I know, when I first learned about it I didn’t want to believe it either, but that’s just it, PowerPoint is a bit nostalgic. This format refers to the size of the shots on old photographic rolls. Honestly, I’ve never found myself using it in PowerPoint, but if you’ll need it, you’ll know you have it. This format was standardized in the USA by the Reagan administration in 1980. It is a standard letter format in the following countries: USA, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. It’s definitely worth some attention, and thanks to PowerPoint for keeping it among the standard sizes. In my opinion, 16:10 in presentations is a format that cannot disappear and may soon be back in style. In 2020 Dell and Apple seem to have launched laptops for productivity returning to the 16:10 format.
THE SIZE OF A POWERPOINT SLIDE SOFTWARE
The transition has always been a topic of debate for all users who use productivity software and need more vertical workspace. In short, after a few years the 16:10 had replaced the 4:3.īetween 20, however, the 16:10 quickly lost ground in favor of the now well-known 16:9.įor reasons of production efficiency, 16:9 format television sets have driven the laptop market to adapt. The 16:10 format landed in the laptop market in 2003.Īt that time, the unassailable 4:3 reigned, but by 2005-2008 it was already clear that 16:10 would prevail. In any case they are still around, so you’ll have to deal with them.įollow me and I’ll tell you about it in a bit. They are usually old presentations, or maybe they were created by users who haven’t been up to date with presentation design. Standard PowerPoint slide size widely used in the past and now almost completely replaced by 16:9. Therefore, the new Widescreen is always a 16:9, only it’s a little bit higher (H7.5) and, consequently, a little wider (W13.3). So, Microsoft decided to introduce a new version of the 16:9 with 7.5″ height in order to reduce the re-processing of content between different slide formats (but now with the same height). The problem was that most of the other slides were 7.5″ in height, so switching the content from a 4:3 to a 16:9, for example, always required adjustments. The 16:9 On-Screenshow was introduced with PowerPoint 2010 as the first 16:9 version of slides. Okay, but why are there two options for 16:9 on PowerPoint?Īctually, if you look at the graphics below, you’ll notice that they are two 16:9 formats – so there is no difference other than in absolute dimensions. When I work in PowerPoint it is the one I always use, unless there are special circumstances or requests. The classic widescreen sixteen to nine format is considered a standard for presentations. Seen this way they look a lot more than when you look at them in the drop-down menu, don’t they?
I thought I’d show them all to help you see all the standard PowerPoint slide sizes at a glance.Ĭhoose the solution that’s right for you or create a customized one. In the drop-down menu you’ll find a rich list of possible options. Proceed to Custom Slide Size to manage all your other requirements. Here is where the option to change the proportions of your presentation from 4:3 to 16:9 is hidden! Open the Design tab and select Slide Size.
THE SIZE OF A POWERPOINT SLIDE HOW TO
How to change the PowerPoint slide size.Let’s proceed one step at a time, follow me. In fact, being able to adapt your workspace to any size, you can turn PowerPoint into a powerful graphical tool to create social media posts or small brochures to print for an event. When you convert them the content gets distorted, the photos get blurred and your template – which looked so well balanced – is now all stretched out.īut that’s not all – there’s more than one reason why learning how to handle PowerPoint slide sizes at their best is worth it. How many times have you had difficulty converting a presentation from 4:3 to 16:9? Maybe the new company template has become 16:9, and you had to convert presentations that you have always used to 4:3. Working with the correct PowerPoint slide size is like laying the foundation before building a home.īefore you start creating any graphics on your slides, it is always a good idea to define the size of your workspace.īut I can assure you that it is not so obvious to navigate through the different options that PowerPoint offers you.