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How to Use PowerPoint Slide Master Layouts

Use the Slide Master to effect a uniform appearance for your presentation

By Wendy Russell Wendy Russell Writer Brock University Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 21, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Powerpoint Word Excel Outlook

What to Know

Go to View > Slide Master and select the top thumbnail in the Slide pane. Use the Slide Master tab to change colors, fonts, and more.Use the Slides pane to choose a slide layout thumbnail and make changes to the layout master.When you're done making changes, select Slide Master > Close Master View to return to your presentation.
To ensure that all the slides in your PowerPoint presentation have the same look, use the Slide Master. Apply fonts and styles, add multimedia, and insert footnotes. These instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, and 2013; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365; and PowerPoint for Mac.

Access the PowerPoint Slide Master

The PowerPoint Slide Master is like a style sheet for your presentations. Changes made to the Slide Master apply to the slides that are created after you format the Slide Master. To access the Slide Master in a PowerPoint presentation, select View > Slide Master.

Change the Layout in the Slide Master

The Slide Master view contains all the slide layouts used in PowerPoint. The Slides pane displays thumbnail images of the slide master (the top thumbnail image) and the related slide layouts (the smaller thumbnail images located below the slide master). Changing the font on the slide master affects the text placeholders on all slides. However, not all placeholders are affected by changes made to the slide master. You may need to make additional changes to the different slide layouts. Make changes to the Slide Master before you create a presentation. If you change the font style or color on a slide before you edit the slide master and slide layouts, the formatting is retained on those slides. To make changes in the Slide Master: Select the slide master. It's the top thumbnail in the Slide pane. Go to the Slide Master tab to change the theme, theme colors, fonts, and background for the entire presentation. In the Slides pane, select a slide layout thumbnail and make changes to the layout master, if needed.

Close the PowerPoint Slide Master

After you've made all your changes to the slide master, select Slide Master > Close Master View to return to the presentation slides. Each new slide you add to the presentation takes on the changes you made. You'll save time by not having to make edits to every individual slide. Your presentation will have a uniform and professional look. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation Using Multiple Design Themes in PowerPoint How to Increase PowerPoint Slide Number Size How to Select Multiple Slides in PowerPoint How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation Slide Layouts in PowerPoint How to Change Theme Colors in Google Slides Tips for Solving Common PowerPoint Problems How to Insert a Copyright Symbol or Emoji on a PowerPoint Slide How to Use the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint How to Add Page Numbers in PowerPoint An Introduction to PowerPoint How to Use Speaker Notes in PowerPoint Using Design Themes in PowerPoint Change Font Colors and Styles on PowerPoint Slides How to Print PowerPoint Slides With Notes Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies