Interface in PowerPoint 2003 and 2002 for Windows

Here's a quick walkthrough of the PowerPoint 2003 interface -- PowerPoint 2002 (XP) looks almost the same.

Figure 1 shows a screenshot of the interface -- each part of the interface is explained later in this page.

Figure 1: The PowerPoint 2003 interface

1. Menu bar

The menu bar contains several menu names -- when clicked, these names display a drop-down list of menus and sub-menus. Select the required menu option.

2. Standard toolbar

The Standard toolbar contains several icons that provide quick access to options already available from within the menus. This toolbar is normally displayed directly under the menu bar, although it is possible to drag this toolbar to any part of the PowerPoint interface.

3. Formatting toolbar

The Formatting toolbar is normally displayed directly below the Standard toolbar (see above) -- it contains icons that provide shortcuts for formatting the various elements on a slide. For example, the prominent B icon bolds or unbolds selected text on a slide.

4. Slides and Outline pane

Normally placed on the left of the interface, this pane contains two tabs -- the Slides tab and the Outline tab. The Slides tab shows thumbnails of all the slides in the open presentation. The Outline tab shows the same slides in outline view. For more info, refer to our Slides / Outline Pane in PowerPoint 2003 for Windows tutorial.

You can also explore our Outlining Toolbar in PowerPoint 2002 and 2003 for Windows tutorial.

Note: If the Slides and Outline pane is not visible, choose the View | Normal (Restore Panes) menu option.

5. View buttons

Essentially there are three view buttons displayed right beneath the Slides and Outline pane:

Normal View - Clicking this enables Normal view, Shift-clicking this gets you to Slide Master view.
Slide Sorter View - Clicking this displays zoomable thumbnails of every slide in the open presentation. Shift-clicking this button gets you to Handout Master view.
Slide Show from current slide - Show the presentation as a full screen slideshow from the current selected slide. Shift-clicking brings up the Set Up Show dialog box.

6. Drawing toolbar

This toolbar is normally found below the slide area and panes, right above the Status bar. This contains icons used for drawing and formatting shapes and other objects on the slide.

Note: If the Drawing toolbar is not visible, choose the View | Toolbars | Drawing menu option.

7. Status bar

A thin, horizontal strip that provides information pertaining to the open presentation such as the slide number, the slide template used, etc.

8. Notes pane

An area where you can enter speaker notes for the current slide -- this is helpful for the speaker. None of this content is visible on the actual slide.

9. Ruler

The Ruler allows you to visually place slide objects in relation to each other.

Note: If the Ruler is not visible, choose the View | Ruler menu option.

10. Task pane

The Task pane is a rectangular window that appears docked on the right side of your PowerPoint window. There are several task panes that use the same pane area. Most of the time, the task pane area will automatically activate when you select a particular menu option.

11. Slide area

Represents the area where your actual slide is visible.