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Creativity Unleashed

Learn Microsoft PowerPoint.

Have you ever wanted to create your own professional presentations? In the era of digital literacy, we constantly need to present information in professional, academic, and even casual settings. Maybe you want to give a presentation to propose a new project at your job, or perhaps you want to discuss an academic topic in your classes. Whether you’re a student or a professional, creating presentations isn’t only for the pros. You can take your presentations from zero to a hundred with a few handy hacks and techniques-and we’re here to teach you how.

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Learn Microsoft PowerPoint.

Have you ever wanted to create your own professional presentations? In the era of digital literacy, we constantly need to present information in professional, academic, and even casual settings. Maybe you want to give a presentation to propose a new project at your job, or perhaps you want to discuss an academic topic in your classes. Whether you’re a student or a professional, creating presentations isn’t only for the pros. You can take your presentations from zero to a hundred with a few handy hacks and techniques-and we’re here to teach you how.

In this course, you’re going to learn everything about creating and designing presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, from creating a simple and basic outline of slides, to designing objects, text, charts, and images at an advanced level to present your information. You’ll even learn how to create and design slides, objects, text, and graphics like a professional. You will also learn how to bring these elements into life using smooth and eye-catching animations and transitions.

Our instructor has years of experience not only in designing, but also in teaching and the expertly crafted syllabus is designed to be easy to follow and thorough. We’ve even included plenty of examples explained and created on-screen for you to study. That’s why this is the only Microsoft PowerPoint course you’ll ever need to create awesome presentations and master this software.

Start using PowerPoint today.

After taking this course, you will be able to:

  • Create slides and presentations from scratch

  • Work professionally with Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Develop slides following design principles

  • Use new tools to speed up the creation of presentations

  • Engage your audience using questions and programs such as Kahoot or Mentimeter

  • Give a coherent storytelling to your presentation

  • Differentiate and apply several design styles

  • Create carousels and background presentations

  • Create complex animated videos

Enroll now

What's inside

Learning objectives

  • How to use microsoft powerpoint and its basic functions
  • How to create slides
  • How to use the animation functions
  • Color theory
  • How to create tables, charts, and figures
  • How to use the photo, text, and object functions
  • How to insert media (videos, audio, photos)
  • Basic keyboard shortcuts
  • How to create advanced presentation designs
  • How to create casual and professional presentations
  • Ux principles
  • How to make your presentation accessible to everyone
  • How to use data analysis functions for business presentations
  • How to create digital art
  • Show more
  • Show less

Syllabus

Introduction
Introduction to PowerPoint
PowerPoint Download
Interface Overview
Read more
Basic Design
Choosing a Template
Creating Objects
Customizing Objects
Organizing Objects
Text Format
Inserting Media
Charts
Animation
Template Design
Content Creation
Advanced Content Design (Figures and Graphs)
Transition and Animation
Advanced Design
Advanced Photo Editing: Corrections
Advanced Photo Editing: Colors
Advanced Photo Editing: Adjust
Advanced Photo Editing: Picture Style
Advanced Photo Editing: Arrange and Size
Advanced Photo Editing: Remove Background
Advanced Text Formatting
Advanced Object Formatting
Advanced Animation: Multiple Animations
Advanced Animation: Trigger Buttons
PowerPoint as a Design Software
Design and Content Guidelines
Text Etiquette
Color Coordination
Media: Appropriate Amounts and Formats
Motions and Animation: Avoiding Distractions
Extra Features
Editing and Clipboard
Slideshow
Record, Review and View
Shortcuts and Other Options
Projects
Casual Presentation: Template Selection and Design
Casual Presentation: Content Creation Demo
Casual Presentation: Transitions and Animations
Professional Presentation: Template Selections and Design
Professional Presentation: Content Creation Demo
Professional Presentation: Transitions and Animations
User Experience Design (Theory)
UX Principles
Purposeful Design
Engagement
Usability
Storytelling Design
Creating an Interface
Interactive Design
Programs for Engagement: Kahoot
Programs for Engagement: Mentimeter
Engaging Questions
Interactive Slides, Buttons, and Logic
Coherent Storytelling Through Animations
Background Animations
Design Styles
Classical Style
Minimalistic Style
Compromise Style
Fun Style
Accessibility
Wiring the Buttons
Beyond PowerPoint
Content & Fluency
Confidence and Inspiration
Audience Engagement
Practice: UX-Based Slideshow
Animation Creation
UI/UX Presentation (Kiosk)
Creating a Carousel
Creating a Carousel (2nd Method)
Creating a Quiz
Alternate Interface
Business Presentations
Template Edits
Engagement 1: Scrolling
Engagement 2: Slide
Engagement 3: Forum
Content Creation 2
Data Analysis: Charts & Graphs
Story-line Adherence
Background Presentations
Tailoring Content
Free-floating Animations
Final Additions
Break Time & Thank You Slides
Animated Videos
Simple Animated Videos
Complex Animated Videos
Annotated Animated Videos

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers UX principles and accessibility, which are essential for creating inclusive and engaging presentations in various professional and academic settings
Begins with an introduction to PowerPoint and its interface, which builds a strong foundation for learners with little to no prior experience
Explores data analysis functions for business presentations, which is highly relevant for professionals who need to present data in a clear and compelling way
Examines advanced photo editing and object formatting, which allows learners to create visually appealing and professional-looking presentations
Teaches how to use programs like Kahoot and Mentimeter to engage audiences, which is useful for educators and trainers looking to make their presentations more interactive
Includes instruction on keyboard shortcuts and other options, which can speed up the presentation creation process and improve efficiency

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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 Complete PowerPoint Megacourse: Beginner to Expert with these activities:
Review Basic Design Principles
Reinforce your understanding of basic design principles to create more visually appealing and effective PowerPoint presentations.
Browse courses on Design Principles
Show steps
  • Read articles or watch videos on design principles like balance, contrast, and hierarchy.
  • Analyze existing PowerPoint presentations, identifying good and bad design choices.
  • Practice applying design principles to sample slides.
Review 'Presentation Zen' by Garr Reynolds
Learn to apply Zen principles to your PowerPoint designs for clarity and impact.
Show steps
  • Read 'Presentation Zen' and take notes on key concepts.
  • Identify examples of Zen principles in existing presentations.
  • Redesign a sample presentation using Zen principles.
Review 'Slide:ology' by Nancy Duarte
Study the principles of visual storytelling and slide design to create more persuasive presentations.
Show steps
  • Read 'Slide:ology' and identify key takeaways.
  • Analyze presentations based on Duarte's principles.
  • Apply the principles to your own presentation designs.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Create a Presentation on a Topic of Your Choice
Apply the skills learned in the course by creating a full presentation from scratch, incorporating design principles, animations, and transitions.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic that interests you.
  • Outline the key points you want to cover.
  • Design visually appealing slides using PowerPoint's features.
  • Incorporate animations and transitions to enhance engagement.
  • Practice delivering the presentation.
Recreate Advanced Animation Techniques
Master advanced animation techniques by replicating examples from the course, focusing on trigger buttons and multiple animations.
Show steps
  • Select a complex animation example from the course.
  • Break down the animation into individual steps.
  • Recreate the animation in PowerPoint, paying attention to timing and effects.
  • Experiment with variations of the animation.
Create an Interactive Quiz in PowerPoint
Build an interactive quiz using PowerPoint's features, incorporating buttons, logic, and feedback mechanisms.
Show steps
  • Plan the quiz questions and answers.
  • Design the quiz slides with clear instructions and answer options.
  • Use hyperlinks and trigger buttons to create interactive elements.
  • Implement feedback mechanisms to provide immediate results.
  • Test the quiz thoroughly.
Design a Presentation Template for a Specific Industry
Develop a reusable PowerPoint template tailored to the visual style and content needs of a particular industry, such as healthcare or technology.
Show steps
  • Research the visual preferences and branding guidelines of the chosen industry.
  • Create a master slide with consistent fonts, colors, and layouts.
  • Design a variety of slide layouts for different content types.
  • Test the template with sample content.

Career center

Learners who complete Complete PowerPoint Megacourse: Beginner to Expert will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Presentation Designer
A presentation designer creates visually compelling and effective presentations for various purposes. This role requires a strong understanding of design principles, software proficiency, and the ability to translate complex information into engaging visuals. A course on PowerPoint, which covers a wide range of topics from basic slide creation to advanced animations, helps build a solid foundation for this career. This course specifically teaches the creation of professional slides using design principles and also discusses accessibility, all of which are important skills for a presentation designer.
eLearning Developer
An elearning developer creates online courses and interactive learning materials. This career requires skills in visual design, presentation, and multimedia integration. The course teaches how to create professional presentations, and in addition, it covers how to use animations, transitions, and interactive elements, all of which are useful to an elearning developer. The course also teaches the use of design principles to create content that engages learners, which is a key need for an elearning developer. Additionally, this course includes material on the use of programs like Kahoot and Mentimeter.
Public Relations Specialist
A public relations specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual through communications, media relations, and other strategies. Creating impactful presentations is critical when communicating with stakeholders. Since this course teaches how to create professional presentations from scratch, including using design principles, animations, and data presentation, a public relations specialist may find this course very useful. This course also covers creating accessible presentations for a diverse audience, which is vital for this role.
Instructional Designer
An instructional designer creates learning experiences that are both engaging and effective. This role involves designing courses, training materials, and interactive learning content. A course covering PowerPoint is a useful tool for this task, as it covers design principles, slide creation, animation, the use of images and video, and overall visual communication. An instructional designer may use these skills to create visually appealing training modules that enhance the learning experience of their audience. The course’s lessons on storytelling may also be valuable.
Training Specialist
A training specialist develops and delivers training programs to educate employees or clients on various topics. This role requires excellent presentation skills, including the ability to create visually engaging and informative materials. This course offers a complete approach to creating presentations, teaching not only how to make slides but how to use elements such as charts, colors, and animations. For a training specialist, the course may also be useful for learning how to create engaging content for interactive sessions, a feature which will enhance their teaching abilities.
Academic Instructor
An academic instructor teaches courses and presents lectures in academic settings. This course, which offers a complete guide to creating presentations, may be useful to an academic instructor. This is because it teaches the creation of effective presentations, including how to use animations, transitions, and custom designs. The course also covers how to create engaging and accessible content, all of which are useful for instructors when creating effective lectures and educational materials. The course also teaches story-telling, a skill essential for an academic instructor.
Consultant
A consultant provides expert advice to organizations, often needing to deliver presentations to clients. The course on PowerPoint is helpful, as it covers creating effective presentations from scratch, using design principles, and incorporating engaging content. It also provides instruction on data visualization and storytelling, which are valuable for a consultant when communicating their analysis and recommendations. The course’s emphasis on how to use complex animations and transitions may also be useful for the consultant.
Business Analyst
A business analyst analyzes data and business processes to identify areas for improvement. They present their findings to stakeholders using presentations. Since this course fully covers creating detailed and professional presentations, this would be a helpful course for a business analyst. It teaches the use of charts, graphs, and data analysis functions within PowerPoint, which are valuable for a business analyst when presenting data-driven insights and recommendations. This course teaches how to tell coherent stories with presentations, a useful skill in business analysis.
Marketing Specialist
A marketing specialist develops and executes marketing campaigns to promote products or services. They often use presentations to communicate their strategies and results to clients or stakeholders. This course on PowerPoint teaches skills in creating visually compelling presentations, which may be useful in this role. The course also covers creating slides that follow design principles, using animation, and incorporating engaging elements such as charts and graphics, all of which are valuable for a marketing specialist when creating reports and presentations.
Sales Representative
A sales representative presents products or services to potential clients. Strong presentation skills are essential for this role. This course on presentation design will help the sales representative create captivating presentations, including the use of animations, text, objects, graphs, and charts. The course teaches how to convey information effectively through visuals and storytelling, which can help a sales representative to pitch their offerings in a persuasive way. The course may also offer valuable insights into creating engaging presentations that capture the audience's attention.
Project Manager
A project manager oversees projects to ensure they are completed on time and within budget. They regularly communicate project updates to stakeholders, often using presentations. This course provides training in creating professional presentations with animation, charts, and graphs, which will be useful to a project manager when conveying project progress, risks, and plans. The course’s emphasis on storytelling may help this professional communicate complex information clearly and concisely.
Technical Writer
A technical writer creates documentation to explain complex information in a concise and understandable way. Though technical writing is distinct from visual presentation, this course may be useful to a technical writer who sometimes presents information to stakeholders. The course includes material on how to use animations, transitions, and visual aids, which a technical writer may find useful when presenting at conferences or workshops. The course also covers creating accessible presentations, which may be useful to technical writers.
Digital Marketer
A digital marketer designs and executes online marketing campaigns. While this course does not directly address digital marketing, this course may be useful to a digital marketer who must present reports or proposals to clients and stakeholders. This course on PowerPoint teaches how to create engaging presentations using charts, graphs, images, text, and animation. The course also covers design principles, which will help a digital marketer create visually appealing presentations that are also effective.
Content Creator
A content creator produces various forms of media, including video, for online platforms. While this course is about PowerPoint, and not traditional video editing programs, this course may be useful to a content creator who wishes to use PowerPoint to create animated videos and other visual content. The course teaches how to use animations, transitions, and interactive elements, which may be useful in the development of this content. The course also covers design principles, which are useful for a content creator to understand.
Graphic designer
A graphic designer creates visual content for many different mediums, including presentations. A course like this may be useful for a graphic designer to improve their skills in presentation software. This course covers design principles, color theory, use of text, editing of images, and animation, all of which are helpful for a graphic designer when working with presentations. The course also goes into specific detail about the use of PowerPoint as a design tool, including creating custom design elements.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Complete PowerPoint Megacourse: Beginner to Expert.
Emphasizes simplicity and clarity in presentation design, aligning perfectly with the course's focus on effective communication. It provides a framework for creating visually engaging and memorable presentations. Reynolds advocates for a minimalist approach, encouraging presenters to focus on the core message and eliminate unnecessary clutter. This book valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their presentation skills and create impactful slides.
Delves into the art and science of creating compelling visual presentations. It provides a structured approach to designing slides that resonate with audiences. Duarte emphasizes the importance of storytelling and visual communication. This book is particularly useful for understanding how to craft a narrative through your slides and create a lasting impact.

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