How to Merge PowerPoints

Working on a big presentation project often requires combining slides from multiple PowerPoint files. Whether you’re collaborating with a team or just need to consolidate several presentations you’ve created, merging PowerPoints can save you time and effort.

In this guide, you’ll learn quick and easy methods to combine multiple PowerPoint files into one seamless presentation.

Why Merge PowerPoint Presentations?

Here are some common reasons you may need to merge PowerPoints:

• Team collaboration – It’s easier to divide up slide creation among team members if each works in a separate file. Merging allows you to combine everyone’s work into one cohesive presentation.
• Reuse slides – If you want to reuse some slides from an old presentation, merging allows you to import just those specific slides into your new deck.
• Consolidate ideas – Have multiple presentations on the same general topic? Merge them to bring all your ideas together into one place.
• Build on previous work – Don’t want to reinvent the wheel? Use merging to utilize existing slides as a base to build upon.

Method 1: Reuse Slides

The fastest way to combine PowerPoint files is using the “Reuse Slides” feature. Here’s how:

1. Open the PowerPoint presentation you want to add slides into. This will be the main, merged presentation.
2. Select the Home tab and click New Slide.
3. Click Reuse Slides at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
4. Click Browse to locate the secondary PowerPoint file you want to merge from.
5. Select the file and click Insert.
6. All slides from the second presentation will appear. Insert individual slides wherever needed by clicking Insert Slide.

That’s it! The imported slides retain their original formatting by default. You can also choose to match the formatting of your main deck.

Method 2: Copy and Paste Slides

Don’t want to import an entire PowerPoint file? The copy-paste method allows you to import only specific slides:

1. Open both the main presentation and secondary presentation.
2. In the secondary PowerPoint, select the slides you want to merge and copy them.
3. In your main PowerPoint, choose where to insert slides and paste them.

The copied slides will retain their original slide design. You’ll need to manually tweak formatting if you want them to match.

Method 3: Save PowerPoint as Images

If you want to import slides while preserving exact slide formatting, you can save slides as images and insert the images:

1. In the secondary PowerPoint, save individual slides you want to merge as JPG, PNG or other image formats.
2. Insert these slide images on new slides in your main presentation.

Since slides are brought in as images, all animations and transitions will be lost. But fonts, colors, and graphics stay intact.

PowerPoint Merge Considerations

• When merging using Reuse Slides, choose whether to match the theme of your main deck or keep the imported slides’ formatting.
• To retain slide animations/transitions, use the copy-paste or save as image method instead.
• Merge PowerPoints into a new presentation first if you want to avoid altering your original files.
• To collaborate with a team, use file sharing apps like Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive for simultaneous editing.
• For large presentations, check file size after merging and compress images if needed.

Merge PowerPoints in Just Minutes

The ability to easily combine multiple PowerPoints makes collaborating with others a breeze. Whether you prefer reusing existing slides or copying and pasting select slides, it just takes minutes to create one seamless presentation.

With these simple PowerPoint merging methods, you can consolidate hours of work into one impressive, cohesive deck. Forget struggling to transition between multiple presentations ‒ merge them instead for smooth sailing.