How To Use PowerPoint Design Ideas: A Complete Guide

The PowerPoint Design Ideas tool is a feature that is known to some and unfamiliar to others, largely dependent on how frequently Microsoft PowerPoint is used.

While the prospect of acquiring design ideas in PowerPoint seems promising, the reality is not always straightforward. There are instances where everything appears repetitive, or making a choice among different design ideas becomes challenging due to indecision.

For those acquainted with PowerPoint Designer or the Design Ideas tool, it serves as a valuable aid. However, if you’re unaware of its existence, you’re potentially missing out on a lot.

This blog post aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the Design Ideas tool, covering technical prerequisites, enabling or disabling the tool, and editing PowerPoint Design Ideas.

Let’s dive into the details!

What is Microsoft PowerPoint?

Microsoft PowerPoint (PPT) is presentation software developed by Microsoft. It’s an integral component of the Microsoft Office suite, alongside Word, Excel, and other productivity tools. Additionally, it can be installed as a standalone application on various devices.

PowerPoint enables the creation of presentations using slides that incorporate text and multimedia elements. It’s versatile, catering to simple educational outlines, complex business presentations, and more. The software originated from the efforts of Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin at Forethought, Inc., a Macintosh-exclusive software company. Microsoft acquired it three months after its April 1987 release, leading to its current nomenclature: Microsoft PowerPoint or simply PPTX.

What is Microsoft PowerPoint Used For?

Microsoft PowerPoint serves as a platform for designing and producing presentations. With PowerPoint installed on your device—whether PC, Mac, or mobile—you can:

• Create presentations from scratch or templates.
• Incorporate text, images, art, and videos.
• Apply transitions, animations, and cinematic motion.
• Opt for professional designs using PowerPoint Designer.
• Store presentations on OneDrive for easy access from any device.
• Collaborate on presentations with others, regardless of their location.

Given its integration with other Microsoft Office suite tools, you can import content from Excel, Word, and various media sources, including images, audio, and video clips.

What is the Microsoft PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool?

The PowerPoint Design Ideas tool, also referred to as PowerPoint Design, is a valuable resource for crafting visually compelling PowerPoint slides. It assists in generating and suggesting visually appealing slide designs based on your content.

Once you’ve added your content—text, images, and other media—simply activate the Design Ideas tool, and it will present design suggestions tailored to your content. You can then choose the design that aligns with your preferences and presentation style.

The Design Ideas tool typically generates around 8 different layout and design options for you to choose from. If you’re seeking even more choices, you can click “More” to access a wider selection.

This tool is available through Office 365 web, Office 365 app for PC and Mac, and Microsoft Office Online (including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Why Use the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool?

The PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool offers several advantages for your PowerPoint designs:

• Rapidly generate multiple unique designs in seconds.
• Save time on both small and large-scale projects.
• Automatically integrate visual elements and illustrations that match your theme.
• Convert text into graphics, enhancing visual appeal.
• Customize and edit designs according to your preferences.

Ultimately, once your PowerPoint content is prepared, presenting it in an impressive manner is crucial. The PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool can help achieve that with minimal effort.

Requirements to Use the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool

To access the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool, your PowerPoint program needs to meet certain requirements. These requirements vary based on the platform you’re using. Specifically, you’ll need:

• A valid and active Office 365 subscription for Windows or Mac.
• PowerPoint Online (web version) on Office Live, requiring a OneDrive or SharePoint Online account.
• PowerPoint iOS on iPad or iPad Pro (not available on iPhones).
• PowerPoint Android on a tablet (unavailable on Android smartphones).
• PowerPoint Windows Mobile on a Windows tablet (unavailable on Windows smartphones).

If you cannot locate the PowerPoint Design Ideas tool within your PowerPoint application, it may be due to not meeting these requirements or having the feature disabled.

How to Use the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool on Windows and Mac

For users new to the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool, utilizing it can be a bit challenging. Here’s a guide to help you navigate the tool effectively:

How to Turn On Design Ideas in PowerPoint (for PC and Mac)

If you possess an Office 365 subscription but cannot find the Design Ideas tool button under the Design tab, it’s possible that the tool is deactivated or disabled. To enable it on both PC and Mac platforms, follow these steps:

How to Enable PowerPoint Designer on PowerPoint for Windows:

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Navigate to the File menu, select Options, and switch to the General tab.
3. Within the General tab, locate the section dedicated to PowerPoint Designer.
4. Enable the following two options:
   • Automatically show me design ideas
   • Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation
5. Click OK to finalize the changes.

The PowerPoint Design Ideas tool should now be enabled on your Windows device, and you’ll see design ideas and suggestions whenever you use the tool.

How to Enable PowerPoint Designer on PowerPoint for Mac:

1. Launch PowerPoint.
2. Access PowerPoint Preferences by using the menu bar or pressing Command + , (command and comma keys simultaneously).
3. Within Authoring and Proofing Tools, click on General.
4. In the General section, find the options for PowerPoint Designer.
5. Similar to the Windows version, enable both options:
   • Automatically show me design ideas
   • Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation
6. Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

The PowerPoint Design Ideas tool should now be enabled on your Mac device.

How to Address If PowerPoint Design Ideas Is Missing (PowerPoint Design Ideas Not Working)

If you’re certain that you possess an active Office 365 subscription but are still unable to find the Designer button in PowerPoint, consider these potential solutions:

• Restart PowerPoint and, if necessary, your computer.
• If you’ve transitioned from a standalone version of Microsoft Office to Office 365, uninstall the old copy and install Office 365.
• Consult your IT department to verify if they’ve disabled the Designer feature.
• Confirm that your PowerPoint version is up-to-date. An active Office 365 subscription should automatically provide you with the latest updates.

To Check Your PowerPoint Windows Version for Automatic Updates:

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Access the File menu, then click on Account.
3. Look for Office Updates on the right side of the screen.
4. Click on Update Options, and select Update Now.

What to Do If You Don’t Have an Office 365 Subscription but Want to Use the PowerPoint Design Ideas Tool

While an Office 365 subscription provides comprehensive benefits, including access to PowerPoint Design Ideas, there’s an alternative approach if you’re primarily interested in the Designer tool. Follow these steps:

1. Sign up for a free Microsoft account, which includes 5GB of OneDrive storage.
2. Visit Office.com and log in using your account credentials.
3. Click on the PowerPoint icon to open the app within your browser.
4. In the Design tab, you’ll find the Design Ideas button.
5. Voilà! With PowerPoint Online, you’ll have access to 10 design suggestions, exceeding the 8 provided on Windows and Mac desktop apps.

How to Turn Off Design Ideas in PowerPoint

It’s important to note that you cannot entirely disable the PowerPoint Design Ideas tool if you possess a version of PowerPoint that includes it. However, you can deactivate automatic design suggestions. Here’s how to do it on both Windows and Mac:

Disable Automatic Design Ideas on Windows:

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Navigate to the File menu and select Options.
3. Go to the General tab, where you’ll find a section dedicated to PowerPoint Designer.
4. Turn off the following options:
   • Automatically show me design ideas
   • Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation
5. Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

This action will disable the automated PowerPoint Design Ideas on your Windows device.

Disable Automatic Design Ideas on Mac:

1. Launch PowerPoint.
2. Access PowerPoint Preferences using the menu bar or pressing Command + , (command and comma keys simultaneously).
3. In Authoring and Proofing Tools, click on General.
4. Locate the two options related to PowerPoint Designer.
5. Turn off both options:
   • Automatically show me design ideas
   • Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation
6. Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

As a result, the automated PowerPoint Design Ideas will be disabled on your Mac.

Addressing Grayed-Out Design Ideas Button; What to Do?

If you encounter a situation where the Design Ideas button is grayed out, consider these steps:

• Check your Internet connection to ensure it’s stable.
• Ensure that you have a proper Internet connection.
• Verify that you’ve selected a single slide; the button may be grayed out if no slide is chosen.
• If you’re in between slides, the Design Ideas button may also be grayed out.

Having the Design Ideas Tool Button but No Generated Ideas?

If you have the Design Ideas tool button but clicking it results in a blank panel with the message “Sorry, no design ideas for this slide”, consider these potential solutions:

• Ensure a stable Internet connection, as PowerPoint Designer relies on it.
• Use default PowerPoint themes rather than downloaded ones.
• Check if you’re collaborating with others on the same slide; wait for them to finish or collaborate on a different slide.
• Make sure your slide has content, as no content will result in no design ideas.
• Limit the number of images on a slide to 6 or fewer, as the tool supports up to 6 images.
• Have only a single chart on the slide for the tool to generate ideas.
• Avoid overloading the slide with too many elements, as this may impede the Designer’s functionality.

How to Get Design Ideas on PowerPoint

For Microsoft 365 subscribers, acquiring design ideas in PowerPoint is achievable. As you insert content onto your slides, the Designer tool operates in the background, aligning your content with professionally designed layouts. To obtain design ideas on Windows:

1. Request design ideas in PowerPoint by choosing Design > Designer from the ribbon.
2. When you first use the Designer tool, it might request permission to provide design ideas. To continue using Designer, select Turn on.
3. Once “connected experiences” are activated, PowerPoint will automatically present design ideas while you create your slides.
4. Scroll through the suggestions, accessible in the Designer pane on the right side of the window.
5. Choose a design from the suggestions by clicking on it or close the window. If you select a suggestion, your slide will be altered accordingly.

If you’re dissatisfied with a design suggestion, use Ctrl+Z to undo the change.

Over time, PowerPoint will learn from your interaction with design ideas and present suggestions at appropriate moments.

How to Edit Design Ideas in PowerPoint

To make adjustments to a Design Idea, you might encounter situations where PowerPoint doesn’t allow you to select elements on the slide. Nonetheless, you can still achieve this:

1. Select your Design Idea slide.
2. Navigate to the Home tab and choose Select.
3. Click on “Selection Pane”.
4. Within the Selection Pane, you’ll find individual layers for your slide elements.
5. Now, you can select, edit, or delete these elements as needed.

This process enables you to edit the design according to your preferences.

How to Change Colors of Suggested Design Ideas in PowerPoint

Altering the colors of suggested PPT designs can be impactful. There are two methods to achieve this:

Method 1: Change the Background Color

Changing the background color can significantly transform the overall appearance of your slides. Follow these steps:

1. Select a Design Idea slide.
2. Access the Design tab and choose Background.
3. Opt for either a Solid color or a Picture.

To apply the background color to all slides, return to “Background” and select “Apply to All”.

Method 2: Redraw the Elements of Your Design Ideas

While directly changing element colors isn’t feasible, you can control the outcome of Design Ideas by redrawing shapes and using preferred colors. Here’s how:

1. Select your slide.
2. Open the Selection Pane.
3. Delete or hide the element you wish to change.
4. Insert your desired shape.
5. Fill the shape with your chosen color.

This process allows you to customize the design outcome according to your preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about PowerPoint Design Ideas

1. What is PowerPoint Design Ideas?

PowerPoint Design Ideas is a feature in Microsoft PowerPoint that provides users with automated design suggestions for their presentation slides. It offers various layout and design options based on the content you’ve added to your slides, helping you create visually appealing and professional-looking presentations.

2. How do I enable PowerPoint Design Ideas?

To enable PowerPoint Design Ideas, follow these steps:

• For Windows:
  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. Go to the File menu > Options > General tab.
  3. Under PowerPoint Designer, turn on “Automatically show me design ideas” and “Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation”.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.
• For Mac:
  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. Go to PowerPoint Preferences > General in Authoring and Proofing Tools.
  3. Enable “Automatically show me design ideas” and “Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation”.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

3. Can I disable PowerPoint Design Ideas?

You can’t completely disable PowerPoint Design Ideas if your version of PowerPoint includes it. However, you can turn off automatic design suggestions. Here’s how:

• For Windows:
  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. Go to the File menu > Options > General tab.
  3. Under PowerPoint Designer, turn off “Automatically show me design ideas” and “Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation”.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.
• For Mac:
  1. Open PowerPoint.
  2. Go to PowerPoint Preferences > General in Authoring and Proofing Tools.
  3. Disable “Automatically show me design ideas” and “Automatically show me suggestions when I create a new presentation”.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

4. Why is the Design Ideas button grayed out?

The Design Ideas button may be grayed out due to the following reasons:

• You’re not connected to the internet.
• You haven’t selected a slide.
• You’re in between slides.

5. How can I get design ideas on PowerPoint?

If you’re a Microsoft 365 subscriber, you can access design ideas:

• Insert content on slides.
• Choose Design > Designer from the ribbon.
• If it’s your first time, select Turn on when prompted.
• PowerPoint will automatically present design ideas based on your content.

6. Can I edit the design ideas in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can edit the design ideas in PowerPoint. Follow these steps:

1. Select your Design Idea slide.
2. Go to the Home tab > Select.
3. Click on “Selection Pane”.
4. Edit or delete individual elements using the Selection Pane.

7. How can I change the colors of suggested design ideas?

You can change the colors of suggested designs in two ways:

• Method 1: Change the background color by selecting Design > Background and choosing a Solid color or Picture.
• Method 2: Redraw the elements of your design ideas and fill them with your preferred colors.

8. What are the requirements to use PowerPoint Design Ideas?

To use PowerPoint Design Ideas, you’ll need:

• An active Office 365 subscription for Windows or Mac.
• PowerPoint Online (web version) with a OneDrive or SharePoint Online account.
• PowerPoint iOS on iPad or iPad Pro.
• PowerPoint Android on a tablet.
• PowerPoint Windows mobile on a Windows tablet.

9. How do I address missing design ideas or a grayed-out button?

If design ideas are missing or the button is grayed out, check your internet connection and slide selection. Ensure you meet the requirements and have an up-to-date PowerPoint version.

10. Can I access PowerPoint Design Ideas without an Office 365 subscription?

Yes, you can use PowerPoint Online with a free Microsoft account to access Design Ideas. However, the number of design suggestions may differ from the desktop apps.

11. What is the purpose of PowerPoint Design Ideas?

PowerPoint Design Ideas aims to assist users in creating visually appealing presentations by providing automated design suggestions. It can save time, enhance slide aesthetics, and help users create engaging content effortlessly.

12. Can I turn off the automatic design suggestions temporarily?

Yes, you can turn off automatic design suggestions temporarily by following the steps mentioned earlier to disable the feature. This can be useful when you want to work without the suggestions for a specific period.

13. Can I use PowerPoint Design Ideas on mobile devices?

Yes, you can use PowerPoint Design Ideas on mobile devices, but it depends on the device and operating system. It’s available on PowerPoint iOS for iPad and iPad Pro, as well as PowerPoint Android on tablets.

14. How does PowerPoint Designer learn from my experience?

Over time, PowerPoint Designer learns from your interactions with design ideas. It analyzes the choices you make and adapts to present suggestions that align better with your preferences.

15. Can I use my own colors and fonts with PowerPoint Design Ideas?

PowerPoint Design Ideas primarily suggests layouts and designs based on your content. While you can’t directly customize suggested elements’ colors and fonts, you can manually edit and adjust them to match your preferred style.

16. Does PowerPoint Design Ideas work with all types of content?

PowerPoint Design Ideas works best when you have a combination of text, images, and other visual elements on your slides. It may not generate suggestions if your slide has too few elements, too many images, or complex elements that cannot be easily matched with templates.

17. Is PowerPoint Design Ideas available in older versions of PowerPoint?

PowerPoint Design Ideas is available in Microsoft 365 subscriptions and newer versions of PowerPoint. It may not be available in older standalone versions of PowerPoint.

18. Can I customize design ideas for each slide individually?

While you can manually edit and customize each slide after applying a design idea, PowerPoint doesn’t offer an option to individually customize design ideas for different slides. Customizations are generally applied to the entire presentation.

19. Can I use PowerPoint Design Ideas offline?

PowerPoint Design Ideas requires an internet connection to function. The tool relies on cloud-based algorithms to generate design suggestions, so an active internet connection is necessary.

20. How often are the design ideas updated or changed?

The frequency of design idea updates may vary based on Microsoft’s updates and algorithms. Design ideas are influenced by user interactions, and over time, the tool may adapt to user preferences and offer improved suggestions.