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Basic 6 · Computing · Introduction to MS PowerPoint

Using the Text Group on the PowerPoint Insert Ribbon

In this topic you will demonstrate how to use the icons in the Text group of the Insert ribbon in Microsoft PowerPoint.

By the end of these notes you should be able to:

  • Identify the parts of the PowerPoint window
  • Use the Text group tools: Text Box, Header & Footer, WordArt, Date & Time, Slide Number
  • Create a simple slide presentation

What you already know

  • Word processing basics (Basic 5)

Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.

Strand
Presentation
Sub-strand
Introduction to MS PowerPoint
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B6.2.1.1.1-3 – Demonstrate how to use icons in the Text group in the Insert Ribbon

Introduction

PowerPoint is a program for making slide presentations. Teachers, businesses and pupils use it to present ideas with text and pictures. The Insert ribbon has tools for adding text to slides.

1. The PowerPoint Window

Parts of the PowerPoint window
PartUse
ribbontabs with tools: Home, Insert, Design, Transitions, Animations, Slide Show
slide panethe large area where you edit the current slide
slide thumbnailssmall pictures of all slides on the left
notes panenotes for the speaker below the slide
status barshows the slide number and view buttons

2. The Text Group on the Insert Tab

Text group tools
ToolWhat it does
Text Boxdraws a box anywhere on the slide for typing text
Header & Footeradds text, date and slide numbers at the bottom of slides
WordArtinserts decorative, stylish text
Date & Timeinserts the current date and time
Slide Numberadds the slide number
Objectinserts content from another program, such as a document
The PowerPoint Insert ribbon with the Text group highlighted
Figure 1: The Text group Draw the Text group and label its buttons.Illustration: Sirbus

3. Using the Tools

  1. Text Box: click Insert → Text Box, click and drag on the slide, then type.
  2. WordArt: click Insert → WordArt, choose a style and type your title.
  3. Header & Footer: click Insert → Header & Footer, tick Date and time, Slide number and Footer, type footer text, then click Apply to All.
  4. Format the text using the Home tab (font, size, colour, bold).

4. A Simple Presentation

Example: "Our School" (4 slides)
SlideContent
1WordArt title "Our School" and your name in a text box
2location and history
3subjects and clubs
4"Thank you" with slide numbers and the date in the footer

Press F5 to start the slide show from the beginning. Press Esc to end it. Keep slides simple: few words, large fonts and clear pictures.

New words

presentation
A set of slides shown to an audience.
slide
One page of a presentation.
ribbon
The strip of tabs and tools at the top.
text box
A box for typing text anywhere on a slide.
WordArt
Decorative text styles.
footer
Text at the bottom of each slide.

Summary

  • PowerPoint creates slide presentations.
  • The Text group on the Insert tab has Text Box, Header & Footer, WordArt, Date & Time and Slide Number.
  • Use Apply to All to put footers on every slide.
  • Press F5 to start a slide show.

Class activity: My School Slides

  1. Create a four-slide presentation about your school.
  2. Use WordArt for the title and text boxes for information.
  3. Add slide numbers and a footer to all slides, then present it.

You need: Desktop computer, Mouse, Keyboard

Exercises

Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.

  1. 1. Which tool adds decorative text?

    • A. WordArt
    • B. Text Box
    • C. Slide Number
    • D. Footer
    Show answer
    Answer: WordArtStylish text.

  2. 2. Header & Footer is found on which tab?

    • A. Insert
    • B. Home
    • C. Design
    • D. View
    Show answer
    Answer: InsertIn the Text group.

  3. 3. Which key starts a slide show from the beginning?

    • A. F5
    • B. F2
    • C. Esc
    • D. Tab
    Show answer
    Answer: F5Slide show.

  4. 4. A text box lets you type anywhere on a slide.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: TrueClick and drag.

  5. 5. "Apply" adds a footer to all slides.

    • A. True
    • B. False
    Show answer
    Answer: False"Apply to All" does.

  6. 6. One page of a presentation is a ______.

    Show answer
    Answer: slideSlides make a presentation.

  7. 7. List four tools in the Text group of the Insert tab.

    Show answer
    Answer: Text Box, Header & Footer, WordArt, Slide Number (or Date & Time, Object).Any four.

  8. 8. Give two tips for making good slides.

    Show answer
    Answer: Use few words and large fonts (or clear pictures, consistent design).Simplicity.

Homework

  1. Plan a five-slide presentation about a Ghanaian festival on paper.