Best Practices for PowerPoint: Slide Layout
Best Practices for Layout:
The Slide Layout feature in PowerPoint allows the user to implement Best Practices in the most effective manner. The inclusion of Slide Titles, creation of tables and charts, and placement of graphics can quickly be achieved through the Slide Layout. Not using the Slide Layout feature allows for improper use of text boxes and graphics and ultimately will affect the way the Accessibility Browser converts the information.
Best Practice Advantage
Using the Slide Layout templates avoids the chance of random objects "hiding" on the page. This happens at times when a text box it inserted and then deleted. Many times the text is deleted but the text box itself remains. When the Wizard runs, these items may cause it to error. Slide Layout templates allow for a uniform design throughout the program. Title boxes will line up the same on each slide and text attributes will be consistent throughout the presentation. The image below shows the Graphical View of an exported PowerPoint presentation with the left screenshot being Slide Layouts used to create the slide and the right screenshot being no Slide Layouts used to create the slide. Notice that without the Slide Layout, bulleted items are not even and like spacing is not equal.
Accessing Slide Layout:
When you open a new presentation, the Slide Layout sidebar will appear on the right side of the screen. Scroll down the list of templates to locate the one that matches the layout you will be creating on the slide.
When you select the Slide Layout, the template will transfer over to the blank slide. You can change the template by selecting a different Slide Layout. To apply the Slide Layout to selected slides or insert a new slide with that Slide Layout, select the arrow on the right side of the template icon. This will open a submenu to select additional options. You can change the layout of a slide at any time in your presentation creation.
If the Slide Layout sidebar is not visible, go to FORMAT on the main top menu and select SLIDE LAYOUT. (If you do not see the SLIDE LAYOUT choice, the menu may be compressed. Select the arrow located at the bottom of the menu. This will cause the menu to expand and show all choices available.)
Slide Layout Test:
To determine if your slides are set up with a Slide Layout template, open the Slide Layout sidebar then select your slide. If the slide has been set up with a Slide Layout template, the template will highlight in the Slide Layout sidebar. If nothing highlights, then you do not have a Slide Layout template. Create a new slide with a Slide Layout template and insert your information. Delete your old slide.
