Microsoft Powerpoint tips #1

Resize Pictures - You already know you can resize pictures by grabbing a corner handle to maintain the aspect ratio, but that resizes from that corner. To maintain the picture in the same position and resize, hold CONTROL KEY  and drag a corner handle. The picture will resize from the CENTER. This works in all versions and will work in any MS Office application you have placed a picture in.

Animation Painter - If you apply multiple animation attributes (entrance, direction, timing) to a picture, text box or graphic and would like to apply the same attributes to other objects, The Animation Painter will be a great shortcut. Select your object, go to the Animation Tab, and select Animation Painter, then click on the other object you would like to apply the same animation to. 

This works just like the Format Painter: if you wish to apply the same animation to multiple objects, double-click on it - it will remain active until you select it again to turn it off. This works in the 2018 and 2010 versions.

Collapse the Ribbon - If you need more visual space to work on your presentation, especially if you have a small screen laptop, you can always collapse the ribbon temporarily. Either double-click on any Tab or select the caret Ù on the upper right of the screen, next to the question mark for the 2010 version, and at the bottom right of the ribbon in the 2013 version. The caret changed to an upside-down caret in 2010, and you can click again to redisplay the entire ribbon, or you can double-click on any tab, and the ribbon will redisplay. In the 2013 version, the caret disappears, and an icon appears next to the Help question mark, giving you choices for viewing or hiding your ribbon, or you can double-click on any tab. This is true for all MS Office programs. 

Ronny Kaplan provides individual and group training on Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other programs at Computer Training Solutions. You may reach her at 203-329-24121.