Edit PowerPoint master slide - how to create layouts

Microsoft PowerPoint has become the standard for presentations of all kinds. As a result, many presentations often look very similar. This is because most PowerPoint users stick to the preset layouts. If you take the editing of the master slide into your own hands, you will get very individual results.

Where to find the slide master view?

Use the slide master to specify the elements that appear on each slide of your presentation, such as logos, the background image, or the font. Thus, the slide master is the master of the presentation's layout. To open the slide master view, proceed as follows:

1. Start PowerPoint and create a new presentation. To do this, select the "Blank presentation" option.
2. Click "Slide master" in the "View" tab in the "Master views" group.

In the left pane, you will now see the master slide and, below it, various layouts that are suitable as templates for your presentation.

How to edit the master slide

Now you can immediately start changing the master slide according to your preferences. For example, one possible change is the background, which is initially white. You edit it as follows:

1. Make sure you have the master slide highlighted in the left column. Only changes you make here will be applied to all lower slides.
2. Click the right mouse button in the large view of the slide. Be careful not to click into a text or image element.
3. Select "Format background" from the list. A menu will open where you can add a solid color background, gradients or even your own images.
4. Once you have made all the edits, click "Close Master View". All changes will be saved automatically.