Work Smarter with Microsoft PowerPoint from Coursera

This course is intended for learners with some experience using Microsoft Windows, who are seeking to build presentation skills with Microsoft PowerPoint. To be successful in this course you should have an understanding of the basics of using a Windows-based computer. Experience with printing and using a web browser are an asset, but not required.

Knowing how to use Microsoft Office products is essential in any professional setting. Whether you want to expand your expertise to apply for a new role, start your own business, or simply develop a new personal skill this course is for you.

This course is intended to help you get up to speed on many of the different features found in PowerPoint and to become familiar with its more advanced selection of features. You will learn how to create, save, and present a basic presentation; apply the basics of formatting; and add multimedia to a presentation. If you are familiar with PowerPoint’s basic features you can take your skills to the next level. If you are a beginner you will get the opportunity to develop your presentation skills using PowerPoint.

By the end of this course, you should be comfortable with customizing the PowerPoint user interface, customizing design templates, implementing media and custom animations in a presentation, using collaboration tools, customizing slide shows in a number of different ways, as well as securing and distributing a presentation.

This course will help you prepare for Exam MO-300: Microsoft PowerPoint (PowerPoint and PowerPoint 2019). You will be able to demonstrate the ability to create and manage presentations, insert and format shapes and slides, create slide content, apply transitions and animations, and manage multiple presentations. You will be able to apply the principal features of PowerPoint and complete tasks independently.

What's inside

Syllabus

Getting started with PowerPoint

In this module, you’ll get started with Microsoft PowerPoint by learning how to navigate the PowerPoint environment, creating and saving a PowerPoint presentation, using help, and selecting a presentation type. During the module, you will build a presentation and edit text.

Developing a presentation

In this module, you’ll begin formatting with Microsoft PowerPoint. You’ll edit and format characters, paragraphs, objects, and text boxes. You’ll add graphics and SmartArt to a presentation and apply animation and grouping to objects.

Enhancing the appearance of a presentation

In this module, you’ll enhance the appearance of a presentation using tables, charts, audio, and video. You’ll also use animations and transitions.

Preparing to deliver a presentation

This module focuses on the delivery of a presentation. Here you’ll review a presentation, apply slide transitions, print, and deliver a presentation. You’ll add comments, create, and manage sections, annotate, and set up a slide show. Finally, you’ll use hyperlinks and action buttons and record a presentation.

Honours: Hands-on practice using Microsoft PowerPoint

In this module, you'll have the opportunity to complete an optional honors assignment for special recognition. You are not required to complete this assignment to get a Course Certificate but if you complete all honors assignments in the course, your Course Certificate will include a special Honor’s Recognition.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops slide formatting and custom animations in a presentation, which are core skills for work and in developing personal skills

Provides comprehensive detailed study of PowerPoint to include enhancing the appearance of a presentation using custom animations and transitions

Prepares learners to deliver a presentation and secure a presentation by managing multiple presentations

Provides hands-on practice using Microsoft PowerPoint for practical use of the skills taught

Taught by Microsoft, who is recognized for their work in developing the software itself, PowerPoint

Skills, knowledge, and tools are highly relevant in both educational and professional settings

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Work Smarter with Microsoft PowerPoint with these activities:

Understand the PowerPoint user interface

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Reviewing the PowerPoint interface will help you navigate the software more efficiently, saving you time and frustration.

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Open PowerPoint and familiarize yourself with the layout.
Explore the menus and toolbars.
Learn about the different views and how to switch between them.

Review basic computer navigation

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Familiarize yourself with the fundamentals of using a Windows-based computer

Browse courses on Web Browsing

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Turn on your computer and familiarize yourself with the keyboard and mouse
Practice opening and closing programs
Navigate through the Windows file system

Read Microsoft PowerPoint Step by Step

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of PowerPoint's features and capabilities

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Read the book from cover to cover
Take notes and highlight important concepts
Complete the practice exercises in the book

Seven other activities

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Create a PowerPoint presentation on a topic of your choice

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Gain hands-on experience with PowerPoint by creating a presentation from scratch

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Choose a topic that you are interested in or that is relevant to your work or studies
Research your topic and gather information
Design your presentation using PowerPoint's templates and tools
Add content to your slides, including text, images, and videos
Practice delivering your presentation

Practice creating different types of PowerPoint slides

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Improve your proficiency in using PowerPoint's features by practicing creating different types of slides

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Create a title slide
Create a text slide with bulleted lists and paragraphs
Create a slide with an image or chart
Create a slide with a table
Create a slide with a video

Develop a presentation on a topic of your choice

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Creating your own presentation will allow you to apply the skills you've learned in this course and demonstrate your understanding of PowerPoint.

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Choose a topic that you're knowledgeable about or interested in.
Research your topic and gather information from reliable sources.
Create an outline for your presentation, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.
Design your slides using visually appealing templates and graphics.
Practice delivering your presentation to get feedback and improve your delivery skills.

Create a slide show to present to your colleagues or classmates

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Demonstrate your understanding of PowerPoint by creating a polished slide show

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Choose a topic that is relevant to your work or studies
Develop an outline for your presentation
Create your slides using PowerPoint's templates and tools
Add content to your slides, including text, images, and videos
Rehearse your presentation

Volunteer to give a presentation to a local organization

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Volunteering to give a presentation will provide you with valuable real-world experience and help you develop your public speaking skills.

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Identify a local organization that could benefit from a presentation on your topic.
Contact the organization and offer your services.
Prepare and practice your presentation.
Give your presentation to the organization.
Get feedback on your presentation and use it to improve your skills.

Participate in a study group or online forum to discuss PowerPoint

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Connect with other learners to share knowledge, ask questions, and get feedback on your PowerPoint skills

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Find a study group or online forum dedicated to PowerPoint
Introduce yourself and share your goals for participating
Ask questions and share your experiences with PowerPoint
Provide feedback to other members of the group

Watch tutorials on advanced PowerPoint features

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Enhance your knowledge of PowerPoint by exploring advanced features and techniques

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Find tutorials on specific PowerPoint features that you want to learn more about
Watch the tutorials and take notes
Practice using the new features in your own presentations

Career center

Learners who complete Work Smarter with Microsoft PowerPoint will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They may use PowerPoint to create prototypes and mockups of designs before finalizing them in other software. Additionally, they may use PowerPoint to create presentations of their work for clients or other stakeholders. This course may help an aspiring Graphic Designer enhance their mastery of multimedia implementation and presentation management in PowerPoint, particularly as it relates to aesthetics and design.

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Communications Manager

Communications Managers shape and deliver key messages, often managing teams of communications professionals. They may conduct research and plan campaigns, often involving the creation of slide decks that will be used to share information with a variety of audiences, internal and external. Coursework on the customization of design templates, use of multimedia, and slide show management from this course may prove very useful to this role.

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Content Marketing Manager

Content Marketing Managers use their writing and communication skills to create and distribute valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience. Creating slide decks is a common part of getting approval for a strategy, presenting on team progress, and sharing updates with leadership. This course will also help aspiring Content Marketing Managers add visual interest to their presentations, utilizing multimedia, formatting, and transitions to make presentations that are more engaging and memorable.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts leverage data analysis to provide the knowledge and clarity organizations need to succeed. This enhanced clarity may take the form of identifying opportunities, optimizing procedures, or laying out roadmaps for the future. It may also involve translating between technical and non-technical stakeholders, which requires strong communication skills that PowerPoint may help develop. Creating such presentations may be required as part of the job, or simply very helpful when doing so.

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Instructional Designer

Instructional Designers develop, deliver, and evaluate instructional programs, using a variety of methods and technologies. They may use PowerPoint to create presentations and other materials for their courses, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Instructional Designer in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Technical Writer

Technical Writers create user manuals, help files, and other documentation to explain how to use products or services. They may use PowerPoint to create prototypes of their documentation, to share with stakeholders, or to train users on how to use a new system. This course may be useful to an aspiring Technical Writer in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Public relations manager

Public Relations Managers develop and execute public relations campaigns to promote their organization or client, using a variety of channels to reach their target audience. They may use slide decks to present their public relations plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Public Relations Manager in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Information Architect

Information Architects design and organize the content and structure of websites, intranets, online communities, and software applications, enhancing findability and usability. They may use PowerPoint to create prototypes of their designs, to share with stakeholders, or to train users on how to use a new system. This course may be useful to an aspiring Information Architect in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Media Planner

Media Planners develop and execute media plans to promote products or services, using a variety of channels to reach their target audience. They may use slide decks to present their media plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Media Planner in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Digital Marketing Manager

Digital Marketing Managers plan and execute digital marketing campaigns, using a variety of channels to reach their target audience. They may use slide decks to present their campaign plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Digital Marketing Manager in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing plans to promote products or services, using a variety of channels to reach their target audience. They may use slide decks to present their marketing plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Marketing Manager in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Creative Director

Creative Directors oversee the visual aspects of a brand, working with designers and other visual artists to ensure that the brand's message is communicated clearly and effectively. This course may be useful to an aspiring Creative Director in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers develop and execute sales plans to promote products or services, using a variety of channels to reach their target audience. They may use slide decks to present their sales plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Sales Manager in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to identify trends and patterns, helping organizations to make informed decisions. They may use slide decks to present their findings to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Data Analyst in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and execution of a product strategy. They may use slide decks to present their product plans to stakeholders, and so presentation skills are important for success in this role. This course may be useful to an aspiring Product Manager in that it covers multimedia, feature implementation, and presentation management.

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