Customizing slide layouts

To change the layout of an existing slide:

1. Select the slide you wish to change.
   
   
2. Click the Layout command in the Slides group on the Home tab. A menu will appear with your options.
   
3. Choose a layout from the menu. The slide will change in the presentation.
   

To delete a placeholder:

You can easily customize your layout by deleting unwanted or "extra" placeholders from any slide.

1. Position your mouse on the dotted border of the placeholder so it changes to a cross with arrows .
2. Click the border to select it.
   
3. Press Backspace or Delete on your keyboard. The placeholder will be removed from the slide.

To add a text box:

Text boxes allow you to add to your current layout, so you can place text wherever you want on your slide.

1. From the Insert tab, click the Text Box command. 
   
2. Your cursor will turn into an upside-down cross .
   
3. Click, hold, and drag your mouse to draw a text box. A text box will appear.
   

Explore our Text Basics lesson to learn more about inserting and using text boxes in PowerPoint 2010.

To use a blank slide:

For more control over your content, you may prefer a blank slide (a slide without placeholders) over one of the existing layouts. Blank slides can be customized by adding your own text boxes, pictures, charts, and more.

• Select Blank from the menu of layout options.