Changing the page size in PowerPoint 2013 is easy to do, allowing you to customize your slides for different presentation needs. Whether you want to use standard letter size, widescreen, or a custom dimension, PowerPoint makes it simple to update.
Steps to Change Page Size
Follow these steps to change the page size in PowerPoint 2013:
- Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the Design tab
- Click Slide Size > Custom Slide Size in the Page Setup group
- In the Slide Size dialog box, select the desired page size from the Slides sized for dropdown
- Choose Standard (4:3) for traditional displays
- Select Widescreen (16:9) for HD presentations
- Or, click Custom to set custom width and height
- For custom sizes, enter values in Width and Height in inches
- Adjust other settings like orientation if needed
- Click OK to apply the new slide size
That’s all there is to it! PowerPoint will resize your slides and optimize content fitting. Review each slide and make adjustments as needed.
Common Presentation Slide Sizes
Here are some of the most popular slide dimensions used in PowerPoint presentations:
- Standard (4:3) – 10″ x 7.5″
- Best for older projectors and screens
- Can print nicely on letter size paper (8.5″ x 11″)
- Widescreen (16:9) – 13.33″ x 7.5″
- Ideal for new HD displays and widescreen output
- Prints full bleed on Tabloid (11″ x 17″) paper
- Letter Paper – 8.5″ x 11″
- Perfectly fits letter paper with no scaling
- Standard business paper size in the US
- A4 Paper – 8.27″ x 11.69″
- Matches the A4 paper dimensions
- Common in international business settings
For a professional presentation, always test out your slide size on the actual display equipment you will use for the real presentation if possible.
Customizing Slide Size
For a truly customized slideshow, set a custom slide size in the Slide Size dialog box. Use this option when you need an exact width and height for special presentation needs.
Some examples include:
- Setting a slide size to match a custom projector resolution
- Designing slides for a trade show backdrop or presentation booth
- Preparing a digital presentation for a digital signage screen
When setting a custom slide size, pay attention to the final pixel dimensions and resolution to ensure a crisp, clear presentation. Standard resolution is 96 PPI.
Content Fitting
When you change the slide size in an existing presentation, PowerPoint will do its best to automatically scale and reposition content to fit the new layout.
You have two options for content fitting:
- Maximize – Scales content to fill the new slide size as much as possible
- Ensure Fit – Scales content down to make sure it fits fully in the new slide layout
Review each slide after changing size and make manual adjustments as needed. Some content may need to be repositioned or resized to look right in the new slide layout.
Tips for Changing Slide Size
Follow these best practices when adjusting PowerPoint slide size:
- Set slide size at the start before adding content
- Use widescreen for modern high-resolution displays
- Print 4:3 slides full size on letter paper
- Always test slides on the presentation equipment
- Check content formatting and positioning after changing size
- Adjust individual text boxes and elements manually if needed
Video Tutorial
Here is a helpful YouTube tutorial showing the slide size change process:
{%youtube zkfzPiAWDDo %}
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change slide sizes mid-presentation?
Unfortunately, you cannot mix slide sizes within the same PowerPoint presentation. The slide size applies to all slides. You will need to choose one size that works best overall.
Does slide size affect print size?
Yes, slide dimensions determine how the slides will print. Standard 4:3 slides print nicely full page on letter sized paper. Widescreen 16:9 slides may have left/right margins on letter paper.
What size should I use for posters?
For posters and large-format printing, set a custom slide size to match the exact poster dimensions needed up to 56 inches by 56 inches. PowerPoint can handle very large slides sizes.
What is the largest slide size allowed?
The maximum slide size available in PowerPoint 2013 is 56 inches x 56 inches. That provides enough space for even very large presentation posters.
What orientation should I use?
In most cases, landscape orientation is preferred, which sets the slides wider than they are tall. But portrait mode makes sense when creating slides for portrait-oriented poster printing.
Can I save custom slide sizes for future presentations?
Yes, you can save any custom slide sizes you create as a PowerPoint template that will automatically open new presentations with those slide dimensions already set.
Conclusion
The ability to change the slide size makes it easy to customize PowerPoint for all your unique presentation needs. Match the slide dimensions to the screen or paper you will use for the best results. Just dive into the Slide Size dialog box and experiment with standard sizes or custom dimensions to achieve the perfect slides.
