Fun with PowerPoint Guides

I like using PowerPoint guides to more accurately place objects, words, and graphics on my slides. Guides make designing slides easier, and I'm often surprised when people don't use them.
If you'd like to try designing slides using guides, here are some tips to get started:

1. To turn on guides, click on "View", and select "Grids and Guides..." Make sure to check "Display drawing guides onscreen".
2. You now have two guides on your design screen: one horizontal and one vertical. Move them by dragging them to wherever you want them.
3. If you want more than two guides, simply hold down the Ctrl key while dragging. Presto! You have another guide! Repeat until you have the number of guides you want.
4. To get rid of a guide, just drag it off the slide.
5. Use guides to measure distance by holding the shift key while dragging. As you drag the guide, you'll see the distance displayed in the units of your ruler.

Remember, wherever you place your guides will show up from slide to slide as you design. In this way, you can place objects consistently from slide to slide. And don't worry: when you go into presentation mode, your guides will disappear. Guides are only visible while you are in design mode.

Give PowerPoint guides a try the next time you design!

¶ 3/09/2006 09:48:00 AM