Most PowerPoint presentations utilize a horizontal or landscape slide orientation by default. However, there are situations where a vertical or portrait orientation can be more effective for conveying information to your audience.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the process of changing your PowerPoint slides from landscape to portrait orientation using simple step-by-step instructions.
Benefits of Vertical Slides
Before jumping into the how-to steps, let’s first understand some of the key benefits of using vertical slides:
- Optimized for mobile viewing: Vertical slides are better suited for viewing on mobile devices without having to rotate the screen. This improves the viewing experience for audiences accessing your presentation on phones or tablets.
- Showcases visual hierarchy: The increased vertical space allows content to be structured in a more organized way that maps to a visual hierarchy. This draws attention to important elements and improves comprehension.
- Highlights vertical images/graphics: Vertical slides make it easy to integrate tall images, infographics, diagrams, charts and other visuals seamlessly into your slides.
- Enhances drama: Creating reveals and transitions vertically can add a touch of drama and suspense to your key messaging.
Step-by-Step Guide to Create Vertical Slides
Follow these simple steps to change the default slide orientation in your PowerPoint presentation:
1. Open PowerPoint and Start a New Presentation
Launch PowerPoint on your computer and select “Blank Presentation” to start creating a new slide deck. This will open a new presentation with a single landscape oriented slide.
2. Navigate to the Design Tab
At the top of the PowerPoint window, click on the “Design” tab to access layout and customization options.
Design Tab in PowerPoint
3. Click on Slide Size
In the “Customize” group of the Design tab, select the “Slide Size” dropdown menu.
Slide Size Dropdown
4. Select Custom Slide Size
From the dropdown, click on “Custom Slide Size” to open a dialog box for customizing dimensions.
5. Choose Portrait Orientation
In the “Slides sized for” section, choose “Portrait” and click OK.
Choose Portrait Orientation
6. Maximize or Ensure Fit (Optional)
If prompted, pick “Maximize” to enlarge content or “Ensure Fit” to shrink content to fit the new slide size.
And you’re done! The slide orientation will now change to vertical. Repeat steps for other slides as needed.
Presentation Tips for Vertical Slides
Here are some tips to enhance your presentation when using vertical slides:
- Rehearse transitions between vertical and horizontal slides.
- Use a pointer to draw attention to slide content.
- Balance information by using white space efficiently.
- Test on mobile devices to ensure slides are legible.
- Use large, bold fonts and colors for increased visibility.
Key Takeaways
Changing the default landscape slide layout to a portrait orientation is simple in PowerPoint. Vertical slides can help showcase visuals, improve mobile compatibility and add drama to your key messaging.
Follow the step-by-step guide outlined above to start creating visually compelling presentations optimized for vertical viewing. Focus on information hierarchy, transitions and mobile visibility for best results.
So next time you’re designing a PowerPoint presentation, don’t be afraid to flip your slides on the edge and unlock the potential of vertical storytelling!
