Home --> Tutorial --> PowerPoint Quick Basics

Index:  Quick Basics |  Hot Keys and Tricks (for PC, Mac may be slightly different)

Additional Resources: Ray Shiraishi's Workshop Files |  Workshop Documents





  Create a new poster
  • Click New in the File Menu.

  • Choose Blank Presentation if you want to design your poster from scratch.

  • Choose From design template if you want to use pre-designed PowerPoint poster.


  Change the poster size
  • Click Page Setup in the File Menu.

  • Choose whether you want to have a portrait or landscape design.

  • Using inches, specify the width and length of the poster.

  • Tips:

    • You can design your poster in a smaller size (eg. 10" x10"), so you can see fonts and images more clearly.

    • Once you are happy with the design, change to a bigger size, and PowerPoint will automatically convert the font and image size for you.


  Modify Text Box Setting
  • Click Text Box in the Insert Menu to create a new texbox.

  • Right click on the textbox, and select Format AutoShape or Format Placeholder.

  • Select the background, and the border color of the textbox.

  • Select No Fill as background color to create a transparent textbox.


  Insert Image or Clip Art
  • Click Picture in the Insert Menu.

  • Choose Clip Art to insert pictures provided by PowerPoint.

  • Choose From File to insert pictures stored in your computer or disk.
General Questions
  • This research poster tutorial is provided by Tim H. Wong

The University of California, Davis • One Shields Avenue • Davis, CA 95616 • (530) 752-1011
Copyright © 2007, The Regents of the University of California.
Questions or Comments? Please contact: agmyers@ucdavis.edu
Sponsored by Office of Graduate Studies |  UC Davis

Last Updated: February 12, 2008