5+ common PowerPoint presentation mistakes that you should avoid

Are you tired of creating drab PowerPoint presentations that just don't hit the mark? Learn here why PowerPoint presentations are effective. Don't worry, we've got your back! In this blog, we're going to cover six common mistakes people make when using PowerPoint and show you how to avoid them. This goes beyond just how many PowerPoint slides per minute. 

We'll be sharing Powerpoint presentation tips on everything from embedding videos to aligning your objects and making use of the slide master. By the end of this blog, you'll have all the shortcuts and know-how you need to create presentations that are sure to impress. 

So, now dive in and take your presentation skills to the next level!

6 PowerPoint mistakes to avoid 

Can you believe that some simple mistakes in PowerPoint can cause a ton of problems? It's crazy! Luckily, I've got some tips to help you avoid these common mistakes.

I) Adding Video links: First off, let's talk about the trouble with adding external links to videos or other sources. If you add a link to a YouTube video, you could end up with a barrage of unwanted recommendations. To avoid this, just embed the video directly into your slide. 

It’s super easy, steps are given below.

Step 1:  Just go to "insert media" 

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Step 2: Then choose the video online option under the video section. The options there are from the device and the online video. To embed the video choose the video online option.  

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Step 3: This will open up this online video dialog box, where you have to enter the address or url of the video you want to embed on your presentation. 

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Step 4: Now, on clicking the insert option/ button on the screen, video will be embedded on the presentation.

II) Copy paste Excel charts on powerpoint: Another common mistake is copying charts from Excel and pasting them into PowerPoint. But, if you need a chart data to automatically update as per the changes made on the excel sheet, then you can link the chart to your presentation by selecting it, pressing Ctrl + C, and then going to "paste special" and selecting "link." This will keep your chart dynamic and up-to-date. All the formatting and everything from excel is being carried over here. 

Step 1  Ctrl + C the chart from Excel, and then paste special the link on PowerPoint 

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Step 2: Click on ok and the dynamic chart is embedded.

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 When you change the values in the excel sheet, it will reflect on your presentation, as well. 

III) Working with slide masters: Now, let's talk about using the slide master properly. This feature is like a template that controls the look and feel of your presentation. It's a major time-saver and helps ensure consistency across your slides. Just go to "view" and then "slide master" to access it. 

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Here are a few ways that using the Slide Master can help:

• Consistency: With Slide Master, you can create a consistent look and feel across all slides in your presentation, including fonts, colors, backgrounds, and other design elements. This ensures that your presentation looks professional and well-designed.
• Time-saving: By setting up your Slide Master at the beginning of your presentation, you can save time when creating your slides. You don't have to manually format each slide individually, which can be time-consuming and tedious.
• Easy editing: If you need to make changes to your presentation, you can make them easily with Slide Master. Instead of editing each slide individually, you can simply make changes to the Slide Master, and those changes will be applied to all of the slides in your presentation.
• Branding: Using Slide Master, you can create a consistent look and feel for all of your presentations, which helps to establish your brand identity. By using the same design elements in all of your presentations, you can build brand recognition and increase brand awareness.

Overall, the Slide Master feature in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that can help you create professional-looking presentations that are consistent and well-designed. By using Slide Master, you can save time, ensure consistency, and make editing and branding your presentations much easier.

IV) Use too many fonts: The next mistake is using too many fonts and colors. Keep it simple and consistent by sticking to a few fonts and colors that work well together. Best way to replace all fonts is to go to the home tab and use the replace all fonts section. 

Step 1: Go to the home tab

Step 2: Go to the replace section 

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Step 3: From the drop down choose the replace fonts option 

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Step 4: You can then customize the font by replacing the one you want.

V) Not using Align: Another mistake is not using the "align" feature. Don't let your slides look sloppy and unprofessional! Just select all the objects you want to align, go to the "home" tab, and click on "align." The shortcut Ctrl + E will also align objects to the centre of the slide.

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VI) Copy paste slides: Lastly, don't waste time copying and pasting slides. Just right-click on the slide you want to duplicate and select "duplicate slide." It's that easy!

There you have it! Six common mistakes to avoid in PowerPoint, along with some handy shortcuts and alternatives to use. Now, go forth and create presentations that'll knock everyone's socks off!

Conclusion 

We hope that these six tips have been helpful in taking your PowerPoint game to the next level. By avoiding the common mistakes we've outlined, you can create presentations that not only look great but also keep your audience engaged and interested. And if you're looking to take your skills even further, you can checkout keySkillset’s course on PowerPoint. The possibilities are endless, and the more you learn, the better your presentations will be.

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