If you are having to work with PowerPoint 2003, you have probably used every slide design (background) so many times they are starting to make you sick. And your students are probably feeling the same way. You can instantly lose credibility with the current generation if your presentation is “old-looking.” Perhaps you have searched for templates online, but I often find this more frustrating than useful – most templates are for newer versions of PowerPoint or don’t fit the topic very well. Save time and make your own backgrounds that add interest and sophistication to your presentations.
PowerPoint builds your slides using a slide master. You can easily add images to this master for a unique presentation design. Watch this video to see how and use the directions below to guide you as you try it on your own.
- In PowerPoint 2003, go to the View menu –> Master –> Slide Master.
- Right-click the slide master in the left sidebar and click New Title Master.
- In the Insert menu –> Picture –> Clipart or From File.
* If you choose clipart, you can use the copyright free images built into MS Office.
* If you choose From File, you can insert a copyright free image from the web or one you created with your own camera or drawing software. - Once you have your picture on the slide, you can position it and use the picture tools to edit it.
* If you click on the picture and don’t see the picture toolbar, go to the View menu –> Toolbars –> Picture Toolbar. The Draw toolbar is also helpful when working with images. - Once you have your image the way you want it, right-click and choose Send to Back so it will be put behind your text boxes.
- Adjust the location, fonts, and animations of your text boxes as desired.
- Click the Close Master View button and your slides will have new backgrounds.
Did you find this helpful? Did you run into problems? Post a comment to let me know!