create presentations on a mac

Keynote User Guide for Mac

Get started with Keynote

Intro to images, charts, and other objects

Create a presentation

Choose how to navigate your presentation
Open or close a presentation
Save and name a presentation
Find a presentation
Print a presentation
Undo or redo changes
Show or hide sidebars
Quick navigation
Change the working view
Expand and zoom your workspace
Customize the Keynote toolbar
Change Keynote settings on Mac
Touch Bar for Keynote
Create a presentation using VoiceOver
Add or delete slides
Add and view presenter notes
Reorder slides
Group or ungroup slides
Skip or unskip a slide
Change the slide size
Change a slide background
Add a border around a slide
Show or hide text placeholders
Show or hide slide numbers
Apply a slide layout
Add and edit slide layouts
Change a theme
Add an image
Add an image gallery
Edit an image
Add and edit a shape
Combine or break apart shapes
Draw a shape
Save a shape to the shapes library
Add and align text inside a shape
Add 3D objects
Add lines and arrows
Animate, share, or save drawings
Add video and audio
Record audio
Edit video and audio
Add live video
Set movie and image formats
Position and align objects
Use alignment guides
Place objects inside a text box or shape
Layer, group, and lock objects
Change object transparency
Fill shapes and text boxes with color or an image
Add a border to an object
Add a caption or title
Add a reflection or shadow
Use object styles
Resize, rotate, and flip objects
Move and edit objects using the object list
Add linked objects to make your presentation interactive
Select text
Copy and paste text
Use dictation to enter text
Use accents and special characters
Format a presentation for another language
Use phonetic guides
Use bidirectional text
Use vertical text
Change the font or font size
Add bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough to text
Change the color of text
Change text capitalization
Add a shadow or outline to text
Intro to paragraph styles
Apply a paragraph style
Create, rename, or delete paragraph styles
Update or revert a paragraph style
Use a keyboard shortcut to apply a style
Adjust character spacing
Add drop caps
Raise and lower characters and text
Format fractions automatically
Create and use character styles
Format dashes and quotation marks
Format Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text
Set tab stops
Format text into columns
Adjust line spacing
Format lists
Add a highlight effect to text
Add mathematical equations
Add borders and rules (lines) to separate text
Add or delete a table
Select tables, cells, rows, and columns
Add or remove rows and columns
Move rows and columns
Resize rows and columns
Merge or unmerge cells
Change the look of table text
Show, hide, or edit a table title
Change table gridlines and colors
Use table styles
Resize, move, or lock a table
Add and edit cell content
Format dates, currency, and more
Create a custom cell format
Highlight cells conditionally
Format tables for bidirectional text
Alphabetize or sort table data
Calculate values using data in table cells
Use the Formulas and Functions Help
Add or delete a chart
Change a chart from one type to another
Modify chart data
Move, resize, and rotate a chart
Change the look of data series
Add a legend, gridlines, and other markings
Change the look of chart text and labels
Add a chart border and background
Use chart styles

Animate objects onto and off a slide

Animate objects on a slide
Change build order and timing
Add transitions
Present on your Mac
Present on a separate display
Present during a FaceTime call
Use a remote
Make a presentation advance automatically
Require a password to exit a presentation
Play a slideshow with multiple presenters
Rehearse on your Mac
Record presentations
Check spelling
Look up words
Find and replace text
Replace text automatically
Set author name and comment color
Highlight text
Add and print comments
Send a presentation
Intro to collaboration
Invite others to collaborate
Collaborate on a shared presentation
See the latest activity in a shared presentation
Change a shared presentation’s settings
Stop sharing a presentation
Shared folders and collaboration
Use Box to collaborate
Create an animated GIF
Post your presentation in a blog
Use iCloud Drive with Keynote

Export to PowerPoint or another file format

Reduce the presentation file size
Save a large presentation as a package file
Restore an earlier version of a presentation
Move a presentation
Delete a presentation
Password-protect a presentation
Lock a presentation
Create and manage custom themes
Transfer files with AirDrop
Transfer presentations with Handoff
Transfer presentations with the Finder
Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcut symbols

Get started with Keynote on Mac

Keynote makes it easy to create beautiful and engaging presentations with fun animations, interesting transitions, and professional polish.

The theme chooser. A sidebar on the left lists theme categories you can click to filter options. On the right are thumbnails of predesigned themes arranged in rows by category, starting with Basic at the top and followed by Dynamic, Minimal, and Bold. The Cancel and Create buttons are in the bottom-right corner.

Begin with a theme

The Keynote window with the Shape menu opened from the toolbar.

Add photos, movies, and more

You can add objects such as photos, movies, shapes, and charts to your presentation. To add an object to your slide, click an object button in the toolbar , then select an object from the menu.

The Keynote window with a dashed line selected on the slide. The Animate sidebar with the Build In animation controls is showing on the right.

Bring your presentation to life with animations

Use slide transitions

The Keynote window with the Share menu open from the toolbar.

Export your presentation

Play your presentation

Want to learn more?

Add transitions between slides

Play a presentation

How to Use a Mac With PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Using a Mac with PowerPoint is simple. First, make sure you have PowerPoint installed on your Mac. You can find it at the App Store or through a Microsoft 365 subscription. Open PowerPoint, and you’ll be greeted with a range of templates to start your presentation. From here, you can add text, images, and animations to create an engaging slideshow. Once done, you can present directly from your Mac or save your presentation to share with others.

After you’ve completed your PowerPoint presentation on your Mac, you’ll have a professional and compelling visual aid to support your speech or lecture. You can also share it with others or export it into different formats such as PDF, video, or even a web page.

Introduction

Are you ready to impress your audience with a stunning presentation? If you’re a Mac user, fear not – using PowerPoint on your macOS is as smooth as on any Windows PC. Let’s be honest, presentations are a part of life: whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone with a story to tell, at some point, you’re going to need to put some slides together. PowerPoint for Mac has all the tools you need to create a presentation that’s both visually captivating and content-rich.

Why is this important? Well, PowerPoint presentations are a staple in the professional world. They’re used for everything from business pitches to academic lectures. Knowing how to create an effective PowerPoint presentation on your Mac could be the difference between persuading your audience or leaving them unimpressed. And who is this relevant to? Everyone! Whether you’re a newbie to presentations or a seasoned speaker looking to refine your skills, this guide will help you master PowerPoint on your Mac.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: Using PowerPoint on a Mac

Before jumping in, let’s clarify what you’ll achieve by following these steps. By the end, you’ll be able to create, edit, and present a PowerPoint slideshow on your Mac.

Step 1: Install PowerPoint

Install PowerPoint on your Mac from the App Store or through a Microsoft 365 subscription.

After installing PowerPoint, you’ll need to sign in with your Microsoft account to activate the software, then you’ll be ready to start creating your presentation.

Step 2: Open PowerPoint

Open PowerPoint and choose a template or open a blank presentation.

PowerPoint offers a variety of templates to suit different presentation styles. If you choose to start with a blank slate, you’ll have complete creative freedom.

Step 3: Add Content

Add slides and content such as text, images, and shapes to your presentation.

Remember to keep your slides simple and not clutter them with too much content. Visual aids should support your speech, not replace it.

Step 4: Customize Your Slides

Customize your slides’ design with themes, colors, and animations.

This step is where you can get creative with your presentation’s look and feel. Just be sure not to go overboard with animations – they should enhance your presentation, not distract from it.

Step 5: Present Your Slideshow

Present your slideshow directly from your Mac or save it to share with others.

You can start your presentation by clicking the ‘Slide Show’ tab and then ‘Play from Start’. Make sure you practice your presentation beforehand to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Additional Information

Now, let’s sprinkle in some extra tidbits that could elevate your PowerPoint game on a Mac. First off, did you know that PowerPoint for Mac supports real-time collaboration? Yup, you can work with your teammates on the same presentation at the same time, no matter where you are. And if you’re all about shortcuts, PowerPoint for Mac has plenty. For instance, pressing Command + Shift + N instantly creates a new slide.

Another neat feature is the Presenter View, which lets you see your notes, the upcoming slide, and a timer, all while the audience only sees the current slide. And for those who value accessibility, PowerPoint for Mac has tools to make presentations more accessible, including options for larger text and high contrast. Just remember, when using PowerPoint on a Mac, you have all the essentials at your fingertips to create presentations that are not just informational, but also memorable.

Install PowerPoint on your Mac from the App Store or Microsoft 365.
Open PowerPoint and select a template or start with a blank presentation.
Add and customize your slides with text, images, and animations.
Present directly from your Mac or save your presentation for later use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use powerpoint on a mac.

Yes, PowerPoint is available for Mac users and can be downloaded from the App Store or included in a Microsoft 365 subscription.

Is PowerPoint for Mac different from Windows?

While there are some differences in design and available features, PowerPoint for Mac offers a comparable experience to the Windows version.

Can I collaborate with others using PowerPoint for Mac?

Absolutely! PowerPoint for Mac supports real-time collaboration, allowing multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously.

Can I open a PowerPoint presentation made on a Mac on a Windows PC?

Yes, presentations made in PowerPoint for Mac are compatible with PowerPoint for Windows, ensuring easy file sharing and collaboration.

Does PowerPoint for Mac support Presenter View?

Yes, Presenter View is available in PowerPoint for Mac, providing speakers with a private view of their notes and upcoming slides while presenting.

In conclusion, mastering the use of PowerPoint on a Mac can be a game-changer for anyone looking to create impactful and persuasive presentations. Whether you’re a student, educator, entrepreneur, or professional, the ability to present your ideas clearly and attractively is invaluable.

So, dive in, explore the features, and harness the power of PowerPoint on your Mac to captivate your audience. Remember, a well-crafted presentation can be the key to success. Happy presenting!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.