Chapter 16 Formatting PowerPoint Presentations
Vocabulary
Collated: Assembled in a specific way.
Color gradient: A set of colors arranged in order to provide a smooth color transition. For example, the bottom of the area may be green, and the top may be blue. A variety of shades are arranged in order to provide a smooth transition between the green color and blue color.
Contextual tab: A hidden tab on the Office ribbon that becomes visible when a specific item is selected, or a certain task is done by the user. For instance, when a picture is selected, the Picture Format tab appears on the tab row.
Default: A specific setting automatically assigned by the software and remains until the user changes the set
Dialog box: Displays information and allows the user to interact with it. For instance, when the dialog box launcher is clicked, a dialog box appears. Unlike a window, most dialog boxes do not contain a maximize and minimize button, but just a close button.
Footer: A section of the document or slide that appears in the bottom margin. May contain the page number, file name, date, and author’s name.
Header: A section of the document that appears in the top margin. May contain a variety of information, including the page number and title of the document.
Landscape orientation: The orientation of the page is such that the top and bottom are longer than the sides.
Portrait orientation: The orientation of the page is such that the sides are longer than top and bottom.
Transparency: The state of being transparent or easily detected.
INTRODUCTION
When creating a PowerPoint presentation, it is important to keep the audience interested. By using a theme and formatting the shapes and pictures inserted onto the slides, the user can create a professional-looking presentation. By using transitions between slides and animating objects, additional interest can be created in the presentation. It is always important to use transitions and animations sparingly. Overuse of these features can distract the view from the main points of the presentation. This chapter discusses the tools used on the Format tabs, along with the Animation, Design, and File tabs.
Using the Shape Format Tab Commands
The Shape Format contextual tab includes features and commands that allow the user to revise the shape inserted (Figure 1). This tab will appear on the ribbon when a shape is selected.
With the Insert Shape group, the user can add additional shapes. Use the Text Box to add text to the shape. Shapes can be merged with Merge Shapes or edited using Edit Shape. With the Edit Shape feature, the user can take a corner of the shape and extend or decrease it.
The Shape Styles group allows the user to change the color, fill, outline, and effects of the shape. The Arrange group allows the user to move objects in front or behind other objects. The Size group allows the user to resize the object. The Arrange and Size groups will be discussed in depth later in this chapter.
Using the Pictur