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How to Download PowerPoint for Mac_ (Step-By-Step Guide)

November 6, 2023 2.1K views

PowerPoint is an essential tool in today's digital landscape, empowering users to create, edit, and format captivating presentations. However, when people transition from Windows to Mac, the interface can become a bit confusing, making the process of downloading and installing somewhat challenging. This guide is designed for those facing issues with PowerPoint download on Mac. We aim to not only provide download instructions but also impart fundamental skills, enabling you to feel more confident while using PowerPoint on your Mac device. Additionally, we'll introduce you to WPS Presentation, a robust PowerPoint Presentation Editor.

How to Download PowerPoint for Mac?

Why do you need PowerPoint on a Mac?

PowerPoint is a versatile application used for creating, editing, and formatting slides on various platforms, including PCs, Macs, and mobile devices. With PowerPoint, you can create presentations from scratch or utilize templates, incorporating text, images, art, videos, and more. Its design features, such as PowerPoint Designer, allow you to choose professional designs easily. You can add transitions, animations, and cinematic motion to your slides, giving your presentations a polished look. PowerPoint presentations can be saved to OneDrive, enabling access from multiple devices, and shared with others for collaborative work.

  • Highly Collaborative Solution:

PowerPoint facilitates seamless collaboration, allowing multiple users to access, edit, and comment on presentations simultaneously. This collaborative approach enhances teamwork and efficiency.

  • Design Flexibility to Impress Audiences:

PowerPoint provides complete control over presentation design, enabling the creation of engaging slides that captivate your audience. Its design flexibility allows for dynamic and visually appealing presentations.

  • Work From Anywhere:

PowerPoint presentations can be saved to the cloud, providing accessibility from any location. This flexibility suits the evolving work dynamics, especially in hybrid work environments.

  • Accessibility and Inclusivity:

PowerPoint is accessible to a wide range of users and purposes. Many organizations already have Microsoft Office licenses, making it widely available. Additionally, PowerPoint offers accessibility features, ensuring inclusivity for all audiences, including those with impairments.

  • Time-Saving:

Professional PowerPoint design services can save time by creating custom presentations, allowing individuals to focus on other tasks. These services handle visual design, animations, charts, fonts, and color schemes, enhancing the overall presentation quality.

How to download Microsoft PowerPoint on Mac?

Downloading PowerPoint on a Mac is a simple and straightforward process. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Begin by opening the Apple Store on your Mac. In the search bar, type "PowerPoint".

Step 2: Locate the first search result and click on "Get" to start the installation process.

Download PowerPoint on Mac

Step 3: Once the download is finished, select "Open" to launch Microsoft PowerPoint on your Mac.

Launch PowerPoint on Mac

Step 4: If you're a new user, you'll be asked to sign up to gain access to Microsoft PowerPoint.

Sign up for PowerPoint on Mac

Step 5: After signing in, you can now effortlessly open, edit, and save PowerPoint files on your Mac devices.

Use PowerPoint on Mac

How to use Microsoft PowerPoint on Mac?

Steps to create and edit new slides in Microsoft PowerPoint:

Now that we've successfully downloaded PowerPoint on Mac, let's learn some essential techniques to enhance our presentations:

Step 1: When you launch PowerPoint on Mac, a new presentation opens. To customize your text by changing its font style, size, or color, go to the "Home" tab.

PowerPoint Mac home tab

Step 2: If you wish to revamp your presentation's design, head to the "Design" tab, where you can choose from various design templates.

PowerPoint Mac design templates

Step 3: Want to add pictures? Click on the "Insert" tab, then select "Pictures from file" to upload images.

PowerPoint Mac insert picture

Step 4: To incorporate charts into your PowerPoint presentation on Mac, stay within the

"Insert" tab and click on "Chart".

PowerPoint Mac insert chart

Step 5: If you want to add transitions to your slides, navigate to the "Transitions" tab and select a transition of your choice.

PowerPoint Mac add transitions

Step 6: You can also include animations to enhance visual elements. Go to the "Animations" tab, click on your preferred animation, and apply it to text, objects, or images.

PowerPoint Mac add animations

Step 7: To begin your presentation, head to the "Slide Show" tab and select "Play from start".

PowerPoint Mac start slideshow

Step 8: Once your presentation is ready, save it by clicking the "Save" icon at the top.

PowerPoint Mac save icon

Step 9: Think of a name for your presentation, specify the folder where you'd like to save it, and then click "Save".

PowerPoint Mac save presentation

This guide covers the basics, but PowerPoint offers a multitude of features. You can further enhance your presentations by downloading templates or adding add-ins to make your PowerPoint experience even more productive.

Practical Skills for Using PowerPoint on Mac:

Mastering PowerPoint on your Mac involves more than just creating slides. Discover essential skills that will streamline your workflow and elevate your presentations. Here are the top 10 practical tips to help you become a PowerPoint pro.

  • Creating a New Slide: Press Ctrl+M (Mac users: Same) to quickly add a new slide to your presentation.

  • Undoing Edits: Made a mistake? Press Ctrl+Z (Mac users: Cmd+Z) to undo edits on a slide.

  • Redoing Edits: If you change your mind, press Ctrl+Y (Mac users: Cmd+Y) to redo edits on a slide.

  • Copying Slides: To duplicate a slide, press Ctrl+C (Mac users: Cmd+C), and Ctrl+V (Mac users: Cmd+V) to paste it.

  • Changing Font Size: Adjust font size easily with Ctrl+Shift+> to increase or Ctrl+Shift+, Cmd+Shift+

  • Duplicating Objects: To duplicate a selected shape, image, or chart, press Ctrl+D (Mac users: Cmd+D).

  • Copying Text Formatting: Copy text formatting by pressing Ctrl+Shift+C, then apply it to other text with Ctrl+Shift+V (Mac users: No shortcut available).

  • Inserting Hyperlinks: Select text and press Ctrl+K (Mac users: Cmd+K) to add hyperlinks to your presentation.

  • Text Formatting: Format text easily with Ctrl+I for italics, Ctrl+U for underline, and Ctrl+B for bold (Mac users: Cmd+I, Cmd+U, Cmd+B).

  • Access Ribbon Feature: Windows users can press Alt to access the ribbon feature, simplifying tasks with keyboard shortcuts.

These skills will help you work efficiently and create engaging PowerPoint presentations on your Mac.

What are the Differences between PowerPoint on Mac and Windows?

PowerPoint, a ubiquitous presentation software, exhibits variances between its Mac and Windows versions, tailored to their respective ecosystems. Here's a concise breakdown of the distinctive features, functions, and capabilities unique to each platform:

PowerPoint on Mac and Windows differences

Mac-Specific Advantages:

  • Optimized Interface: PowerPoint for Mac boasts a macOS-optimized interface, offering Mac users an ergonomic and intuitive design.

  • Touch Bar Integration: Exclusively on MacBook Pro, PowerPoint for Mac incorporates the Touch Bar, providing swift access to essential functions and enhancing productivity.

Windows-Specific Advantages:

  • PowerPoint Designer: Exclusive to Windows, this AI-driven tool offers layout and design suggestions for presentations, streamlining the creative process.

  • Office Copilot (In Development): A future AI tool, currently being tested on Windows, is set to enhance the entire Office suite's functionality.

  • Ribbon Shortcuts: Windows users can efficiently access features using keyboard shortcuts (e.g., Alt shortcuts), minimizing reliance on the mouse.

  • Default Fonts: PC version features different default fonts like Calibri and Arial.

  • Advanced Animation Panel: Windows PowerPoint offers a more accessible animation panel with a timeline, simplifying animation tasks.

  • Animation Triggers: Exclusive to Windows, animation triggers enable the creation of intricate animation sequences.

  • Mathematical Equation Support: Windows PowerPoint supports mathematical equations, whereas Mac users may need external tools.

  • Remote Presentation Support: Only available on Windows, it facilitates remote presentations.

  • Voice Recording Support: Exclusive to Windows, it enables voice recording for presentations.

  • Compatibility with Microsoft Suite: Windows PowerPoint seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft Office tools, enhancing collaboration and content integration.

Windows indeed offers a bit more functionality, but it's evident that both Microsoft Office and Windows belong to the same parent company. Therefore, they tend to prioritize their platform for feature releases. On the other hand, for Mac users, Apple provides Keynote as a direct competitor to PowerPoint.

If you're looking to avoid some of these limitations, a strong competitor for both Windows and Mac users is WPS Office. It's a free office suite that offers compatibility with both systems while maintaining feature parity between them. What's even better is that you can manage everything within a single interface, eliminating the need to download and manage separate apps.

WPS Office

Best Excellent Alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint - WPS Presentation

As you are creating and delivering compelling presentations, Microsoft PowerPoint is undoubtedly a powerful tool. However, Mac users often find themselves facing limitations when using PowerPoint on their operating system compared to the Windows version. Some features that are available on the Windows version may be missing or behave differently on Mac.

To bridge this gap and ensure that Mac users can harness the full potential of a presentation software, using WPS Office on Mac is a smart choice. WPS Office offers a robust presentation tool that not only rivals PowerPoint but also provides a consistent and feature-rich experience across both Windows and Mac platforms.

WPS Office for Mac

With WPS Office, you can take advantage of an extensive range of features, templates, and tools, making it a versatile and reliable option for creating and delivering presentations on your Mac. Whether you need to craft visually stunning slides, incorporate multimedia elements, or collaborate seamlessly with team members, WPS Office ensures you have the tools to succeed. Plus, it's free and offers the compatibility and performance that Mac users deserve, making it an excellent alternative for those seeking a complete presentation solution.

Steps to download WPS Office on your Mac:

Here's a step-by-step guide for downloading and installing WPS Office on your Mac:

Step 1: Begin by opening the Safari browser on your Mac and visit the official WPS Office website.

Step 2: Look for the "Free Download" button and click on it to initiate the download of WPS Office to your Mac system.

WPS Office Mac download

Step 3: After the download is complete, navigate to the "Finder" and locate the downloaded file in the Downloads tab.

Apple Mac Finder app

Step 4: Within Finder, click on the WPS Office installation file, and then select "Open" from the context menu.

WPS Office open installation file

Step 5: A pop-up window will appear, asking for confirmation to proceed with the installation. Click on "Open" to continue.

Apple security check

Step 6: Review and accept the terms and conditions, then click on "Install Now" to commence the installation of WPS Office on your Mac.

WPS Office Install now

Step 7: Allow a few moments for the WPS Office installation process to complete.

Step 8: Once the installation is finished, agree to the terms and conditions once more, and then click on "Start now" to launch the application.

Launch WPS Office

Step 9: You'll now be greeted with a clean and fresh interface, which is the WPS Office suite that you've just downloaded for free. You can utilize it to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, utilize PDF tools, and access other advanced features. Enjoy the capabilities of WPS Office on your Mac!

WPS Office Mac interface

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FAQS:

Q1. Can I use PowerPoint on a Mac for free?

Yes, there are options to utilize PowerPoint on your Mac without any expense, here are two ways to achieve this:

  • You can utilize PowerPoint for free online through Office for the Web, a web browser-based version of Microsoft Office.

  • You can download the free trial version of Microsoft 365, which includes PowerPoint. This trial enables you to use PowerPoint on your Mac without any cost for a limited period.

Q2. Is there a Mac version of PowerPoint?

Yes, there's a Mac version of PowerPoint available for download on the Mac App Store. To use it, you'll need a Microsoft 365 subscription. With Microsoft 365, you can access the latest features and easily construct, edit, and collaborate on presentations using PowerPoint for Mac. It's designed for smooth sharing and collaboration across devices, allowing real-time modifications within documents or attached Office files in emails.

Q3. Is PowerPoint for Mac the same as PowerPoint for Windows?

While both versions share core features, there are platform-specific differences that cater to the respective ecosystems. Windows may have some exclusive features, but PowerPoint for Mac offers a tailored experience for Apple users.

Q4. Are there alternatives to PowerPoint for Mac and Windows?

Yes, WPS Office is a compelling alternative that's compatible with both Mac and Windows. It offers feature parity, eliminating the need for separate apps and simplifying document management across platforms.

Q5. Is PowerPoint free on Mac?

To use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook on Mac, a Microsoft 365 subscription is required, as the apps available on the Mac App Store offer the most up-to-date versions of Office for Mac.

PowerPoint on Mac: A Versatile Tool for Creative Presentations

Downloading Microsoft PowerPoint on Mac is quite straightforward; you can easily find it on the App Store, as demonstrated in this article. Using it is also quite similar when compared to PowerPoint on Windows. However, there are some features missing in PowerPoint for Mac. If you wish to utilize all the features, we recommend WPS Office. It offers full compatibility without any compatibility issues on Mac, making it a seamless choice. So, go ahead and download WPS Office to elevate your office productivity to the next level on your Mac.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.