From the course: Learning PowerPoint (Microsoft 365): Create Professional Presentations

PowerPoint basics: What you need to know first - PowerPoint Tutorial

From the course: Learning PowerPoint (Microsoft 365): Create Professional Presentations

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PowerPoint basics: What you need to know first

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- Before we jump into PowerPoint, let's take a few minutes to make sure you're set up for success. In this course I'll be demonstrating everything using Microsoft PowerPoint for a desktop on a PC. That means we'll be working with the full featured version of the software, not the web version you can access through a browser. While the online version is great for quick edits, it doesn't have all the tools we'll be using throughout the course. That said, if you're on a Mac, don't worry. Every feature I show is also available in PowerPoint for Mac. You'll just notice that some things, like shortcut keys, are slightly different. I'll make sure to call out the Mac shortcuts on screen as we go. Microsoft Office comes in two versions: the standalone and the Microsoft 365 subscription. The subscription version gives us access to the latest features like morph transitions, cameo for live camera feeds, and AI tools like Designer and Presenter Coach. If you're using PowerPoint 2016, 2019, or 2021, you'll still be able to follow along but a few of the newer features might not be available to you. I'll let you know when that's the case. You'll also want to make sure your version of PowerPoint is up to date. On a PC, you can check this by going to File, then Account and clicking on Update. On a Mac, go to the Help menu and select Check for Updates. Keeping your software current ensures you have access to all the tools I'll be covering. Finally, let's talk about basic computer skills. To get the most out of this course, you'll need to be comfortable using a mouse and keyboard, opening and saving files, and navigating menus and ribbons in PowerPoint. If you're brand new to computers, I recommend getting familiar with those basics first. But if you've used Microsoft Word or Excel before, you'll feel right at home here. Throughout the course I encourage you to follow along with me. Don't just watch, open up PowerPoint and try the steps as I show them. Practicing as you go makes it much easier to remember what you've learned and build your confidence using the software. All right, now that you're set up and ready, let's start exploring the PowerPoint interface and see what's waiting for us inside.

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