How To Make A Powerpoint Slide Vertical
So, you're staring at your PowerPoint. Boring, right? Standard, yawn-worthy landscape. But what if I told you there's a secret dimension waiting to be unlocked? Yeah, I'm talking about making your slides vertical.
Wait, vertical? Like, for your phone? Exactly! Think Instagram stories, TikTok, all those scroll-stopping visuals that live on your phone. Why should your epic presentations be stuck in the dark ages of widescreen?
This isn't some groundbreaking tech tip. It's more of a playful rebellion against the norm. A little nudge to say, "Hey PowerPoint, let's try something different!" And honestly, the fact that you can do this is just… kinda cool. It's like discovering a hidden cheat code for your software.
Why Even Bother With Vertical?
Okay, okay, I hear you. "But my business plan needs to be professional!" And yes, you absolutely can still be professional. But think about it. We live in a vertical world, at least when we're holding our phones. So, if you're presenting to a mobile-first audience, or even just want to inject some fresh energy into your talk, vertical is your secret weapon.
Imagine this: your audience whips out their phones. They're already primed for that tall, immersive experience. And then BAM! Your vertical slide hits them. It's unexpected. It's memorable. It's like a mini-cliffhanger before the next big reveal.
Plus, let's be real. Sometimes, wide slides feel… stretched. Especially if you have a lot of text or a few key images. A vertical format can sometimes feel more compact, more focused. Like a perfectly curated museum exhibit, rather than a sprawling art gallery.
A Dash of Quirky History (Because Why Not?)
Did you know that early screens were actually more square than wide? We've been trained to think landscape for presentations because that's what the projectors and monitors were. But the world is always changing, and our presentation tools should keep up!
Think about old movie theaters. They were wide for a reason, right? To immerse you. But now, with screens everywhere, from your watch to your giant TV, the definition of "immersive" is a lot more flexible. And that flexibility? That's where the fun begins.
The "How-To" Without the Headache
Alright, enough teasing. You want to know how to do it. Don't worry, it's not like defusing a bomb. It's actually surprisingly simple. We're going to go into the settings, and with a few clicks, your world will turn upside down. In a good way, of course.
First things first, open your PowerPoint presentation. This is your blank canvas, your digital playground. No pressure, just pure creative potential.
Now, here's where the magic happens. Look for the Design tab. It's usually right there, in the ribbon at the top. Click on it. See all those cool themes and color palettes? We're going to go a little deeper than that.
On the far right side of the Design tab, you'll see a button that says Slide Size. This is your gateway to verticality. Give it a click. A little dropdown menu will appear. You'll probably see "Widescreen (16:9)" and "Standard (4:3)" as your usual suspects.
But wait! There's a hidden gem in there. Look for Custom Slide Size.... Click that. This is where you get to be the architect of your own slide dimensions. You're not just picking a pre-set; you're crafting it.
In the Custom Slide Size window, you'll see a dropdown menu labeled Slides sized for. This is where you'll find your golden ticket: On-screen Show (Portrait). Bingo!
Select that. And then, you can also specify the Width and Height if you want to get super precise. But for most phone-friendly purposes, "On-screen Show (Portrait)" is your best friend. It's like the universe aligning just for your presentation.
What Happens Next?
When you click OK, PowerPoint might give you a little warning. It’ll ask if you want to Maximize or Ensure Fit. This is important! Maximize will make your content bigger to fill the new vertical space, but it might get cut off. Ensure Fit will scale everything down to fit, which is usually the safer bet when you're first experimenting.
Think of it like this: if you're trying to cram a big beach towel into a tiny suitcase, "Maximize" might mean shoving it in and hoping for the best, while "Ensure Fit" means folding it neatly so nothing sticks out. For your first vertical adventure, Ensure Fit is probably your wingman.
And then… ta-da! Your entire presentation is now in portrait mode. Your slides are tall, sleek, and ready to wow. It’s a subtle change, but it can make a huge difference in how your content is perceived.
Embrace the Vertical Vibes
Now that you've unlocked this power, what do you do with it? Get creative! Think about how you can use this vertical space to your advantage. Long, flowing infographics work beautifully.
Short, punchy quotes can stand out.
Images that are naturally taller than they are wide will look incredible.
This is also a fantastic way to make your presentations more accessible. People are used to scrolling through content on their phones, and a vertical slide fits that natural rhythm.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Play around with different layouts. See how your text flows. How do your images feel? Does it make you want to tap and see what's next? That's the goal!
A Little Nugget of Fun
Did you know that the first truly widespread "portrait" mode on mobile devices was heavily influenced by the iPhone's introduction? Before that, landscape was king, even on phones. So, in a way, you're embracing the modern mobile experience by going vertical!
It's a small change, but it can lead to some seriously big impacts. You’re not just changing the dimensions of your slides; you’re changing the mindset around your presentation. You're showing that you're adaptable, innovative, and understand how people consume information today.
So go forth, fellow presentation pioneers! Unleash the vertical power within your PowerPoint. Your audience, especially the mobile-savvy ones, will thank you for it. And who knows what other hidden features you'll discover when you start thinking outside the landscape box?