Allegheny Help Desk: Create a PowerPoint Template

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Creating a Template in PowerPoint

How do I make a template?
How do I add Color to my template?
How do I add Pictures to my template?

How do I make a Template?

Open a new presentation
Choose a slide layout and click OK
Alter the template however you want to
- You can Add a Color Scheme or Background
- You can Add Pictures, Shapes, ClipArt, and WordArt
Click File Menu > Save As
In the Save as type box, click Design Template.
- In the Save in Pull Down Menu, Click on the Pull-Down Arrow and select Microsoft > Templates.
- Save your template here in the Templates folder.
Now you can apply your template to a presentation!
When making a presentation Go to the File Menu, click New
- Note: you cannot use this template with the AutoContent Wizard.
- Under the General tab, double-click the name of your template and begin authoring your presentation!

How do I add Color to my Template?

There are two ways to add color to a slide: Color scheme and Background

Select Format > Slide Color Scheme. This opens the Color Scheme Dialog box. Under the Standard Tab are example color schemes. If there's a scheme that you want to use click on that scheme, then click Apply (for one slide in a presentation) or Apply to All (for all slides).
If you'd like to custom design a color scheme for your slide click on the Custom tab. Click on an attribute that you'd like to change then click Change Color... Make all of the changes that you want to then click Apply (for one slide in a presentation) or Apply to All (for all slides).

To change the background of a slide

Select Format > Background. This brings up the Background Dialog Box.

Choose a color that you would like for you slide and then click Apply (for one slide) or Apply to All (for all slides in a presentation).
Note: There are also the options to change the texture and fill of the background in the pull-down menu designated by the arrow.

How do I add Pictures to my Template?

Pictures in Powerpoint include AutoShapes, Clip Art, Pictures from File and WordArt.

To add an AutoShape Select Insert > Picture > Autoshape. The Authoshape Toolbar opens with a list of several icons that describe different shapes. Click on one of the icons and then choose a shape. A crosshair appears when you move over onto your slide. Click and Drag until the shape is the size that you want.
To move the image below the Text, click on the Shape. A box will appear with eight white squares around it.

Right-Click on the graphic and then select Order > Send to Back. This will place the graphic in back of the text.

Now it looks like:
To add Clip Art to your template select Insert > Picture > Clip Art
- The Clip Art Dialog Box will appear. Browse through the catagories until you find a suitible clip art. Then, right-click on that graphic > Insert and it will apear on your slide.
- Right-click on the graphic and then select Order > Send to Back. This will place the graphic in back of the text.
  
  Now it looks like:
To add Pictures that you have taken yourself into your template select Insert> Picture > From File...
- Browse until you find the picture that you want to use and select Insert..
- To move the image below the Text, click on the Shape. A box will appear with eight white squares around it.
To add WordArt select Insert> Picture >WordArt
- Create the WordArt that you want to use and select Insert..
- Word art can replace the text on the template or it can be used as a graphic.
  - To Make WordArt a part of the background of the template click on the WordArt. A box will appear with eight white squares around it. Right-Click on the WordArt and then select Order > Send to Back. This will place the graphic in back of the text of your template, leaving you free to place whatever you wish on top of it.

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