Tool Summary #

PowerPoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft. The program uses slides to get information across to the audience. Presentations made in PowerPoint can be very complex or very simple. It all depends on how you want the information you are trying to convey to come across.

Quick Facts #

• Price: Free with UMW account
• Platforms: MacOS, Windows, iOS, Android, and Browser
• Recommended For: Beginners
• Where to Access: powerpoint.cloud.microsoft. Once you log in, there is also an “install office” option in the top right (the Microsoft Office can also be accessed through the HCC computers on the first and second floor).

Things to Know #

PowerPoint is overall a great presentation tool to use. Did you know that you can add captions to your presentation? Along with captions, PowerPoint gives the capability to check how accessible your slides are. Under the review tab, you can click “check accessibility”. By doing these things you are making your presentation more accessible to people with disabilities.

You can also present your PowerPoint live. This helps with remote presentations you might have for school or work. The slideshow tab is where you can find the button to present live. When clicked it will give you a URL you can share and also a QR code your audience can scan to follow along with you while you are presenting.

You can record audio, webcam video, and your PowerPoint slides in a simple one-stop solution, but you must use the desktop (downloaded) version of PowerPoint. Video recording is not available with PowerPoint on the web.

See this Microsoft PowerPoint recording guide for more info.

Getting Started Guides: #

Basic Beginners Guide to Creating a PowerPoint – Microsoft Support’s official guide to using PowerPoint.

Recording a Presentation in PowerPoint – Microsoft Support’s official guide to recording on PowerPoint.

How to Make PowerPoints More Accessible  – Microsoft Support’s official guide to ensuring your presentation is accessible.

Additional Resources #

PowerPoint Templates – Templates provided by Microsoft, easy online access or downloadable.

SlidesGo – Templates can be downloaded as PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva files. Some of the templates you have to pay for, but you can filter through for free ones.

Want More Help? #

• Book an appointment with a consultant at the DKC. We would love to help you with your presentations! 
• Check out our Getting Started with Recorded Presentations Guide for tool alternatives.

Reviewed by Abby Firestone 06/11/26