If you’re used to creating presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint but want to try out Apple’s Keynote presentation software, this guide will help you get started. As a longtime PowerPoint user making the switch to Keynote, there may be a bit of a learning curve, but Keynote offers some great features that can help you create more visually compelling presentations.
Getting Started with Keynote
The first thing you’ll notice when opening Keynote is that the interface looks cleaner and more streamlined compared to PowerPoint. The toolbar at the top provides quick access to commonly used features like adding slides, choosing a theme, inserting objects, and playing your presentation.
To start a new presentation, click the “New Presentation” button and Keynote will prompt you to select a theme. Themes in Keynote apply pre-designed color schemes, fonts, and layouts to give your presentation a cohesive look and feel. Spend some time browsing the different themes to find one you like.
Creating and Formatting Slides
The process of creating slides in Keynote is very similar to PowerPoint. Click the “Add Slide” button to add new slides and choose from different layouts like Title Slide, Section Header, Bulleted List, etc.
When inserting text boxes, Keynote offers some handy formatting features like instantly converting bullet points to numbered lists and vice versa. The typography controls also let you quickly make global formatting changes to all text boxes on your slides.
Working with Objects, Images, Charts and More
Keynote makes it simple to spice up your slides with photos, shapes, charts, tables and other elements. The media browser provides quick access to your photos, movies, audio files and more. To insert charts or tables, just click the corresponding buttons on the toolbar.
Some unique Keynote features like Instant Alpha allow you to easily remove image backgrounds with a single click. And the Magic Move transition makes it simple to animate movement across slides.
Animations, Transitions and Slide Masters
Compared to PowerPoint, animations and transitions tend to be easier and more intuitive in Keynote. Simply select any object or text box and use the Animate button to apply entrances, emphasis, exits and paths. The transitions menu also offers some slick options for switching between slides.
To quickly format multiple slides at once, take advantage of slide masters in Keynote. Anything edited on the master will automatically apply to other slides using that master. This saves time compared to editing each slide individually.
Collaborating and Exporting Your Presentation
With iWork for iCloud, it’s easy to collaborate on Keynote presentations in real time, similar to working in PowerPoint Online or Google Slides. Simply invite other users via email address to edit or view your presentation in any web browser.
When you’re ready to present or share your finished presentation, Keynote offers several export options including PowerPoint, PDF, images and video. This flexibility makes it easy to present virtually anywhere.
Helpful Keynote Tips and Shortcuts
Here are some additional tips to help you become a Keynote pro:
- Use keyboard shortcuts like command + return to quickly add new slides
- Right click objects to access useful options like grouping shapes or aligning objects
- Use presenter notes to add private notes or prompts for each slide
- Enable the laser pointer in the Playback toolbar to highlight key points
- Access the outline view for an overview of your presentation structure
With a little practice, you’ll soon discover why many consider Keynote to be one of the best presentation apps available today. The modern templates, handy tools for graphics and animation, and intuitive interface can help you create beautiful and memorable presentations in less time.
