Imagine making a creative and detailed presentation in half the time it would usually take. When you enable Copilot in PowerPoint, that's exactly what you can do! This guide is designed to help you transform how you work with slides, making your presentations more engaging and effective.

We’ll walk you through how Copilot can assist you in crafting compelling narratives, designing impactful slides, and delivering presentations that truly resonate with your audience. You'll learn how to navigate Copilot's features within PowerPoint, from summarizing key points to generating creative content that perfectly aligns with your message. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this guide is perfect for you. 

How to Install Copilot for Microsoft PowerPoint

To enable and access Copilot within PowerPoint:

1. Create a Blank Presentation

Once PowerPoint is open, select the option to create a new blank presentation. This will bring you to the main workspace where you can start building your slides.

2. Locate the Ribbon and Home Tab

At the top of the PowerPoint window, you will see the ribbon, which contains various tabs and tools. Focus on the Home tab, which is usually the default tab that opens.

3. Find the Copilot Icon on the Right-Hand Side

Look to the right-hand side of the Home tab on the ribbon. You should see an icon labeled "Copilot." Clicking on the Copilot button will open the Chat Pane on the right-hand side of your PowerPoint window. This where you can interact with Copilot, ask questions, and get assistance with your presentation.

5. Alternative Access via the Add-ins Tab

If you do not see the Copilot icon on the Home tab ribbon, do not worry. You can also access Copilot through the Add-ins tab. Navigate to the Add-ins tab on the ribbon, where you will find various add-ins and extensions available for PowerPoint.

6. Locate and Activate Copilot from Add-ins

Within the Add-ins tab, locate the Copilot add-in. If it is not immediately visible, you may need to manage your add-ins or install it from the Office store. Once you find Copilot, click on it to activate and open the chat pane.

How to Create a PowerPoint Presentation From Scratch with AI

Now that we have the Copilot Pane, we can start making our presentation. Here’s how we can harness the power of AI and get started:

1. Open the Copilot Dialogue Box

Begin by opening the Copilot dialogue box on the right-hand side of your PowerPoint window. This is your interface for interacting with Copilot and leveraging its capabilities.

2. Explore the Provided Prompts

Copilot offers several prompts to kickstart your presentation. You can choose to "create a presentation about," "create something from file," or "add a specific slide." For this example, select the option to "create a presentation about."

3. Define Your Presentation Topic

In the dialogue box, start typing the topic of your presentation. For instance, if you want to create a presentation about a new project kickoff meeting, type "new project kickoff" as your prompt. Once you've defined your topic, click "Send" to proceed.

4. Let Copilot Generate the Slide Deck

After sending the prompt, Copilot will generate a slide deck based on your input. This initial creation includes a basic structure and content that you can further customize.

5. Review and Edit Speaker Notes

Copilot provides speaker notes for each slide, tailored to the prompt you provided. Review these notes and edit them as necessary to align with your specific needs and presentation goals. This feature offers a solid foundation to build upon, making it easier to prepare for your presentation.

6. Improve Your Slides Further with The Designer Feature

To enhance the visual appeal of your slides, use the Designer feature in PowerPoint. Designer employs AI to suggest different layouts and arrangements for your slides. For example, if you want to adjust the "roles and responsibilities" slide, open Designer and choose from the various design options it provides. You can also customize the slides based on the suggestions Designer has made. 

7. Finalize and Polish Your Presentation

Once Copilot has generated your initial slide deck and you've used Designer to refine the visuals, go through each slide to make any final adjustments. Add additional slides, modify existing content, and ensure all speaker notes are accurate and comprehensive.

Using Templates and Themes In PowerPoint with Microsoft Copilot

In addition to starting with a blank presentation, you can also utilize the various templates and themes available in Microsoft PowerPoint as a container for Copilot to create your presentation. This approach can help you maintain a consistent look and feel, especially if you have organizational branding guidelines or if you simply prefer a more polished starting point.

1. Select a Template or Theme

Open PowerPoint and navigate to the new presentation options. Here, you can choose from a wide array of existing themes. If you have a specific style in mind, use the search function to find the perfect template.

2. Choose Your Preferred Template

For this example, select a template that you find visually appealing. For instance, you might choose the "Organic" presentation template. Once you have selected your template, click "Create" to open it.

3. Open Copilot Pane

With your chosen template open, activate Copilot by clicking its icon on the ribbon. This will open the Copilot dialogue box on the right-hand side of your screen.

4. Provide Your Presentation Prompt

In the Copilot dialogue box, type in the prompt for the presentation you want to create. For example, you could request Copilot to create a presentation about "the top 10 best communication practices in the workplace." After entering your prompt, click "Send."

5. Confirm Replacement of Existing Content

Copilot will process your request and prompt you to confirm whether you want to replace the existing content in the template with your new presentation content. If you want to keep a copy of the original template, save it beforehand. Then, click "Yes" to proceed.

6. Allow Copilot to Generate the Presentation

Copilot will use the provided prompt to generate a new slide deck within the chosen template. This process might take a moment, but once completed, you will have a presentation tailored to your specifications, maintaining the original template's design elements.

7. Review and Customize the Generated Slides

The new presentation will include the content based on your prompt, complete with speaker notes and suggested layouts. Review the slides to ensure they meet your needs. You can edit the text, adjust images, and make any necessary changes.

8. Use the Designer Feature To Make Better Slides

To further enhance the visual appeal of your slides, utilize the Designer feature in PowerPoint. This AI-powered tool will provide alternative layouts and design suggestions, allowing you to refine the presentation's look while keeping the original template's style.

9. Add or Modify Slides as Needed

If additional slides are needed or existing ones require modifications, you can continue to interact with Copilot. Ask it to add specific slides or adjust content to better fit your presentation goals.

In Summary

This comprehensive guide explores the transformative power of Microsoft 365 Copilot in Powerpoint. By enabling Copilot, users can efficiently create more compelling and impactful presentations in significantly less time.

There’s More To Learn About Microsoft’s New AI Tool

Ready to transform the way you create presentations? Explore our extensive training video library, offering a wealth of resources on PowerPoint and other essential Microsoft tools. Our services include:

• Comprehensive training programs for Microsoft 365
• Expert-led tutorials
• Practical tips and best practices
• Access to an extensive video library

Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience the power of Copilot for yourself. Sign up for a free trial today and discover how our training can elevate your presentations to the next level. Visit Intellezy now and start your journey towards creating professional and impactful presentations with ease.