use this status report template . Use it to communicate the project status, progress, and deliverables with everyone involved.

6. Company profile PowerPoint template

The beautifully designed Polaris company profile template by Jun Akizaki is ideal to showcase your company philosophy, team, and products and services to potential customers or investors.

7. Business plan PowerPoint template

Before you spend hours trying to create a business plan from scratch, use this done-for-you and super professional-looking template instead.

8. Sales report PowerPoint template

Need an update on where your sales team stands? This sales report template can be used to give you a quick snapshot and a better picture via the monthly overview.

9. Pitch deck PowerPoint template

Getting your startup off the ground is no easy feat -- and there’s certainly already enough on your plate. So use this pitch deck template to start your business off on the right foot.

10. Teamwork PowerPoint template

This teamwork PowerPoint template can help organize your team’s projects so they’re always easy to follow.

Plus, it also gives you step-by-step instructions on the template itself so you’ll know exactly what needs to go where.

This saves you time and potential headaches from trying to figure out where everything goes on your own.

11. Resume PowerPoint template

When it comes to job applications, it’s a must to stand out from the crowd. This resume PowerPoint template by Slideist will help you do just that. If your resume needs to be in document format, simply export as a PDF once you’ve customized it.

12. Case study template

To showcase your business' success stories, use this free  case study PowerPoint template  provided by SlideUpLift. This template features the name of the client, their problem, your solution, and the result.

Need to create a chart? Use these PowerPoint templates

Sometimes a visual representation is stronger than words and numbers combined. So when you need a chart, these templates are all go-to's:

13. Flowchart PowerPoint template

Need to make a flowchart that looks professional and isn’t too hard to use?

Try this free template and you’ll have just that.

14. Pie chart PowerPoint template

And if a flow chart won’t work for your needs, but a pie chart might, this PowerPoint template has you covered.

Within a few minutes, you’ll have a customized pie chart sure to impress any audience -- and you won’t have to spend too much time to do so.

15. Gantt chart PowerPoint template

While the first set of templates can work for any business, this next set has been fine-tuned to deliver exactly what its respective industry demands:

16. Real estate PowerPoint template

Use this real estate PowerPoint template to explain to potential clients why they should go with you and your agency.

You can highlight your biggest achievements and share how your team goes the extra mile for their clients.

17. Cryptocurrency PowerPoint template

Even more time-consuming (and way less interesting) than explaining cryptocurrency, if you’re in need of a presentation to describe why you’re the best candidate to manage cryptocurrency for your clients, this free Bitcoin template is right up your alley.

You can also use this template to educate potential investors who may be new to this sort of currency and teach them how to get started.

18. Coffee-centric PowerPoint template

Whether you’re reaching out to potential coffee bean growers or you’re going directly to the coffee houses themselves, this template helps your brand show off their professional and trustworthy side.

19. Eco-friendly PowerPoint template

You’ll give the same brand-specific appearance with this eco-friendly PowerPoint template .

Thanks to its clean, simple design, any business geared toward a natural lifestyle can benefit from using it.

So, for example, whether you’re a spa owner or you’ve created your own all-natural and organic skincare line, this template gives off eco-friendly vibes people will want to invest in.

The next batch of PowerPoint templates does the heavy lifting for many in the construction industry.

PowerPoint templates for construction and architecture

Use these templates in your business and you’ll save both time and money:

20. Building wireframe PowerPoint template

If you’re an architect, engineer, or project planner, this blue and white building wireframe template might be just the ticket for presentations about your projects being planned or in development.

21. Construction PowerPoint template

Any good construction company knows that before you break ground, you need to come up with a solid building plan first. This construction template by Prezentr can be used to show potential investors what your renovation timeline looks like, or help your team understand what needs to be done and who’s responsible for those tasks.

22. Roadwork PowerPoint template

If your business is responsible for surveying or road construction, this PowerPoint template is better suited for your needs.

23. City sketch PowerPoint template

The design of this city sketch template may appeal to architects, graphic designers or illustrators. The slide deck includes ready-made charts and tables for you to easily insert your data.

Free health and nutrition PowerPoint templates

Use these templates to give off a healthy first impression.

24. Vital signs PowerPoint template

Whether you’re in the medical field, pharmaceuticals, or the fitness industry, this Slidehunter animated vital signs template can breathe life into your presentation. The neon heart rate is animated to pulse across the slides just like on a real monitor.

25. Fresh fruit PowerPoint template

If you’re in the nutrition space, that medical template gives the opposite impression of your more holistic approach. That’s why this fresh  watermelon template is a better option for you.

Use it to share your client’s meal plan or to explain how your practice is different. Either way, the juicy colors will make your information stand out.

26. Fitness PowerPoint template

This fitness template is perfect for a personal trainer, fitness instructor or gym owner. You can outline your clients' workout plan and schedule, or use it to document their progress towards their fitness goals.

If you’re in one of these industries, time spent on templates means time wasted on other important tasks -- such as discovering or creating the next big breakthrough.

So don’t even experiment with others; use these free templates and save yourself tons of time.

27. Space-specific PowerPoint template

This 3D space-themed PowerPoint template is perfect for readers entering the space technology realm. With a bold image of the Hubble telescope, your presentation will leave a lasting impression of all your potential.

28. Science project PowerPoint template

This science project template is structured with everything laid out for you. You can simply fill in the details of your hypothesis, materials, and observations and you’re good to go. It features a sleek, dark theme and widescreen 16:9 format.

29. Virtual reality PowerPoint template

Just like cryptocurrency, virtual reality is on the rise. And if that’s the industry you’re in, this free PowerPoint template by Prezentr can help you make a bold statement in that space.

30. Artificial intelligence PowerPoint template

Artificial intelligence is a booming industry. Use this futuristic template  by Prezentr for your next AI related presentation.

Let’s go back to school with our next set of PowerPoint templates.

These templates work well for both administrative teams at schools, teachers, PTA staff, and students.

31. Ecology PowerPoint template

This versatile educational template can be used by teachers or students for geography, biology and other environmental related presentations.

32. Colored pencils PowerPoint template

It doesn’t matter if you’re an educator trying to reach your students or you’re conveying a message to parents, this school-themed PowerPoint template will capture your audience’s attention fast.

You can also use this template as a student. This template shows you did more than the minimum on your homework assignment and cared about your presentation’s appearance.

33. Theater PowerPoint template

For theaters and theater clubs, when it comes time to raise awareness and fundraising dollars, this Slidehunter theater template will give you everything you need to make an artful impression.

You can also use it to display your cast list, upcoming shows, and any other key pieces of information.

34. Classroom timer PowerPoint template

Perfect for teachers, this animated hourglass timer template is a fun way to motivate your students to complete their activities within the time limit you set.

35. Notebook PowerPoint template

This notebook template can be used to present assignments and projects in a creative way.  

These photographic templates combine simplicity with bold imagery to make your text shine.

36. Cherry blossom PowerPoint template

If you’re a florist, event planner, or just looking for something soft and dreamy, this cherry blossom template is just the ticket to help create a stunning presentation.  

37. Sailboat PowerPoint template

Use this sailboat template to conjure up thoughts of sun-soaked beach vacations for your audience.

38. Cactus design PowerPoint template

This cactus template is perfect for botany students and businesses making presentations about the desert or the American southwest. Its cool, pleasing colors also make an interesting backdrop

39. Desert design PowerPoint template

And if you’re looking for that same desert-type feel but the blue of the previous template clashes with your brand’s logo , use this PowerPoint template instead.

The fiery reds and deep orange colors give off a completely different vibe than those cactus designs but deliver the same high impact.

40. Cloud PowerPoint template

This light and airy cloud background template is perfect for science presentations, nature conservation groups, and businesses related to sleep, weather, and so much more.

41. Cityscape views PowerPoint template

This modern template gives you a worm’s eye view of a beautiful downtown cityscape.

And with the blue and white color scheme, your presentation will look as crisp as the skyscrapers in the background

42. Sunflower PowerPoint template

If the blue and white colors in that cityscape template are a little bland for your liking, consider using this bright sunflower one instead.

The bold orange and yellow colors will keep your audience awake and energized, but since it’s also paired with a softer white background, your information won’t get lost in the brightness.

43. The Fisherman PowerPoint template

This fisherman PowerPoint template uses the same strategy as the sunflower one: striking imagery against a white or muted background.

Though the imagery is softer in color this time, it’s still a bold and eye-catching sight to see. And thanks to the white balance, it doesn’t compete with your information.

Rather, each compliments the other.

Modern design PowerPoint templates

The next group of templates uses modern designs, many of which are illustrated, to give a polished and sophisticated feel to your presentations.

44. Thaliard PowerPoint template

For readers with data-heavy presentations, this Thaliard PowerPoint template is for you.

With several slide layouts to choose from, you can display your data and statistics in a way that’s engaging instead of overwhelming.

45. Feminine flair PowerPoint template

This fun and feminine PowerPoint template balances a handwritten-style font with a light and airy color palette in millennial pink to create a classically beautiful design for the modern gal.

46. Brushstrokes PowerPoint template - pink

This brush strokes PowerPoint template features an abstract design in hues of pink, purple and blue.

47. Brushstrokes PowerPoint template - green

Similar to the above but using a cool color palette of seafoam greens and blues, this brush strokes template is sure to make a statement.

48. Modern and simple PowerPoint template

The next free PowerPoint template is gender-neutral when it comes to the color palette, but that doesn’t mean it’s boring. With brightly colored pixels and squares, you’ll have a professional template with a bit of personality perfect for the boardroom.

49. Nature PowerPoint template

This eye-catching template features a modern, flat design of rolling hills and trees. Use it as the backdrop of your next environmentally friendly presentation.

50. Dark nature PowerPoint template

A twist on the above template, this dark-themed nature template gives you a muted, classic option if you prefer something less bright.

51. Color radial PowerPoint template

This template is not for the shy or timid since it will get your presentation noticed. With bright, vibrant pinks, oranges, and greens, your intel is sure to stand out.

52. Bright colored PowerPoint template

And if the bright colors in the previous template are too much for you, this template may be a better option.

With its soft yellow color and its use of retro shapes in vintage colors, you wind up with a light, fun presentation suitable for most applications.

53. Flow PowerPoint template

Now, if bright colors are not what you’re looking for, this cool and serene flow design has your name on it.

With pastel colors and a light gray background, this one won’t call too much attention to itself yet you’ll still be able to get your message across loud and clear.

54. Gold sparkle PowerPoint template

This gold sparkle PowerPoint template is great for creating a simple design that focuses on your information.

Since the “sparkles” in the background are blurred out, the attention is focused solely on your words, not the imagery.

55. Blue sparkle PowerPoint template

And the same thing happens with this blue alternative template -- all eyes get directed to the content, which doesn’t compete with the background.

If you’re making a presentation in a room with difficult lighting, this blue sparkle may be easier to read than the gold one before it. Since the background is a dark navy color, the white text will pop and be clearer to see.

56. Blue gradient PowerPoint template

This free template by Daniela Trony features a blue gradient theme throughout, with plenty of opportunities to display your Instagram worthy photos. This template is perfect for presentations where you want your images to speak more than words.

57. Bubbler PowerPoint template

This free template by Showeet  features a modern design and a custom color scheme. The template comes with 22 slides and a "set of ready-to-use examples". 

58. Botanical PowerPoint template

A sight for sore eyes – this botanical-themed template from Slidescarnival is ideal for presentations on gardening, fashion, or decoration. The fully editable template deck comes with 25 different slides and 80 different icons.

Travel related PowerPoint templates

These next templates are ideal for anyone presenting on the topics of travel or globalization.

59. Travel PowerPoint template

Whether you’re promoting tourism locally or abroad or sharing your latest trip with your family and friends, this travel template has everything you need to make a standout presentation.

60. Travel brochure PowerPoint template

If you’re a travel agent, use this red and blue brochure template to showcase your destinations and company contact information to customers.

61. Island destination PowerPoint template

This beautiful island destination template will help your audience imagine a relaxing time on a tropical island. Use it for presentations on your resort, destination weddings, and travel services.

The next three templates feature images of animals -- who doesn’t love those?

62. Hare PowerPoint template

This sweet hare background is great for both springtime presentations and animal or outdoor related ones

63. Sea turtle PowerPoint template

For beach and underwater-themed presentations, or if you just prefer sea turtles over land animals, this free template featuring bright turquoise colors is sure to please any crowd

64. Horse PowerPoint template

You also can’t go wrong with this horse PowerPoint template .

Not only is the image of the horse striking, but so is the background. Both of these help to keep your audience’s attention.

Christmas-themed PowerPoint templates

The mood is festive and fun during the Christmas and holiday season so your presentations should be too. So add these next two free PowerPoint templates to your wish list.

65. Christmas PowerPoint template

With this Christmas-inspired template , you’ll add a burst of warm holiday cheer to your presentation.

66. Holiday photo card PowerPoint template

Spread some holiday cheer with this photo card template . Add your own image and customize the greeting, then send it to friends and family.

67. Santa Claus PowerPoint template

Santa Claus is coming to town (and to a PowerPoint template near you!) Download this festive template here . 

Enjoy your free professional PowerPoint templates

Now that you have a complete list of the best free PowerPoint templates to use, the harder question becomes which one you’ll use first.

Pro tip: Bookmark this page so you always have access to these free templates no matter the occasion for your presentation. This one smart move will save you time searching for this guide and all the awesome free templates we shared today.  

Want to create stunning presentations?

Looking for tips to become a PowerPoint pro? Learn how to use themes, add transitions, work with animations and more with the GoSkills PowerPoint course .

In 34 bite-sized lessons, you will learn time-saving tips and tricks to create professional-looking presentations from award-winning Microsoft MVP, Glen Millar.

Want to boost your productivity? Check out our favorite PowerPoint Add-ins .

Start your 7-day trial today to get FREE access to the PowerPoint course, plus all other courses on GoSkills!

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Crafting fluff-free content is Devan’s jam. When she’s not writing for GoSkills, you’ll find her outside reading, soaking up the sun, or hiking her next adventure.

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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cybersecurity

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spring season

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archaeology

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Background Presentation templates

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The Pygmalion Effect in the Classroom

Download the "The Pygmalion Effect in the Classroom" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for everyone, we've...

Futuristic Background

When you need to impress everybody and stay relevant, you must look ahead and aim to be the first. Take a peek into the future with this new template Slidesgo has just designed. It’s free and perfect for techie topics or just for giving your presentation a futuristic vibe!

Language Arts Subject for Middle School: Latin Verbs

Download the "Language Arts Subject for Middle School: Latin Verbs" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. If you’re looking for a way to motivate and engage students who are undergoing significant physical, social, and emotional development, then you can’t go wrong with an educational template designed for Middle School by...

Multiplying Integers

Download the "Multiplying Integers" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for everyone, we've joined hands with educators....

Time Boxing Step by Step

Download the "Time Boxing Step by Step" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for everyone, we've joined...

Notebook Lesson

These are the last days before the Summer break! We know that there are some pending lessons that you need to prepare for your students. As they may be thinking about their friends and their holidays, catch their attention with this cool template!

Dividing Integers

Download the "Dividing Integers" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for everyone, we've joined hands with educators....

How to Find the Antiderivative of Simple Polynomials

Download the "How to find the antiderivative of simple polynomials" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for...

Sustainability Guide for Business

Download the "Sustainability Guide for Business" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. The world of business encompasses a lot of things! From reports to customer profiles, from brainstorming sessions to sales—there's always something to do or something to analyze. This customizable design, available for Google Slides and PowerPoint, is what...

Down's Syndrome Chromosome Breakthrough

Download the "Down's Syndrome Chromosome Breakthrough" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides.Treating diseases involves a lot of prior research and clinical trials. But whenever there’s a new discovery, a revolutionary finding that opens the door to new treatments, vaccines or ways to prevent illnesses, it’s great news. Should there be...

5G Wireless Technology Campaign

Download the "5G Wireless Technology Campaign" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Improve your campaign management with this template that will definitely make a difference. It will empower you to organize, execute, and track the effectiveness of your campaign. Enriched with innovative resources, it facilitates seamless communication, meticulous planning, and...

Aqua Marketing Plan

For those times when a marketing plan needs to cause an impact, trust this template. You'll see instantly how appealing the watercolor details are when contemplating these slides. This design can be the perfect choice if your message has to do with water or the environment!

Fructose Malabsorption Syndrome

Download the "Fructose Malabsorption Syndrome" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Taking care of yourself and of those around you is key! By learning about various illnesses and how they are spread, people can get a better understanding of them and make informed decisions about eating, exercise, and seeking medical...

Minimalist Aesthetic Slideshow

When you combine a minimalist design with abstract shapes and a palette composed of pastel colors, you get a successful result. This template has all of the aforementioned, plus an elegant typography and some icons of plants. It's quite unique and works for any topic, so give it a try!

Geometric Shapes Design Newsletter

Download the "Geometric Shapes Design Newsletter" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Attention all marketers! Are you looking for a way to make your newsletters more creative and eye-catching for your target audience? This amazing template is perfect for creating the perfect newsletter that will capture your audience's attention from...

Geometric Conference Style Presentation

Download the "Geometric Conference Style Presentation" for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different graphic resources....

Eco-Friendly Minitheme

Speaking about taking care of the environment is always a good idea, and with this Eco-Friendly Minitheme you can assure that your audience knows about recycling, bio products, the problems of plastic, and the solutions to lessen the impacts of global warming. The slides have cute abstract and floral illustration...

Team Building Class for Elementary

Your students spend most of their days at school, so building a good atmosphere in the class is vital for their happiness. Why don’t you dedicate a day to team building activities? This will help new students make friends and older students create deeper relationships with their classmates. It that...

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