Is Death by PowerPoint inevitable..?

Over the last few years, PowerPoint has come in for some very unfair criticism.  It's been blamed for everything, from encouraging poor business communication through to the shuttle disaster! 

Let's set the record straight - it's not the software's fault...it's the user's!

Used properly, PowerPoint is an immensely powerful business tool...but that's just it - it's only a tool!  You know the saying that a bad workman always blames his tools?  Well, I rest my case in the defence of PowerPoint!

Click on the Artwork, Content and Presenting pages for valuable tips on improving your presentation, with and without PowerPoint!  In the meantime, here are a few useful tips and shortcuts for our favourite bit of software...

PowerPoint shortcuts...

When presenting...

Hit "b" to blank the screen - this allows you to wax lyrical about a particular point without your audience sitting agog looking at the screen (remember to refer to our Content page for more hints of powerful but not distracting slides).  Hitting "b" again brings the screen back.

Hit "w" to whiten the screen - as above.

Hit Page Up/Page Down or the cursor arrow keys - allows you to move backwards and forwards through the presentation.

Click here for more PowerPoint presenting shortcuts.

When designing...

Hold down Ctrl when moving an object with the cursor arrow keys - this allows you to finely "nudge" the movement of the object to get the position exactly right

Use the ruler tool - simply click View > Ruler to set this up.  It makes lining up images & text a simple and quick job...and gets away from sloppy looking layouts!

Click here for more PowerPoint design shortcuts.