Microsoft PowerPoint is the most recommended tool for creating amazing slides. However, many people don’t know about how this tool works and which features it contains.
If you are new to Microsoft PowerPoint and want to know how it works, you are at the right place. Keep reading this microsoft powerpoint review to find answers to your questions – let’s dive in!
What is Microsoft Powerpoint?
Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the important components of the Microsoft Office suite. Contrary to what many people think, Microsoft PowerPoint was not developed by Microsoft itself. Microsoft PowerPoint was acquired by Microsoft by Forethough, Inc back in 1987.
The acquisition of Microsoft PowerPoint is considered one of the most important decisions made by Microsoft. The presence of Microsoft PowerPoint made Microsoft Office Suite the leading choice for personal and professional slideshow needs.
Being a presentation program, this software packs a lot of features that are fit for all presentation needs.
Features of Microsoft Powerpoint
The good thing about Microsoft PowerPoint is that it packs a lot of great features. Here is an overview of some of the features Microsoft PowerPoint contains:
Create Presentations
Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to create informative, engaging, and attractive presentations. The good thing about this software is that it contains lots of free templates. You can use any of the templates or try creating a presentation from scratch if you want to give it a personal touch.
Add Text, Images, Art, Animations, and Videos
Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerful tool that allows users to insert media into their presentations. For example, you include tons of images and videos in your slideshow to better explain the contents.
Share with Others
Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to collaborate on slides. For example, if you are working as a team on a project and want input from all members on a slideshow, then you can share copies of your presentation and combine them all to create a final presentation.
Save in OneDrive
Microsoft PowerPoint also enables users to save slideshows on the cloud. If you want to share your slides with anyone, you can simply copy the link from OneDrive storage to your slideshow and boost your productivity.
Price of Microsoft PowerPoint
One of the reasons why Microsoft PowerPoint is not the perfect option for so many people is that it is costly. You will have to spend $159.99 if you want to purchase Microsoft PowerPoint alone and don’t want to use any of the additional productivity software created by Microsoft.
However, if you are looking to create documents and spreadsheets as well, you can try buying the membership plan for Microsoft 365. You will need to pay a yearly subscription fee of $69.99 to use Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other office products in one package.
However, if you only want to use Microsoft PowerPoint for one time, you can consider using its online version. The good thing about the online version is that even though it provides limited functionality, it can still be used for normal uses.
Way to Download Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is very easy to download, even if you don’t call yourself a geek and know little about computers. Here are simple instructions you can follow to download Microsoft PowerPoint in no time:
Visit the official www.office.com.
Click on the “Sign Up” button.
Proceed to enter your Username and Password. You can use the username and password that you are already using for your school/business, or you can try using a new combination of the username/password according to your liking.
Once you are done with the account creation, you will be asked to choose your desired application. You can select Microsoft PowerPoint to get started with creating slideshows.
How to Use Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a simple-to-use program that doesn’t require you to spend a lot of time on learning. Once installed, here is how you can access the basic features to create a slideshow easily:
Choose a Theme
Here is how to use a default theme in Microsoft PowerPoint:
Click on the “File” button.
Click on the “New” button to pick any theme you want.
After clicking on a theme, click on the “Create” button to create a new slideshow.
Insert a New Slide
Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to add a new slide in these simple steps:
Click on the “Home” tab on your slideshow.
Select the “New Slide” button to pick a layout.
Arrange the slides the way you want easily.
Save Your Presentation
Here is how to save your Microsoft PowerPoint slide:
Click on the “File” button.
Select the “Save” button.
Rename your file name the way you want.
Add Text
Here is how to add text to Microsoft PowerPoint easily:
Choose a given Text Box.
Select that box to start typing.
You can use the “Backspace” key to remove text.
Format Your Text
Formatting text in Microsoft PowerPoint is easy if you follow this process:
Select a specific text placeholder.
Locate the Drawing Tools and choose Format.
Format your text according to your needs.
Problems Using Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a powerhouse of creativity for people who want to create amazing slideshows. Here, it’s hard to say that it’s the perfect deal for every person. There are certain limitations of Microsoft PowerPoint that make it less effective:
Lack of Features
Microsoft PowerPoint doesn’t provide all the features that might make it a great choice for people who need to create slides on the go. For example, a person cannot use this tool for real-time collaboration on documents.
Subscription Fee
Microsoft PowerPoint is not a free program. As the pricing details are mentioned above, you will need to pay money to use this tool and meet all your needs. You can use the free time for only a limited time.
Lack of Requirements
Microsoft PowerPoint is not a great choice for people who are using any of the smart content creation tools. Many of the new plugins are not compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint as of now.
The Difficulty of Changing Subscription Plans
Microsoft PowerPoint is not a free program, which is why you will need to change subscription plans according to your needs. It will be difficult to stick with a plan that suits you most.
Best Alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint
Choosing an alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint is the right option if you are not in the mood to spend money and limit your productivity. You can start using WPS Office, as it makes it easier to create stunning slides on the go.
Here are some amazing of WPS Office you shouldn’t ignore:
Free to Use
WPS Office is a free office suite you can start using without paying a single penny. You can use this software on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux simply by downloading it for free.
Compatible with Microsoft Office
The best thing about WPS Office is that it has superior compatibility with the “.pptx” format that is used by Microsoft PowerPoint for slides. This functionality can allow you to edit your MS PowerPoint slides in WPS Office easily.
Lots of Free Templates
If you don’t want to create slides from scratch, you should consider using WPS Office. The online WPS Template library is great for people as it provides tons of free templates for all users.
How to use WPS Office to make a PowerPoint
Creating slides in WPS Office is super easy. If you are going to use WPS Office for the first time, you can follow these steps to get started easily:
Open WPS Office and click on “Presentation.”
Press the “Blank” button or pick any of the templates.
Explore the pop-up box to change the details of the SLIDE SHOW, like changing Show Type, Show Options, Multiple Monitors, Range of Slideshow, and so on.
Click on the “OK” button after you are done with changing settings.
FAQs about Microsoft PowerPoint
Q1. Where can I get the PowerPoint templates
If you are looking for free templates for creating slideshows, you can consider using the WPS Template library. There are tons of free templates that can help you create slides within seconds.
Q2. What is the difference between Microsoft PowerPoint Online and the app?
The good thing about Microsoft PowerPoint online is that it doesn’t require you to download anything. You can start by opening any supported browser and creating slides online within minutes. But the Microsoft PowerPoint app requires you to install the app on your PC.
