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Microsoft PowerPoint 2008

Customizing Slide Elements

Most presentations control the appearance of their slides with the slide master. If you would like certain slides to be different from your slide master, you can change their appearance without changing the slide master. You can make small changes such as changing the color of an AutoShape or the font used for specific text. You can also make more comprehensive changes such as changing the color scheme or bullet style. By customizing the slides in your presentation, you can add a unique look that reflects your personal style.

If you would like to alter the master slides, refer to Customizing a Slide Master . If you would like to change themes, refer to Changing to a Different Theme .

Return to TopCustomizing Fonts

You can change the color, size, and style of your font. This can add special emphasis to specific text or customize your own style. If you want the changes you make to apply to all slides, make these changes to the slide master (refer to Customizing a Slide Master).

  1. Select the text to be changed

  2. If the Formatting Palette is not visible, click TOOLBOXToolbox button
    The Formatting Palette appears.

  3. Select Font
    The Font section expands.

  4. Using the options in the Font section, make the desired changes

Return to TopCustomizing Bullets

You can change the color, style, and size of your bullets in the Bullets and Numbering dialog box. Using the Bullets and Numbering dialog box, you can apply a new bullet style to a single bulleted list, or you can set the bullet styles for an entire presentation using the Slide Master. For complete instructions on customizing bullets, refer to Formatting Bullets.

Return to TopCustomizing Backgrounds

You can change the background color of your slides. You can also add shading, texture, or patterns. If you want the changes you make to apply to all slides, make these changes to the slide master. For more information, refer to Customizing a Slide Master.

  1. Select the slide you want to customize

  2. If the Formatting Palette is not visible, click TOOLBOXToolbox button
    The Formatting Palette appears.

  3. Select Slide Background
    The Slide Background section expands.

  4. Click FORMAT BACKGROUND...
    The Format Background dialog box appears.Format Background dialog box

  5. From the Fill section, select the desired option(s)
    HINT: As you select options, the slide previews your selections.

  6. To apply the changes only to the current slide and close the dialog box, click APPLY
    To apply the changes to all slides, click APPLY TO ALL

Return to TopOmitting Images from the Slide Master

The slide master allows you to display an image on every slide that is based on that slide master. For some slides in your presentation, background images may be distracting or may not fit with the content of a particular slide. PowerPoint allows you to hide all inserted graphics and images from the slide master.

When removing background images, PowerPoint removes all images included in the background so you cannot select certain images to omit. However, if you have designated an image or color as the slide background, it will not be hidden. To hide the background inherited from a slide master, you will need to manually change the background of that slide.

  1. Select the slide from which you want to remove background images

  2. Click TOOLBOX Toolbox button

  3. Select Slide Background
    The Slide Background section expands.

  4. Select Hide Background Graphics
    NOTES: The option is selected when a checkmark appears.
    All inserted graphics inherited from the Slide Master are hidden on the selected slide.

Return to TopChanging the Color of Objects

Changing the Colors of AutoShapes

You can change the color of AutoShapes or clip art that appears in your presentation if the AutoShape or clip art has been added after the slide master has been set. AutoShapes or clip art from the slide master must be changed on the slide master. For complete instructions on modifying AutoShapes, refer to Modifying Objects in Excel and PowerPoint.

  1. To change the color of the shape's border
    1. From the Formatting Palette, click FORMAT PICTURE...Format Picture button
      The Format Picture dialog box appears
    2. Select Line option

    3. Choose your desired outline color

  2. To change the color of the inside of the shape
    1. From the Formatting Palette, click FORMAT PICTURE...Format Picture button
    2. The Format Picture dialog box appears.
    3. Select Fill option » select the desired fill color

    4. Click OK

Return to TopChanging the Slide Color Scheme

Selecting a Different Slide Color Scheme

You can change the color of all slide themes by changing the color scheme. This option changes the color scheme of all slides in your presentation.

  1. On the ribbon, click SLIDE THEMES

  2. In the Formatting Palette, in the Document Theme section, click COLORS

  3. Select the desired color scheme

Customizing the Slide Color Scheme

You may customize the color of each of the components of your slide's color scheme (e.g., background, title text, fills). For more information, refer to Building a Custom Color Palette.

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