Is PowerPoint a Hard Class?

Nine out of ten business presentations are created using PowerPoint, which speaks to its status as the most-used presentation software--but also proves that it can’t be overwhelmingly intimidating to learn. In fact, it’s quite intuitive. For many novices, sitting down and creating a basic presentation without training is completely doable. If you’re looking to use PowerPoint in a volunteer position, to help your elementary-aged child with a school project, or to create a simple photo collage, you likely won’t need much training at all. If you do need training, you’ll find your previous experience and comfort level with a computer matters a lot. Assuming you have a good handle on some basic tech skills, you should be able to navigate a PowerPoint class with equanimity.

If you opt for a class, you’ll find that direct instruction will help you get to an advanced level with your PowerPoint skills quicker than any other modality. While the basics are easy to come by, learning more advanced skills will mean challenging yourself. Even so, following a program that builds in scaffolded learning can mean that your skill set builds on itself--so the class never feels harder than what you’re able to manage. This article will explore various ways of making a PowerPoint class feel navigable without being overwhelming. 

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What is Hard about Learning PowerPoint?

Learning a new skill can be easier for some and harder for others, and much of that is based on what you’ve already got in your toolkit. When it comes to learning PowerPoint, it will be hardest for someone who’s uncomfortable with technology; although the program is mostly quite intuitive, it may feel daunting for those who are lacking basic computer skills. Another consideration is the design component of PowerPoint: if it feels simple to learn the program’s tools, it can be harder to understand how to use them effectively to create visually compelling and evocative presentations. Learners with a background in visual design will certainly have an easier time with the aesthetics of presentation design.

There are many simple options built into PowerPoint, so it’s possible to create a very basic presentation without much training or guidance. This will work in some contexts, but users may find that the templates lack character and originality and that their audience tunes out as a result. In order to create dynamic and engaging presentations, it will be helpful to learn advanced PowerPoint skills--like how to incorporate design features such as graphics, transitions, layering, and animation. All of these skills are highly learnable, but they may feel daunting at first. 

PowerPoint is known for its hidden features, which are essentially nested functions that can feel like a secret menu at your favorite restaurant: once you’re aware of what’s available, you can take full advantage. These functions can make building presentations a much faster process, and allow advanced users to incorporate features that beginners aren’t even aware of, much less able to use. This kind of insider knowledge can make the difference between producing a standard issue presentation and one that is tailored to the audience.

Some of the more challenging aspects of PowerPoint are creating custom themes, using Slide Master, incorporating animation and video, creating headers and footers, hiding slides, adding links, using morph transitions, and integrating charts and tables from Microsoft Excel. For those without a knack for design, understanding the effective use of color, typography, and slide layout may prove to be an additional challenge. 

How Can I Make Learning PowerPoint Easier?

One bonus for complete beginners is that PowerPoint is part of the Microsoft Office suite, so if you’ve ever used Word or Excel, the toolbar and features will look and feel familiar. The Microsoft Support website offers succinct and efficient tutorials for people who need a little help understanding the program. Noble Desktop also offers a ​​free PowerPoint Presentation Design seminar, which is a great option if you want a straightforward introduction to the software without a major commitment of time or money. YouTube is another free and easily accessible resource, chock full of PowerPoint content. Learning the basics should be straightforward with this type of free resource, but you’ll want to be cautious about creating gaps in your knowledge. Be sure to work as sequentially as possible so that you don’t miss out on important skills.

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 may even be available for free at your local library, and perhaps your brain will process the information better reading it off the page than watching videos. For auditory learners, there are podcast episodes that break down how to build effective presentations using PowerPoint.

Another place to start is with a self-paced, on-demand class. There are several models for this type of class, one of which is membership-based. Platforms like SkillShare offer the option of a monthly or yearly fee (the yearly subscription will usually end up being significantly cheaper), often with a free trial month. Fees will range from roughly $15 to $35 a month, with higher prices for so-called premium memberships. The benefit of this subscription-style platform is that generally all classes are covered, so no additional fees are needed. For some students, this can take the sting out of trying a class and dropping out--but the flip side is that dropout rates tend to be higher. In fact, by some estimates, 90% of people don’t finish an online class of this nature. 

Other on-demand classes use a pay-as-you-go model. An introductory PowerPoint class at a site like Udemy will cost about $50 for a series of video lectures that will last an hour or two. Students will also have access to a collection of other downloadable resources to help bolster learning. All in all, a motivated student could learn the fundamentals in a few hours--but again, the self-paced nature of the course makes it easy to give up part way through.

One benefit of self-teaching is learning at a pace that fits the scheduling needs of the individual student. Busy people with a variety of work and family obligations may feel it’s too challenging to try and fit in one more thing, like a multi-hour class or days-long bootcamp. PowerPoint skills are also easy to implement, so students will have something to show for themselves. Whether designing a work presentation or building a slide deck for a family reunion, it can be satisfying to learn enough about PowerPoint--whether through books, podcasts, free online resources, or self-paced classes--to be able to put it to use right away. 

Best Ways to Learn PowerPoint Without Difficulty

While the preponderance of free or cheap resources can make learning PowerPoint basics feel very attainable, the best way for many people is to invest both time and money into a live class. There are many reasons for this, not least of which is related to the psychological principle of “sunken cost,” which encourages people to stick with something if they’ve invested time and/or money into it. It’s a very real phenomenon, and can mean that free or inexpensive products and services are more likely to be abandoned than those that require some initial outlay of money. (It’s similar to the argument that explains why you’re more likely to go to the gym if you’ve already paid for the membership than if you have to pay each time you go.) If you’re the type of person who can’t imagine quitting a class halfway through--but who might lose interest after a few hours of tutorials--a live PowerPoint class will be better for you.

Self-directed learning can feel exciting and straightforward at first, but without the guidance of an instructor, it’s easy to get hung up on certain concepts and eventually throw in the towel. According to LinkedIn, only between five and fifteen percent of people who start a self-paced course actually finish it--and it doesn’t take a degree in statistics to know that lots of people never finish that library book they grabbed on a whim, either. The combination of accountability and direct instruction is a powerful one. 

An in-person PowerPoint class is the right fit for many people. It offers a stimulating classroom environment, with teacher oversight and a distraction-free place to learn. It can be fun to go “back to school,” in part because of the camaraderie of a group of classmates working on parallel projects. A good teacher will foster a sense of growth mindset: the idea that our abilities are not fixed, but rather 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 be challenging. One issue with in-person learning is that it may not be accessible to everyone. Depending on where you live, you may find there isn’t an in-person option for you at all, or it is limited in terms of scheduled offerings. If that’s the case, or if you learn better from home, a live online class will be the right fit.

Live online PowerPoint classes are generally offered over a platform like Zoom and designed to simulate the experience of being in a real live classroom. There is still the opportunity for direct instruction, hand-raising, and trouble-shooting. Many students find they learn better at home, where they can use their own computers and sit in their familiar workspaces. One drawback is that working from home can mean distractions: that sink of dirty dishes might call to you when a project begins to feel challenging, or a chatty roommate or partner may inadvertently derail your learning. If you decide to learn PowerPoint at home, do your best to minimize distractions: invest in noise-canceling headphones, find a quiet spot, and close your browser windows and apps so you’re not tempted to shop or catch up on your emails.

Both in-person and live online PowerPoint classes are available at basic and advanced levels, or can be taken as an all-in-one bootcamp. You may find an introductory class is all you need, or you may realize you’ll benefit from learning more advanced skills. The advantage of a bootcamp is being able to move quickly through beginner concepts to more advanced material, so that you walk away from the class with all the skills you need to design effective and attractive presentations. Noble Desktop is a great place to learn PowerPoint, offering Level I, Level II, and PowerPoint Bootcamp classes at their New York City campus or live online. With instruction led by industry experts and a project-based, bespoke curriculum, the classes will teach you everything you need to know about PowerPoint in a dynamic and fun learning environment. If you’re ready to go beyond self-directed learning, Noble Desktop is your best bet to gain next-level skills in presentation design.