Working with Templates

This article details how to work with templates in Microsoft PowerPoint.

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In this article you will learn how to create and save a template

Creating a Template

In order to successfully complete this module, you should complete all topics in order, in one session.

To begin creating a template, it is usually best to start with a blank slate. Open PowerPoint 2013 and create a blank presentation:

Next, switch to Slide Master view by clicking View → Slide Master:

Click to select the top-level master for the current presentation (at the top of the Slides pane):

The current template is quite plain, so let’s dress it up a bit by applying a theme. Click Slide Master → Themes → Circuit:

The new theme will be applied to the slide master. This has the effect of changing the presentation’s background, colors, and fonts:

From here, you can adjust the headers and footers and add images and placeholders, just as you would when designing a slide layout. Keep in mind that these elements will appear on any slide using this template.

Leave Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 open and continue to the next topic.

Saving a Template

When you have finished designing your template, save it by clicking File → Save As → Computer → Browse:

When the Save As dialog appears, type “Module 3” into the “File name” text box. Then, choose PowerPoint Template from the “Save as type” drop-down menu:

When PowerPoint Template is selected as the save type, the directory will automatically change to C:/Users/[username]/My Documents/Custom Office Templates if you are using Windows 8. (Previous versions of Windows will use the C:/Documents and Settings/[username]/Application Data/Microsoft/Templates directory.) Click Save:

Close Microsoft PowerPoint.