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Andrew Pach
This is a complete, step-by-step guide to mastering Microsoft PowerPoint and presentation skills. It covers everything from slide creation and design, to animations, data visualization, storytelling frameworks, and live presenting techniques.
Why learn with me?
Read more
This is a complete, step-by-step guide to mastering Microsoft PowerPoint and presentation skills. It covers everything from slide creation and design, to animations, data visualization, storytelling frameworks, and live presenting techniques.
Why learn with me?
Read more
This is a complete, step-by-step guide to mastering Microsoft PowerPoint and presentation skills. It covers everything from slide creation and design, to animations, data visualization, storytelling frameworks, and live presenting techniques.
Why learn with me?
My name is Andrew Pach and I've partnered with Codestars to create this course. I am an experienced PowerPoint instructor with over 5000 client projects completed (on Fiverr alone I have 4600+), I also run a YouTube channel with around 100k subscribers. The numbers aren't important, but I want you to have a tangible, actionable way of "screening" me so you know you are dealing with a real-life experienced professional who worked and is working on actual projects in PPT, not just talking about them. I encourage you to watch any of the free preview lectures to check my style and see if I'm the right fit for you (spoiler alert - I will. ).
Why Learn PowerPoint and Presentation Skills?
Most people know how to create basic slides, but few know how to turn those slides into clear, effective, and visually appealing presentations. Enhanced with beautiful animations of course (my favourite thing) :) This course solves that problem by giving you a clear system to build presentations that work — whether for business, education, or personal projects.
You’ll learn how to approach presentations logically, structure your message, design consistent slides, and present your ideas clearly and confidently. I suggest you read section names so you see the topics we cover together.
What Will I Learn?
How to use PowerPoint efficiently, including essential and advanced tools
Visual storytelling frameworks like SCQR and the Pyramid Principle
How to draft and structure your presentation content
Presentation design techniques — choosing fonts, colors, images, and layouts
How to animate slides properly using PowerPoint’s Morph and other transitions
Data visualization principles and custom chart creation
How to build branded templates and presentations for consistent business use
How to review and optimize a finished presentation
Presentation skills and live presenting techniques with PowerPoint tools
A Practical, Not Theoretical Course
This course is made for people who want to do — not just watch. You’ll work through real-world presentation examples and projects, using proven frameworks and design principles. Every concept is explained through step-by-step demonstrations.
Software
We’ll use Microsoft PowerPoint as the main tool, but many concepts will also apply to other presentation software like Google Slides, Apple Keynote, or Canva obviously.
Let’s Learn How to Build Better Presentations
You’ll learn how to make clear, engaging, and professionally designed presentations from start to finish — including how to present them. If you want a complete, no-fluff masterclass on PowerPoint and presentations — enroll now and let’s get started.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/19iy91/the
What's inside
Learning objectives
- Powerpoint taught in a practical, not boring way. i'd say it's even entertaining!
- How to use microsoft powerpoint efficiently — from essential tools to advanced features
- How to design professional, visually appealing slides
- Visual storytelling principles
- How to visualize data
- How to build branded templates
- Powerpoint taught in a practical, not boring way. i'd say it's even entertaining!
- How to use microsoft powerpoint efficiently — from essential tools to advanced features
- How to design professional, visually appealing slides
- Visual storytelling principles
- How to visualize data
- How to build branded templates
Syllabus
Introduction
Selection Pane, Animation Pane
Download Resources
Design Warmup
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Syllabus
Introduction
Selection Pane, Animation Pane
Download Resources
Design Warmup
Read more
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The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations.
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Career center
Learners who complete The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Presentation Designer
Presentation Designer
The Presentation Designer crafts visually stunning and impactful presentations for various purposes, from sales pitches to corporate reports. This role involves translating complex information into clear, engaging visual narratives. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is fundamental for anyone aspiring to be a Presentation Designer, offering a comprehensive masterclass in slide creation and design, animation techniques, and data visualization. The course details how to use PowerPoint efficiently, including advanced tools, to build branded templates and presentations for consistent business use. By learning presentation design techniques—choosing fonts, colors, images, and layouts—learners can create professional, visually appealing slides that elevate their work in this field.
Visual Communication Specialist
Visual Communication Specialist
A Visual Communication Specialist develops and executes strategic visual content across various platforms to convey messages effectively. This includes presentations, infographics, and other visual assets that inform and persuade. For a Visual Communication Specialist, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is exceptionally relevant as it covers principles of visual hierarchy, slide design, and the use of images and icons. The course teaches visual storytelling frameworks, crucial for crafting narratives that resonate. Mastering presentation design techniques and understanding how to visualize data efficiently, as detailed in this course, provides a strong foundation for creating clear, effective, and visually appealing communications, a cornerstone of this career.
Business Consultant
Business Consultant
A Business Consultant advises organizations on improving performance, requiring the ability to distill complex findings into clear, persuasive recommendations, often delivered through presentations. This role typically requires an advanced degree. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is invaluable for a Business Consultant, as it meticulously covers visual storytelling frameworks like SCQR and the Pyramid Principle, which are essential for structuring compelling business slides. The course also details data visualization principles, custom chart creation, and live presenting techniques, all vital for engaging executive audiences and conveying strategic insights with clarity and confidence. Mastering these skills helps one build presentations that work, driving client understanding and decision-making.
Marketing Specialist
Marketing Specialist
A Marketing Specialist develops and implements strategies to promote products, services, or brands, frequently creating presentations for pitches, campaign reports, and internal strategy sessions. This role demands strong visual communication. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" directly supports a Marketing Specialist by enhancing their ability to design compelling slides and structure messages effectively. The course's focus on presentation design techniques, choosing fonts, colors, images, and layouts, alongside data visualization principles and visual storytelling frameworks, ensures that marketing communications are not only visually appealing but also clear, engaging, and persuasive, critical for campaign success and stakeholder buy-in.
Communications Manager
Communications Manager
A Communications Manager oversees all internal and external messaging for an organization, requiring the development and review of various communication materials, including presentations. This course, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations," is highly relevant for a Communications Manager. It provides a comprehensive system for building presentations that reinforce brand consistency through setting color schemes, selecting font pairings, and building branded templates. By mastering presentation design techniques and visual storytelling frameworks, a Communications Manager can ensure all organizational communications are clear, engaging, and professionally designed, effectively conveying strategic messages to diverse audiences and maintaining a cohesive brand voice.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
A Data Analyst collects, processes, and performs statistical analysis on data to provide actionable insights, which must then be clearly communicated to stakeholders. For a Data Analyst, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" offers critical skills in translating complex numerical findings into understandable visual narratives. The course's comprehensive coverage of data visualization principles and custom chart creation is directly applicable, enabling the analyst to present data effectively using bar charts, column charts, and line charts. Furthermore, learning visual storytelling frameworks and how to animate charts helps in designing slides that articulate insights clearly and confidently, ensuring data-driven recommendations are well-received and acted upon.
Training Specialist
Training Specialist
A Training Specialist designs and delivers educational programs to enhance skills and knowledge within organizations, often relying heavily on engaging presentations. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is highly beneficial for a Training Specialist, providing a clear system to build presentations that work for education. The course focuses on designing professional, visually appealing slides, applying visual hierarchy, and reducing text to ensure content is digestible. It teaches efficient PowerPoint usage, practical slide design, and live presenting techniques, enabling the specialist to create clear, effective, and visually appealing training modules that captivate learners and facilitate successful knowledge transfer.
Corporate Trainer
Corporate Trainer
A Corporate Trainer develops and delivers professional training programs to employees, requiring the creation of engaging and informative presentations for employee development and skill enhancement. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is highly relevant for a Corporate Trainer, offering a clear system to build presentations that work effectively for business. The course's focus on professional slide design, visual storytelling, and confident live presenting techniques is crucial for impactful corporate training. Learners gain proficiency in advanced PowerPoint tools, including custom chart creation and template building, enabling them to produce clear, effective, and visually appealing training modules that captivate employees and drive successful learning outcomes.
Project Manager
Project Manager
A Project Manager oversees projects from conception to completion, frequently presenting project plans, updates, and outcomes to teams and stakeholders. Clear, organized, and effective communication is essential. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is very useful for a Project Manager, as it helps in structuring presentation content logically and designing consistent slides. The course covers applying visual hierarchy for slide structure and mastering live presenting techniques, which are crucial for clearly and confidently conveying project status, risks, and successes. By learning to build branded templates and optimize presentations, the Project Manager can ensure all project communications are professional and impactful.
Instructional Designer
Instructional Designer
An Instructional Designer creates engaging and effective learning experiences, often incorporating presentations, e-learning modules, and visual aids. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" is particularly relevant for an Instructional Designer, offering practical, step-by-step guidance on creating visually appealing and structured educational content. The course emphasizes visual storytelling frameworks, presentation design techniques, and data visualization, all crucial for developing materials that resonate with learners. By learning to use PowerPoint efficiently, including advanced tools and master slides for efficiency, an Instructional Designer can streamline content creation and ensure instructional presentations are clear, effective, and visually cohesive, enhancing learning outcomes.
Educator
Educator
An Educator is responsible for imparting knowledge and facilitating learning, frequently designing and delivering lectures, lessons, and workshops using presentations. For an Educator, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" offers a clear system to build presentations that work effectively for education. The course provides skills in designing professional, visually appealing slides, applying visual hierarchy for clarity, and simplifying complex information by reducing text. By mastering efficient PowerPoint usage, practical slide design, and live presenting techniques, an Educator can create clear, engaging, and impactful learning materials and deliver them confidently, significantly enhancing student comprehension and engagement in the classroom.
Public Relations Specialist
Public Relations Specialist
A Public Relations Specialist manages an organization's public image and communication, often requiring them to deliver presentations for media briefings, product launches, or crisis communications. For a Public Relations Specialist, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" may be useful. The course covers visual storytelling frameworks and live presenting techniques, which can aid in conveying messages persuasively and confidently to diverse audiences. It also teaches how to design consistent slides and effectively use images and icons, helping to create clear, effective, and visually appealing presentations that uphold a professional brand image during crucial communication moments and public engagements.
Sales Professional
Sales Professional
A Sales Professional is responsible for promoting and selling products or services, frequently using presentations to pitch to prospective clients and articulate value propositions. For a Sales Professional, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" may be useful. The course’s emphasis on designing compelling, visually appealing slides, structuring messages, and mastering confident live presenting techniques can significantly enhance a Sales Professional’s ability to engage clients. By leveraging skills in visual storytelling and efficient PowerPoint usage, one can craft impactful presentations that clearly communicate benefits, overcome objections, and drive successful client conversions, making pitches more memorable and persuasive.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designer
A User Experience Designer focuses on creating intuitive and enjoyable interactions with products, often presenting design concepts, user research, and prototypes to stakeholders. For a User Experience Designer, "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" may be useful. The course supports crafting clear, effective, and visually appealing presentations by emphasizing visual storytelling frameworks and robust design techniques. Learning to design consistent slides, apply visual hierarchy, and effectively use images and icons can help articulate complex user experience concepts and design rationale persuasively. This helps the designer convey the value of their work, ensuring stakeholders understand and support their design decisions.
Research Scientist
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist conducts experiments, collects data, and analyzes findings, which are then presented at conferences, to peers, or for funding. This role typically requires an advanced degree. "The Complete Guide to Microsoft PowerPoint and Presentations" may be helpful for a Research Scientist. The course's strong focus on data visualization principles and custom chart creation is directly applicable to clearly presenting scientific data. Furthermore, learning visual storytelling frameworks like the Pyramid Principle can assist in structuring complex research findings logically. Mastering live presenting techniques can enhance the delivery of presentations, ensuring that insights are communicated effectively to diverse audiences in a professional and compelling manner.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/19iy91/the
Reading list
We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
Provides a graphical, step-by-step approach to learning the basics of Microsoft 365 PowerPoint. It's designed for beginners and covers fundamental skills, including working with slides, applying transitions and animations, and using design themes. This book is aligned with the MOS Associate Certification Exam, making it a useful resource for those seeking certification.
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This concise book offers a quick introduction to creating and delivering effective presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint. It covers the basics of slide creation, animations, and transitions to help users get started with ease. good starting point for those who need to create simple presentations quickly.
Part of the popular "For Dummies" series, this book provides a user-friendly guide to Microsoft PowerPoint 2021. It covers the essential features and functions in an accessible manner, making it suitable for absolute beginners. helpful reference for those new to the software.
Written by a Microsoft MVP, this book explores advanced tools and techniques in PowerPoint often overlooked by users. It covers topics from audience analysis to visual design, AI-powered tools, and interactive features, providing a comprehensive guide for creating compelling presentations. is valuable for business professionals and those looking to enhance their presentation skills beyond the basics.
Valuable resource for users who need to create and manage professional PowerPoint templates. It delves into the intricacies of the Slide Master and other template-building tools, which are crucial for maintaining consistency and efficiency in presentations. This book is particularly useful for corporate users and those responsible for brand guidelines.
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Focuses on Microsoft 365 CoPilot and AI agents, which have direct applications within PowerPoint for generating content and assisting with design. It provides insights into using AI for presentation creation in the current landscape. This forward-looking resource for professionals utilizing Microsoft 365.
Introduces a "Lean" approach to presentation design, focusing on efficiency and effectiveness in creating visually compelling presentations that sustain audience engagement. It covers modern principles of visual communication and storytelling relevant to contemporary presentation needs.
Delves into the contemporary topic of data visualization and storytelling specifically within the context of PowerPoint. It provides a structured approach to creating impactful charts and visuals that effectively communicate data. This valuable resource for anyone who needs to present data-driven information.
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Considered a seminal work in presentation design, "slide:ology" focuses on the visual aspect of presentations and the art of visual thinking. It provides practical approaches to creating visually compelling slides and must-read for anyone serious about improving their presentation visuals. While first published in 2008, its principles remain highly relevant.
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Advocates for a minimalist and simple approach to presentation design, emphasizing clarity and the power of visuals over cluttered text. It draws on Zen principles to encourage presenters to think differently about their slides and delivery. "Presentation Zen" is considered a classic for its focus on effective communication and audience connection.
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A follow-up to "slide:ology," "Resonate" focuses on the power of storytelling in presentations and how to connect with your audience on an emotional level. It provides a framework for structuring presentations as compelling narratives that drive action. classic for its emphasis on the audience and the message's impact.
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Offers a practical methodology for moving beyond traditional bullet-point heavy slides to create more engaging and effective presentations using storytelling techniques. It provides a step-by-step approach and templates to help users structure their content as a compelling narrative. "Beyond Bullet Points" classic for its actionable framework for transforming presentations.
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While not solely focused on PowerPoint, this book analyzes the techniques of successful TED speakers, many of whom utilize visuals and storytelling effectively in their presentations. It provides valuable insights into crafting and delivering engaging presentations, making it a must-read for improving your overall presentation skills, which directly impacts your use of PowerPoint.
For those seeking to validate their PowerPoint skills through certification, this official study guide must-read. It provides in-depth preparation for the MO-300 exam, covering the objectives and providing practice tasks. is essential for anyone preparing for the Microsoft Office Specialist: PowerPoint Associate certification.
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Must-read for academics, researchers, and anyone who needs to present complex information clearly and effectively. It focuses on designing presentations that are both informative and engaging for specialized audiences, offering principles applicable to using PowerPoint for data and research presentations.
Examines the presentation style of Steve Jobs, known for his captivating and memorable keynotes. It breaks down his techniques for creating engaging presentations, many of which can be applied to using PowerPoint effectively. This book must-read for anyone looking to make their presentations more impactful and inspiring.
Applies principles from cognitive neuroscience to the design of presentations, offering evidence-based guidelines for creating clear and compelling slides. It's a valuable resource for understanding how audiences process visual information and how to design presentations that are easy to understand and remember. This book is particularly useful for those who want to ground their presentation design in psychological research.
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Another excellent book by Garr Reynolds, this focuses on the delivery aspect of presentations and connecting with your audience authentically. While it discusses presenting without slides, the principles of engaging delivery are highly relevant when using PowerPoint. It's a must-read for improving your confidence and presence as a presenter.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint 365, covering essential tools and features. It's structured with a "In Practice" approach, making it useful for hands-on learning. This book is suitable for beginners and can serve as a core textbook for introductory courses.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/19iy91/the
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