standard font size in powerpoint presentation

Presentation font size: Dos and don’ts

• Categories: PowerPoint design , Google Slides
• Comments: 1

It’s no secret that at BrightCarbon we generally recommend keeping text on slides to a minimum . The main reason you need to avoid lots of text in presentations is because it’s virtually impossible to read and listen to someone speaking at the same time. In a presentation, you want to allow the audience to listen to the presenter while looking at an appropriate visual or diagram with minimal words, so that it all comes together seamlessly. Whereas, with documents like reports – while you can create them in PowerPoint – they aren’t presentations; there won’t be anyone talking over them. So you can (and possibly should) have a lot more text.

So, when you are using text in a presentation or document, how do you decide what size it should be? We’ve found there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how big or small text on slides should be. Each presentation has its own unique requirements – it all depends on what you’re using the slides for, what you’re hoping to achieve with them, and how your audience will be viewing them. Accessibility considerations also come into play, as well as readability across different typefaces and devices.

Determining appropriate text size

One way to decide on the right size for your text is to consider the height of each line of text in proportion to the total height of the slide . For example, in a sales or training presentation, the height of the title (per line) should take up approximately 4% of the slide’s total height; headers around 3%; and copy text around 2%.

This principle can be applied to text appearing in other types of presentation, too. For example, in a keynote presentation, the height of the text should take up around 6.5% of the slide’s total height. And in a document or report, aim for the height of the title text to take up around 4% of the slide’s total height; headers around 3%; and copy text around 1.5%.

When deciding on the right font size for a face-to-face presentation, it’s also worth considering how close audience members should be seated to the screen in order to be able to read the text easily. Check out presentation expert Dave Paradi’s table on comfortable viewing distances for text in presentation visuals [1] for more on this.

Our text size recommendations

We called upon our team of designers to determine what size they would make the text in a set of example slides. To create the slides, we used PowerPoint’s default widescreen slide size (19.05cm x 33.86cm, or 7.5”13.33”), and Arial – one of the most commonly used fonts.

The examples covered three different use-cases where text is sometimes used:

• A sales or training presentation. Small amounts of text can be used to point out key features and emphasise value and benefits.
• A keynote presentation. You want the audience to focus on the presenter during a keynote presentation, so the amount of text on each slide should be kept to a minimum. This means any text you do use can be much larger.
• A document or report. Text can generally be slightly smaller in stand-alone, static documents like reports, as readers will jump around the page to find the information they’re looking for.

Based on our team’s responses, we’d make the following recommendations:

Use-case 1: Presentation font size for a sales or training presentation

Top tip : As a general rule, aim to keep the number of different font sizes you use across your presentation to a minimum – ideally, no more than three different sizes per slide. And try to use font sizes consistently. For example, if you’ve used 20pt for headers on one slide, make sure headers on other slides are the same size.

Use-case 2:  Presentation font size for a  keynote presentation

Top tip : If you’re also using text labels or callouts in a keynote presentation, then make sure the font is slightly smaller than the rest of your text – ideally no smaller than 28pt.

Use-case 3: Font size for a document or report

Top tip : It’s also worth using visual hierarchies to help readers navigate documents like these – check out our blog post for tips on how to do this.

Hopefully, our recommendations help you to decide what size text on your slides should be. Remember, every presentation is different and will have its own individual requirements – for guidance on your particular use-case, get in touch and we’ll be happy to look over your slides. And if you want more help with upping your sales presentations’ font game, have a read of our article packed with typography tips and tricks!

[1] PARADI, D. 2008. Comfortable Viewing Distance for Text on Presentation Visuals [online]. Available from: https://thinkoutsidetheslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/ViewingDistanceTable16x9.pdf [Accessed 14 November 2022].

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Choosing the Best Font for PowerPoint: 10 Tips & Examples

There’s a fine art to creating a great PowerPont presentation that wows. With so many tricks and features in this little bit of software, it’s more likely to see a bad presentation than a good one (and you don’t want to be that person!)

While there are a lot of factors that contribute to the overall design , choosing a suitable font for PowerPoint is near the top of the list. The audience needs to be able to read the words on the screen with ease, to ensure that your presentation is as effective as possible.

So how do you do it? Where do you start when choosing a font for PowerPoint? We have 10 tips for you with a few examples of PowerPoint slides (and templates) that will impress your audience.

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1. Stick to Fairly Standard Fonts

One of the most fun parts of a design project is getting to sift through fonts and make selections that fit your project. When it comes to PowerPoint, that selection should be pretty limited.

To make the most of your presentation, stick to a standard font to ensure that your presentation will look the same everywhere – and on every computer – you present. If you don’t use a standard font, chances are when you pop the presentation in a new machine, you’ll end up with a jumbled mess of lettering. PowerPoint will try to replace all the fonts it does not recognize with something else.

This can cause readability concerns and even make the presentation look like it’s error-filled (with words that are in odd locations or even missing).

10 standard fonts to try:

2. Incorporate Plenty of Contrast

White and black text is easiest to read. But no type is readable without plenty of contrast between the background and text itself.

Regardless of what font you select, without adequate contrast, readability will be a concern. Opt for light type on a dark background or a light background with dark text.

Consider the environment here as well. Do you plan to show the presentation on a computer monitor or big presentation screen? How these conditions render can impact how much contrast your color choices actually have.

3. Use a Serif and a Sans Serif

Most presentations use two fonts.

• Header font for headlines on each slide.
• Copy or bullet font for supporting text.

You don’t have to use the same font in each location. It’s actually preferred to select two different fonts for these areas of the presentation. For even more impact pair two different fonts, such as a serif and sans serif, so that the font change creates an extra level of contrast and visual interest.

4. Avoid All Caps

When picking a font, stay away from fonts that only include capital letter sets. All caps in presentations have the same effect as all caps in an email. It feels like you are yelling at the audience.

All caps can also be difficult to read if there are more than a couple of words on the screen. Use all caps as sparingly as possible.

5. Stay Away From Scripts and Italics

While scripts, handwriting and novelty typefaces might be pretty, they are often difficult to read. Avoid them in PowerPoint presentations. (There’s usually not enough contrast or size to help them maintain readability from a distance.)

The same is true of italics. Anything you do to a font to add emphasis should make it easier to read. While italics can be a great option online or in print applications, presentations come with a different set of rules. The biggest contributing factor is that text often has to be read from a distance – think about audience members in the back of the room – and any slanting can make that more difficult.

6. Make It Big Enough

One of the biggest issues with fonts in slideshows is often size. How big should the text in a PowerPoint presentation be?

While a lot of that depends on the font you decide to use, there are some guidelines. (These sizes work wonderfully with the 10 fonts options in top No. 1. As well.)

• Minimum font size for main copy and bullets: 18 points
• Preferred font size for main copy and bullets: 24 points
• Preferred font size for headers or titles: 36 to 44 points

Make sure to think about the size of the screen and room as well when planning font sizes. With a smaller screen in a larger space, everything will look smaller than it is. The opposite is true of an oversized screen in a small room. Think Outside the Slide has a great font cheat sheets for a number of different screen sizes.

7. Turn Off Animations

Don’t let all those PowerPoint tricks suck you in. Moving text, zooming words, letters that fly in from the side of the screen – they are all difficult to read. And really distracting.

If you want to use an effect, “Appear” is acceptable. But there’s no need to dazzle the audience with crazy font tricks. All this really does is distract people from what you are really trying to say.

The same mantra that we use with all other design projects applies here as well – KISS or Keep It Simple, Stupid.

8. Plan for Sharing

While many users work with PowerPoint regularly, chances are that you’ll be asked to share your presentation slides for others. This includes posting with tools such as SlideShare, emailing the PowerPoint (or putting it in a drop folder) or sharing via Google Slides.

When it comes to fonts, Google Slides is the most complicating factor because it has a different suite of standard fonts than PC or Mac operating systems. Make sure to test the presentation in this environment if you plan to share and use a Google standard font or make sure to include the font you plan to use in the customization options.

9. Think About the Notes, Too

The part of PowerPoint presentations that is often neglected is the notes section. If you plan to distribute a presentation file to the audience (digitally or via printouts), the font selection for accompanying notes is important.

Use the same typeface as for the main slideshow with related corresponding headers and body and bulleted text. The big difference here is size. Body copy/bulleted information should fall in the range of 9 to 12 points and headers should be 18 to 20 points. This is a comfortable reading size for most documents. (These sizes also help ensure clear printing on standard office machines.)

10. Use Fonts Consistently

You don’t need a huge font library to create great PowerPoint presentations. Having a couple of go-to fonts that you use consistently is enough.

Make sure to use fonts consistently within a document as well. Create a PowerPoint template file so that when you use different levels of bulleting and headers, the sizes, color variations, and fonts change automatically. (Web designers, this is just like using H1 through H6 tags.)

A clear consistent use of fonts makes your presentation about how it looks and how easy (or tough) it may be to read and more about the content therein. (And that’s what it should be about.)

If you don’t feel comfortable making your own PowerPoint presentation template, you can download one to get started. These options might have a more refined look than some of the software defaults (and all of the examples in this article come from these collections).

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > Choosing the Right Font For Your PowerPoint Presentation

Choosing the Right Font For Your PowerPoint Presentation

Whether it’s for a professional conference or middle school book report, it’s important to know the best font to use for your PowerPoint presentation . Believe it or not, fonts are a big part of the overall design of your presentation —and they can make a world of difference! Some convey a lighthearted message, while others can show authority, and so on.

In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at:

• The different styles of fonts
• The 5 most popular fonts
• How to embed fonts, and more.

What are the different styles of fonts? Before we get too deep into each font and what looks best, let’s examine font styles and how they’re classified.

• Sans-serif fonts. Most serif fonts are easy to identify because of the tiny flags or projections on the ends of the characters. Serifs make distinguishing a lowercase L from a capital I in print easy.
• Serif fonts. Sans-serif fonts are commonly used in digital media because serifs can make letters difficult to see if an image or screen is low-resolution.
• Script fonts. Script fonts are also known as handwritten fonts because of the looping letters that make them look like cursive or calligraphy. Most people find it difficult to read more than a few sentences in a script font, so they’re best limited to a few words or a single phrase.
• Monospaced fonts. Even when writing by hand, you’ll notice that not all letters take up the same amount of space. Monospaced fonts buck this trend by allotting the same amount of space laterally for all letters, similar to a typewriter.
• Display fonts. Display fonts can also be known as fantasy or decorative fonts. These aren’t typically used for anything besides signage, banners, logos, or other text that’s isolated. Using display fonts for multiple sentences or a full paragraph isn’t a good practice because they can be hard to read or off-putting after a while.

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What are the 5 most popular fonts in presentations and why? A common theme you’ll notice when looking at the best fonts for PowerPoint is that they’re traditionally sans-serif fonts. Why? Well, this style is much easier to read from a distance and won’t feel cramped if letters are bolded. Additionally, the minimalistic style of sans-serif fonts isn’t distracting from the material or the speaker. Let’s look at five fonts that fit the best practices for a winning presentation .

Note: You’ll notice a serif font on this list, but we’ll address it when we get there.

• Roboto. Roboto is a sans-serif font that’s relatively basic, with sharp edges and rounded loops, counters, and bowls (the rounded parts of letters) without going overly bold or too thin. You can be safe using Roboto for just about any presentation.
• Verdana. Despite the font size you choose, not all fonts display the same. Verdana is a larger sans-serif font that can make it easier to display information without taking your font up an extra size.
• Helvetica. A point of differentiation between Helvetica and other sans-serif fonts is the weight toward the top of the letters. The top of every lowercase letter and the midpoint of every capital letter go to a thick midline’s upper edge. For instance, the top of every lowercase letter reaches the same horizontal point as the top of the crossbar on an H. This unique feature makes the Helvetica type look larger and bolder than it really is, which makes it great for headings and titles.
• Tahoma. Tahoma is different from the previous sans-serif fonts in that it is thinner than the others. While Tahoma might not have the same impact for a heading or title as Helvetica, it’s perfect for body text and fitting into smaller spaces without crowding.
• Palatino Linotype. Serif fonts have long been considered a no-no with digital publications, but with the advent of high-resolution computer monitors, tablets, smartphones, and TVs, they’re fine. What’s more, the serifs on Palatino Linotype aren’t incredibly prominent, so they make for a subtle nod to old-style fonts without over-embellishing.

How do you embed fonts in PowerPoint ? If you’re sharing your presentation with a friend, classmate, or colleague, you could be at risk of the fonts you used transferring properly to their device. For example, if you have a font you love using and installed it onto your computer, they might not have the same font. So, if you send your presentation to them, there could be formatting errors as their device defaults to a different font. Keep this from happening by embedding your font in PowerPoint using these easy steps:

• Click the “File” tab.
• Move down to the lower-lefthand corner of the window and click “Options.”
• Click “Save” on the left side of the screen.
• Scroll down to the section titled “Preserve fidelity when sharing this presentation:”
• Click the box next to “Embed fonts in the file.”
• If you or someone else will be using the presentation on a different device, then select the first option, “Embed only the characters used in the presentation (best for reducing file size).” If you or someone else will be editing the presentation on a different device, then select the second option, “Embed all characters (best for editing by other people).”
• Click “OK.”

There you have it! Choosing the best font for PowerPoint doesn’t have to be difficult. The most important part is making sure that the font is easy to read, and sans-serif fonts are usually a good way to go. By the way, it’s always a good idea to get a second set of eyes on your presentation before your big speech—and be sure to practice it a few times to iron out the kinks !

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How to Choose the Best Font for PowerPoint Presentations

Saikat Basu

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An image on a slide may speak a thousand words, but you do need text to explain the finer details. And that’s where choosing the best font for PowerPoint presentations becomes a critical exercise. In short, if you want to make a flawless PowerPoint presentation , you must pay attention to your fonts.

The interesting thing about fonts is that each has a personality. It’s like the three-piece suit that will be out of place at a barbeque but is perfect for an evening at the Savoy.

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Why is choosing the right fonts so critical?

Slides aren’t like the pages of a book. They are billboards on the highway. 

When you run through your slides, they will linger for just a few seconds. The words on the slides have to capture interest, send the right message, and support the visuals in those few seconds.

Fonts influence your audience by setting the tone and atmosphere of the presentation. The right choice of fonts or font pairings can make your text stand out by separating it from other elements around it. Typefaces are also brand symbols that help the audience relate to it through the presentation.

Before you get into the deep end, let’s learn the distinction between two major font types.

What are serif and sans serif fonts?

Times New Roman is the classic example of a serif font. The letters have tiny extensions that appear to connect them together in words as one letter leads to the next. 

Newspapers and magazines use serif fonts for body text as they are easier to read. Serif fonts have distinct line heights that make them more legible in dense copy.

They lose this clarity if you pack them together in the body. That’s why designers recommend sans serif fonts for titles, headings, and captions in your slides.

The critical font pair: title vs body text

All Microsoft PowerPoint presentations by default start with two fonts — one font for the headings and one for the body text. This font pairing decides the entire look of the presentation. The theme plays an important role in the font choices and even blank presentations give you a theme to build upon.

The first question you may have to answer is how big your fonts should be? The simple answer is that it depends. Factors like screen size and room size dictate the limits of font size. Font sizes can hinge upon you emailing the presentation or delivering it live on stage or on a PC screen in a remote meeting. 

Also, all fonts have an optimum size for legibility. Arial is clear at 12pts while Times New Roman is readable at 10pts. 

Most presentation experts recommend these size ranges. The thumb rule — a larger font size with less text on screen is always good.

The default slide in PowerPoint starts with 60pts for section headers and 24pts for body font.

• Header Font: Between 26 and 42 point
• Body Font: Between 18 and 24 point

You can use the same font for both, but that can limit the visual impact of your slide.

10 tips for choosing the best font for PowerPoint presentations

Never sacrifice readability for style. With that motto in mind, follow these Microsoft PowerPoint tips to choose the best fonts for your business presentation or any other.

1. Choose two fonts

Three fonts can be a crowd. Choose two fonts wisely and use size, contrast, and color to combine them for visual interest. Font pairing is a critical part of PowerPoint presentations and you will have to spend a lot of time on this decision. The second font shouldn’t be too unlike or too similar to the primary typeface where you miss the distinction.

Tip: There are many font pairing tools available on the web. But play the TypeConnection typography game if you want to get better at it yourself.

2. Choose standard fonts

You want your presentation to look the same on all devices. Choose from standard fonts and you won’t have to rescue your slides from turning into a mishmash on another screen. You can be more imaginative if you are presenting to children or at Comic Con, but standard fonts are the safest bet always.

Tip: Here’s a complete list of fonts available on Windows 10 .

3. Avoid script fonts and decorative text

Script fonts like Lucida Calligraphy or Gothic fonts like Century are always difficult to read. You can use them if the topic of the talk demands it.

4. Create visual interest with serif and sans serif fonts

As we emphasized earlier, serif and sans serif fonts have their own advantages and disadvantages. You can pair them and tap into their strengths.

5. Select color and create contrast

Go for font colors that are a part of your brand. Using color swatches and precise Hexadecimal or RGB values ensures colors stay consistent across slides. 

Also, you might have to check your slide for accessibility for all as someone in the audience can be color blind and may not be able to decipher red or green.

Tip: There are many color palette generators available on the web for free. Try Coolors .

6. Have contrasting text and background colors

Fonts must stand out against the background. The higher the contrast between the two, the better the readability across the room will be. Use the color wheel to pick the background and the font colors. Opposite colors on the color wheel clash with each other and have the maximum contrast. For instance, orange on blue.

Always use the same background on each slide. Text against white backgrounds is not legible in a larger room. For the best results, opt for dark slides with light-colored text.

Tip: Go through a gallery of well-designed PowerPoint templates or use PowerPoint Designer as a shortcut to grasp the interplay of contrast.

7. Less is more with caps and italics

Don’t capitalize all the letters in the body text as it is difficult to read. Selectively use caps for acronyms and for emphasis. Similarly, choose italics sparingly for quotes or highlighting the names of books, authors, and journal titles, etc. 

You can make a creative choice by using italic text sparingly for impact or you can also substitute them with subtle formatting to the standard fonts.

Tip: Caps and italics may be able to work with specific fonts, but you may need access to those fonts. You can use Picsart's text editor to play around with text that may suit your presentation better.

8. Limit the use of animated fonts

Animated fonts can be distracting. Avoid animating your text or use it only if it serves a functional purpose. Ask yourself if it adds clarity to your data or is just a cute effect.

9. Keep an eye on font tracking and kerning

Learn these two typography terms and you will have an easier time placing your words on the slide. Kerning adjusts the spacing between two adjacent letters in a font. Tracking adjusts the space between all letters together. Both influence the readability of text.

For instance, you can avoid using narrow or condensed typefaces. Instead, pick a thicker font and tweak it with tracking and kerning within PowerPoint. 

For more on changing the spaces between text, read this Microsoft support article .

Tip: Play the KernType typography game to get familiar with the basics of the two principles.

10. Make interesting shape effects

It doesn’t always have to be just about fonts and simple colors. The Shape Effects panel on PowerPoint gives you a lot of control over the finished appearance of text on the slide. 

For instance, you can adjust the transparency of the letters. You can also “texturize” the words by using pictures to fill the words instead of a solid fill color. 

• Select the word and right click. 
• From the context menu, click on Format Text Effects.
• The Format Shape panel is displayed on the right. 
• Select Text Options > Text Fill & Outline.
• Choose Picture or texture fill. 

You can now use an image or any texture to decorate your words. Picture or texture fills are a creative way to use standard fonts but still make them stand apart on your slides. Of course, never overdo it. 

Tip: Shape effects go well with thicker fonts.

15 of the most versatile fonts you can use in PowerPoint

These fonts (and a few more) are versatile because they are standard fonts and are available on both Windows and macOS. You don’t have to go after fancy typefaces just yet. Focus on your layout. Use the design pointers from the above list and give your slides an attractive makeover.

• Franklin Gothic
• Times New Roman
• Palatino       

Think of typography in PowerPoint as design

Practice with your eye. Play one font against the other for interesting unions. Typography isn’t just for selecting fonts and using them to occupy your slide with words. It is an essential design element in any place where visual communication matters. You can design your presentations faster once you work out how fonts work together and learn a bit about color theory. 

Want to learn more about how good design comes together? Start with some of the basic and advanced PowerPoint techniques .

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Saikat is a writer who hunts for the latest tricks in Microsoft Office and web apps. He doesn't want to get off the learning curve, so a camera and a harmonica claim an equal share of his free time.

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How to Change Font Size in PowerPoint? [A Complete Guide!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Using the correct font size in your PowerPoint presentation is critical in making it legible! After all, you don’t want your audience squinting at the screen when you are presenting at an auditorium or even when reading it over an email. Thus, it is important to know how to change the font size in PowerPoint.

To change font size in PowerPoint, first, select the text. Then, click on the “Font Size Dropdown” option from the “Font” group on the “Home” tab in PowerPoint. Choose font size 16 or 18 for desktop presentations, and size 30 if your presentation will be seen on a big screen in an auditorium.

In this article, we shall understand how to change the font size in PowerPoint and what font size should you use. Plus, we will also learn how to change the font size of text across all slides within PowerPoint in one go. That, and much more!

So, let’s get started!

1. How to Change the Font Size in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can add text to content placeholders on a slide or to an inserted text box. Once you select the text box or the placeholder, you can change the size of the text.

Besides, you can also change the font size of the slide layouts and the master slide that affects the entire presentation. You can do so by using the “Font” group in the “Home” tab in PowerPoint .

1a. Method 1 – Using the Font Size Dropdown

To change the font size, you have to first click on the text box in the slide. Then click on the “Font Size” box in the “Font” group of the “Home” menu.

You can click on your preferred font size from the dropdown list. You can also enter the font size directly in the “Font Size” box using your keyboard.

1b. Method 2 – Using the Increase or Decrease Font Size Buttons

You can also change the font size in PowerPoint slides by using the “Increase Font Size” and the “Decrease Font Size” buttons located at the right of the “Font Size” box.

“Increase Font Size”

The “Increase Font Size” icon looks like the letter A with an upward arrow. Clicking on the button will increase the font size by 2 points.

Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+Shift+>” keys on your keyboard. You can repeatedly click on the button until the text reaches the preferred font size.

“Decrease Font Size”

The “Decrease Font Size” icon looks like the letter A with a downward arrow. The font size of the selected text will decrease by 2 points when you click on the icon.

Alternatively, you can press the “Ctrl+Shift+<” keys on your keyboard. You can repeat the process until the text decreases to your preferred font size.

2. How to Change the Font Size on All Slides in PowerPoint?

Changing the font size on a single slide is what you most need. However, sometimes, you also need to change the size of fonts across the complete presentation. In such a scenario, changing the font size on each slide can become really monotonous and time-consuming.

In order to change the font size on all slides in PowerPoint, you will need to use the “Slide Master” in PowerPoint .

Here are the steps that you need to follow in order to change the fonts on all slides of your presentation.

Step-1: Click on the “Slide Master” option

The first step is to open the “Slide Master” view. To do so, click on the “View” tab in the ribbon menu located at the top of the screen.

Then click on the “Slide Master” option in the “Master Views” group of the “View” menu.

Step-2: Click on the master slide

In the “Slide Master” view, click on the master slide. It is the top slide in the slide layout pane located on the left side of the screen.

In the master slide, highlight a bullet level or the entire text to change its font size.

Step-3: Click on the “Font Size” box

Now you have to click on the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon. In the “Font” group of the “Home” menu, click on the “Font Size” box to type in your preferred font size.

You can also select a font size from the dropdown list.

Step-4: Click on the “Close Master View” option

Now all you have to do is click on the “Slide Master” tab in the menu ribbon of the “Slide Master” view.

Then click on the “Close Master View” button to automatically save the changed font size for all texts in the presentation and return to the normal view.

3. How to Change the Default Font Size in PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to change the default font size for a presentation. This will affect all the texts in the open presentation file.

3a. Change Default Font Size of All Text in PowerPoint

In PowerPoint, you can add text to either a text box or a placeholder. To change the default font size of all the texts, you have to change the default font size of the placeholder and the text box separately.

To change the default font size of all the placeholders in a presentation, you have to access the “Slide Master” view. Refer to section 2 for the detailed steps of the process.

To change the default font size of all textboxes in the presentation, refer to the steps mentioned in the subsequent section 4.

3b. Change Font Size of Selected Text in PowerPoint

To change the font size of a selected text in PowerPoint, you have to first click on the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon. Then click on the “Font Size” box to select the preferred font size from the dropdown menu, or type in the number inside the box.

You can alternatively press the “Ctrl+Shift+>” keys on your keyboard to increase the font size and the “Ctrl+Shift+<” keys to decrease the font size.

4. How to Change Default Font Size of Text Box in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the default font size is 18 points for all text boxes. To change this default font size of the text box, follow the 2 quick steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Font Size” box

The first step is to click on any text box in the presentation. Then click on the “Font Size” box in the “Font” group of the “Home” tab. You can now select a font size from the dropdown list or type in the preferred font size inside the “Font Size” box.

Consider making any other changes to the text or formatting the text as per your requirement before moving on to the next step.

Step-2: Click on the “Set as Default Text Box” option

Now all you have to do is “Right-click” on the text box with the changed font size. In the right-click menu, click on the “Set as Default Text Box” option.

Now all new textboxes will have the changed font size as default.

One thing to note here is that the font size of the text in any existing text boxes will not change in your presentation. However, the changes will be visible the next time you add a text box on your slides in PowerPoint.

5. How to Change Font Size Automatically in a Text Box?

Microsoft PowerPoint offers the “Shrink text on overflow” feature using the autofit text options that automatically decreases the size of the text with the size of the text box. However, there is no feature to automatically increase the font size with the text box.

To enable the “Shrink text on overflow” feature, follow the 3 easy steps mentioned below

Step-1: Click on the “Format Shape” option

The first step is to “Right Click” on the text box. Then click on the “Format Shape” option from the right-click menu. This will open the “Format Shape” options in PowerPoint on the right side of the screen.

Step-2: Click on the “Text Options” tab

In the “Format Shape” sidebar, click on the “Text Options” tab. Under the “Text Options” tab, click on the “Text Box” option which is the last icon and looks like the letter A in a paragraph.

Step-3: Click on the “Shrink text on overflow” option

Now all you have to do is click on the “Shrink text on overflow” option in the “Format Shape” sidebar to enable the feature.

5a. How to Prevent Font Size From Changing Automatically?

You can also stop the font size from changing automatically with the size of the text box. All you have to do is click on the “Do not Autofit” option in the “Format Shape” sidebar on the right side of the screen.

6. How to Change Font Size of Notes in PowerPoint?

The notes in Microsoft PowerPoint can be used as speaker notes, or even printed out for your audience. Using the “Notes Master” in PowerPoint , you can change the font size of the notes.

Here’s a quick overview of what you need to do –

Step-1: Click on the “Notes Master” option

The first step is to click on the “View” tab to open the “View Options in PowerPoint” . Then click on the “Notes Master” option in the “Master Views” group of the “View” menu.

Step-2: Click on the “Home” tab

In the “Notes Master” screen, you have to now select the entire text or a bullet level in the placeholder to change its font size. Then click on the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

In the “Font” group of the “Home” tab, click on the “Font Size” box. Then select a font size option from the dropdown menu or type a font size in the box (as shown in the image in step 2).

You can also click on the “Increase Font Size” button next to the “Font Size” box to increase the font size. Click on the “Decrease Font Size” button to decrease the font size of the notes.

Step-4: Click on the “Close Master View” button

The final step is to click on the “Notes Master” tab in the ribbon menu located at the top of the screen.

Then click on the “Close Master View” button which is the last option in the “Notes Master” tab to save the changed font size for the presentation notes.

7. How to Change Font Size of Footer in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the footer present at the bottom of all slides in a presentation is editable in the master slide.

You can change the font size or even edit the footer in PowerPoint using the “Slide Master” view. Here’s what you need to do –

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, you have to first click on the “View” tab. Then click on the “Slide Master” option in the “Master Views” group of the “View” menu. This will open the “Slide Master” view.

Step-2: Click on the footer

In the “Slide Master” view, click on the master slide which is the top slide in the slide layout pane on the left side of the screen.

Now you have to highlight the text in the footer section located at the bottom of the master slide.

The next step is to click on the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon. In the “Font” group of the “Home” menu, click on the “Font Size” box.

You can now select a font size for the footer from the dropdown menu or type in your preferred number in the “Font Size” box (as shown in the image in step 2).

Finally, you have to click on the “Slide Master” tab in the menu ribbon of the “Slide Master” view. In the “Slide Master” tab, click on the “Close Master View” button to save changes to the font size of the footer and return to normal view.

8. Change Font Size of Data Label of a Chart in PowerPoint?

Sometimes, you also want to change the font size of data labels on a chart in PowerPoint. Well, you can do that too. You can change the font size of each label separately or for the entire chart at once. Here’s how –

8a. Change Font Size of a Single Label

To change the font size of a single label in a PowerPoint chart, click on the label to select it separately. Then click on the “Font Size” box in the “Font” group of the “Home” menu to enter your preferred font size.

You can alternatively click on the “Increase Font Size” icon or the “Decrease Font Size” icon next to the “Font Size” box repeatedly until the label reaches your preferred font size.

8b. Change Font Size of All Labels

To change the font size of all the labels in a chart at once, click on an empty space inside the chart. This will select the entire chart on a slide.

Now all you have to do is enter your preferred font size in the “Font Size” box in the “Font” group of the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon. You can also select a font size from the dropdown list under the “Font Size” box.

9. What is the Minimum Possible Font Size in PowerPoint?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the lowest possible font size is 1 point. You can click on the “Font Size” box in the “Font” section of the “Home” menu, and enter any number between 1 to 3600. However, the least possible font size available in the dropdown list under the “Font Size” box is 8 points.

10. Can’t Change Font Size in PowerPoint? Here’s What to Do!

If you cannot change the font size of a text box in PowerPoint, it is likely that the text box is inserted into the master slide or the slide layout.

In the “Slide Master” view, any inserted object except the placeholders is not editable in the normal view.

To be able to change the font size, you have to open the specific slide layout in the slide master view, select the text box, and change the font size of the text.

Step-1: Click on the “View” tab

The first step is to click on the “View” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen. In the “View” menu, click on the “Slide Master” option.

Step-2: Click on the text box

In the slide layout pane of the “Slide Master” view, click on the slide layout containing the uneditable text box. Then highlight the text inside the text box.

The next step is to click on the “Home” tab in the menu ribbon of the “Slide Master” view. In the “Font” group of the “Home” menu, click on the “Font Size” box. Now all you have to do is type in your preferred font size for the text.

Finally, you can click on the “Slide Master” tab in the menu ribbon. In the “Slide Master” menu, click on the “Close Master View” option to save the changes to the font size of the text box.

Credit to pressahotkey (on Freepik) for the featured image of this article (further edited)

Font sizes: Design for the last row!

How large should texts in presentations be so that they can also be read in the back rows here is the answer.

For the correct PowerPoint font size, Guy Kawasaki’s rule of thumb is: “The smallest font size you should use is the age of the oldest viewer divided by two. Therefore, it is better not to use references and footnotes in the presentation, both belong in the handouts and are no longer recognizable from row 2 anyway. From our experience, font sizes below 14 points are not suitable for a presentation that is held. For headlines you should use at least 26 points when creating your slide master .

You should also avoid too small font sizes for charts and diagrams. Especially if you are presenting to a larger audience.

PowerPoint font size for reading presentations:

If you create a PowerPoint presentation to be sent by e-mail and then read on the monitor or printed (reading presentation = all information is on the slides), then slightly different rules apply: at least 10-12 points for continuous text and 16 points for headlines.

Line spacing is also important!

For the line spacing (ZAB) you should set approx. 120%-130% of the font size. If the line spacing corresponds to the point size of the font, the text is uncomfortable to read. The line spacing (ZAB) is too BIG if it is >150% of the font size.

Very long lines are harder to read and should be softly wrapped with SHIFT + ENTER! Maximum 40 to 60 characters per line.

The size of the slides also plays an important role: the smaller the slide, the larger the font size.

16:9 widescreen film 33,87 x 14,29 cm and 4:3 film 25,4 x 19,05 cm

Hold presentation Heading: approx. 26. point // Continuous text: 14 – 16 point.

Reading presentation Heading: from 16 points // Continuous text: 10 – 12 points.

16:9 wide screen slide in the format 25,4 x 19,05 cm (old 16:9 format)

Hold presentation Heading: approx. 33 points // Continuous text: 18 – 21 points.

Reading presentation Heading: from 21 points // Continuous text: 13 – 13 points.

The optimal line spacing (ZAB): Rule of thumb: factor approx. 120%-130% of the font size. Alternatively, select “Simple” in PowerPoint line spacing.

We optimize your presentations!

Donald Völker Managing Director, Creative Director

Fon +49 (0) 4108-419 888 E-Mail d.voelker@v2-powerpoint.de

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Blog > How to find the best font for your PowerPoint presentation

How to find the best font for your PowerPoint presentation

07.26.21   •  #powerpoint #tips.

An important point for PowerPoint presentations is to choose a suitable font that is easy to read but at the same time shouldn't be boring. Are you still looking for a good font for your presentation? We have listed a few tips for you here.

Serif or Sans Serif font?

Serif fonts are fonts that have fine lines at the end of the letters, such as the Times New Roman font. They are especially used in print.

Fonts without serifs appear more modern and are easier to read, which is why it makes sense to use a sans serif font for the texts. The resolution of these fonts is also better on the beamer, which is why they are mostly used for presentations.

However, you should always pay attention to the topic you are giving your presentation on. Above all, you should bear in mind that serif fonts tend to look older, while sans-serif fonts look modern. Think about what you want to communicate with your presentation and then choose a suitable font.

Which fonts look good together?

To avoid your presentation looking messy or confusing, do not combine more than 2 fonts. It is best to use a different font for headings than for bullet points.

When combining different fonts, make sure that the two fonts are not too similar and that they differ from each other. The contrast between them should also not be too great, otherwise the whole thing will look inharmonious. It makes sense to combine a serif font with a sans serif font.

Another possibility is to combine fonts from the same font family. The contrast is usually created by different stroke widths and the text looks harmonious.

What is a good font size for PowerPoint presentations?

When choosing the font size, it is best to consider where the presentation will be given and how far away the audience is. The font should be large enough to be easily read from the very back.

Headings should be somewhere between 40pt and 50pt. The individual bullet points should not be smaller than 20pt and can be up to about 32pt.

To make the presentation easy to read, it is important to have a high contrast between the background and the font. It is best to always use a light font on a dark background or vice versa. The best contrast is between black and white.

Best fonts for PowerPoint

So finding the best font for you depends on many factors. But we have listed a few fonts here that do well in presentations.

This is a rather new font and therefore optimised for the screen. Its particularly wide spaces make it easy to read.

Like Verdana, Segoe UI is particularly easy to read on the screen. Its narrower character spacing also makes it very suitable for headlines.

Corbel appears very organized, clear and serious. It has also been optimised for presentations and is still easy to read even at greater distances.

Palatino is a rather unusual font that stands out from all the default fonts. It looks very elegant and is easy to read.

This is one of the oldest fonts and is more of a font style that includes fonts such as Garamond ITC and Adobe Garamond.

Tahoma is a very legible and clear font that is especially popular for presentations.

Century Gothic

Century Gothic has a geometric style and is particularly suitable for headlines and small amounts of text.

Script, italic and decorative fonts tend to read slowly and interrupt the flow of reading. It is better to avoid such fonts in your presentations.

Download fonts for PowerPoint

Would you like to use a font that has perhaps not been seen that often? Then you can also search for a nice font for your PowerPoint presentation on Google Fonts and download it for free.

When you have found a suitable font, select it and click on Download. Then open the ".ttf file" and click on Install. You can now use the font in your PowerPoint presentation.

Embed fonts in PowerPoint

If you now use one of the fonts you have downloaded, there is only one problem you need to be aware of.

You may be giving the presentation on another computer that does not have the font installed. Your selected font will then simply be replaced by a standard font so that at least the text can still be read.

What you can do about this and how to embed fonts in PowerPoint can be read here.

What is the best font for PowerPoint?

Some fonts that will look good in your presentation are: Verdana, Segoe UI, Corbel und Tahoma. But finding the right font for your PowerPoint depends on many factors. We have written down some tips for you to find the best font.

What is the best font size for PowerPoint?

The font should be large enough to be easy to read even at greater distances. Headings should be somewhere between 40pt and 50pt in size. Bullet points should not be smaller than 20pt and can be up to about 32pt.

Which fonts look good together in presentations?

Do not combine more than 2 fonts in your presentation. Use one for headings and one for the bullet points. If you combine different fonts make sure that they are not too similar but also that the contrast between them is not too great. A good combination for example is Cambria and Calibri.

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About the author.

Helena Reitinger

Helena supports the SlideLizard team in marketing and design. She loves to express her creativity in texts and graphics.

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Slide transitions.

Slide transitions are visual effects which appear in PowerPoint when one slide moves to the next. There are many different transitions, like for example fade and dissolve.

Classroom Communication System (CCS)

A Classroom Communication System allows students and teachers to communicate efficently online. It improves students' engagement as they are animated to ask questions, give feedback and take notes. There are various companies that offer CCS solutions.

Slide Layouts

PowerPoint has different types of Slide Layouts. Depending on which type of presentation you make, you will use more or less different slide layouts. Some Slide Types are: title slides, section heading slides, picture with caption slides, blank slides.

.potm file extension

A .potm file is a template for macro-enabled presentations. They are used for creating more .pptm files with the same macro settings and the same formatting.

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The 33 Best Fonts for PowerPoint Presentations

• BY Bogdan Sandu
• 7 February 2024

Picture this: You’ve crafted the most compelling PowerPoint, your content’s pure gold. But wait, does your font scream snooze fest or radiate confidence?  That’s where I step in .

Slide design  isn’t just about pretty visuals; it’s the fine print too. Think about it, the  legibility ,  typography , and  sans-serif charm  that could make or break your presentation. We’re diving into a world where  Arial  isn’t the alpha, and  Calibri  has companions.

By the end of this deep-dive, you’ll be armed with  examples of the best fonts for PowerPoint presentations . Fonts that won’t just hold your audience’s gaze but glue it to the screen.

From  PowerPoint font styles  to mastering the  visual hierarchy in slides , I’ve got your back. We’re talking  readability , professionalism, and those oh-so-subtle nuances of  typeface selection .

Ready to transform your text from  meh  to  magnificent ? Let’s turn that tide with typeface.

Top Fonts for PowerPoint Presentations

Serif fonts.

Serif fonts are the old souls of typography. They’re classic, elegant, and have a touch of sophistication. Think of them like a fine wine – they just make everything look more refined.

Times New Roman

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How to Format Text in PowerPoint

You can use the Font group of the Home tab to change the way the text in your presentation appears by changing the font type, size, color, and style.

Change Font Type

One way to emphasize text in a presentation is by changing its font type. A font type is a set of characters with the same design and shape.

If you want all of text in a text box to change, you can just select the text box.

Preview a font by hovering over it in the menu.

Use the Font list arrow on the Mini Toolbar that appears near the mouse when you have selected text.

Change Font Size

• Select the text you want to change.

Preview a font size by hovering over it in the menu.

Use the Font Size list arrow on the Mini Toolbar.

Change Font Color

Changing font color is yet another way to emphasize text in a presentation.

The colors that appear at the top coordinate with your current presentation theme.

Preview a font color by hovering over it in the menu.

Use the Font Color list arrow on the Mini Toolbar.

The Font Color button always displays the color that was used most recently. To quickly apply this color to other selected text, simply click the Font Color button instead of the list arrow.

Apply Text Effects

In addition to changing font type, size, and color, you can also emphasize the text in a presentation by changing the text effects. The most common and popular styles are bold, italic, and underline, but other styles such as shadow and strikethrough are also useful.

• To bold, Ctrl + B .
• To italicize, Ctrl + I .
• To underline, Ctrl + U .

To remove a font style from selected text, simply click the style button again, or use the Clear All Formatting button.

Change the Case

If you want to change the letter case for an entire block of text, it’s simple to switch to lowercase, uppercase, sentence case, or capitalize each word without manually changing each letter. You can also reverse the case of selected text with the toggle case option.

• Select the text.
• Click the Change Case button.

There are a couple of different ways to align the text in a text box. You can select from both horizontal and vertical alignment options.

• Select a horizontal alignment option.

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Powerpoint guidelines for presenters.

ARL is strongly committed to providing access to its web content to people with print disabilities. To help us meet our commitment, please follow this checklist when creating PowerPoint slides to be shown at our meetings and subsequently posted on our website.

• Each slide should have a unique title.
• All slides should use a minimum font size of 24 points.
• The document should utilize recommended fonts, e.g., Palatino, Georgia,  Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, and Helvetica.
• If color is used to emphasize the importance of selected text or convey other meaning, an alternate method (such as bold text) should also be used.
• Avoid using flickering, flashing, and animated text.
• All URLs should contain the correct hyperlinks and display the fully qualified URLs (e.g., https://www.arl.org/ not www.arl.org ).
• All active links should resolve to the correct destinations.
• All slide graphics that convey information should have alternative text associated with them. (Right-click the graphic, click “Format object,” click the “Alt Text” pane and enter a brief description of the graphic.)
• Fill in the Document Properties of Author, Title, Subject, Keywords, and Language under the “Summary” and “Custom” tabs. (On a Mac, see File > Properties; on a PC, see File >Info.)

If you would like more information about making PowerPoint presentations fully accessible, please view ARL’s detailed checklist .

Change the size of your slides

Basic steps.

To change the slide size:

Select the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon.

Select Standard (4:3 aspect ratio) or Widescreen (16:9) or Custom Slide Size .

For more about the predefined sizes (including formats like Overhead, A3, A4, Banner, B4, and B5) or your own custom sizing, click a heading below to expand it and see the details .

Detailed steps

Choose the standard or widescreen slide size.

On the Design tab of the Ribbon, locate Slide Size in the Customize group, near the far right end of the toolbar.

Select Slide Size , and then select either Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

Maximize : Select this option to increase the size of your slide content when you are scaling to a larger slide size. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Ensure Fit : Select this option to decrease the size of your content when scaling to a smaller slide size. This could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation.  However, you can make it easy to create a new 4:3 presentation for yourself whenever you want—by defining a custom theme that uses the 4:3 aspect ratio. See the section below named "Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations."

Choose another size, such as A3, B4, or Overhead

Select Slide Size , and then select Custom Slide Size .

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option. Their dimensions are listed below:

Overhead provides an aspect ratio very close to the standard 4:3 slide size.

There are two options for 16:9 aspect ratios:

On-screen Show (16:9) sets the slide dimensions to 10 in x 5.625 in.

Widescreen sets it to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Both of these options are the same aspect ratio so they will look the same in Normal View , since PowerPoint automatically adjusts the zoom level. Widescreen (13.333 in x 7.5 in.) provides more slide surface area for the content, so that is the best choice for presentations. Widescreen won’t fit on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper without you having to scale it down.

Select OK to accept the dimensions and close the Slide Size dialog box.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimeters, or pixels)

The Slide Size dialog box opens.

In the Slide Size dialog box, ensure the orientation is set the way you want it.

In the Height and Width boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in , cm , or px .

PowerPoint then converts measurements, if necessary, to the type of unit your operating system uses.

You can change the unit of measure that is shown in PowerPoint dialog boxes if you like.

Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations

This version of PowerPoint has a default size of 16:9 for new presentation, but you can create a different default for yourself.

Start PowerPoint.

On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New . Then double-click the Blank Presentation to create a new, empty presentation.

Then on the Design tab, click Slide Size and choose the size you want for a default.

(If you want a different default slide size than what's listed there, select Custom Slide Size and then choose your size in the Slide Size dialog box, and then click OK .)

Select Save Current Theme .

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save . Don't change the folder that the new theme is to be saved in.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow again in the bottom-right corner of the Themes group. You'll see your newly saved theme under a Custom heading.

Right-click that new custom theme under the Custom heading, and then select Set as Default Theme :

Close PowerPoint. Don't save any files if it prompts you.

Open PowerPoint again. On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New .

The custom theme that you just saved is listed at the top left corner, named Default Theme . The thumbnail image looks like a widescreen slide, but in reality, when you create a new presentation based on that theme, the presentation has the aspect ratio that you've defined for this default theme.

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the custom size you chose by default.

Sizing applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to resize one slide within a presentation. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

If this is a feature you’d like to request, please send us your feedback to help us prioritize new features in future updates. See  How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365  for more information.

Orientation applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to change the page orientation of certain slides. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

Change the page orientation in PowerPoint between landscape and portrait

Use portrait and landscape slide orientation in the same presentation

Reduce the file size of a picture

On the File menu, select Page Setup .

In the Page Setup dialog box, under Slides sized for , select the predefined size you want, or choose Custom and specify the dimensions you want.

Select Slide Size .

Select Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

PowerPoint may prompt you about scaling your content. Choose one of the following options:

Scale: Select this option to decrease or increase the size of your slide content. When scaling to a smaller slide size, this could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

Don't Scale: Select this option to maintain the size of your slide content. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Choose Page Setup from the menu that appears.

Page Setup gives you an assortment of predefined slide/page size options. The options and their dimensions are listed below:

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option.

Widescreen sets the dimensions to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimers, or pixels)

Select Slide Size , and then click Page Setup .

The Page Setup dialog box opens.

In the Width and Height boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in (inches) or cm (centimeters) or px (pixels).

PowerPoint then converts the measurements, if necessary, to the unit of measurement your operating system uses.

Make a new slide size the default for new presentations

Select Slide Size , and then select Page Setup .

Follow the steps in the prior section to choose the slide size you want.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes.

Click Save Current Theme at the bottom of the window.

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save .

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes again. You'll see your newly saved theme under Custom .

Right-click your new custom theme, and then click Set as Default Theme .

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the size you chose for your default theme.

Some folks have asked about resizing one slide within a presentation. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

Some folks have also asked about changing the page orientation of certain slides. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

On the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon, click Slide Size in the Customize group.

Click Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint for the web is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation. 

You can also change the orientation of all the slides in your presentation. See Change the page orientation for instructions.

Choose custom dimensions

In the Width and Height boxes, type a measurement in inches . PowerPoint doesn't accept measurements outside the minimum and maximum shown below:

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How-To Geek

How to change the default font in powerpoint.

Instead of changing the font each time you open PowerPoint, just change the default font.

Quick Links

Changing the default font in text boxes, changing the font via the replace fonts command, changing the default font for text boxes, save your default font in a template.

PowerPoint provides several different ways to change the default font of a presentation. You can set a default font for new text boxes, find and replace specific fonts throughout the presentation, or change the default font for heading and body text and save it for future use. Here’s how.

PowerPoint provides a large library of different themes, and each theme has its own set of default fonts. If you like the design of the theme, but you aren’t particularly happy with the font, then you can change it. The easiest way to make this happen is in PowerPoint’s Slide Master.

As Microsoft points out, Master slides control the overall appearance of the presentation. This includes colors, background, effects, and, most importantly, fonts. To access the Slide Master, go ahead and open PowerPoint, head over to the “View” tab, and then click the “Slide Master” button.

You’ll notice a copy of each available slide template appear in the left-hand pane. Select the first slide and then click the “Fonts” button on the “Slide Master” tab.

A drop-down menu will appear. Here, you’ll see an extensive list of predefined heading and body font pairs. Selecting any of these options will change the text for the entire presentation. Alternatively, you can choose the “Customize Fonts” option at the bottom of the menu to choose your own fonts.

The “Create New Theme Fonts” window will now appear. Here, you can choose the font style for the heading and body, individually. To the right, you’ll see a preview of the text. Once you’re finished with that, go ahead and give your new theme font a name, then select “Save.”

PowerPoint also has a convenient feature that allows you to find and replace different fonts in your presentation. In the “Editing” group of the “Home” tab, select the arrow next to “Replace.”

A drop-down menu will appear. Here, select “Replace Fonts.”

The “Replace Font” window will appear. Select the font you’d like to replace, then select the font you’d like to replace it with. Once finished, select “Replace.”

Another feature is changing the default font for text boxes. To do this, head to the “Insert” tab and then click the “Text Box” button.

Next, draw a text box by clicking and dragging your cursor to the desired size. Type the text into your text box.

Once your text is entered, apply the format to this text that you would like to make the default. That includes font style, size, and color. Once you’ve customized the text to your liking, right-click the text box. From the menu that appears, select “Set as Default Text Box.”

Next time you insert a text box, it will use this font format.

If you want to save your settings as a template for future use, head over to the “File” tab and then select “Save As.”

In the “Other locations" group, click “Browse.”

Navigate to the location of your Custom Office Templates folder. This file path usually looks something like this:

C:\Users\user\Documents\Custom Office Templates

Once you’re at the correct location, click the arrow in the “Save as type” box.

In the menu that appears, select “PowerPoint Template.”

Finally, click “Save” at the bottom-right of the window.

Your template with your customized fonts is now saved.

Byte Bite Bit

How to Change Theme Font in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

PowerPoint presentations are the bread and butter of professional communication, and let’s be honest, who doesn’t want their slides to look sleek and polished? Customizing the theme fonts in PowerPoint is like giving your presentation a tailored suit—it turns it from drab to fab in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s for a business pitch or a classroom lecture, the right font can make or break your audience’s attention. Trust us, we’ve sat through enough presentations to know a font faux pas when we see one.

By playing around with font pairings in PowerPoint, we can set the tone and ensure our message comes across crystal clear. It’s more than just choosing “pretty” fonts; it’s about readability, audience engagement, and reinforcing brand identity. Sometimes that default Calibri just doesn’t cut the mustard, and why settle for average when you can have extraordinary? Changing theme fonts across all slides brings a cohesive look to your presentation, showing that you’re as meticulous with your slides as you are with the presentation’s content.

So, roll up those sleeves because it’s time to dive into the Slide Master and teach those fonts who’s boss. We’ll tweak them, align them, and command them to show our presentation’s true character. Forget wrestling with fonts slide by slide—that’s old school. With a few slick moves in the Slide Master, your entire deck can have a consistent, customized look faster than you can say “Make it pop!” Better yet, with these adjustments, your template will be locked and loaded for future presentations, making this a one-time effort with lasting benefits.

• 1.1 Understanding Slide Design and Layouts
• 1.2 Leveraging PowerPoint Templates and Themes
• 1.3 Customizing Fonts and Colors
• 2.1 Choosing the Right Fonts for Your Presentation
• 2.2 Creating and Managing Theme Fonts
• 2.3 Replacing Fonts Across Your PowerPoint Presentation
• 3.1 Utilizing Slide Master and Layouts for Consistency
• 3.2 Incorporating Text and Paragraph Formatting
• 4.1 Exploring Variants and Effects to Enhance Visual Appeal

Crafting Engaging Presentations

Creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation isn’t just about cramming in the facts. We’ve got to weave a visual tale that grips our audience from the first slide to the last. Think of slides as individual stories, part of a larger narrative, each with a role to play.

Understanding Slide Design and Layouts

Diving into the heart of PowerPoint, the design and layout of our slides are the anchors of our story. Imagine a slide as a canvas — it’s our job to make it a masterpiece. We start with the basics: keeping text to a minimum and using high-quality images that resonate with our message. Remember, folks, less is more when we’re aiming to captivate!

Next up, we ensure our slide layouts are consistent, but not monotonous. Like a good drumbeat, consistency keeps our audience nodding along, but it’s the occasional cymbal crash — an impactful change in layout — that keeps them on the edge of their seats.

Leveraging PowerPoint Templates and Themes

Templates and themes are like the secret sauce in our presentation recipe. By choosing the right theme, we’re picking the vibe for our whole dish — be it spicy, zesty, or classic. But here’s a little trick: we don’t have to go with off-the-shelf flavors. By tweaking backgrounds and theme colors, we can customize templates to suit our style perfectly. Want to grab their eyeballs? Go for bold background styles. After a more subdued look? A dash of soothing colors will do the trick.

Customizing Fonts and Colors

When we talk about setting up the personality of our presentation, fonts and colors are where it’s at. Choosing the right font might feel like finding a needle in a haystack, but fear not. With PowerPoint’s built-in font options, we can mix and match until we hit the sweet spot.

PowerPoint Fonts: A Game Changer

We’re not just picking a pretty face; we’re crafting readability, setting the tone, and ensuring accessibility. Typically, sans-serif fonts work wonders for clarity, while serif fonts bring a touch of elegance. As for colors, we strike a balance between brand colors and emotional psychology. A splash of red can invigorate; a touch of blue can calm. It’s about finding the right color that speaks both our language and theirs.

Effective Utilization of Fonts in PowerPoint

Before diving in, it’s essential we touch on the foundation of using fonts effectively in PowerPoint. It’s not about just selecting a typeface that looks good; pairing appropriateness with readability can elevate your presentation to new heights.

Choosing the Right Fonts for Your Presentation

When it comes to selecting the perfect fonts for our slides, think about the venue and context. Is this a corporate presentation, or are we setting the scene for a creative pitch? For professional environments, stick to classics like Arial or Calibri which are clear and reader-friendly. Now, if we’re feeling a bit adventurous, let’s play with font combinations. Pair a serif with a sans-serif to balance sophistication with modernity.

• Serifs: Times New Roman, Garamond
• Sans-Serifs: Arial, Helvetica

Adventurous Combos:

• Heading: Playfair Display
• Body: Open Sans

Creating and Managing Theme Fonts

Our presentation’s vibe is tied closely to the fonts we choose as our defaults. To establish consistency, we create and manage theme fonts. Say we’re building a template. We jump into the Slide Master, located under the ‘View’ tab. Next, we customize fonts by creating a mix that resonates with our branding. Always consider readability and character when tweaking heading or body font styles.

Replacing Fonts Across Your PowerPoint Presentation

Sometimes a brief change sweeps through, and we’re tasked with altering the font style across the entire deck. It’s a breeze, primarily if we use the ‘Replace Fonts’ feature under the ‘Home’ tab. A few clicks and we swap out the old font for a spanking new font. This is life-saving when our presentations need a quick refresh or rebranding pivot. Always remember, consistency is key, so ensure the new font is applied across all slides for a unified look.

Mastering PowerPoint for Effective Communication

When it comes to crafting a professional presentation, the devil is in the details. Setting the right theme fonts in PowerPoint not only adds a layer of polish but ensures our message is crystal clear.

Utilizing Slide Master and Layouts for Consistency

We’ve all been there—halfway through a presentation when suddenly the fonts go rogue!

To prevent this, we harness the power of Slide Master. Simply go to the View tab and choose Slide Master . Here we find the theme fonts applied to every type of slide layout in our deck. Want to make a sweeping change? Just select a new font from the Fonts menu in the Slide Master view. This ensures every text box and placeholder adheres to our chosen style like bees to honey, keeping our presentation consistent from start to finish.

Incorporating Text and Paragraph Formatting

Text and paragraphs in PowerPoint are the vessels for our message. So, let’s dress them up for success, shall we? In the Font Group under the Home tab, we have a plethora of options to customize our text. But let’s not get carried away just because we can.

By selectively assigning styles and weights to our text, we light the way for our audience. Remember, our goal is to make our slides easy on the eyes and heavy on the impact. Keep it neat, treat alignment like your best friend, and let the white space do some heavy lifting.

Advanced PowerPoint Features and Customization

As we dive into the intricacies of PowerPoint, it’s clear that mastery of the advanced features can truly elevate a presentation. From the subtle yet impactful use of variants and effects to the granular control offered by theme options, these are just a few of the powerful tools at our disposal for crafting a custom experience.

Exploring Variants and Effects to Enhance Visual Appeal

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AI + Machine Learning , Announcements , Azure AI Content Safety , Azure AI Studio , Azure OpenAI Service , Partners

Introducing GPT-4o: OpenAI’s new flagship multimodal model now in preview on Azure

By Eric Boyd Corporate Vice President, Azure AI Platform, Microsoft

Posted on May 13, 2024 2 min read

• Tag: Copilot
• Tag: Generative AI

Microsoft is thrilled to announce the launch of GPT-4o, OpenAI’s new flagship model on Azure AI. This groundbreaking multimodal model integrates text, vision, and audio capabilities, setting a new standard for generative and conversational AI experiences. GPT-4o is available now in Azure OpenAI Service, to try in preview , with support for text and image.

Azure OpenAI Service

A step forward in generative AI for Azure OpenAI Service

GPT-4o offers a shift in how AI models interact with multimodal inputs. By seamlessly combining text, images, and audio, GPT-4o provides a richer, more engaging user experience.

Launch highlights: Immediate access and what you can expect

Azure OpenAI Service customers can explore GPT-4o’s extensive capabilities through a preview playground in Azure OpenAI Studio starting today in two regions in the US. This initial release focuses on text and vision inputs to provide a glimpse into the model’s potential, paving the way for further capabilities like audio and video.

Efficiency and cost-effectiveness

GPT-4o is engineered for speed and efficiency. Its advanced ability to handle complex queries with minimal resources can translate into cost savings and performance.

Potential use cases to explore with GPT-4o

The introduction of GPT-4o opens numerous possibilities for businesses in various sectors: 

• Enhanced customer service : By integrating diverse data inputs, GPT-4o enables more dynamic and comprehensive customer support interactions.
• Advanced analytics : Leverage GPT-4o’s capability to process and analyze different types of data to enhance decision-making and uncover deeper insights.
• Content innovation : Use GPT-4o’s generative capabilities to create engaging and diverse content formats, catering to a broad range of consumer preferences.

Exciting future developments: GPT-4o at Microsoft Build 2024 

We are eager to share more about GPT-4o and other Azure AI updates at Microsoft Build 2024 , to help developers further unlock the power of generative AI.

Get started with Azure OpenAI Service

Begin your journey with GPT-4o and Azure OpenAI Service by taking the following steps:

• Try out GPT-4o in Azure OpenAI Service Chat Playground (in preview).
• If you are not a current Azure OpenAI Service customer, apply for access by completing this form .
• Learn more about  Azure OpenAI Service  and the  latest enhancements.  
• Understand responsible AI tooling available in Azure with Azure AI Content Safety .
• Review the OpenAI blog on GPT-4o.

Let us know what you think of Azure and what you would like to see in the future.

Provide feedback

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