IGCSE ICT 0417 - Presentations

Topic: Inserting a New Slide

This section explains how to insert a new slide in a presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint. This is a fundamental skill for building a complete and well-structured presentation.

Methods for Inserting a New Slide

There are several ways to insert a new slide. The most common methods are described below:

• Using the Ribbon: Go to the 'Home' tab in the Ribbon. In the 'Slides' group, click the 'New Slide' button. A dropdown menu will appear, allowing you to choose from various slide layouts.
• Using the Right-Click Menu: Right-click in the slide thumbnail pane (left side of the screen). Select 'New Slide' from the context menu. This will also present a selection of slide layouts.
• Keyboard Shortcut: Pressing the key combination Ctrl + M (Windows) or Cmd + M (Mac) will directly open the 'New Slide' menu.

Understanding Slide Layouts

When you choose to insert a new slide, you'll be presented with a variety of slide layouts. These layouts determine the arrangement of placeholders for text, images, charts, and other objects on the slide. Common layouts include:

Layout Name	Description
Title Slide	Includes a title placeholder and an optional subtitle. Suitable for the opening slide of a presentation.
Title and Content	Features a title placeholder and multiple placeholders for text and images. Good for slides with a heading and supporting information.
Section Header	Displays a section header and a content placeholder. Useful for dividing a presentation into logical sections.
Two Content Sections	Contains two content placeholders, allowing for a split layout.
Picture with Caption	Designed to display an image with a caption.
Blank	A completely blank slide, allowing you to add elements manually.

Steps to Insert a New Slide (Detailed)

1. Open the presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint.
2. Navigate to the desired location where you want to insert the new slide. This can be done by selecting the slide directly before where you want the new slide to appear.
3. Go to the 'Home' tab on the Ribbon.
4. In the 'Slides' group, click the 'New Slide' button.
5. A dropdown menu will appear, displaying the available slide layouts.
6. Select the layout that best suits the content you plan to include on the new slide.
7. The new slide will be inserted at the selected location.

By mastering the ability to insert new slides and choosing appropriate layouts, you can create a well-organized and visually appealing presentation.