Creating Default Templates in Powerpoint
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Oh Powerpoint, how do I love thee?
Well, if we’re being honest, in many ways…but there are a few I could really do without.
Like those two textboxes that come up every time I make a new printable:
And this default font I NEVER use:
Oh and those horribly-colored tables…
what is with all the different font colors in one table anyhow??
what is with all the different font colors in one table anyhow??
But, like any faithful teacher-creator, I remain loyal to my true love.
And patiently delete textboxes.
And reformat tables.
Again and again.
But I couldn’t help dreaming…
And it is! Because I have FINALLY learned how to create my own default templates!!!
Would you like to try it out? Just follow the steps below…
- Start a new presentation. Select those two textboxes and delete them:
- Create a new text box and type anything:
- Choose your favorite go-to font (mine’s Century Gothic). Then right-click on the text box and choose Set as Default Text Box:
- Delete the textbox so you have a blank slide:
You could save the template now and you’d have the font/fonts you’d like all set to go. But if you like to use tables as well, see the next steps:
- Insert a table…I just choose a couple of rows and columns to format, you can always add more in the future and your formatting will already be done for you:
- Select the table:
- Reformat the colors in the way you would like them to appear in the printable:
- Select the table and choose the font, font size, and text orientation you want:
- Keep the table selected and click on the bold button twice (otherwise parts of your text may show up in bold because of the default formatting):
- Type in each cell, to be sure the font appears the way you would like:
- Then delete all the cells. I just placed my table near the bottom of the template. I use tables a ton, but if I don’t need it, I will just delete it:
- Now to save your new default template. Go to Save As:
- Name your template and save it as a .pot file:
- Now you can open this template and it will be all set with your fonts and layout:
- Once you are finished designing in this template, choose Save As (so you can rename it and preserve the original template):
And that’s it!
I seriously could not be more excited about this! And the possibilities are really endless…you can set up a series of templates for all of the printables you make.
I really hope this was of some help to you! If you’d like to learn more about designing printables with Powerpoint, please see this previous tutorial:
Kristen Beakey
I’m an elementary math coach with a passion for sharing beautiful, streamlined solutions to save teachers time. Ladybug’s Teacher Files has been a work of love since 2010. Filled with tech tutorials, math ideas, and organization…I strive to save you time in all aspects of your teaching!