1. Open Powerpoint. Go to File Then New

Using PowerPoint

1. Open PowerPoint. Go to File then New.

2. Open a Blank Presentation. If you prefer a ready-made Presentation Design, choose from those available here.

3. Choose a Layout—Blank may be easiest.

4. Go to Insert then Text Box and drag the mouse across the page to create the text box. Go to Font and select size, font and text colour. More interesting titles can be made using WordArt. Go to Insert, then Picture, then WordArt. Choose styles, colours and sizes and drag the text to position it on the page.

5. To add a picture, go to Insert then Picture then From File. Choose an image you have taken earlier. Use the corner 'handles' to resize the picture. Use the Picture Toolbar to adjust light and contrast.

6. To provide narration, go to Insert, then Movies and Sound, then Record Sound. Name the sound so that you can use it later in the animation. You can now record the voice-over for your slide. A speaker icon will appear on your slide. Move it to where you would like it to be.

7. To add colour to the slide, go to Format then Background and choose from the range of colours, textures and designs. Go to Format then Slide Colour Scheme to make any further modifications.

8. To add movement to the slide, go to Slide Show then Custom Animation. In Timing, click on the section you want to animate and then go to Effects to see what can happen to it! You can add your own recorded sounds to the picture or text.

9. To add a new slide to the presentation, go to Insert then New Slide. Travel between pages using the slider at the side of the page.

10. Go to Slide Show, then View Show to see how your presentation will play.

11. Save as a PowerPoint Show if you want it to open and start automatically when opened by others.

Ó State of New South Wales, Department of Education and Training, 2005