SmartArt in PowerPoint puts life into presentations, infusing them with inspiration and facilitating improved comprehension. It goes beyond just the aesthetics, focusing on enhancing the engagement and informativeness of your content. In this article, we will delve into the intricacies of How to Create and Modify SmartArt in PowerPoint, exploring the myriad ways this feature empowers you to craft visually appealing and informative presentations.
What is a SmartArt in PowerPoint?
A SmartArt graphic in PowerPoint is a powerful visual tool that allows you to represent information and ideas in an engaging and dynamic way. SmartArt graphics offer a diverse range of premade charts, graphics, and data visual styles, making it easy to customize and tailor your presentation to your specific needs. These graphics adapt and evolve instantly as you work on your presentation, ensuring that your content remains visually appealing and coherent.
Imagine, for example, that you want to illustrate a complex multistep process. While you could certainly use plain text to describe it, SmartArt in PowerPoint takes your presentation to the next level. By incorporating SmartArt, you can visually depict the process, making it not only easier to understand but also more impressive and memorable.
Benefits of Using Smartart in PowerPoint?
Using SmartArt in PowerPoint offers a multitude of benefits that can elevate your presentations to a whole new level. Here's a closer look at some key advantages:
Visual Appeal: SmartArt allows you to create visually captivating presentations. Instead of overwhelming your audience with a wall of text, you can convey complex information through engaging graphics and diagrams. This not only enhances comprehension but also makes your content more memorable.
Time-Saving: One of the standout advantages of SmartArt is its time-saving capability. Rather than starting from scratch to design charts or diagrams, you can simply choose from a variety of pre-designed layouts. This feature is a lifesaver, particularly when you need to create multiple presentations or reports within tight deadlines.
Consistency: Maintaining a consistent style throughout your presentation is vital to keeping your audience engaged and focused. SmartArt graphics offer a range of predefined layouts that can be customized with your content, ensuring a cohesive and professional look across your slides.
User-Friendly: SmartArt is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible even for those new to PowerPoint. Its intuitive interface simplifies the process of creating compelling visuals, allowing you to focus more on your content's message rather than struggling with design.
Wide Variety: SmartArt provides a wide selection of ready-made graphics suitable for various purposes. Whether you need to create organizational charts, process diagrams, or hierarchy structures, there's likely a SmartArt layout that meets your specific needs.
Flexible Customization: Every SmartArt graphic is highly flexible and can be customized to match your exact requirements. You can modify colors, shapes, and styles to align with your branding or presentation theme, giving you full creative control.
Compatibility: SmartArt graphics have been available since earlier PowerPoint versions, and they are compatible with Office 365 and various PowerPoint versions. This means you can easily incorporate them into your presentations, regardless of the software version you're using.
How to Create and change Smartart in PowerPoint？
For those seeking clarity on how to insert SmartArt in PowerPoint, this step-by-step guide offers clear answers to your queries:
Step 1: Begin by opening your PowerPoint presentation where you intend to incorporate SmartArt.
Step 2: Navigate to the "Insert" tab, located in the ribbon at the top, and spot the "SmartArt" option. Click on it to unveil the SmartArt PowerPoint menu.
Step 3: Within the SmartArt PowerPoint menu, you'll find an array of categories featuring different SmartArt templates. Choose the design that aptly represents your information in an elegant and descriptive manner.
Step 4: If you'd like to edit the SmartArt text, utilize the text pane displayed. To toggle the text pane on or off, simply click the "Text pane" button within the SmartArt Design tab.
With SmartArt now integrated into your presentation, you can effortlessly add the information you intend to convey to your audience. But wait, there's more! You can further customize your chosen SmartArt. Here's how:
Step 5: To add an additional box or arrow (depending on your SmartArt design), access the SmartArt Design tab and locate the "Add Shape" option at the top left of the ribbon. This enables you to add a shape before or after the selected shape in your SmartArt.
Step 6: Should you wish to modify the colors, head to the SmartArt Design tab and click on "Change Colors" in the ribbon. You'll have a variety of color variations to choose from.
Step 7: For a different aesthetic, visit the "SmartArt Styles" section within the SmartArt Design tab. Here, you can alter the overall appearance of your design, including options like giving it a 3D effect for enhanced visibility.
Step 8: If you feel that the current SmartArt design doesn't align with your data presentation, you can change the entire design. In the SmartArt Design tab, explore the "Layout" section and select a new layout for your presentation.
Step 9: For those who want to convert the SmartArt into an object, follow these steps: In the SmartArt Design tab, locate the "Convert" option in the top right corner and select "Convert to Shape".
These straightforward steps visually enhance your presentations. It's worth noting that while SmartArt may not be available in all office software, a free alternative offering this feature is WPS Office, which provides a similar tool called "WPSArt" within their WPS Presentation app.
Free SmartArt PowerPoint Template
SmartArt templates in PowerPoint are pre-designed, visually appealing graphics that allow you to represent information and ideas in a clear and engaging way. They provide a structured framework for creating diagrams, charts, and visual representations without the need for extensive design skills or starting from scratch.
Here are a few PowerPoint SmartArt templates that you can utilize to enhance your presentations:
The PowerPoint Funnel SmartArt Template is a free and versatile tool for creating dynamic presentations. It features a funnel diagram created using SmartArt Graphics, ideal for illustrating processes and information filtering. You can easily customize it with up to three bubbles or circles, and it comes with four pre-designed slides. Funnel diagrams highlight how different elements merge into a single outcome, simplifying complex information. You can add or remove text, with up to four lines of Level 1 text supported, and any unused text remains available for future use. It's a powerful way to convey information effectively in your presentations.
The Network Radial SmartArt template is a free PowerPoint diagram for illustrating relationships around a central idea. It features a wire-frame network sphere with colorful graphics, suitable for representing concepts, processes, or connections. The template is editable, allowing customization of colors and sizes, and includes text placeholders for adding labels or descriptions. This diagram is ideal for visualizing cyclic processes and enhancing presentations with interconnected concepts.
The SWOT Analysis PowerPoint Template with Cycle Matrix is a free resource for conducting SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analyses. It offers a straightforward SmartArt diagram that simplifies the process of evaluating these crucial factors. This template is ideal for businesses, organizations, or individuals seeking to assess their strategic position and make informed decisions. The Cycle Matrix layout enhances the visual appeal and clarity of your SWOT analysis, making it an effective tool for presentations and strategic planning.
Note: These SmartArt templates are compatible with MS Word as well. While you may need to make a few adjustments in settings, they generally function smoothly and can enhance your Word documents seamlessly.
Resonating Reminder:
Remember these key principles when using SmartArt in PowerPoint:
Simplify Complexity: SmartArt is your ally when tackling intricate data or concepts. Use it to distill complex information into easily digestible visual representations.
Balance Visuals and Text: Avoid overwhelming your graphics with excessive text. Keep your SmartArt diagrams concise, allowing the visuals to convey the core message, while supporting text provides context.
Harmonize Design: Ensure that the colors, styles, and formatting of your SmartArt align seamlessly with your presentation's overall theme. Consistency in design enhances visual appeal and comprehension.
Collaborate for Clarity: Before finalizing your presentation, seek feedback from colleagues or peers. Testing your SmartArt with others helps guarantee that your audience will readily grasp your message.
Free Alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint — WPS Presentation
SmartArt has the potential to transform your presentations, leaving a lasting impression on your audience. However, WPS Office goes a step further, offering a treasure trove of ready-made templates featuring SmartArt across diverse domains. These templates empower users to craft impactful presentations that redefine excellence. WPS Office stands out as a user-friendly, free tool, distinguishing itself from many other office suites. Its remarkable compatibility with various formats, including Microsoft Office, makes it a top choice for presentations.
How to Download WPS Office?
Step 1: Visit the official WPS Office website in your web browser and click on the 'Download' button.
Step 2: After the file has finished downloading, run the installer on your computer to initiate the installation process.
Step 3: Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation. Congratulations! You now have WPS Office ready to use on your computer.
Steps to edit Presentation in WPS:
Step 1: To start with the editing, you need to download WPS Office first. For that, go to the official website of WPS Office.
Step 2: Open the downloaded WPS Office.
Step 3: After opening, go to the WPS Office Homepage, choose "Slides" from the Side Bar, and swiftly select “+ Blank” to begin filling a new PowerPoint with your creativity!
Step 4: Refine your presentation effortlessly by leveraging the variety of editing tools offered in WPS Presentation!
FAQs
Q1. Is SmartArt in PowerPoint accessible?
Yes, PowerPoint allows you to access SmartArt. SmartArt Graphics requires alt text for a screen reader to read, like charts, graphs, and photos. To insert alt text for a SmartArt Graphic, you can right-click the background of the placeholder incorporating the SmartArt Graphic. It makes the content more accessible to individuals who rely on assistive technology.
Q2. What is the difference between a chart and a SmartArt?
A SmartArt graphic is a visual representation of information and ideas and is designed for text. It facilitates effective communication of messages or concepts and presents information in a structured visual manner using graphic tools like diagrams, process charts, and hierarchy charts. In contrast, a chart is a visual illustration of numeric values or data. Charts are utilized for numerical data and can take various forms, such as bar charts, column charts, line or XY scatter charts, stock charts, surface charts, donut charts, bubble charts, radar charts, or combination charts like bar and line charts. SmartArt graphics and charts are potent tools in PowerPoint, enhancing presentations by making complex data or ideas more understandable and engaging.
Leverage SmartArt to Elevate Your Presentations
In this article, we've delved into the myriad possibilities offered by SmartArt in presentations, showcasing how it can elevate the quality of your slides. SmartArt isn't just about aesthetics; it's a powerful tool that enhances the visual appeal and comprehension of your content. With WPS Office, you have access to an extensive library of templates featuring impressive SmartArt options, empowering you to create captivating presentations. Don't miss out – download WPS Office today and transform your presentations!
