powerpoint use existing presentation as template

How to Apply a Template to an Existing PowerPoint Presentation

Learn how to apply a new template to your existing PowerPoint presentation with our easy step-by-step guide.

Understanding PowerPoint Templates

Step 1: choose the right template.

• Relevance to Topic: Ensure the template matches the theme of your presentation. A formal template might be better for business presentations, while something more colorful could be suitable for educational content.
• Audience Engagement: Pick a template that will keep your audience engaged. A visually appealing template can make your presentation more interesting.
• Brand Consistency: If you’re presenting for your company or a personal brand, use a template that aligns with your brand’s colors and logos.

Step 2: Open Your Existing Presentation

Step 3: Apply the New Template

• Go to the Design Tab: Once your presentation is open, navigate to the ‘Design’ tab in the PowerPoint toolbar.

• Browse for Themes: Click on the ‘Themes’ dropdown. Here, you’ll see a variety of themes you can apply directly. Hover over them to preview how they would look on your slides.

• Browse for More Templates: If you don’t see one you like, click on ‘Browse for Themes’ at the bottom of the menu to upload a template file you’ve downloaded or saved elsewhere.
• Apply the Template: Once you find the right template, click to apply it. PowerPoint will update all your slides to the new template format.

Step 4: Adjust Layouts and Reformat

• Check Slide Layouts: Go to the ‘Home’ tab, click on ‘Layout,’ and you’ll see various layout options that match your new template. Apply these to ensure all elements are correctly aligned.
• Reformat Text and Images: You might need to adjust font sizes, image alignments, or reposition text boxes to fit well with the new template style.
• Customize as Needed: Modify any colors or fonts if they do not exactly fit your needs or brand identity.

Step 5: Review and Finalize

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How To Import PowerPoint Template? [Step-by-Step Tutorial!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

When you want to change the design of your presentation but don’t have enough time, try using a template. Microsoft PowerPoint has a variety of built-in templates or you want to take it to another level by importing custom templates to your presentation.

To import PowerPoint Template, open your presentation and click on the “File” tab. Then, choose the “Office” option under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen. Click on your preferred template and hit “Create” to download the template.

Are you constantly using the same theme? Would you like to change the design of each new presentation? This article is a complete guide on how to import a template to a new or existing presentation as well as how can you save a custom PowerPoint template.

Let’s get started!

1. How to Insert PowerPoint Template?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can add custom templates to a presentation file using the “File” menu. Using templates in your PowerPoint presentation makes the slides look more connected and coherent. To add a PowerPoint template to a blank presentation, follow the 5 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “File” tab

The first step is to open any PowerPoint presentation file. Then click on the “File” tab, the first option in the menu ribbon at the top of the screen. 

Step-2: Click on the “New” option

The next step is to open a new presentation file with a template. To do so, click on the “New” option in the sidebar located at the left side of the screen in the “File” menu.

Step-3: Click on the “Office” option

Under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen, click on the “Office” option. This will show all the PowerPoint templates available in Office 365. 

Step-4: Select your preferred template

You can scroll down to find your preferred template. You can also click on the search bar under the “Office” option to look for a specific template. Then all you have to do is click on your preferred template. This will open a dialog box.

Step-5: Click on the “Create” button

The final step is to download the template. Click the “Create” button in the dialog box to download the template. The new presentation file containing the template slides will open automatically once the download is complete. 

2. How to Import Custom PowerPoint Template?

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to create and add custom presentation templates. Using the “File” menu, you can import a custom template to a new presentation or even an existing presentation. 

2.1 How to Apply a Template to a New Presentation?

To apply a custom template to a new presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, all you have to do is follow the 5 quick steps.

The first step is to open a new presentation. To do so, you can click on the “File” tab in the menu ribbon of any PowerPoint presentation file. This will open the “File” menu.

In the “File” menu, click on the “New” option. It is the second option in the sidebar located on the left side of the screen. This will open the “New” screen. 

Step-3: Click on the “Personal” option

Now you can open a custom template. Click on the “Personal” option under the “Blank Presentation” option in the “New” screen. This will show all the custom PowerPoint templates available on your device. 

Step-4: Select your preferred custom template

All you have to do now is click on the custom template that you want to use. This will open a dialog box.

In the dialog box, click on the “Create” button to open a new presentation file with the selected template automatically applied to it.

2.2 How to Apply a Template to an Existing Presentation?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you cannot apply a new custom template to an existing presentation file. However, you can import existing slides into a custom template file. All you have to do is follow the 6 simple steps.

Step-1: Apply a custom template to a new presentation 

The first step is to apply your preferred custom template to a new presentation. To do so, follow the steps detailed in section 2.1 .

Step-2: Select the existing presentation slides

The next step is to open the existing presentation where you want to apply the custom template. Then click on the slide thumbnail pane on the left side of the screen to select the slide thumbnail. Press the “Ctrl+A” keys on your keyboard to select all the slides from the slide thumbnail pane. 

Step-3: Click on the “Copy” option

You have to now copy all the existing slides. “Right Click” on the slide thumbnail pane and click on the “Copy” option in the right-click menu. Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+C” keys on your keyboard to copy all the slides simultaneously. 

Step-4: Select the template slides

The next step is to open the new presentation file containing the template slide. Click on the slide thumbnail pane located on the left side of the screen. Then press the “Ctrl+A” keys on your keyboard to select all the template slides. 

Step-5: Click on the “Delete Slide” option

“Right Click” on the slide thumbnails and click on the “Delete Slide” option from the right-click menu. You can alternatively press the “Delete” key on your keyboard to remove all the template slides. 

Step-6: Click on the “Use Destination Theme” option

Now all you have to do is click on the down arrow under the “Paste” option in the “Home” menu in the template file. In the dropdown menu under the “Paste” button, click on the “Use Destination Theme” option to paste the existing slides into the new template design. 

3. How to Save Custom PowerPoint Template?

To create a custom template in PowerPoint, you can simply save a presentation as a “PowerPoint Template (.potx)” file. To do so, follow the 4 easy steps.

Step-1: Click on the “File” menu

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “File” tab. This will open the “File” menu. 

Step-2: Click on the “Save As” option

In the “File” menu, click on the “Save As” option from the sidebar located at the left side of the screen. 

Step-3: Click on the “File Type” box

In the “Save As” screen, click on the “File Type” box that shows “PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx)” by default. Then click on the “PowerPoint Template (.potx)” option in the dropdown menu under the “File Type” box.

Step-4: Click on the “Save” button

Now all you have to do is click on the “Save” button next to the “File Type” box to save the PowerPoint file as a custom template. 

How to Make a PowerPoint Template (Tutorial with Pictures!)

PowerPoint templates are the hidden gem of top designers worldwide. That's why incorporating templates within your team is a wise choice! 

They not only save you a lot of time but also help convey your brand identity across internal departments and stakeholders .

In this guide, you will learn how to make a PowerPoint template from scratch, which will also help you know how to edit an existing one. 

In summary, you'll learn about:

• What exactly is a PowerPoint Template , and what is its difference from a PowerPoint Theme ?
• Is there a Quick Method for creating a PowerPoint Template?
• How to create a Custom PowerPoint Template from scratch?
• How to get a Branded PowerPoint Template with a fast turnaround?
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PowerPoint Templates

Let's begin with the basics – or jump to your favorite section using the list above.

What are PowerPoint Templates?

PowerPoint templates are a group of slides with predefined layouts, colors, fonts, and themes that will optimize your creative process when designing presentation decks. 

A good PowerPoint template contains nice layouts, great background styles, and unique color combinations. It also has strategically positioned placeholders, allowing for seamless insertion of text, images, videos, charts, or tables.

Without a doubt, PowerPoint templates are an excellent tool for quickly creating professional slides!

PowerPoint Template vs. PowerPoint Theme

You may have heard the terms "theme" and "template" being used interchangeably, but they don't have the same meaning in this software. 

Let's learn about the real difference between a PowerPoint template and a PowerPoint theme:

• A PowerPoint template is a set of ready-made PowerPoint slides that contain layouts, themes, graphs, charts, and even content. Its extension is .potx.
• A PowerPoint theme is a pre-set of fonts, colors, and visual effects you apply to your slides. Its extension is .thmx .

So, in summary, a template provides a pre-set structure where you only need to insert your content. Meanwhile, a theme allows you to change the overall visual appearance of your presentation with just a click.

Naturally, you can apply any theme to an existing PowerPoint template  or presentation. When it comes to design, your imagination is the only limit!

The Quick Method: Using an Existing PowerPoint Template

In a rush? You don't have enough time to build a PowerPoint template?

If so, you should use an existing PowerPoint template from the software itself or download a free PowerPoint template from Templates by 24Slides.

We can tell you that both are high-quality resources and easy to customize.  

Regarding the PowerPoint templates by 24Slides, we have elaborate two types of templates:

Presentation Deck Templates

They have a standard presentation structure .

It starts with a cover slide and a table of contents. Then, it gives you space to introduce yourself or your team with an "About Us" slide.

Also, you'll find slides with some diagrams and charts to organize your information. Check out this example:

Individual Slides Templates

These templates do not follow a step-by-step structure. So feel free to use each slide independently . 

Most of the time, they're about the same topic and differ primarily in the layout design. Here is an example:

One of the greatest pros about templates is that you don't need expert knowledge to customize them , as PowerPoint is very intuitive software.

Keep in mind that you have the freedom to adapt our PowerPoint templates for personal or commercial projects! 

Step-by-Step Guide: How to create a Custom PowerPoint Template from scratch? 

Now, if you need an impactful template fully customized to your needs , you should create a PowerPoint template from scratch. 

With a custom template in PowerPoint, you have complete control over the final design of your slides. 

That being said, let's explore together how to make a PowerPoint template in six simple steps! 

• Important : We recommend learning how to use Slide Master in PowerPoint . The key idea is that any element added to the Slide Master will be reflected across all subsequent slides.

Step 1: Set your Slides Size

Adjusting slide sizes is really easy on a blank PowerPoint presentation –just three clicks, and you're done!

To set or change your slide size in PowerPoint, you only need to: 

• Go to the Design tab . 
• Click on the Slide Size button .
• Select the size you need for your presentation deck. If you choose "Standard (4:3)" or "Widescreen (16:9)," your slides will automatically change.

How do you Resize a Slide with Custom Measurements? 

By default, the slides are sized for a widescreen presentation. This happens because most desktop screens have a 16:9 aspect ratio .

Good news! If you require it, you can customize the size of your slides in PowerPoint . You only need to:  

• Press "Custom Slide Size," and a pop-up will appear.
• To change the size of your slides, type the new measurement in the boxes or use the arrows from the "Width" and "Height" sections. 

• If you are unsure about the specific Width and Height your slides require , click "Slides sized for" and select the most appropriate measurement for your PowerPoint template.

Step 2: Open the Slide Master View

Here's where a special PowerPoint feature comes in: Slide Master . 

You wouldn't be able to learn how to make a PowerPoint template without this feature, so pay close attention! 

• Go to the View tab .
• Press the button "Slide Master" (see image).
• The Slide Master tab will appear, and you will be able to access new features in PowerPoint.

The first slide is called the " Slide Master ," and any changes you make there will be reflected in the following slides ( Layout Slides ).

Let's delve into a concrete example! The next image shows the effectiveness of using Slide Master for creating templates or presentations in PowerPoint.

Step 3: Customize your Slide Master

Now that you opened the Slide Master view, it's time to learn how to customize this tool.

Here are some important changes you can apply to your Slide Master in PowerPoint:

Edit the Placeholders on your Slide Master

Let's start with the easiest part: the placeholders of your Slide Master.

• Go to the Slide Master tab .
• Click on the " Master Layout " button. 

• A dialog box will appear with the different types of placeholders available in the software. There, you can check the placeholders you need to create a PowerPoint template.

Apply a PowerPoint Theme to your Slide Master

You are free to choose any default PowerPoint theme or a custom theme you already have for your project. 

• If you like PowerPoint aesthetics , you'll see these options when clicking the Themes button.
• If you have a custom theme saved on your computer , you only need to click "Browse for Themes."

Set Up a Custom Color Palette on your Slide Master

By default, PowerPoint offers some built-in color palettes, but you can also use your own set of colors. 

This approach is especially useful when your template is designed for a project with its own brand identity.  

• Go to "Colors" in the Slide Master tab.
• Click "Customize Colors" to set your own color palette in Slide Master.

• A new pop-up will appear with 12 sections to fill out. 
• Remember to name and save your final color palette in PowerPoint .

Choose a Custom Font Set for your Slide Master

In this process of creating your own PowerPoint template, you also need to know how to set up a font pack in this software. 

Let's check how to do it: 

• Go to "Fonts" in the Slide Master tab.

• Click on " Customize Fonts " to open a dialog box. There, you can set up your new Heading and Body fonts.
• Create a name for this font set and click on "Save."

Here you can see how the Layout Slides change when employing the Slide Master functionality in PowerPoint:

• PRO TIP: If you want a more eye-catching result, install your own fonts in PowerPoint . Follow all the steps in our blog!

Customize the Background of your Slide Master

If you don't like PowerPoint themes or feel like "something is missing," you can customize your background style.

Let's learn how to do it:

• Make sure you're on the Slide Master tab .
• Stay on the first slide (Slide Master slide).
• Select "Background Styles" > " Format Background ."
• A panel will open on the right side of the screen. There, you can customize your background with a solid color, a gradient, or even add a picture.

Add your Company Logo to your Slide Master

If you want to enhance brand consistency and improve brand awareness among your audience, it is advisable to incorporate your logo into the PowerPoint template.

It's very easy to do it – simply follow these instructions: 

• Go to the Insert tab > Pictures > This device.
• Select your company logo image with a transparent background (PNG is the most common format).
• Place the logo on your Master Slides, and voilá!

Step 4: Design your Layout Slides

When you finish designing your Slide Master, you should know a little more about the following slides, known as "Layout Slides."

Designing layouts in PowerPoint facilitates the task of adding information to your presentation deck. Without a doubt, having different pre-set layouts saves a lot of your time!

Also, in case you share this master resource with different teams, you'll be able to adapt it to their needs. That way, your PowerPoint template will be more user-friendly!

Customize the Placeholders on your Layout Slides

Here are all the types of placeholders you can incorporate into your Layout Slides: 

• Online Image

To edit these placeholders, you only need to:

• Click on the placeholder you want to edit.
• A new Format tab will appear. Depending on each type of placeholder, the PowerPoint settings would be different. 
• Finally, change the aesthetics of each placeholder as you want! 

We recommend adding placeholders in strategic areas on your Layout Slides. Try and see which setting fits better for your project! 

Hide Background Graphics on a Layout Slide

Remember how we added a logo in the Master Slide throughout the entire presentation deck? 

Well, if you want to remove the logo or any other background graphics from specific Layout Slides , here's what you need to do:

• Click on the Layout Slide you want to edit.
• Go to the Slide Master ribbon.
• Check the box that says "Hide Background Graphics" (see image).
• If you want to apply this to multiple slides, hold down the "Ctrl" key and select the slides you want to replicate this change.

Hide Title or Footers on a Layout Slide

Beyond hiding background graphics in the Layout Slides, you can also opt to hide the title or any footers.

Let's check how to do it:

• Go to the Slide Master tab.
• Uncheck the options "Title" and "Footers," as required (see image). 
• Unlike the previous functionality, these changes are made manually on each slide.

Create a New Layout Slide

What if you want different settings for only one Layout Slide? Well, you can break the rules a bit. 

Let's say you desire to incorporate a different background color from your Master Slide, and you'd rather use a white Stencil font for the headings –but just for a particular Layout Slide. 

Luckily for us, PowerPoint is flexible enough to make this happen . Here's what you need to do:

• Click on the layout you want to edit. In this example, we will change the Title Slide Layout (the layout immediately below the Master Slide). 

• To change the color of the background , right-click on the slide and select "Format Background."
• To edit the font style and color , highlight the text and the Shape Format tab will appear. There, you can customize it with the tools Text Fill, Text Outline, and Text Effects. 

Here's how the final Layout Slide looks like:

Step 5: Apply the Layout Slides to your PowerPoint Template

We are nearing the end of this guide on how to make a PowerPoint Template.

Now, it's time to apply the layout designs previously created to your template . Remember that you have the freedom to choose the order!

• Close the Master View by going to Slide Master > Close Master View.
• Right-click on the slide you want to edit (you can either create a new slide or edit an existing one).
• Select the "Layout" option, and a new list of layouts will appear (here you will see all the layouts created in the previous step!).
• Choose the layout that best suits your needs!

Step 6: Save your Custom PowerPoint Template

Once you're happy with the aesthetics of your slides, it's time to save your PowerPoint template: 

• Go to the File tab .
• Click on "Save As" > "Browse."
• Then, select "Save as Type."
• Choose "PowerPoint Template" (see image).
• Change the name of the file if needed. 
• Click on "Save," and that's it! 

There you go! You have created a custom PowerPoint template ready to be used for any project. 

We hope you like this tutorial on how to make a PowerPoint template from scratch. You're free to share it with everyone you want! 

Get a Branded PowerPoint Template with a fast turnaround

What if I tell you there's a quicker option to have your PowerPoint template on-brand ? And it has nothing to do with fiddling with PowerPoint's shapes and graphics yourself.

Nowadays, more and more big companies worldwide outsource their design tasks and get professional slides that significantly impact their audience.

If you're looking for a custom PowerPoint template, or want to elevate your business presentations, book a call with us !  

Customer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about PowerPoint Templates

1. how to delete a layout slide from slide master.

To delete a Layout Slide from Slide Master, simply:

• Right-click on the Layout Slide you want to delete.
• Select the "Delete Layout" option, and that's it! 

As you can see in the image below, you can insert, duplicate, delete, and rename a layout in this PowerPoint feature.

2. How to apply a PowerPoint Template to an existing Presentation?

To apply a template to a new presentation deck, you must know how to save the file as a theme:

• Choose the template you prefer (with the design and color palette you like the most!).
• Go to View tab > Slide Master > Themes .
• Press "Save Current Theme."
• Name it and save it on your device (see image).
• Open the PowerPoint presentation you want to edit.
• Go to Design tab > Themes > Browse for Themes.
• Choose the PowerPoint theme you just saved, and that's it!

• Note: Remember that theme and template do not mean the same in PowerPoint.

3. How to make your own PowerPoint Template with a Picture?

Thanks to the latest PowerPoint updates, you can create a template from scratch with any image.

To achieve this, follow these steps:

• Choose and save some images to add to your PowerPoint template.
• Create a new PowerPoint presentation and place yourself on the first slide.
• Go to Insert tab > Picture > This device (you can also try images from Office or Bing).
• Find the image you saved in the first step and insert it into your presentation.
• Go to the Design tab and press the PowerPoint Designer tool . The software will give you many design ideas for your template.
• Add the number of slides your PowerPoint template needs by pressing the "Enter" key on the first slide.
• Choose the layouts that best suit each slide, and voila, you finally have a unique PowerPoint template!  

Found this guide helpful? Check out more content like this: 

• PowerPoint 101: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners
• How to Make a PowerPoint Slideshow that Runs Automatically?   
• How to Make a Picture Transparent in PowerPoint?
• How to Rebrand a PowerPoint Template after a Brand Refresh
• How to Refresh Your Brand? Discover Our Strategic Approach

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Create and save a PowerPoint template

When you create a presentation and then save it as a PowerPoint template (.potx) file, you can share it with your colleagues and reuse it again. To create a template, you'll need to modify a slide master and a set of slide layouts.

  Choose from thousands of free templates to download at Microsoft templates

Select a topic to see detailed instructions:

Create a PowerPoint template

Open a blank presentation: File > New > Blank Presentation

On the Design tab, select Slide Size > Custom Slide Size and choose the page orientation and dimensions you want.

On the View tab, in the Master Views group, choose Slide Master .

The slide master is the largest slide image at the top of the slide thumbnail list, to the left of your slides. Associated slide layouts are positioned beneath the slide master.

To make changes to the slide master or slide layouts, on the Slide Master tab, do any of the following:

To add a colorful theme with special fonts and effects, select  Themes , and choose a theme from the gallery. Use the scrollbar on the right to see more themes.

To change the background, select  Background Styles , and choose a background.

To add a placeholder (to hold text, a picture, chart, video, sound, and other objects), in the thumbnail pane, select the slide layout that you want to hold the placeholder, and do the following:

Select  Insert Placeholder  and choose the type of placeholder you want to add.

On the slide master or slide layout, select and drag to draw the placeholder size.

Tip:    To resize a placeholder, drag the corner of one of its borders.

To move a placeholder around on a slide master or slide layout, select the edge and then drag it into a new position.

To remove an unwanted placeholder in a slide master or slide layout, select it in the slide thumbnail pane, and then select the border of the placeholder on the slide and press Delete.

To set the page orientation for all of the slides in your presentation, select  Slide Size > Custom Slide Size .

Under Orientation , choose Portrait or Landscape .

Save your presentation as a PowerPoint template (.potx)

On the File tab, select  Save As (or Save a Copy , if you are using Microsoft 365).

In the Save as type list, choose PowerPoint Template .

When you choose the "template" type, PowerPoint automatically switches the storage location to the appropriate folder, the Custom Office Templates folder.

In the Save As dialog box, in the File name box, type a file name for your template, or do nothing to accept the suggested file name.

Select Save .

To use your template for a new presentation, select  File > New . Then select  Custom > Custom Office Templates , and then double-click the template you saved.

Apply a template to a new presentation

See Apply a template to your presentation .

Create your own theme in PowerPoint

Save a slide design (theme) as a template

Edit, change, or delete a placeholder

What is a slide master?

What is a slide layout?

Create and use your own template in Microsoft 365 for Mac

How to make a branded PowerPoint presentation

You can't create a template in PowerPoint for the web. You have to use a desktop version of PowerPoint instead.

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Byte Bite Bit

How to Apply a Template to an Existing PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide

Applying a template to an existing PowerPoint presentation can streamline our workflow and enhance the visual appeal of our slides. To start, we open our existing PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the Design tab. This is where the magic happens. We select “Browse for Themes,” picking the template file that best matches our needs. This simple step injects new life into our presentation, instantly unifying the design.

Imagine the ease of transforming multiple slides with a few clicks, no more fiddling with individual elements. By using templates, we ensure consistency across all our presentations, which is crucial for maintaining a professional image. It simplifies our task, saving time and effort while maximizing impact. We just need to remember to save our work to avoid losing these stylish changes.

Applying these steps effectively can significantly elevate our presentations. Tools like PowerPoint are designed to make our lives easier, and leveraging templates is one brilliant way to utilize its full potential.

• 1.1 Design Tab Overview
• 1.2 Using PowerPoint Templates
• 1.3 Saving and Applying Custom Themes
• 2.1 Mastering Slide Master
• 2.2 Leveraging Existing Resources
• 2.3 Applying Professional Formatting
• 3.1 Organizing Template Files
• 3.2 Customizing Individual Slides
• 4.1 Adapting to Microsoft 365
• 4.2 Compatibility with Mac and PPTX Format

Creating a New Presentation

Creating a new PowerPoint presentation involves utilizing various templates, themes, and design features to achieve a professional look. Let’s explore the critical aspects of starting from scratch and setting up a stunning new presentation.

Design Tab Overview

The Design Tab is our best friend when creating a new presentation. This tab provides access to various design elements such as themes, colors, fonts, and background styles.

When we click on the Design tab, we’re greeted with multiple theme options displayed at the top. These themes are pre-designed templates that apply consistent styles across all slides. We can also customize our designs by selecting colors and fonts from the options available.

Exploring further, the Slide Size button allows us to adjust the dimensions of our slides. This is crucial for different presentation contexts, whether for widescreen devices or printed materials. Let’s not forget the Format Background feature. It enables us to change the slide background to solid colors, gradients, pictures, or patterns, offering greater creative freedom.

Using PowerPoint Templates

PowerPoint Templates are key to creating a consistent and visually appealing presentation without starting from scratch. These templates are pre-made designs that include various elements such as layouts, backgrounds, color schemes, and fonts.

First, we navigate to the File Tab and select New . Here, PowerPoint presents us with a gallery of available templates. We can click on any template to see a preview and decide if it fits our needs.

If the built-in options aren’t sufficient, we can browse online for more templates directly from PowerPoint. By selecting the appropriate template, we lay a strong foundation for our presentation, ensuring it has a cohesive design – saving us plenty of time.

Saving and Applying Custom Themes

Sometimes, we might want to use a custom theme we’ve designed. The process involves saving our theme and then applying it to new presentations. Here’s how we do it:

Save the Theme : Go to the Design Tab and customize the elements such as colors, fonts, and backgrounds. Click on the More button (downward arrow) in the Theme gallery and select Save Current Theme . Name the theme and save it.

Apply the Theme : Open a new or existing presentation, navigate to the Design Tab , click on the More button in the Themes gallery, and select Browse for Themes . Find the saved theme file and apply it to the presentation.

This method ensures consistency and brand alignment across multiple presentations. It’s like having our branding toolkit ready to deploy at any time, making the design process smoother and more efficient.

Enhancing Presentations With Advanced Features

Applying templates to PowerPoints is just the start. We can take our presentations to the next level by mastering advanced features like the Slide Master, leveraging existing resources, and applying professional formatting.

Mastering Slide Master

The Slide Master is the backbone of our presentation design. It controls the overall look of each slide, ensuring consistency without the need to format each individually. By accessing the Slide Master under the View tab, we can customize fonts, colors, footers, and logos across the board. Think of it as setting the scene for our audience; everything stays harmonious.

Editing the Slide Master allows us to tailor layouts for specific needs. Want a unique title slide? Adjust it here without disrupting other slides. It’s like having a magic wand for uniformity, making our presentation polished and professional.

We recommend creating a custom Slide Master before diving into slide creation. Consistency is key, and this tool is our secret weapon to achieving it with minimal effort.

Leveraging Existing Resources

Why reinvent the wheel? PowerPoint offers many resources, from templates to pre-designed slides, which we can harness to save time. Templates provide structured frameworks we can build on.

We can import these templates by navigating to the Design tab and selecting “Browse for Themes.” This way, we mix professional designs with our unique content.

Another trick is using stock images, icons, and videos from PowerPoint’s library. They add flair without the need for external software. We can find these under the Insert tab.

Integrating these resources smartly enhances the visual appeal and effectiveness of our message, giving our audience a richer experience.

Applying Professional Formatting

Professional formatting is more than just aesthetics—it’s about clarity and emphasis. Start with consistent fonts and sizes . Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman are reliable choices. Keep titles larger than the body text.

Bullet points are our friends. They break down information into digestible bits. Use the same style throughout, whether it’s dots, dashes, or arrows.

Charts and graphs should be simple yet informative. Avoid clutter. Highlight key data points using bold text or colors. For instance, make the year’s highest sales number stand out by coloring it differently.

Lastly, alignment matters. PowerPoint’s rulers and gridlines help keep everything straight and professional. Engaging presentations are a blend of good content and seamless formatting.

By focusing on these advanced features, our presentations not only convey information but do so with a professional, polished touch that holds our audience’s attention.

Efficient Template Management

Efficient management of PowerPoint templates ensures seamless and professional presentations. We will cover how to keep template files well-organized and how to tailor individual slides to maintain consistency and enhance visual appeal.

Organizing Template Files

Keeping our template files organized is key to efficient workflow. First, we should create specific folders for different categories of templates. For example, a folder for corporate templates , another for educational templates , etc.

Naming conventions help us quickly find the appropriate template. Use descriptive names like “Quarterly_Report_2024.potx” or “Company_Overview_Template.potx.” It’s also useful to have a dedicated storage location, be it on a shared drive, cloud storage, or an external hard drive for easy access.

Leveraging PowerPoint’s Browse for Themes feature can streamline this process. By centralizing all template files and making use of this feature, we can quickly apply the desired template to any presentation.

Customizing Individual Slides

Customizing individual slides within templates ensures each slide serves its specific purpose while maintaining an overall consistent look. Start by opening the Slide Master view (found under the View tab). This is where we can adjust the master slide and layout slides that govern the rest of the presentation.

For instance, we can set custom fonts , colors , and placeholders for text and images to ensure that all slides adhere to brand guidelines. Each individual layout can then be tweaked – think of adding specific placeholders for images on picture slides or extra bullet points for detailed lists.

Using Slide Master in PowerPoint not only saves time but also guarantees that the design changes reflect consistently across all slides. By customizing individual layouts, we ensure each type of slide, whether it’s for text , images , or charts , fulfills its role effectively.

Optimizing for Different Platforms

When applying a new template to an existing PowerPoint presentation, it’s essential to ensure compatibility across various platforms. This includes Microsoft 365 and any devices using macOS, along with the widely-used PPTX format. Let’s explore these aspects in detail.

Adapting to Microsoft 365

Incorporating a template into a presentation on Microsoft 365 can be seamless due to its robust cloud-based features. We should ensure our template is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint for easy access.

• Use OneDrive for centralized access.
• Share templates directly via link.
• Ensure the template settings in the “Design” tab are synced.

By keeping the template in the cloud, all team members can access and apply it without the fuss of local storage issues. This also ensures version control , preventing outdated elements from creeping into your slides.

Compatibility with Mac and PPTX Format

Not everyone uses Windows; some of us are devoted Mac users. Ensuring that our templates work smoothly on macOS is crucial.

First, we need to save the template in the PPTX format to maintain cross-platform compatibility.

• Save the template in PPTX format.
• Test the template on both macOS and Windows systems.
• Use standard fonts to avoid rendering issues.

Testing the template on both Mac and Windows ensures that any design quirks can be identified and fixed before they cause problems in a presentation. Also, sticking with standard fonts like Arial or Calibri can prevent text from displaying incorrectly.

Properly optimizing for different platforms saves time and reduces the likelihood of embarrassing design glitches during a presentation. Let’s ensure our templates are both versatile and user-friendly, no matter the device or operating system.

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• How to Add a Video to PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Tutorial
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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Change PowerPoint Template

How to Change PowerPoint Template

Sometimes, you might want to adapt your presentations to the design of different PowerPoint templates . Similarly, you might want to change the basic theme to a default version or switch to a theme you might have saved on your computer. Below are a few easy ways to change the PowerPoint template and theme.

How to Apply a Template to an Existing PowerPoint File

Step 1: save source powerpoint file as a template.

To apply a template to an existing PowerPoint, make sure that the template that you wish to switch your design to is saved to your device. You can do this via File -> Save as and save the template as a PowerPoint presentation in PPTX format.

Step 2: Apply the Template to PowerPoint

When applying a template to your existing PowerPoint file, go to the Design tab and select Browse for Themes .

Browse to the location where the source file is saved and select the template or theme to apply to your current PowerPoint presentation. You can also opt for downloaded templates to adapt to your current presentation. For example, you might have downloaded Google Slides templates that you might want to adapt to your current presentation. In such a case, you can select them to change the template for your PowerPoint presentation.

Step 3: Save Your PowerPoint with the New Template Design

Once selected, your PowerPoint will adapt to the selected template design. Needless to say, ensure your presentation with the newly applied theme is saved to your device.

How to Save and Switch to a Theme in PowerPoint

Step 1: save source powerpoint file as a theme.

Save the source PowerPoint as a theme via the Design tab by going to Themes -> Save Current Theme as a THMX file.

The saved theme file can be used to apply the theme to a selected PowerPoint file anytime. This theme file also includes the font configuration and color themes. If you only want to change the fonts in the presentation, you can learn how to change Theme fonts in PowerPoint here .

Step 2: Apply Theme to PowerPoint

To apply the saved theme to your current PowerPoint file, go to Design -> Themes -> Browse for Themes .

Select the theme file saved on your computer to apply it to your current presentation.

Step 3: Save Your PowerPoint with the New Theme

Once the changes are applied, make sure you save your presentation with the new theme. Sometimes, the newly applied theme might give a different color from the colors shown in the original template you saved the theme from. In this case, you can go to Design -> Variations to select the color variation you want for your presentation.

How to Change PowerPoint Theme using Design Menu

You can also change the theme for your PowerPoint presentation using a number of default options.

PowerPoint Default Themes

The Design tab in PowerPoint provides several themes. This is one of the quickest ways to give your presentation design a new look.

Theme Variations

You can also opt for different variations from the Design tab via the Variations menu for selected themes. Let’s see how to change the theme in PowerPoint to apply a different variation:

Format Background

To change the background color, switch the background to a gradient, an image, or a pattern, or hide the graphics of your PowerPoint theme, you can go to Format Background via the Design tab.

PowerPoint Designer

If you are short of ideas and can’t seem to find a template to redesign your slides, instead of applying a template to PowerPoint, you can get instant design ideas from the Home tab or via Design -> Designer . PowerPoint Designer provides instant design suggestions based on the content of your presentation slides.

Final Words

To adapt to the template or theme of a PowerPoint file, you can select the source file to apply the changes to your current presentation. However, if you’re simply looking to give your slides a fresh look, you can opt for default themes or variations, format the slide background, or get help from PowerPoint Designer.

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• How can I apply a template to an existing presentation?

Updated on May 12, 2020

This tutorial instructs you on how to apply a custom theme (otherwise know as a template; this is a .ppt file type) to your powerpoint presentation.

The last step is very important, if you are planning on capturing this presentation as a screencast video because you'll still want to change your default slide presentation ratio (4:3) to the widescreen ratio (16:9).

NOTE: This guide does NOT provide instructions on how to create and/or save a custom template.

• Navigate to the "Design" tab of the Options Ribbon.
• Select on the "More" icon to view more available themes.
• Select on "Browse for themes..."
• Navigate to your saved theme.
• Change the presentation slideshow ratio.

An example presentation with no theme applied:

• The file tab is active.

1. Navigate to the "Design" tab of the Options Ribbon.

• Select on Design.

2. Select on the "More" icon to view more available themes.

• Select on the "More" options icon.
• You could also select one of the standard themes that is included with PowerPoint.

3. Select on "Browse for themes..."

4. Navigate to your saved theme.

• Select on your theme file.
• Select "open" to apply it to your current presentation.

4.1. An example of a slide with the theme applied:

You can apply themes to existing or new presentations. You can also change the theme for your presentation.

5. Change the presentation slideshow ratio.

The default slide lay out is set at a ratio of 4:3. Many screens and projectors still use this ratio. However, for recording widescreen video, you need to change the ratio to 16:9.

You can do this by:

• After ensuring the that "Design" tab is selected, select on "Page Set Up."
• Change the "Slide sized for:" drop down menu from On-Screen Show (4:3) to On-Screen Show (16:9 ).
• Select "OK"
• Confirm that the slide is now the wider 16:9 ratio.

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Using an existing slide to create master slide views

Is there a way I could transfer normal slides in powerpoint to master view? As in, I want ALL my slides from a presentation to be slide views.

Explanation: the request was to just make a presentation about how the company presentations should look like, but after seeing it, they would like to make all of the slides avaliable as templates(views, some of them with predifined text and images), and the design of presentation an actual theme.

Is there a simple way of doing it or do I have to manually make the Master & Slide views? Based on my research, the answer is NO, but I would like to confirm that before I waste hours to copy and make the whole master.

Any information or advice is appreciated!

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• microsoft-powerpoint-2016

This is done as follows :

• In the normal slide, type Ctrl + A to select all the items on the slide and copy them using Ctrl + C .
• Go into Master View and paste the items onto a new Master Slide.
• Convert the text into placeholder text where you want it to be editable in Normal View.

• Thanks, that will at least shorten the proces for some time. Was hoping there was a better way, but it'll have to do :) EDIT: It actually doesn't work, when I try to paste nothing happens... Any idea how to solve it? @harrymc –  malimilek Commented Nov 15, 2018 at 17:00
• I cant edit the comment again, sorry for duoble posting. That approach works only for single slides, so I will assume theres no faster way to do it for all the slides. Still thanks for the anwer. –  malimilek Commented Nov 16, 2018 at 8:23
• This is a nice trick! I was checking other ways but this seems to be the only one that works. –  fedorqui Commented Jan 10, 2019 at 17:22
• 1 This doesn't copy slide backgrounds. –  Ryan Leach Commented May 28, 2021 at 5:39
• 4 This breaks down at the 3rd step. "Convert the text into placeholder text" as AFAIK, there is no way to actually do this, except to create new placeholders and copy/paste text from the text boxes to placeholders, which can be a considerable amount of work to duplicate the size, position, font styles, etc. to be exactly the same as you want it. So this isn't really very useful. –  Trashman Commented Oct 4, 2021 at 14:54

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How-To Geek

How to set a custom template as the default in powerpoint.

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Microsoft Office vs. Google Docs, Sheets, Slides: Which Is Best?

It's time to let us resell digital games, get creative in the linux terminal with these 9 artsy commands, quick links, create a custom template, set a custom template as the default.

Microsoft PowerPoint allows users to set a custom template as the default theme when creating a new presentation. This provides a way for users to immediately start building a slideshow using a template specially designed for them.

Creating a custom template in PowerPoint is quite easy. To get started, go ahead and open a blank PowerPoint presentation. You can do so by opening PowerPoint, selecting “New” in the left pane, and then selecting “Blank Presentation” from the template library.

Now, with your blank presentation ready, go ahead and select the slide orientation and size, which you can do by choosing the “Slide Size” option in the “Customize” group of the “Design” tab.

Once you’re finished with that, it’s time to open PowerPoint’s Slide Master, which is where the rest of the customization will take place. To access the slide master, click on the “View” tab and select “Slide Master” in the “Master Views” group.

The Slide Master will appear in the left pane. Here, you can customize the fonts, headings, colors, text and image box placement, and more.

Related: How to Create a Custom Template in PowerPoint

Once you’re happy with your setup, save your template and exit out of PowerPoint. After that, it’s time to set it as the default template that PowerPoint opens with.

To set your custom theme as the default, open PowerPoint, select “New” in the left pane, and then click the “Custom” tab.

Next, select the “Custom Office Templates” option.

Your custom templates will appear. Select the one you want to make the default template.

A new window will appear, giving you a preview of the template and some basic information (if you input any). Click the  “Create" button.

Next, head over to the “Design” tab and select the “More” arrow in the “Themes” group.

A list of themes will appear. Right-click your custom theme and then select “Set as Default Theme” from the drop-down menu.

Now, the next time you open PowerPoint, it will automatically begin with this theme.

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• Presentations

How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation From a PPT Template

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Creating a presentation from scratch can be time-consuming and complicated. Even when you try your best, the presentation design may not turn out how you want. This is why using a premium template is beneficial. 

This article covers how to create a PowerPoint presentation from a quality PPT template. In addition, we’ll also look at some top premium PowerPoint presentation templates.

Download Our Free PDF eBook on Making Great Presentations

We also have the perfect complement to use alongside a professional presentation template.  Download our Free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations , which will help you write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation.

What Is a PowerPoint Template?

PowerPoint is a popular presentation software by Microsoft. You can use PowerPoint for business and personal purposes. Presentations are a great way to use words to create an impact. For example, if you show the benefits of a product or service or present data, a presentation can make it more memorable.

A PowerPoint template is like a blueprint for your presentation. Templates typically contain slide layouts, colors, fonts, effects, and background styles. In addition, some templates come with illustrations and infographics. These tools make your presentation more visually interesting and can help you explain an important topic.

Your Preparation

Most of the work while creating a business presentation occurs before you fire up PowerPoint. 

When creating a presentation, you want to achieve an objective. For example, you might need to present the results of your department for the last quarter in the form of a presentation to your colleagues. Or, you could be seeking funding and looking to impress potential investors with your  business pitch presentation . Know what your presentation is aiming to communicate and accomplish.

Getting the Content Right

Everything begins with the content you'll put in the presentation to achieve your objective. Ideally, it's brief and crystal-clear. Typically, the less content (by sticking to key facts and figures), the more digestible your presentation is.

To save time, revising content while you're still preparing it (such as in Word or any other text processor) is much smarter than making content changes while designing.

Once you feel confident about your content preparation, it's time to design your presentation in PowerPoint.

Designing Your Presentation

For our tutorial, we'll be using the  Business PPT template . Then, we'll show you how to use the template to customize slides for your business presentation. 

Before starting any template you download, look at the initial requirements in an accompanying text file or their online description. For example, not having the correct font installed might mess up the layout of the template slides.

Getting Started

First, let's duplicate the theme. You can achieve this by right-clicking on the .pptx file and clicking  Copy in the menu. You can copy and paste the file and rename the new document.

Instead of directly editing the template, we'll be copying slides that we'll use in our new document from the original theme file. This way, we're not editing the template source in which you would need to delete or hide slides you don't use.

Now let's review how to edit this PowerPoint template for your presentation:

How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation from a PPT Template

Are you ready to start creating your presentation?

 Let's get started:

1. Choose a Template

The first step in how to create a PowerPoint presentation is to choose a template. The template featured in this section is the  Business PowerPoint Presentation . This template comes with 50 unique PowerPoint slides. Easily add an image to the template by dragging and dropping an image of your choice into the picture placeholder.

2. Create an Outline

Creating an outline before working on your presentation is a great way to organize your thoughts. When creating a presentation, you want the audience to be clear, consistent, and organized.

Also, when you create an outline, it can help you make sure that you've got the best message. You can also use an outline to choose where you want your images or other multimedia. Also, they can help you see if you missed a topic or point.

3. The Basics

To learn the basics, let's start with slide seven. As you can see, there are a few components on the slide that we can change according to our needs. At first sight, we notice the following components available to us:

• footer text

I'd advise you to always look at the available components in a slide design as you're glancing over the different slides within a theme. This has a few benefits:

• You can identify how your content can fit the deck's structure.
• You can decide on the components you like (or dislike).
• You'll notice a pattern in the slide designs.

Now that we understand the components we can change to suit our needs, let's move ahead and start designing.

4.   Removing Slide Components

For this example, I'll be making a simple slide to introduce the topic of this presentation. I've decided I don't need a footer or paragraph text underneath the title.

To remove the text, simply click on each  Text Box  and use the  Delete key to remove the components from the slide.

To delete multiple words, highlight the words and then press Delete on your keyboard. If you want to add them again, you can use the top toolbar to insert text boxes, images, and other assets such as shapes and graphs.

5. Use the Slide Master

But wait! You might notice that you can't click on certain components within the slide. For example, you can't change the footer. This is because it's set in a Master Slide . 

The easiest way to explain a Master Slide is to think of a boilerplate which forms the foundation for your slide designs.

The slide master tool lets you edit the layout from a single slide. This makes it easy to edit the layout of multiple slides at once. To access the slide master tool, click on the  View  tab.

Next, click on the  Slide Master  icon. This opens up the tool. The large slide is the slide that you make edits to. The small slides under the large slide is the group that'll be edited when you edit the large slide.

This is normal, as a master slide can have a  Master Layout . Master slides use a master layout used in a group of master slides.

Let's access the master layout by looking at our master slide overview in the left panel and scrolling all the way up until we see the slide on top of the group. This is the slide that contains the master layout. 

In this slide, you can change the footer. You'll also notice the child master slides updating as you change this. Click the Close Master  button in the top toolbar to save your changes.

You'll notice that the elements you couldn't edit have been updated and changed in the deck design.

For more information about the Slide Master tool, read this in-depth article:

6. How to Add Animation

If you want to add something fun to your presentation, you can add animation. First, however, you need to know how to edit PowerPoint templates to add animation. For this illustration, we'll switch to slide two.

First, click on the  Animations  tab above the toolbar. When you click on this tab, you’ll see the different effects, such as:

• the green Entrance Effects
• the yellow Emphasis Effects
• the red Exit Effects

Next, click on the object that you want to animate. Then, choose the animations from the effects options that you want to use.

For more information about PowerPoint animation, read these articles:

7. Add an Image

You can use two methods to add an image to a presentation template.

The first method is using picture placeholders. A good premium template has picture placeholders in the template.

For example, slide one of the Business PowerPoint Presentation templates has a picture placeholder in the middle of the slide.

For example, you can find unlimited stock photos on Envato Elements. Download them to your device quickly and easily.

Download  a photo you'd like to use and  drag the image into the slide. Of course, essential to notice is that the picture is high enough in resolution (as a general rule, never aim for an image that's got less than 1600 pixels in width, or the quality might be poor).

You may need to adjust the image size and position.

The second method is to click on the  Insert tab  above the toolbar.

Next, click on the  Pictures  button in the toolbar. When you click on this button, a menu appears. Choose the correct option depending on where your image file is located. Your image appears on your slide. Adjust the image as needed.

8. Image Transparency

First, click on the image. Next, click on the  Picture Format  tab above the toolbar. You'll see a Transparency button in the toolbar. When you click on this button, a Transparency menu appears. Choose the option that you want.

You can easily change the transparency of an image to increase the legibility of the text on top of the picture.

Let's add some finishing touches. Click on the title to change its text, remove the placeholder logo using backspace, and drag in your company's logo. Should you have any issues with the formatting, double-click on the image.

9. Fitting Images

In the top toolbar under the  Picture Format  tab, there's a  Crop  button with a dropdown next to it. When you click on the dropdown menu, there's a  Fit option and a Fill option. The fit option helps you fit an image within a constrained box. The Fill  option is useful to cover a constrained box (for example, when using a background image).

10.  Images Within Shapes

The final tricky part is updating images within a shape. Let's look at slide 23.

When you click on the graphic on the right, you'll notice it's a shape that's got multiple areas. You can double-click  on the  image placeholders  within the shape to open a menu to select the image you'd like to add to the shape.

With that, we're all set to complete this slide!

11.  Final Tips

As you notice, navigating through a theme design is very easy. 

It would be best if you remembered that there's a distinction between your  slide design,  which uses placeholders, and  recurring components , which you can't edit directly in the slide but can change in the corresponding  Master Slide . If you can't access an item in the original master slide, a parent Master Slide  uses a  Master Layout . Multiple slides use the master layout. This allows for a consistent design across multiple presentation files. 

As a quick overview, the ideal process to edit a template is the following:

• Copy and the original template into a new working document you'll save separately.
• Make edits to each slide you work with. Start with placeholders, then change the corresponding Master Slide if needed. Of course, you can add and remove text, images, and charts.
• You might notice that your changes to the Master Slide affects your other slides, which is good as you only need to update the placeholders, saving time.
• Do a final check if everything looks solid, and you're all set!

The Top Source for Premium PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is a great place to find the top premium PowerPoint templates. To gain access to premium templates, you must pay a low monthly fee to become a subscriber. Once you become a subscriber, you’ll gain access to more than just  premium PowerPoint templates . You’ll have access to images, fonts, audio, and more.

Explore Premium Presentation Templates

Using a  premium PowerPoint template  saves you time because you aren’t creating a presentation from scratch when you use a premium template. In addition, if you use a premium template, you start with a great base. This means that all you need to do is add images and text.

Every template is made by a professional to look impressive and stylish. As a result, you’ll stand out among your peers who created their own or used a free template.

If you’re creative and like to customize your presentation with a premium template, you can still make as many customizations as much as you want. A good premium template is entirely editable.

Best Five PowerPoint Presentation Templates from Envato Elements

Here are some of the top PowerPoint templates from Envato Elements:

1. Creature PowerPoint

Creature is a multipurpose presentation with a versatile design. There are over fifty unique slides that you can use to create a PowerPoint for any topic you have.

This template also comes with charts, graphs, and icons. These elements add visual interest to your presentation.

2. Everlux PowerPoint Presentation

This presentation template is a professional presentation with a portfolio to showcase your work if you’re a creator. For example, you’ll have over 40 unique total slides when you create a PowerPoint with this template.

Easily add an image to this template by dragging and dropping an image of your choice by dragging and dropping it into the picture placeholder.

3. Kanal PowerPoint Template

This template has a minimal design that can work for any presentation topic. With this template, you’ll have 68 custom slides to use when creating a PowerPoint presentation. Plus, it's got animation and transitions, adding some interest to your presentation.

4. VERA PowerPoint Template

When creating a PowerPoint, you must consider what kind of presentation you want. This template is excellent for Creatives. This template comes with 55 creatives slides. It also comes with 50 premade color schemes.

5. Style Multipurpose PowerPoint Template

Style Multipurpose PowerPoint Template is a multipurpose presentation template. It comes with 4000 total slides making it easy to create a PowerPoint presentation. Easily add an image of your choice to this template by dragging and dropping the image into a picture placeholder.

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We've got just the right complement to a professional PowerPoint template that'll help you learn the complete process of how to write, design, and deliver great presentations.

Download  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations  now for FREE with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience. 

More Top PowerPoint Templates

Haven’t found a template that suits your needs? Check these articles out for more templates.

Download a Premium PowerPoint Template Today!

You've just learned how to edit a PowerPoint template and how to create a PowerPoint presentation using a template.

Once you start with a premium template , it isn’t hard to create a presentation. Next time you need to create a presentation, try using a premium template. Gain access to thousands of premium PowerPoint templates and digital assets by signing up for Envato Elements today!

Editor's Note: This tutorial was originally published in 2016 by Sven Lenaerts . It's been completely redone to make it accurate and up to date.

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How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation

It's quick and easy to copy over a design template

• Brock University

What to Know

• In the source presentation, select View > Slide Master . In the Slide pane, right-click the Slide Master and select Copy .
• Go to View > Switch Windows and choose the second presentation. Go to View > Slide Master . Right-click the Slide pane and select Paste .
• Choose Use Destination Theme (keeps colors, fonts, and effects) or Keep Source Formatting (copies the source's colors, fonts, effects).

This article explains how to copy a PowerPoint design template over to another presentation. Instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

How to Copy a Presentation's Design Template

It's often quicker to copy a design template from a presentation than to find it in the list of PowerPoint templates. 

Go to View in the presentation that contains the design template you want to copy and select  Slide Master .

Right-click the Slide Master in the Slide pane on the left side of the screen and select Copy .

The Slide Master is the large thumbnail image at the top of the Slide pane. Some presentations contain more than one slide master.

Go to View , select  Switch Windows , and choose the presentation you want to paste the Slide Master into.

If you don't see the other PowerPoint presentation on this list, it means that the other file isn't open. Open it now and return to this step to select it from the list.

In the second presentation, go to View and select Slide Master to open the  Slide Master .

To insert the Slide Master from the other presentation, right-click on the Slide pane to the left, select Paste , and do one of the following:

• Choose Use Destination Theme to keep the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the presentation you are pasting to.
• Choose Keep Source Formatting to copy the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the template you are copying from.

Select  Close Master View .

Changes made to individual slides in the original presentation, such as font styles, do not change the design template of that presentation. Therefore, graphic objects or font changes added to individual slides do not copy over to a new presentation. 

To copy PowerPoint slides to another presentation , right-click the thumbnail of the slide you want to copy and choose Copy . Right-click a blank area of the Slides pane where you want to place it and choose one of the pasting options.

To save a copy of a PowerPoint presentation on your computer, go to the File tab and select Download As > Download a Copy . Select Download to continue.

To embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint , select Share > Embed . Select the HTML code and choose Copy . In your PowerPoint slide, select Insert > Video > Insert Video From Website . In the dialog box, right-click the blank area and choose  Paste  > Insert .

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Use a personal template to create a new PowerPoint presentation

If you want to use a template you've saved for your next presentation, here's how.

On the File tab, click New .

Select Personal or Custom . (The name varies, depending on circumstance.)

Tip:  If you don't see Personal or Custom then you probably don't have any templates stored in your templates folder.  Create and save one, or use the steps in the next section to copy a template to that folder.

Double-click your template and a new presentation will open with your template applied to it.

Got a custom template you want to use in PowerPoint?

Did you receive a template, via download, email, or other method, that you'd like to add to PowerPoint? Copy or save your template (.potx) file to the Templates folder at: 

C:\Users\< UserName> \Documents\Custom Office Templates\

Important:  Replace <UserName> with your username.

Import existing slides into your new presentation

Open the file that contains the existing slides.

Click the thumbnail pane and then select the slides you want:

Select all slides: Ctrl+A

Select a subset of the slides: Ctrl+click

Copy the slides (Ctrl+C).

Switch to the new file, right-click the thumbnail pane, and under Paste Options select Use Destination Theme :

All the copied slides are inserted in the new presentation.

Set your template as a default option

You can mark your personal template to be an option on the default Featured tab. Here’s how:

Repeat the first two steps from the first procedure above. 

Right-click your template and select Pin to List . 

Create and save a PowerPoint template

Where are my custom templates?

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