Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint Design and Layout

Learn to use layouts, themes and visual hierarchy consistently and produce a readable slide at normal viewing distance in this beginner-friendly Microsoft 365 lesson.

Learning outcomes

Explain how to use layouts, themes and visual hierarchy consistently.
Complete the guided practice safely.
Check that you can produce a readable slide at normal viewing distance.

Before you begin

Open PowerPoint and create a blank presentation. Gather two copyright-safe practice images if the activity needs them.

Open official Microsoft guidance ↗

Step-by-step instructions

Open PowerPoint and a blank presentation and confirm you are using the intended account.
Improve a crowded practice slide using one clear message.
Pause and check permissions, filenames, recipients, dates or settings that affect the task.
Test the result: produce a readable slide at normal viewing distance.
Run the slide show from the beginning, check readability, then save the presentation to OneDrive.

Ian's practical tip: Use sample information first. Once the workflow is correct, repeat it with approved work information and the minimum necessary access.

Practical activity

Improve a crowded practice slide using one clear message. Your expected result is to produce a readable slide at normal viewing distance.

Good-practice checklist

I used the correct account and approved sample information. I completed and tested the activity. I checked sharing, privacy and the saved result.