Microsoft PowerPoint Glossary& Keyboard Shortcuts

Microsoft PowerPoint Glossary & Keyboard Shortcuts

PowerPoint Glossary (below)

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts

General Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Ctrl+N: Create a new presentation
  • Ctrl+O: Open an existing presentation
  • Ctrl+S: Save a presentation
  • F12 or Alt+F2: Open the Save As dialog box
  • Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4: Close a presentation
  • Ctrl+Q: Save and close a presentation
  • Ctrl+Z: Undo an action
  • Ctrl+Y: Redo an action
  • Ctrl+F2: Print Preview View
  • F1: Open the Help pane
  • Alt+Q: Go to the “Tell me what you want to do” box
  • F7: Check spelling
  • Alt or F10: Turn key tips on or off
  • Ctrl+F1: Show or hide the ribbon
  • Ctrl+F: Search in a presentation or use Find and Replace
  • Alt+F: Open the File tab menu
  • Alt+H: Go to the Home tab
  • Alt+N: Open the Insert tab
  • Alt+G: Open the Design tab
  • Alt+K: Go to the Transitions tab
  • Alt+A: Go to the Animations tab
  • Alt+S: Go to the Slide Show tab
  • Alt+R: Go to the Review tab
  • Alt+W: Go to View tab
  • Alt+X: Go to the Add-ins tab
  • Alt+Y: Go to the Help tab
  • Ctrl+Tab: Switch between open presentations
Navigating and Selecting Text, Objects & Slides
  • Ctrl+A: Select all text in a text box, all objects on a slide, or all slides in a presentation (for the latter, click on a slide thumbnail first)
  • Tab: Select or move to the next object on a slide
  • Shift+Tab: Select or move to the previous object on a slide
  • Home: Go to the first slide, or from within a text box, go to the beginning of the line
  • End: Go to the last slide, or from within a text box, go to the end of the line
  • PgDn: Go to the next slide
  • PgUp: Go the previous slide
  • Ctrl+Up/Down Arrow: Move a slide up or down in your presentation (click on a slide thumbnail first)
  • Ctrl+Shift+Up/Down Arrow: Move a slide to the beginning or end of your presentation (click on a slide thumbnail first)
Formatting and Editing Shortcuts
  • Ctrl+X: Cut selected text, selected object(s), or selected slide(s)
  • Ctrl+C or Ctrl+Insert: Copy selected text, selected object(s), or selected slide(s)
  • Ctrl+V or Shift+Insert: Paste selected text, selected object(s), or selected slide(s)
  • Ctrl+Alt+V: Open the Paste Special dialog box
  • Delete: Remove selected text, selected object(s), or selected slide(s)
  • Ctrl+B: Add or remove bold to selected text
  • Ctrl+I: Add or remove italics to selected text
  • Ctrl+U: Add or remove underline to selected text
  • Ctrl+E: Center a paragraph
  • Ctrl+J: Justify a paragraph
  • Ctrl+L: Left align a paragraph
  • Ctrl+R: Right align a paragraph
  • Ctrl+T: Open the Font dialog box when text or object is selected
  • Alt+W,Q: Open the Zoom dialog box to change the zoom for the slide
  • Alt+N,P: Insert a picture
  • Alt+H,S,H: Insert a shape
  • Alt+H,L: Select a slide layout
  • Ctrl+K: Insert a hyperlink
  • Ctrl+M: Insert a new slide
  • Ctrl+D: Duplicate the selected object or slide (for the latter, click on a slide thumbnail first)
Slideshow Shortcuts
  • F5: Start the presentation from the beginning
  • Shift+F5: Start the presentation from the current slide (this one is great when you want to test out how the slide your currently working on will look in your presentation)
  • Ctrl+P: Annotate with the Pen tool during a slideshow
  • N or Page Down: Advance to the next slide during a slideshow
  • P or Page Up: Return to the previous slide during a slide show
  • B: Change the screen to black during a slideshow; press B again to return to the slideshow
  • Esc: End the slideshow

PowerPoint Glossary

3-D Chart3-D charts are any charts that have a three-dimensional appearance, that is, height, width, and depth.
3-D Surface Chart3-D surface charts show relationships between large amounts of data that would otherwise be difficult to see.
Action ButtonsAction buttons are buttons that you create in a presentation that perform an action when you click them. You can have an action button start a video, give information, play a sound, or move to a hyperlink.
Animation EffectsAnimation effects are builds, movement, and other special effects that can be applied to objects and text to add interest and variety to a presentation.
Animation IconIn Slide Sorter view, the animation icon is displayed under all slides that have animation applied to them.
Animation PreviewUse the Animation Preview command on the Slide Show menu to preview the animation effect in the thumbnail.
AnimationsAnimations are effects that allow you to reveal the points on a slide one by one.
Application WindowThe PowerPoint application window holds the current presentation. It consists of the default toolbars, but many of the tools and menu items are not available if a presentation is not open.
Area ChartArea charts show the relative importance of values over a period of time, placing emphasis on the amount of change.
Audience HandoutsAudience handouts are small, printed versions of your slides that can contain an area for notes. They are usually printed and distributed to the audience.
AutoClipArtUse the AutoClipArt command to begin a concept keyword search of your slideshow. PowerPoint searches your slideshow for keywords that relate to the keywords associated with clip art images in the Clip Gallery.
AutoContent WizardThe AutoContent Wizard guides you through a number of formatting selections that will help you develop a clear, professional style for your presentation.
AutoLayoutsAutoLayouts are slide layouts that have ready-made placeholders for titles, text, and objects such as clip art, graphs, and charts.
AutoShapesAutoShapes are the shapes that are drawn automatically when you click the button representing the shape, and drag the drawing tool to the desired size.
BackgroundThe Background dialog box provides various options that let you change the background look of a single slide or every slide in the presentation.
Background FillThe Background fill options, located in the Background dialog box, allow you to change the color, shading, pattern, texture, and picture of slide backgrounds.
Background ItemsBackground items are any objects that are added to the Slide Master that appear on all of the slides in a presentation that follow the Slide Master’s formatting. Any object on the master, other than the master title and text, is considered to be a background item, including art, logos, the date and time, slide numbers, and the presentation name.
Bar ChartBar charts show individual figures at a specific time or show a comparison between items.
Basic ShapesBasic shapes are shapes that can be created by simply clicking the appropriate Drawing tool, then clicking and dragging it to form that shape.
Blank PresentationThe Blank Presentation option opens PowerPoint’s default presentation. You can design or save any presentation as the default so that presentation will open every time you select the Blank Presentation option.
Branching SlidesBranching slides provides one way to make one presentation to suit different audiences. Branching allows you to have two or more slide shows within a single slide show where you can run each when appropriate.
Bring ForwardThe Bring Forward option on the Order submenu allows you to send objects forward one level or layer of a slide at a time.
Bring To FrontThe Bring to Front option on the Order submenu allows you to send objects all the way to the front or top level or layer of a slide.
Bubble ChartBubble charts are a type of chart that show the relationships between the chart values by the size of the circles.
BuildA build is a feature that is formed when bullets or objects appear one at a time with animated effects.
BuildsBuilds are effects that allow you to reveal the points on a slide one by one.
BulletsBullets are dots, arrows, or other symbols used to identify items in a list.
CaseCase determines whether letters are capital (uppercase) or non-capital (lowercase.) This option allows you to change the case of a selected letter, letters, or text.
CellA cell is the intersection of a row and a column. Each cell is identified by the column letter and the row number, such as A1.
ChartA chart is a diagram of relationships or comparisons between two or more things.
Clip ArtClip art is a collection of professionally designed images that can be inserted into a presentation.
Clip Art CategoriesClip art categories in the ClipArt Gallery are topics that group similar types of clip art.
CloseUse the Close command to exit an active presentation without leaving the application.
Column ChartColumn charts show a variation over a period of time, or they show a comparison between items.
ColumnsColumns are the vertical divisions of a datasheet that are identified by letters.
Common Tasks ToolbarThe Common Tasks toolbar appears as a floating toolbar on the PowerPoint screen. It consists of options that allow you to quickly access commonly used dialog boxes, and these options change depending on your current process.
Crop ToolThe Crop tool allows you to alter an object by hiding or cutting portions of it.
DataData is related information that is grouped and manipulated by an application.
Data LabelsData labels provide additional information about the sections of a chart, such as values, names of data series or categories, percentages, or a combination of these.
Data SeriesA data series is a group of figures about one item. For instance, if you are charting the sales figures for cogs and widgets for the last year, all of the cog figures make up the cog data series.
DatasheetDatasheets contain related information or data to be analyzed.
Doughnut ChartDoughnut charts show the proportions of parts to a whole and can show more than one series of data.
Drag-and-dropDrag-and-drop is clicking the mouse button and holding it on a selected item, then dragging the item to a new location and releasing the mouse button.
Drag-selectUse drag-select to select text. With the I-beam mouse pointer, click before the text you want to select, and drag to the end of the text you want to select. The selected text appears highlighted (with a dark background) and is ready to be changed.
Drawing ToolbarThe Drawing toolbar is located on the left side of the PowerPoint window, and contains buttons that provide quick access to commonly used drawing tools and functions.
Drawing ToolsDrawing tools include AutoShapes, lines, and other options that make it easy to draw, color, or position presentation objects.
Elapsed TimeThe elapsed time for the slides that have been rehearsed is displayed on the left side of the Rehearsal Timer.
ExitUse the Exit command to close all active presentations as well as the application.
Fill EffectsSelect Fill Effects in the Background fill section of the Background dialog box to choose from a variety of effects, including textures and patterns.
FindThe Find option allows you to locate every instance of a specified word or words.
Floating ToolbarA floating toolbar is any toolbar that appears as a box in the working screen area. Any toolbar can be made into a floating toolbar by simply clicking-and-dragging the toolbar to the working screen area.
Font EmbeddingFont embedding saves TrueType fonts in a presentation so text will be properly displayed on other computers.
Font SizeA font size is the size of a font measured in points. The more points there are in a font, the larger it will appear. There are 72 points to an inch.
FooterA footer is any information located in the bottom margin of a document that is repeated on every page or every other page, such as page numbers or file names.
Formatting ToolbarThe Formatting toolbar is located beneath the Standard toolbar, and contains buttons that provide quick access to commonly used formatting tools and options for the application.
Graphical BuildsA graphical build is a series of objects that are placed on a slide one at a time to create an animated effect.
GraphicsGraphics are images such as clip art, word art, graphs, and charts.
HandoutsHandouts are smaller versions of your slides that are printed and can be distributed to the audience.
HeaderA header is any information located in the top margin of a document that is repeated on every page or every other page, such as document titles or the date.
Hidden SlidesHidden slides do not automatically appear in a presentation. You must prompt them by using a simple keystroke or menu option.
LegendA legend is a box that contains entries and keys that help identify the data series in a chart.
Legend KeyThe legend key is the symbol that appears next to the legend text that shows a sample of each data series indicator on the chart.
Legend TextLegend text is the text that appears in a legend that identifies the data series on the chart.
Line ChartLine charts show trends or changes in data over a period of time and at even intervals.
Linking SlidesLinking slides provides a way to make one presentation suit different audiences. Linking allows you to link a slide or presentation to the current presentation. You can then choose to run the presentation with or without the linked slide(s).
Master TextThe Master text (Object Area for AutoLayouts) is the placeholder that contains the formatting for the main text on the Slide Master. This placeholder contains the font, color, size, line spacing, and alignment settings of the main text as well as the text’s attributes, shape, and placement.
Master TitleThe Master title (Title Area for AutoLayouts) is the placeholder that holds the formatting for the titles on a Slide Master. This placeholder contains the font, color, size, alignment, and line spacing settings of the slides titles as well as the text’s attributes, shape, and placement.
Microsoft Clip GalleryThe Microsoft Clip Gallery is a supplemental application that gives you access to clip art, pictures, sounds, and video clips. Most of the clip art, pictures, sounds, and video clips are located on a CD-ROM, and can be imported from the Clip Gallery dialog box. The Clip Gallery helps you organize and find the clip art and other elements easily.
Microsoft GraphMicrosoft Graph is a supplementary application that allows you to create charts in PowerPoint.
Microsoft Org ChartMicrosoft Organization Chart (also referred to as an Org Chart) is a supplementary application that allows you to create organization charts in PowerPoint.
Monotype SortsMonotype Sorts is a TrueType font that provides a variety of bullet styles. The Monotype Sorts font appears on most computers on which Windows has been installed.
Mouse PointerThe mouse pointer is the arrow that shows up on the screen and is directed by the mouse. The mouse pointer often changes appearance depending on where it is positioned or what action you are taking.
NewUse the New command to create a new presentation. The New command allows you to create a presentation from scratch, or it offers a variety of designs and formats that can be used as a starting point.
Notes PagesNotes Pages contain a reduced image of a slide as well as an area to include speakers notes.
Office AssistantThe Office Assistant appears on all PowerPoint screens until you close it and can be used to get help and tips on using PowerPoint.
Online PresentationAn online presentation is an electronic slide show that is run on or projected from a computer.
OptionsOptions on the Tools menu allows you to set your preferences for PowerPoint functions, such as the maximum number of undos, smart quotes, and viewing non-printing characters.
OrderUse the Order command to rearrange the order of objects on a slide.
Organization BoxesOrganization boxes are the boxes within an Organization chart that contain the name and job information for each position.
Organization ChartAn organization chart is a diagram or map that shows the hierarchy of a group or business. It usually shows a person’s name, and the position that person holds within the group or business.
Outline ViewOutline view allows you to work with slide titles and main text without being distracted by background colors and graphics. You can see most of the text in your presentation at a glance instead of scrolling from slide to slide. You can also rearrange the order and organization of your slides and text, and make formatting changes.
Outlining ToolbarThe Outlining toolbar is available in Outline view by default, and is located on the left side of the window. The Outlining toolbar has buttons that provide quick access to outlining features such as indenting and text relocation.
Pack And GoPack And Go “wraps up” your presentations and all of its elements, along with the PowerPoint Viewer, into a Pack and Go executable file so you can load and view it on any machine.
Pack And Go WizardThe Pack and Go Wizard is a series of dialog boxes that walks you through packaging a presentation so you can show it on other computers.
Pen ToolUse the pen tool to mark on the slides during a presentation.
PicturePictures can be anything from scanned photographs to line art images to artwork from compact discs.
Picture ToolbarUse the Picture toolbar to quickly make changes to the selected image. The Picture toolbar appears as a floating toolbar whenever you have an image selected.
Pie ChartPie charts show the proportions of parts to a whole.
PlaceholdersPlaceholders are predefined areas on Master slides and AutoLayouts that designate where specific objects or text should be placed.
Placement LineThe placement line appears in Outline view as you drag a slide icon to a new location. The line is used to make placement easier.
PowerPoint ViewerThe PowerPoint Viewer is a program that comes with PowerPoint, but it allows you to view presentations without having PowerPoint installed.
PresentationA presentation is a collection of slides, handouts, speaker’s notes, and an outline, all combined into a file that can be printed onto transparencies or projected from a computer.
Presentation DesignsThe Presentation Designs card in the New Presentation dialog box is a collection of templates that helps you determine the color scheme, fonts, and other design features of your presentation.
Presentation Templates FileA Presentation Templates file is any presentation background that is saved as a template. You can modify existing templates or create new templates from scratch, then save them as a Presentation Template.
Preset AnimationsUse PowerPoint’s preset animation effects to quickly apply interesting animation effects to your slide show.
Print RangeThe Print Range option in the Print dialog box allows you to specify what pages of a document you want to print.
Print WhatThe Print What option in the Print dialog box allows you to specify in what format you want the document to print.
Radar ChartRadar charts show changes or frequencies of series of data relative to a center point and relative to each other.
Regular ShapesRegular shapes refer to perfectly proportioned shapes, such as circles and squares, that can be inscribed within a square, or any shape with equal sides or equal distance from the center.
Rehearsal TimerThe Rehearsal Timer allows you to set timings for your slides so you can run the presentation on its own.
ReplaceUse Replace on the Edit menu to search for and replace specified text.
Resize HandlesResize handles are small, solid boxes that appear in the border of a selected object. The resize handles are used to change the size of the selected object.
RowsRows are the horizontal divisions of a datasheet that are identified by numbers.
Ruler GuidesThe ruler guides are the lines on the ruler that move according to the pointer position. These lines help position the location of the pointer.
RulersUse rulers to help align and size objects on your slide.
SelectIn order to work with an object, you must first select or activate it. One way to select an object by clicking it once with the mouse.
Selection BoxA selection box appears around a text box when it is selected on a PowerPoint slide. It includes the selection handles. It also appears around items as you click-and-drag the mouse pointer around a group of objects you want to select.
Selection HandlesSelection handles, which look like small squares, appear on objects when they are selected on a PowerPoint slide. They can be used to change the size of the object.
Send BackwardThe Send Backward option on the Order submenu allows you to send objects back one level or layer of a slide at a time.
Send To BackThe Send to Back option on the Order submenu allows you to send objects all the way to the back level or layer of a slide.
Shade StylesShading an object in PowerPoint creates a gradient effect — a gradual shift from one color to another. All objects in PowerPoint can be filled with a shaded color.
ShadingShading is a modification of a color that is made by adding complementary colors or small amounts of black.
Shading FillShading Fill sets the overall style or direction of the shading.
ShadowUse the Shadow effect to emphasize text. It produces a drop-shadow behind the text.
Slide Color SchemeThe Slide Color Scheme option on the Format menu lets you change colors in a color scheme, or select new colors for a single slide or an entire presentation.
Slide IconA slide icon is the graphical representation of a slide in Outline View that appears where each slide begins. The slide icon also displays small shapes if any graphics or other objects exist on the slide.
Slide MasterThe Slide Master is the slide that holds the formatting for the title, the text, and any background items that appear on the slides. Any text styles or graphics that appear on the Slide Master will appear on all of the slides in a presentation.
Slide NavigatorThe Slide Navigator allows you to go to any slide in your presentation while in Slide view.
Slide Show Menu IconClick the Slide Show Menu icon to open a menu with options to apply in Slide Show view.
Slide Show ViewSlide Show View shows how a presentation will look when you run it. This allows you to do a test run and even create timed presentations.
Slide Sorter ToolbarThe Slide Sorter toolbar is available only in Slide Sorter view, and allows quick access to special PowerPoint effects such as transitions, builds, rehearse timing, and hide slides.
Slide Sorter ViewSlide Sorter View displays a reduced image of all the slides in a grid-like fashion. This view makes it easier to rearrange the slides in a presentation and add transitions and special effects.
Slide ViewSlide View allows you to work on one slide at a time. While in Slide View, you can add any element to a slide, including text, graphics, shapes, and graphs.
SlidesSlides are the individual pages of your presentation. Slides can be designed with different titles, graphics, text, and much more.
Speaker’s NotesSpeaker’s Notes are pages with a copy of a slide on top and space below it for taking notes.
Standard ToolbarThe Standard toolbar is located beneath the menu bar, and contains buttons that provide quick access to commonly used tools and options for the application.
Status BarThe status bar is the area at the bottom of a window that provides messages that describe what you are seeing and doing in the presentation as you work.
SubordinateA subordinate is someone in a lower rank or position.
Supplementary ApplicationA supplementary application is an application that can be opened and used within PowerPoint. Microsoft Graph, Microsoft Organization Chart, and Microsoft WordArt are examples of supplementary applications.
TemplateA template is a slide or presentation that provides a predefined format and color scheme that can be applied to another presentation. PowerPoint provides more than 100 professionally designed templates, or you can use an existing presentation as a template.
ThumbnailA thumbnail is a small view of the current slide. It appears in several different PowerPoint screens, including Outline view.
Thumbnail PrintsThumbnail prints are small printed versions of slides. You can print 2, 3, or 6 thumbnails on a single page.
Title CaseTitle case is when each major word in the text starts with a capital letter.
Title MasterThe Title Master holds the master format for title slides in a presentation.
Title SlideThe Title slide is an AutoLayout that provides placeholders for a title and a subtitle for a presentation.
TransitionA transition is an effect that can be run between slides to signal a shift from one slide to the next.
Transition IconIn Slide Sorter view, a transition icon appears under every slide that has a transition applied to it.
TransitionsA transition is an effect that can be run between slides to signal a shift from one slide to the next.
TrueType FontsTrueType fonts are scaled to fit your presentation so they always present a smooth, clear image. They are designed to be used on any printer and in any type size.
Ungrouping ObjectsUngrouping objects allows you to work with each part of a grouped object individually.
VariantVariants are different shading orders of a selected style.
WordArtWordArt is a supplementary application that can be used to manipulate text into shapes. For instance, you can make a phrase or sentence form a circle.
XY (Scatter) ChartXY (scatter) charts show the relationship between the numeric values in several series of data.

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