Hello!!! I’ve had many emails lately asking how I design my printables. I honestly don’t use anything fancy–just good old Powerpoint! I know many of you do the same, but I hope this video will be of help to bloggers who are just starting to create printables or anyone looking for a good program. Oh, and there might be a new little trick for my seasoned blogging friends regarding text color. You’ll have to let me know about that one…you probably all know and I’m the last to find out! Thanks for watching!! π
Designing Printables with Powerpoint
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108 Comments
Another great tutorial. Love the font color matching trick!
Yearn to Learn Blog
Love your work! Thanks for sharing your trip and ticks!!
You are totally awesome! Thanks for posting this π
Courtney
I've always used power point to create my stuff because it's easier to manipulate but I just learned a few tricks from you π Thanks!!!
β€ Mor Zrihen from…
A Teacher's Treasure
Teaching Treasures Shop
YOU'VE BEEN TAGGED!! ~ I hope you will play. Come on over to my blog to find out what to do next.
Lovely Little Learners
Your video is great!! Thanks for sharing your tips!
Andrea
Cheers To School
Thanks for sharing this, I've definitely learned some new tricks. I am passing this on to my new blogging friends and posting this on my fb page! I also have a blogging tips pinterest board that I know this shoud be added too! Thanks for sharing : )
thediaryofanotsowimpyteacher
I also love using PowerPoint to make my products- the color picker was a great tip! I do have another question…how did you record what you were doing on the computer? Did you set up another camera? I've seen lots of people doing this lately but have no idea how to do it! Thanks in advance! Keep up the great work, Kristen!
Smiles,
Leanne
Hey Leanne, thanks so much! I use a free program called Jing that takes a screen capture video for up to five minutes (which I always end up using and rushing at the end!!!). π
I am excited to learn! Thank you for sharing! Come by for a visit!
π
Michelle
Apples and ABC's
I loved this tutorial as I have only just started out. Great job!
Brooke
Teachable Moments
Thank you so much! I've always used PP but you taught me two new things! yay! Thanks!
Kim
First Grade Facts
Kristen! Love the video. I like seeing how others do the same thing I do but in a different way. Did you know you could get the color picker from the formatting palate on the side? Just click the down arrow by the A with the red line under it and there should be a pick a color dropper. Love that. Also, the thing that made my life so much easier was the "Distribute" under "Size, Shape, and Ordering". It makes everything line up like magic. I need to organize my fonts as nicely as you have! =)
oh my gosh, that's so cool! I knew about the dropper tool for the color but had no idea about the distribute feature, thanks Emily!!
Yay! Your life just got easier. =)
I always use word. I will have to try power point!!! Thanks for the great tips!!! Happy Sunday!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I used to use Word, which I hated – and I recently have resorted to using Picnik with blank .jpg files. But now Picnik has closed! Thank you so much for this, I will use it this week!
wow! I had no idea using PowerPoint would make my life easier. I am going to try it!
I NEVER would have known that you could make printables on powerpoint if you hadn't created this video. SO much easier than what I was doing on Word. Wow! Off to try it now.
Stephanie
Teaching in Room 6
PS…nice to put a voice to the name π
Omg!!! I love the color magnifying matching trick. I have never seen that before π I would love more videos (Blog design, how to insert pics and documents easily…etc)!!!
Glad you can use this–I have some older videos here: http://ladybugsteacherfiles.blogspot.com/p/tutorials.html
I love the tip that you shared with color matching—-OHH and those CUPCAKES ARE FABULOUS!! π
α¦DeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
I am so super excited about this tutorial!! YOU ROCK!!!!!
Curls and a Smile
This is great… so excited to start trying it!
Ms. W's Wonders
Thanks!!! This is extremely helpful :-). I like your new design, too!
ReadWriteSing
Thanks Chrissy, been meaning to catch up with you on Dance Moms!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am new to blogging and this is so helpful!
Thank you so much for this. I agree with others so much easier than word.
Thanks you are awesome
Patti
Wow! Thanks so much for posting this! I am new to blogging and creating printables. This helps tremendously!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I learned so many amazing tips!
Jennifer
Teaching with a Smile
LOVE the text color trick!! Thanks!
π Abby @ Third Grade Bookworm
Thanks for sharing. I've recently tried using Powerpoint to create some printables. What version of powerpoint are you using? Mine is 2007 and I don't see the same screen as you show!
Love your videos!! I really like the magnifying trick! Thanks for sharing that! My favorite part was when you were saying how easy it was to move the images as you were struggling to move the images! haha!! {you know I'm teasing!} I'm pretty sure you can click on the image and then use the arrows on your keyboard to move it. That works on my PC.
Ha!! I should have known you would catch that! My computer runs so sloooowly on the videos for some reason. π
I've also used the arrows to move things! It's sometimes easier if you want a picture in one specific spot because it moves like 1 millimeter every time you hit the arrow key. π
I love all of your tricks. I'm so thankful that you take the time to create little videos. It makes my life so much easier.
Much appreciated!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
I'll have to try PP…. I make everything in Word. Although I've gotten pretty good at it, sometimes it can be frustrating!
β€Teri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Thank you for posting this. I have been using Word and this looks so much easier!
kristen, awesome, your tips are so helpful..btw I love the new look over here!
This video was fabulous! I think I am one of those who was asking for how to start with creating documents a few months ago! I will definitely be giving power point a try! Thanks!
Ashley
Live2Learn
You are AWESOME!! Thank you SO SO MUCH for sharing how to make printables! I have found the new Mac Office to be a little daunting (for myself), so I truly thank you for your demonstration! I will definitely try this while I'm on break!
Jamie
Thrills in Third Grade
Hi Dear Kristen:
A little like holding onto that last Christmas present, I am holding onto the video. I don't want to watch it because I don't want it to be over. (That may make sense only to me!)
I made my Bunny Hop Freebie on PowerPoint–my first on PowerPoint and my first with graphics. You must have sent me a mental message when I was trying to put it together.
Okay. I'll watch the video tomorrow. It will give me something to look forward to… because Mondays with sixth graders are not always thrilling!
: )
Thanks for the MANY things you do for bloggers everywhere!
And for ME too!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
Very nice, thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for sharing this! I wanted to try Powerpoint because Word is driving me CRAZY! I think you just made my life a million times easier!!! You are simply…WONDERFUL!!
By the way, we just had another blogging meet-up and we were sharing who we really wanted to meet..and I would still just LOVE to meet you Kristen!!
Thank you Kristen! I use ppt all the time for my printables, but I never knew you could format the text and choose a color from a graphic! WOW! Thank you so much, I love your tutorials!
βΊ Tanya
First Grade is Fantabulous!
Awesome tutorial…short and sweet! You have convinced me to start using PowerPoint. I, too, get frustrated with Word. For some reason, I do not get the little magnifying glass. Is that a Mac / PC difference? Or I wonder if I need to update my PowerPoint. Hmmmmm….
That was totally awesome. I am planning on making math centers for my class over the summer, this is going to make it so much easier.
This is such a great tool. Like you, I have been creating printables in Word, but I now see that Powerpoint is much, much easier. Thanks!
Miss Rorey's Room
Thank you so much for sharing how to create printables! I am new to it and wondered how you did such amazing things!
I started using Powerpoint after you told us how to make borders as a background picture for the slide! Now I can't go back to Word. π I love how the borders look around the letters so I am definitely going to try that now! Yay, thanks for the video!!
Marvelous Multiagers!
OMG…Thanks soooo much for sharing this…I am hooked now…You are awesome!!
So after I asked my wonderful hubby for some help, he watched your tutorial and he could not find the magnifying glass on my version of PowerPoint either (2007). Soooo…if anyone else is having this problem, I suggest downloading the FREE tool online called "Color Cop." It does the same trick! π
I am having same problem!!!! Thanks for the tip!
Jenna
Just Diving In
Thanks for sharing! AND TAG you're it π Come to my blog to get the details.
http://readandblacklearning.blogspot.com/
Wow Kristen! Thank you so much for this! As a newbie to creating printables this was VERY helpful! I can't wait to begin using PowerPoint!
Thanks a million! Your tutorials totally rock π
I just created something using PP.
My Second Sense
Your tutorials rock! I just created something using PP π
Thanks a bunch!!!!
My Second Sense
You are so sweet for doing that π maybe someday you can help me make some clip art since I'm a pretty decent artist π
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!
Fun in K/1
Tag! You're it! Check out my blog to see what to do next…
Summyr
theteachaholic.blogspot.com
Hi My powerpoint does not have a format section. What version is yours and do you know I would add a back ground other than the way you showed? Also, can you have some pages going portrait and some going landscape? or do they all have to be the same?
Thanks Lori
Little Priorities
WHAT?!?!?!?!??!! THAT IS AMAZING!!!! The color match thing JUST CHANGED MY LIFE!!! π
Am I crazy that your PowerPoint doesn't show up as an option to click on? π π
What am I nit doing–I'm on my iPhone.
Amy
Kristen,
I saw your tutorial on my school laptop; something about Flash I am sure of with iPad and iPhone. This summer I am going to become best friends with PowerPoint:). I do have a question for you I hope you can answer. Where in the world do you get the border you used? I would love to have a small arsenal of these! I am so excited to do this and would appreciate ANY tutorials in this area for the future.
Amy in VA
Here's the best part of your tutorials: I got even MORE from reading the comments! I just downloaded Jing…that's gonna change my life. Then, since I have only the 2007 version of PP I don't have the format section you have either. So, I just downloaded Amber's suggestion: Color Cop. Thanks for always helping me learn more!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
OhHhh, thanks for sharing! I've been using Pages but WILL have to try this!! Do you buy your borders or do you find them online? Thanks for sharing. I just might have to go make a worksheet!!
Laurie
http://firstgradelyonsden.blogspot.com/
Wow! PowerPoint it is! Thanks for the great tutorial!
Sincerely,
Lori (luvyorkies@gmail.com)
Teaching With Love and Laughter
Thanks for the tips. I've been resisting the move to PowerPoint, but I think I'm going to have to try it.
Katie
I Want to be a Super Teacher
THANKS for another GREAT tutorial! Your videos are so cool! I continue to learn so much from you! I don't use powerpoint but I may have to try it out. I have used Publisher forever to do everything.
Kathy
First Grade a la Carte
I love how you have your fonts organized! I soooo need to learn how to do that!
Angelia
Extra Special Teaching
Okay…I haven't even watched it yet and I'm excited!!! I am trying to get stupid tab links across the top of my blog—just the plain simple ones. I am so jealous. I have to get this figured out!!
I am a writing specials teacher k-4. I just really started getting into my BLOG this February. Come check it out. You may find some awesome ideas on there too.
krazy4writing.blogspot.com
You are my go-to-gal for anything blog related Kristen! I switched to Power Point a little while ago, but seeing you in action with all your tricks, AMAZING!
βΌLibby
Dual Kinder Teacher
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! I am just getting started on my blog and your tutorials are the best. You have saved me so much time and frustration!!
Thanks so much for the great tutorial. I have a mac but I have been using Keynote. It's very similar to PowerPoint, but I can't find some of the same features. Are you familiar with Keynote at all??
I have Windows 7 and I tried to do the trick with the font color and I don't think Powerpoint on Windows 7 will allow you to do that! =( It makes me so sad! But I am wondering how you get your fonts to all save at the top like that! That would be a great tutorial!
Apparently, I really need to upgrade my software. I don't have most of these awesome features and it's driving me crazy each time I see an awesome tutorial that has features I don't have.
Tessa
I can't see your video….aaaarrrgggghhhhh!! Can you help? IVe been trying to learn how to creat documents in pp and I nnneeeeeedddd this!! π lfordyce@roadrunner.com Thanks!
Thanks for a fabulous video, Kristen! I didn't know about the letter outline! Genius!
βΏNicole
Teaching With Style
You are amazing! I was using Word for everything.
BTW, do you know you can enable right click on your Mac magic mouse? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekzIoAxXSHE
Thank you so much for this! I've been using Word and recently switched to PPT. I'd love to try the magnifying trick to change colors on my graphics, but can't find the little magnifying glass. I use a PC and have Windows 7. Am I missing something or does windows 7 not have that feature?
Thanks again for all of your wonderful tutorials! They are sooooo helpful!
Linda
AroundtheKampfire
OH MY GOODNESS! I just made some things using PPT! Thank you!!!! Your tutorial was so easy to follow!
π Dana
Stop by & visit me @ Fun in 1st Grade
I love this!! Thank you so much!! This was exactly what I needed to get started on my first printable.
KathisMath
Thank you for SHARING!!! This tutorial was so helpful and it is appreciated that you took the time to share with all of us!!!
The Kindergarten Goonies XOXO
http://www.kindergartengoonies.blogspot.com
Brilliant! I have been spying these great resource sheets from various blogs through Pinterest and finally google has led me to a great tutorial!
This is so helpful! I was using word and I was doing the exact same thing with the margins.
Jennifer
Darling Little Learners
This is great! Thank you so much! I too became frustrated with Word but never thought of using PowerPoint. Do you mind sharing a few sites where you get your fonts, clip art, borders and frames from?
Thanks again & keep up the great work!
Nicole
I just found this via Google. Thank you SO MUCH. You saved my all my hair from being torn out trying to figure out how to work it!
Eden
teachinginflats.blogspot.com
How do you get your fonts organized into folders?! I've been wanting this ability forever π
Hi Beccie! I only know how to do this on a Mac, but there's a list of folders that come up with the font installer. I saw that you could create a new folder within that list, so I made one for the Design Fonts I use for worksheets. I don't know if this is of that much help–if you want please email me at ladybugresources at yahoo dot com and I could send a screenshot. π
Wow, I feel like you just saved me future hours of my time! I am so frustrated with Word and margins. You are amazing and I love your blog!
Where do you download your borders from?
That color matching trick is incredible! Thanks for taking the time to put this together; I can't wait to watch some of your other tutorials.
Kristen….THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much! I hadn't started makin' printables b/c I've been a little intimidated by the process….I would start & get frustrated and put it away! You video has has lit some confidence in me to try it again! I think knowing shortcuts is key…I was making things harder than they needed to be…so THANK YOU!
Do you have suggestions for clip art sites?
I was so excited to find a tutorial on printables but I couldn't see a video :(. Is it gone or just my crazy computer?
pruttybird at comcast dot net
WOW! I need to invest in Microsoft Office for MAC~AMAZING!!!! One question, can I have multiple slide layouts, for example the first 5 slides need to be portrait and then the next three landscape? That's where my frustration is coming in. I've been using pages and that's the one thing that gets irritating when trying to create.
Okay actually two questions, you mentioned in the video that you created a separate file for the fonts you use regularly. Can you share that little tip?
Hope all is well!
β€Tanya
Ms. Solano's Kindergarten
You just made my day! I have been trying to make coupon binder printables that forever and I just stumbled upon your page. Thank you thank you thank you!
Thank you so much!! That was fantastic since I've just moved across to a mac and I'm still learning how to do things. Plus how awesome is the magnifying glass/colour match option!! Thanks for sharing that tip, I love it!
Thank you so much for sharing!!
This was so helpful! Thank you so much!!!
How do you make the background image go away once you've clicked Apply to All? I realized after I clicked it that I don't want it on every slide. :[
Awesome! Thank you so much!!! π
I just discovered your tutorials! OMG! You are going to save me hours of frustration. I've been using Word and it has been SO hard to not lose it! I can't wait to use Powerpoint! I'm also going to be checking out your other tutorials. Thank you so much!
Meghan
First Grade Hugs and High Fives
Thanks a ton! Love your videos! Two quick questions…how do you get the formatting palette on the sidebar of your screen when you are working and how do you create new font groups (you said you created a font group for the ones you downloaded and use a lot). I am using PPT 2007 are you using a newer version (I am always one step behind!).
Hi,
I just found your wonderful blog and this tutorial is what I'm in need of. I know I'm a year late finding it but is there any way I can see it? Please let me know?
Thank you,
Jeanie
Jeanierose04@yahoo.com
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! This tutorial was just what I needed! I can't wait to check out more of your tutorials- the few I have checked out so far have been great and definitely useful.
Thanks again!
Kay