3 Ways to Add a Header in PowerPoint

Adding a customized header to your PowerPoint presentations can help enhance branding, improve accessibility, and keep audiences engaged. Whether you want to include your company logo, title, or other key information, headers are a great way to establish consistency across slides.

In this article, we’ll explore three easy methods for adding headers in PowerPoint:

1. Use PowerPoint’s Built-In Header Feature

PowerPoint has a handy “Header and Footer” tool that allows you to quickly add elements like date, time, slide numbers, and footer text. Here’s how to use it:

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the Insert tab.
2. Click on Header & Footer.
3. In the dialog box, switch to the Slide tab.
4. Check the boxes to enable the elements you want in your header such as date/time or slide number.
5. To add custom footer text, check the Footer box and type your text.
6. Click Apply to All to add the header to all slides.

This method is great for quickly adding standardized headers across your presentation. However, the header won’t display during the actual slideshow – only when printing notes or handouts.

2. Insert a Text Box

For more customization and to display headers in Presenter View or Slideshow Mode, you can manually add a text box.

1. Select the Insert tab and click Text Box.
2. Draw a text box at the top of the slide.
3. Type your header text or insert images/logos.
4. With the text box selected, open the Format tab.
5. Select Send to Back so the text sits behind slide content.
6. Copy and paste the text box to all other slides.

This gives you more control over the header design and content. You can also use shapes, images, and other elements along with text.

3. Edit the Slide Master

For maximum branding and customization, the Slide Master lets you add headers that propagate to all slides and even future presentations.

1. Select View > Slide Master.
2. Insert a text box or image at the top of the Slide Master.
3. Resize and format it as needed.
4. Close Slide Master view to save your changes.

Now every slide inherits that customized header. Just be careful not to overload the header, as too much text or imagery can distract from slide content.

Key Takeaways

• PowerPoint’s header and footer feature quickly adds standardized text/numbers.
• Manually inserted text boxes give more control over header design and content.
• Editing the Slide Master creates universal, branded headers across presentations.

Whichever method you choose, headers should be consistent, descriptive and enhance your core content without overpowering it. With the right balance, they can elevate your slides from bland to bold!