How do Beginners Learn PowerPoint?

PowerPoint remains the industry-standard presentation software--even after more than forty years on the market. From attorneys to bankers to members of the clergy, people across a wide array of fields rely on PowerPoint to share information, impress clients, or lend structure to shareholder meetings. Even volunteers in schools and civic organizations can benefit from understanding how to use PowerPoint effectively.

Beginners will need to master such skills as adding text and images, building transitions, using color to create visually appealing slides, and synthesizing information so that each slide has a clear message. More advanced skills include incorporating Excel docs, using animation and video, and managing large presentations with custom shows and sections. 

The particular uses of PowerPoint will dictate how much any individual will need to learn. If you plan to use the software in a professional environment, you’ll likely need to gain high-level skills. If you’re using it in a very basic way, at home or in a low-stakes community context, chances are you can get by with a minimal amount of training. Regardless of the level of training you’re looking for, this article will deep dive into the variety of ways beginners can learn PowerPoint and get started building slide decks that meet your individual needs.

Getting Started with PowerPoint

Before investing in a class, you’ll need access to PowerPoint. Many organizations have a business or institutional license for the suite of Microsoft programs that includes PowerPoint (along with Word, Excel, and Outlook, among others), so check with your workplace first. You may be able to access PowerPoint on multiple devices through your job, which means you could practice the skills you learn on a personal computer when you’re out of the office. Microsoft offers a free version of its paid Microsoft 365 subscription, so before investing in the suite you may want to look into that option. Even if you determine you do need to pay for it, the free app will give you a chance to explore PowerPoint before committing. 

If you don’t have PowerPoint through a corporate or institutional license and the free version doesn’t meet your needs, you’ll have multiple options for buying it independently. The classic version of Microsoft Office is still available for a one-time fee of about $150. This version is not linked to the current Microsoft 365 system and because it doesn’t connect to the cloud, it also doesn’t allow for seamless collaboration. It is linked to a specific device, so if you needed PowerPoint on multiple computers you’d be paying for Office each time. Depending on your needs, however, it may be adequate, so be sure to explore the Microsoft Office options and determine if it will work for you. 

The most up-to-date system for accessing PowerPoint is Microsoft 365, which is a cloud-based subscription service that can be linked to multiple devices and platforms. Microsoft 365 Family allows for one to six users and costs around $100 a year, while Microsoft 365 Personal costs about $70 a year for a single account, though it can still be used on more than one device. The app is fully installed on your computer, so you don’t need to be online at all times when using PowerPoint through Microsoft 365. 365 is compatible with PC, Mac, Android, and iOS, and you’re able to transition across platforms as needed--which is helpful if some people on your subscription use Apple computers while others use PCs.

Other than access to PowerPoint, the only prerequisite to learning the software will be basic computer literacy: the ability to turn on the computer, load up a program, and get started. 

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The First Steps when Learning PowerPoint

PowerPoint will allow you to create and run dynamic presentations. Beginners will need to master the fundamentals: how to add text, images, shapes, transitions, and layered objects; create tables and charts; and run a presentation slide show for audiences who are in-person or watching online. Building an effective presentation is about both technical know-how and a certain amount of design savvy, so understanding how to incorporate attractive visuals will be an important part of getting comfortable with PowerPoint. Learning how to synthesize information into well-formatted slides will require some audience awareness, and understanding the uses of negative space, color, and harmony will allow users to create presentations that pop.

Functionally a slideshow editing tool, PowerPoint is more than the sum of its parts: it can be used to organize information, communicate effectively, and produce both live presentations and deliverable, standalone slide decks. While beginner skills may be all that are needed, some people will conclude they have to learn more in order to make better use of the software. Novice PowerPoint users will be able to incorporate graphics and text into their slides, but adding animation and video seamlessly will require a deeper understanding of the software. The same will hold true when users want to create long or sectioned presentations that are shared differently depending on the individual audiences: making custom shows is a next-level skill that can allow for this personalized experience. 

PowerPoint can be used for a variety of purposes, each of which may dictate which tools a student will need to learn. As an example, PowerPoint can act as an excellent brainstorming tool--it can be used as a digital whiteboard, allowing team members to share ideas during (or in lieu of) a presentation. For this, users will need to learn how to use the Pen to draw on the screen, and may be interested in exploring the hundreds of online templates that can help turn a PowerPoint document into a whiteboard. Many users will never need the whiteboard function, however, so it won’t be an important part of their basic PowerPoint toolkit. Having a sense of how you’ll be using PowerPoint will make it easier to determine which material to cover--whether you’re learning with free online resources, books, live classes, or bootcamps. 

Free PowerPoint Tools for Beginners

For many people, the first stop when considering learning a new skill is the internet. Free tutorials on all kinds of subjects proliferate online, and sometimes they can be enough. YouTube is a go-to resource, offering videos that will break down PowerPoint skills into bite-sized pieces--and you can shop around for content creators whose style you like. Microsoft Support offers free PowerPoint tutorials addressing particular features of the software; the videos are straightforward (if a little dry). Noble Desktop's PowerPoint Design seminar is a free, hourlong webinar that provides an introduction to professional presentation design in a casual, friendly format. 

It may sound counterintuitive to choose a low-tech method of learning a tech-based skill, but it can be a way of addressing your individual learning style. There are plenty of books on the market that teach the basics of PowerPoint, some of which are likely available for free at your local library, and perhaps your brain will process the information better reading it off the page than watching videos. Auditory learners may prefer to hear the book read to them as an audiobook, and you can also find podcast episodes that break down how to build effective presentations using PowerPoint.

Live PowerPoint Training for Beginners

A one-day introductory class will be a great option for students who want to understand the basics of PowerPoint. An intro class will cover many of the fundamentals, including incorporating text with graphics, charts, illustrations, tables, layered objects, and SmartArt. The big advantage of a live class is the presence of a teacher. While teaching yourself with free resources or finishing an on-demand class can be an uphill battle, a good teacher will ensure you learn the requisite skills and finish the class strong. Guidance and encouraging feedback can often mean the difference between feeling good about your project and hitting an insurmountable roadblock. 

It could be that you learn best in person, with the buzz of a classroom lighting a fire under you. Or you may prefer the comfort and quiet of your own home, where you can tinker with new skills without feeling like you’re in a fishbowl. Either way, there is a live class that will fit the bill. In-person classes can be a great fit for those who live near a training center and want to step away from the home environment to master PowerPoint. Live online classes, taught over platforms like Zoom, will work better for those who can’t make the commute or prefer learning in their own space. Noble Desktop's Power Point Level I class is available both in-person and live online, and offers six hours of direct instruction that will help both novices and more advanced users work towards increased effectiveness with PowerPoint. Noble Desktop offers a free retake along with a suite of tailored supplemental materials, which means you can continue learning or refresh your memory long after the class is over.

A good teacher will foster a sense of growth mindset, the idea that our abilities are not fixed but that we can continue to learn and improve. This kind of encouraging classroom space will make it much easier to take on material that might otherwise feel challenging. But it’s not only the teacher that can make a difference--the presence of a group of classmates can be a game changer for in-person or online learning. Sometimes a fellow classmate’s question will spark a question of your own, or seeing their project will give you ideas about how you could improve yours. There’s also the matter of networking: it’s never a bad idea to get to know a group of people who are pursuing similar interests to your own, and it can allow you to make connections in your own field and even across industries.

The Next Step

An advanced class is the best bet for learners who want to gain expert-level PowerPoint skills. Many advanced courses can also be completed in a day, but unlike introductory classes, students will need to have mastered the prerequisites before enrolling, either in an introductory class or through self-study. The class will generally cover such topics as creating custom themes, using Slide Master, incorporating animation and video, and integrating charts and tables from Microsoft Excel. You’ll also do deeper dives into fonts, color, slide background and layout, headers and footers, hiding slides, adding links, and morph transitions. Noble Desktop's PowerPoint Level II is a six-hour class led by industry experts, and it’s taught both in-person at their New York City campus and live online.

Starting with an introductory course and following up with an advanced class at a later date can mean having time to implement those basic skills for a while before moving to the next level. On the other hand, some learners prefer the fast-paced and immersive environment of a bootcamp, which moves quickly from beginner to advanced skills. There are multiple benefits to taking a bootcamp, one of which is that course providers will often offer a discount for bundling the classes, so you’ll save money over taking level one and level two classes independently. Another benefit is that the material gets covered sequentially and quickly, leaving no gaps in your knowledge--and no time to forget the skills you’ve learned before implementing them. NYC Career Centers' PowerPoint Bootcamp offers twelve hours of direct instruction, whether live online or in person in New York City, along with complimentary access to their Beginner and Advanced PowerPoint video tutorials.

Whether you master advanced PowerPoint skills in a class or bootcamp setting, you’ll be able to implement what you’ve learned by creating effective and attractive presentations for work, school, or personal use. Advanced PowerPoint skills will allow you to create reusable themes and templates, manage long presentations with sections and custom shows, and gain greater control over charts and tables. These skills can help you design persuasive sales pitches, effective marketing content, student-facing learning materials, or reports for shareholders. Whatever your field, you’ll find that understanding and implementing advanced PowerPoint skills will give you a leg up in designing and sharing effective presentations.