PowerPoint 2010

Getting Started with PowerPoint

Page 1
Introduction
PowerPoint 2010 is a presentation software that allows you to create
dynamic slide presentations that may include animation, narration, images,
videos and more. In this lesson, you will learn your way around the
PowerPoint 2010 environment, including getting to know the new
Backstage view.

We will also show you how to use and modify the Ribbon and the Quick
Access Toolbar, in addition to learning how to create new presentations
and open existing files. After this lesson, you will be ready to get started on
your first presentation.

Page 2
Getting to Know PowerPoint 2010
If you are familiar with PowerPoint 2007, then you will notice that
there are not too many changes to the 2010 interface, other than the
Backstage View, which we will cover later in this lesson.

However, if you are new to PowerPoint, you will first need to take
some time to learn about slides and how to navigate through
PowerPoint.

Watch the video to learn how to navigate the PowerPoint

window. Watch the video (2:53). Need help?

How to Navigate PowerPoint to Create a Slide Presentation

PowerPoint uses slides to build a presentation. In order to create an engaging presentation, PowerPoint allows
you to add text, bulleted lists, images, charts, video and more to your slides. You can add as many slides as you
like to a presentation and at any time you can view or playback your presentation by selecting one of the Slide
Show play options.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn how to navigate and interact with slides in the
PowerPoint window.

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 Page 3
Working with Your PowerPoint Environment
The Ribbon and the Quick Access Toolbar are where you will
find the commands you need to do common tasks in PowerPoint. If
you are familiar with PowerPoint 2007, you will find that the main
difference in the PowerPoint 2010 Ribbon is that commands such
as Open and Print are now housed in Backstage view.

Watch the video to learn about the Ribbon, the Quick Access
Toolbar, and the new Backstage view.

Watch the video (3:19). Need help?

The Ribbon
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The Ribbon contains multiple tabs, each with several groups of commands. Some tabs, like "Drawing Tools" or
"Table Tools," may appear only when you are working with certain items like images or tables. In addition, you
can add your own customized tabs that contain your favorite commands.

PowerPoint Ribbon

Certain programs, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, may install additional tabs to the Ribbon. These tabs are
called Add-ins.

To Customize the Ribbon:

You can customize the Ribbon by creating your own tabs that house your desired commands. Commands are
always housed within a group, and you can create as many groups as you need to keep your tabs organized. In
addition, you can even add commands to any of the default tabs, as long as you create a custom group within the
tab.

1. Right-click the Ribbon and select Customize the Ribbon. A dialog box will appear.

Right-clicking the Ribbon to customize it

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2. Click New Tab. A new tab will be created with a new group inside it.
3. Make sure the new group is selected.
4. Select a command from the list on the left, then click Add. You can also drag commands directly into a
group.
5. When you are done adding commands, click OK.

Customize Ribbon Dialog Box

If you do not see the command you want, click on the Choose commands drop-down box and select All
Commands.

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 Displaying All Commands

To Minimize and Maximize the Ribbon:

The Ribbon is designed to be responsive to your current task and easy to use, but if you find it is taking up too
much of your screen space, you can minimize it.

1. Click the arrow in the upper-right corner of the Ribbon to minimize it.

Minimize the Ribbon button

2. To maximize the Ribbon, click the arrow again.

When the Ribbon is minimized, you can make it reappear by clicking on a tab. However, the Ribbon will
disappear again when you are not using it.

Page 4
The Quick Access Toolbar
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 The Quick Access Toolbar is located above the Ribbon, and it lets you access common commands no matter
which tab you are on. By default, it shows the Save, Undo, and Repeat commands. You can add other
commands to make it more convenient for you.

To Add Commands to the Quick Access Toolbar:

1. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of the Quick Access Toolbar.
2. Select the command you wish to add from the drop-down menu. To choose from more commands, select
More Commands.

Adding a command to the Quick Access toolbar

Page 5
Backstage View
Backstage view gives you various options for saving, opening a file, printing, or sharing your document. It is
similar to the Office Button Menu from PowerPoint 2007 or the File Menu from earlier versions of PowerPoint.
However, instead of just a menu, it is a full-page view which makes it easier to work with.

To Get to Backstage View:

1. Click the File tab.

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 Backstage View

2. You can choose an option on the left side of the page.

3. To get back to your document, just click any tab on the Ribbon.

Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different things you can do in Backstage view.

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 Page 6
Creating and Opening Presentations
Watch the video to learn how to create and open a
presentation.

Watch the video (1:44). Need help?

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To Create a New, Blank Presentation:
1. Click the File tab. This takes you to Backstage view.
2. Select New.
3. Select Blank presentation under Available Templates and Themes. It will be highlighted by default.
4. Click Create. A new, blank presentation appears in the PowerPoint window.

Creating a new presentation

To save time, you can create your presentation from an Office.com template, which you can also select under
Available Templates and Themes.

To Open an Existing Presentation:

1. Click the File tab. This takes you to Backstage view.
2. Select Open. The Open dialog box appears.

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 Opening a presentation

3. Select your desired presentation and then click Open.

If you have opened the existing presentation recently, it may be easier to choose Recent from the File tab
instead of Open to search for your presentation.

Opening a recent presentation

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 Page 7
Challenge!
1. Open PowerPoint 2010 on your computer. A new blank presentation will
appear on the screen.
2. Try minimizing and maximizing the Ribbon.
3. Click through all of the tabs and notice how the Ribbon options change.
4. Try switching page views.
5. Add any commands you wish to the Quick Access Toolbar.
6. Close PowerPoint without saving the presentation.

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