How to create custom themes

[Szymon Nowak]

Hi,

I'm Powerpoint newbie and I need to do few presentations for my company.

I'd like to create my own theme with custom slide layouts.

Not sure what exactly the terminology is, but generaly I'd like to set
default fonts and colors for header and content, background color for each
slide and customize slide layouts - i.e. change "Title only" layout, so that
the title is in the middle of the page etc.

I'd be grateful for links to tutorials on how to create such custom themes
Regards

 

[Ute Simon]

I'm Powerpoint newbie and I need to do few presentations for my company.

I'd like to create my own theme with custom slide layouts.

Not sure what exactly the terminology is, but generaly I'd like to set
default fonts and colors for header and content, background color for each
slide and customize slide layouts - i.e. change "Title only" layout, so
that
the title is in the middle of the page etc.

I'd be grateful for links to tutorials on how to create such custom themes

Hi Szymon,

which version of PowerPoint do you use? 2007? Then have a look here:
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007_tutorials.htm and here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA102504261033.aspx?pid=CH100668201033

But beware, creating themes is not an easy task. Have a look at the built-in
themes and the additional themes, which can be downloaded from
http://office.microsoft.com and start with customizing an existing theme.

Best regards,
Ute

 

[Jean-Pierre Forestier [MVP[]

You can create what you want in the Master slide

 

[Szymon Nowak]

Hi Szymon,

which version of PowerPoint do you use? 2007? Then have a look here:
http://www.echosvoice.com/2007_tutorials.htm and here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint/HA102504261033.aspx?pid=CH100668201033

But beware, creating themes is not an easy task. Have a look at the built-in
themes and the additional themes, which can be downloaded from
http://office.microsoft.com and start with customizing an existing theme.

Best regards,
Ute

Thanks guys!

 

[Lucy Thomson]

Hi

This tutorial should get you started - it's for 2003 but the info is
relevant to 2007:
Design efficiently with masters:
http://office.microsoft.com/training/training.aspx?AssetID=RC011536491033

Echo has a great tutorial on colour schemes here:
http://www.echosvoice.com/colorschemes.htm

If you let us know the version you are using we could point you to other
stuff/tips too

Lucy

 

[Echo S]

What the others said.

And...

Themes (THMX files) in 2007 consist of a combination of colors, fonts and
effects that can be used in PPT, Word and Excel. The goal is to make it
easier for users to have these available in all the applications -- helps
make things look more cohesive across the board. (It's not perfect, but it's
a step in the right direction!)

You actually build the themes in PPT. Then you use Office Button | Save As
and save the THMX file.

To get started, open a new blank presentation and make changes to it.

You can create a color scheme for your theme. To create one, click Design
tab | Colors | Create new colors. (One color scheme will be included with
the theme. If you need to add alternative color schemes for your users, then
there's a tutorial on my site in the 2007 tutorials section. Someone's
already given you the link to it, I think.)

You can create a font scheme for your theme. Design tab | Fonts | Create new
theme fonts. Or, if the appropriate set already exists there, then just
select it.

Effects schemes. Select one from Design tab | Effects. You cannot create new
effects schemes from within the PPT interface. You'd have to use the theme
builder utility from http://www.codeplex.com/openxmlthemebuilder (There's no
documentation for this utility yet, though.)

Slide layouts and masters are also included in the theme file -- so if you
make new layouts, your users get them when they apply a theme (THMX) to a
presentation or use a template or presentation based on that theme. Once
you've set up your colors and stuff, head to View | Slide Master and make
your changes -- add slide layouts, placeholders, what have you.

Those are the basics. I've been doing some consulting for corporations
developing 2007 themes and templates, so I'm available for that if you need
help with the more advanced stuff.