Creating a PowerPoint Template From a Slide Master

There are times when you can't find a template that fits your theme. In this activity you will create a template using the slide master, then save it as a template so that it will be located in your PowerPoint template folder for use in the future. The slide I have created is a Sea World theme shown below. You can use my graphics, or create your own design:

• In a new PowerPoint presentation, you must get to the slide master to create a new template. To get to the slide master, click View>Master>Slide Master.

• In slide master mode, whatever you do to one slide will be reflected on all slides. First, I created a wavy water edge. To do this click AutoShapes on the Drawing toolbar, select lines, then select the curvy line shown below:

• Click back on the slide master and click once to start the line, move to a point, click once again, and continue till you have the shape you want. Double click to stop the drawing process.
• Make sure your AutoShape is selected, then click on the fill button also located on the Drawing toolbar. At the drop down menu, select fill effects. This will open the Fill Effects dialog box.

• Click the texture tab and select the water texture shown below:

• Next you will need to add the fish to the sidebar. The five fish I used are shown below. Copy the pictures to your folder, then insert them following the same directions above described in using graphics in PowerPoint.

• Place the fish on the Master Slide where you want them to appear. Use the rotation or flip the pictures to get the look you want (Draw>Rotate/Flip).
• Click on the title to select the font. Select the size and color of your font.
• Repeat with the subtitle.
• Next, the background needs to be changed to blend in the with side bar. To change the background color click Format>Background to open the Format Background dialog box:

• At the Format Background dialog box, drop the down arrow and choose more colors. Find a color that will compliment your theme.

• Click OK to close the Format Background dialog box.
• When you get the slide master the way you want it, click Close Slide Master to return to your slide show.

• To save it as a template, Click File>Save As.
• Select Design Template from the Save As Type drop down list and then give it a descriptive name.

• When you return to your slide show, open your Design Template folder. Your template should now appear in your template file.
• You might need to click on the Browse button at the bottom of the task pane to locate your template.

Here are examples of other templates. The possiblities are endless!!!