Microsoft PowerPoint enables users to create a basic timeline that they can manually adjust and restyle to fit their needs. The result is a simple graphic fit for presentations to clients or executives, but not quite flexible enough for those who need to show more accurate details or update the timeline regularly.
To customize the overall look of your timeline, you can change the SmartArt Styles and color palettes from the SmartArt Tools Design tab on the ribbon. In my example, I chose a darker color scheme from the Change Colors dropdown and selected the Intense Effect option from the Styles menu to make the milestone circles stand out a bit better.
In the steps below, I will show you how to quickly build, customize and update your graphic using Office Timeline, a lightweight PowerPoint add-in that automates timeline creation and management. To begin, you will need to install Office Timeline Plus, which will add a new tab to the PowerPoint ribbon.
2 mins
This step-by-step PowerPoint timeline tutorial will show you how to make professional timelines right inside the popular presentation tool.
Manually creating and managing a timeline in PowerPoint not only is time-consuming, but can also get quite frustrating if you want to make custom changes or updates to the visual.
Here, type in your milestone dates and descriptions, and PowerPoint will automatically update the graphic. Press Shift + Enter to insert a line break and show the date and description of a milestone one below the other.
Now enter your milestones and set their dates, or copy & paste an existing schedule from Excel to save time. You can also make a few quick styling choices here, such as changing the color or shape of each item. Once ready, click the green Create button.
To set the page orientation for all of the slides in your presentation, click Slide Size > Custom Slide Size.
Click Insert Placeholder, and select the type of placeholder you want to add.
To use your template for a new presentation, click File > New. Then click Custom > Custom Office Templates, and then double-click the template you saved.
To add other types of placeholders that contain content such as pictures, clip art, SmartArt graphics, charts, movies, sounds, and tables, on the Slide Master tab, in the Master Layout group, click the type of placeholder that you want to add.
See Also
In the File name box, type a file name, or do nothing to accept the suggested file name.
In the Save As dialog box, in the File name box, type a file name for your template, or do nothing to accept the suggested file name.
Tip: To resize a placeholder, drag the corner of one of its borders.
Try this if you need a PowerPoint design that’s geared for infographic-style presentations. It’s also a great choice if you've got a lot of complex data to share with your audience.
Sign up for Envato Elements. You'll get access to thousands of unlimited use graphics and template designs. From web themes to design presentation templates, and more—all for one low price.
Choose one of these top PPT templates from GraphicRiver. They’re made professionally and are easy to edit. So, you can quickly make a presentation that's on-trend and is sure to wow your audience.
- 45 master slides
- 2000 slides
- 16:9 Full HD widescreen ratio
- unique infographics
- 500+ vector icons
14. Startup - PowerPoint Presentation Template for Startups
Use it to quickly make a visually engaging business presentation that’s both on-message and on-trend.
With a confident look and clean, creative slides Buxe is a versatile, flat design PowerPoint template. It's got a modern style that blends plenty of colorful graphics, powerful charts, and minimal design elements.
There are hundreds of great PowerPoint presentation template designs on Envato Elements, with a great offer. Download as many as you want (with unlimited use) for one low price.
- circle diagrams
- charts
- arrows
- timelines
- many maps
- sales funnels
- icons
- electronic devices mockups
New, click Custom and then Custom Office Templates." />
When you create a template, add any content to the slide master in Slide Master view that you want to protect from being changed by users of your template, such as instructional prompt text, logos, header and footer information, subject matter content, a background, formatting, colors, fonts, and effects.
On the File tab, click Save As (or Save a Copy, if you are using Microsoft 365).
To add a text placeholder, in the slide thumbnail pane, click the slide layout that you want to contain the placeholder, and then do the following:
Support for Office 2010 ended on October 13, 2020
To apply a theme (to include color, formatting, effects, in a layout) to your presentation, on the Slide Master tab, in the Edit Theme group, click Themes, and then select a theme.
To remove an unwanted placeholder in a slide master or slide layout, select it in the slide thumbnail pane, and then select the border of the placeholder on the slide and press Delete.
To add text to appear in the footer at the bottom of all of the slides in your presentation, do the following:
Elegant fades and push animations ease content on and off the screen in a calm, non-distracting way.
Choosing the right PowerPoint slide for you from the thousands of PowerPoint slide layout templates out there is a great first step. But what do you do next?
In the modern business environment, it pays to have a profile slide deck ready to roll out in a flash. Build one quickly with this professional theme. Just drop in your content and go.
One example: device mockups. This template is perfect for app and software developers. The template allows you to illustrate your products as they would appear on the screens of computers, tablets, and even watches.
1. Minimal Slide Design
These PowerPoint design templates have a cool, modern look. It includes 45 master slides with 150 slide design templates.
When I’m choosing a template for my own projects, it’s key to find one that offers a lot of creative flexibility. Evolution is a prime example. This sleek, modern PowerPoint design is geared toward those building a comprehensive slide deck in 2021.
Envato Elements is a subscription service where you pay a low monthly fee. By subscribing, you get unlimited slide design template downloads.
While Elements is an incredible resource for creative projects, it isn't the only option Envato offers. GraphicRiver is another great choice for designs for PowerPoint slides. Rather than paying for a membership with unlimited downloads, GraphicRiver is pay-as-you-go. Find a PowerPoint slide template you like. Buy it. And start filling it in.