powerpoint presentation paper size

Change the size of your slides

Basic steps.

To change the slide size:

Select the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon.

Select Standard (4:3 aspect ratio) or Widescreen (16:9) or Custom Slide Size .

For more about the predefined sizes (including formats like Overhead, A3, A4, Banner, B4, and B5) or your own custom sizing, click a heading below to expand it and see the details .

Detailed steps

Choose the standard or widescreen slide size.

On the Design tab of the Ribbon, locate Slide Size in the Customize group, near the far right end of the toolbar.

Select Slide Size , and then select either Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

Maximize : Select this option to increase the size of your slide content when you are scaling to a larger slide size. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Ensure Fit : Select this option to decrease the size of your content when scaling to a smaller slide size. This could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation.  However, you can make it easy to create a new 4:3 presentation for yourself whenever you want—by defining a custom theme that uses the 4:3 aspect ratio. See the section below named "Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations."

Choose another size, such as A3, B4, or Overhead

Select Slide Size , and then select Custom Slide Size .

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option. Their dimensions are listed below:

Overhead provides an aspect ratio very close to the standard 4:3 slide size.

There are two options for 16:9 aspect ratios:

On-screen Show (16:9) sets the slide dimensions to 10 in x 5.625 in.

Widescreen sets it to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Both of these options are the same aspect ratio so they will look the same in Normal View , since PowerPoint automatically adjusts the zoom level. Widescreen (13.333 in x 7.5 in.) provides more slide surface area for the content, so that is the best choice for presentations. Widescreen won’t fit on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper without you having to scale it down.

Select OK to accept the dimensions and close the Slide Size dialog box.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimeters, or pixels)

The Slide Size dialog box opens.

In the Slide Size dialog box, ensure the orientation is set the way you want it.

In the Height and Width boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in , cm , or px .

PowerPoint then converts measurements, if necessary, to the type of unit your operating system uses.

You can change the unit of measure that is shown in PowerPoint dialog boxes if you like.

Make a default size to start from when creating new presentations

This version of PowerPoint has a default size of 16:9 for new presentation, but you can create a different default for yourself.

Start PowerPoint.

On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New . Then double-click the Blank Presentation to create a new, empty presentation.

Then on the Design tab, click Slide Size and choose the size you want for a default.

(If you want a different default slide size than what's listed there, select Custom Slide Size and then choose your size in the Slide Size dialog box, and then click OK .)

Select Save Current Theme .

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save . Don't change the folder that the new theme is to be saved in.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow again in the bottom-right corner of the Themes group. You'll see your newly saved theme under a Custom heading.

Right-click that new custom theme under the Custom heading, and then select Set as Default Theme :

Close PowerPoint. Don't save any files if it prompts you.

Open PowerPoint again. On the File tab of the toolbar ribbon, select New .

The custom theme that you just saved is listed at the top left corner, named Default Theme . The thumbnail image looks like a widescreen slide, but in reality, when you create a new presentation based on that theme, the presentation has the aspect ratio that you've defined for this default theme.

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the custom size you chose by default.

Sizing applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to resize one slide within a presentation. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

If this is a feature you’d like to request, please send us your feedback to help us prioritize new features in future updates. See  How do I give feedback on Microsoft 365  for more information.

Orientation applies to all slides in a presentation

PowerPoint isn't able to change the page orientation of certain slides. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

Change the page orientation in PowerPoint between landscape and portrait

Use portrait and landscape slide orientation in the same presentation

Reduce the file size of a picture

On the File menu, select Page Setup .

In the Page Setup dialog box, under Slides sized for , select the predefined size you want, or choose Custom and specify the dimensions you want.

Select Slide Size .

Select Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

PowerPoint may prompt you about scaling your content. Choose one of the following options:

Scale: Select this option to decrease or increase the size of your slide content. When scaling to a smaller slide size, this could make your content appear smaller, but you’ll be able to see all content on your slide.

Don't Scale: Select this option to maintain the size of your slide content. Choosing this option could result in your content not fitting on the slide.

Choose Page Setup from the menu that appears.

Page Setup gives you an assortment of predefined slide/page size options. The options and their dimensions are listed below:

In the Slide Size box, click the down arrow next to Slides sized for and select an option.

Widescreen sets the dimensions to 13.333 in x 7.5 in.

Choose custom dimensions (in inches, centimers, or pixels)

Select Slide Size , and then click Page Setup .

The Page Setup dialog box opens.

In the Width and Height boxes, PowerPoint accepts measurements in inches , centimeters , or pixels . Type a number followed by a space and then the appropriate abbreviation: in (inches) or cm (centimeters) or px (pixels).

PowerPoint then converts the measurements, if necessary, to the unit of measurement your operating system uses.

Make a new slide size the default for new presentations

Select Slide Size , and then select Page Setup .

Follow the steps in the prior section to choose the slide size you want.

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes.

Click Save Current Theme at the bottom of the window.

Give your theme a name that you'll remember easily and click Save .

On the Design tab, click the More arrow below the standard themes again. You'll see your newly saved theme under Custom .

Right-click your new custom theme, and then click Set as Default Theme .

The next time you open PowerPoint, you'll see your default theme in the upper-left of the theme gallery. When you select it, all the slides will be the size you chose for your default theme.

Some folks have asked about resizing one slide within a presentation. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation are the same size.

Some folks have also asked about changing the page orientation of certain slides. PowerPoint isn't able to do that. All slides in a presentation have the same page orientation.

On the Design tab of the toolbar ribbon, click Slide Size in the Customize group.

Click Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) .

When PowerPoint for the web is unable to automatically scale your content, it prompts you with two options:

The 16:9 widescreen setting is the default value for new presentations you create. When you change the slide size for a presentation, the size you choose only applies to that presentation. 

You can also change the orientation of all the slides in your presentation. See Change the page orientation for instructions.

Choose custom dimensions

In the Width and Height boxes, type a measurement in inches . PowerPoint doesn't accept measurements outside the minimum and maximum shown below:

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How to Change Your PowerPoint Slide Size (16:9 vs. 4:3)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• March 10, 2019

In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to change your slide size in PowerPoint.

That way you can create slides for any situation including on-screen presentations, printed documents, posters, postcards, handouts, etc.

First off, the two most used PowerPoint slide sizes are:

• 16:9 ratio  for onscreen presentations and new overhead projectors. This is the default setting for the latest versions of PowerPoint.
• 4:3 ratio  for printing slides on standard 8.5 x 11 pieces of paper as handouts.

When starting with a blank PowerPoint presentation, changing your slide size is super easy and straightforward. If not, there are a few issues you’ll need to deal with, each covered below.

That’s why it’s worth figuring out what slide size you need BEFORE you build your presentation. If you later convert your presentation to a different size, it can be painful!

It’s just like the old carpenter saying, “measure twice and cut once.” In PowerPoint, you’ll want to “ask twice (to double confirm the required size) and build once.”

Changing your PowerPoint slide size does not make your PowerPoint presentation larger or smaller. To reduce your PowerPoint file size, you need to learn how to compress a PowerPoint presentation .

Table of Contents

How to change your powerpoint slide size.

By default, new PowerPoint presentations start in the 16:9 slide size format.

This is the NEW standard for most modern overhead projects and monitors and is recommended for most presentations. That said, you can easily change your slide size to something else.

To change your slide size in PowerPoint, simply:

• Navigate to the  Design tab
• Open the  Slide Size  drop down menu
• Select  4:3 ,  16:9  or  Custom Slide Size  (see options below)

When starting with a blank presentation, you are now good to go. You will not have to worry about any of the conversion issues discussed below.

Notice too, how much wider the 16:9 slide size is versus the 4:3 slide size in the picture below. The new size gives you more room for the content on your slides.

When you are converting an existing presentation to a new slide size, you will additionally be given the following prompt:

“You are scaling to a new slide size. Would you like to maximize the size of your content, or scale it down to ensure it will fit on the new slide?

Maximize  leaves all your content as is on your slide, even if it no longer fits on the new slide size that you selected.

Ensure Fit  scales down your content in proportion to the new slide size you have selected. You will only see this option when moving from a larger slide size to a smaller one.

Custom PowerPoint slide sizes

Choosing  Custom  for your slide size gives you additional options to work with. Inside the dialog box you can choose your size on the left and your orientation on the right.

On top of that, you can also input your own custom slide size. However, I recommend using one of the preset PowerPoint dimension options.

• On-screen show (4:3)
• Letter Paper (8.5×11 in)
• A3 Paper (297×420 mm)
• B4 (ISO) Paper (250×353 mm)
• B5 (ISO) Paper (176×250 mm)
• 35mm Slides
• On-screen Show (16:9)
• On-screen show (16:10)

For your orientation options on the right-hand side of the dialog box, you can choose between  Landscape  and  Portrait .

In most situations, you will want one of the default settings. Best practice is  Landscape  for your presentation slides and  Portrait  for your printed notes, handouts and outlines.

Issues when converting 4:3 to the 16:9 slide size in PowerPoint

When converting an existing 4:3 presentation with content into the 16:9 format, you are not given any conversion options. Instead, PowerPoint simply does the conversion for you, which can create several problems.

There are two issues you will face in the new 16:9 slide size.

The first issue is that all the images on your slide master (including company logos) will be stretched to fit the new, larger slide size.

To fix the stretched images, you will need to fix those images (or reinsert them) on your slide master, as if you were creating a PowerPoint template from scratch.

The second issue you will face in the larger 16:9 slide size is that you will have a lot of extra white space on your slides.

While you can leave the space blank, doing so will make your content look weird. Ideally you don’t want a lot of white empty space like that on your slides. Especially since all your font sizes will be so small.

That’s why if you have the time, I recommend resizing your content to fill in the white space. You can do this by either increasing the font size of your content, or adding additional visuals that support your message.

Issues when converting 16:9 to the 4:3 slide size in PowerPoint​

When converting an existing 16:9 presentation to the 4:3 slide size, you are given the option to either  Maximize  or  Ensure Fit  (both covered below).

1. The Maximize option

This option means that the content on your slides will not be resized to fit the 4:3 slide size. The same is true if you move to any smaller slide size.

Maximize Issue #1:  All the images on your slide master (including your company logo) will be distorted.

You might also have issues with other content placeholders, slide backgrounds or anything else that was built on your slide master.  For these issues, you’ll first need to navigate to your Slide Master. Once you are there, you either adjust (or rebuild) your PowerPoint template so that everything fits properly.

Maximize Issue #2:  Your content will not be scaled down to the smaller slide size. Instead, you’ll have overhanging content as pictured above.

For these kinds of spacing issues, you will need to work through your slides to adjust your content.

One recommendation as you move from the larger 16:9 slide size to 4:3, is to break up your slides. Take the contents from one larger slide and break it into two (or even three) separate slides.

Breaking up your content is preferable to just cramming more content on the smaller slide space. Doing so will make your content easier to read when presented on an overhead projector.

2. The Ensure Fit option

This option means that PowerPoint will scale down your content to fit the smaller slide size based on the size you selected.

Ensure Fit Issue #1:  Distorted images, slide backgrounds and anything else that PowerPoint had to automatically resize on your slide master.

To fix these issues, you’ll need to navigate to your slide master and adjust (or rebuild) your template to make everything fit.

Ensure Fit Issue #2:  Your content will be scaled down to fit your new slide size, leaving you with a lot of white space. In addition, all your font sizes will be smaller, making them hard to read.

For small content like this, you’ll need to work through your slides and resize your content accordingly. Keep in mind the people at the back of the room too when choosing a new font style and size.

Saving your custom slide size as a PowerPoint theme

If want to use your own custom slide size for all your future PowerPoint presentations, you can save and set it as a PowerPoint theme.

This is a two-step process as discussed below.

1. Save your custom slide size as a theme

To save your custom slide size (and settings) as your own custom PowerPoint theme, simply:

• Open the M ore options
• Click  Save Current Theme
• Name your Theme (and don’t change the file location it saves to)
• Click  Save

2. Set your custom theme as the default

To set a custom PowerPoint theme as the default for all your future presentations, simply:

• Open the  More options
• Right-click  your custom theme
• Select  Set as Default Presentation
• Close out of PowerPoint (and do not save any presentations if it prompts you)

Once you’ve set your own custom theme as the Default Presentation, it will open every time you start PowerPoint. This saves you from always having to switch your slide sizes.

So that’s how you can change your PowerPoint slide size, either before or after you create your presentation.

And although you are given a lot of flexibility in the slide sizes you can choose from, I recommend using the default slide sizes as used by most people.

It’s also important to remember that switching slide sizes after you have built your presentation can be a total pain. So, to the extent possible, figure out your PowerPoint slide size first before you build out your presentation.

If you enjoyed the depth of this article, you’ll love our PowerPoint training courses and other free resources that you can learn more about here .

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How to Change the Slide Size in PowerPoint for Better Presentations

Makes them much easier to read

Powerpoint presentations are supposed to be engaging. But that’s another story if the audience can’t see what’s in front of them. So, in this article, we’ll discuss how to change the default slide size in Powerpoint.

This will come in handy so you can maximize your slides to the size of the projector or monitor you’ll be using and deliver a better presentation.

Choose One Slide Size First

PowerPoint allows you to change the slide size anytime you like, but it’s a good idea to pick the right size before you start creating your presentation.

If you decide to change the size later, PowerPoint will do its best to give you options on how to shift items around, but it will more than likely result in having to totally redesign your slides.

This is especially true if you move from a widescreen format slide to a smaller 4:3 standard sized slide.

If you choose to scale it down, PowerPoint will try to fit everything as best it can into the smaller slide. If you choose Don’t Scale , the items that are outside the standard size will simply be out of the window. You’ll then have to decide whether to delete those items or move them back into the slide.

Change Slide Size in PowerPoint

Once you know what size will be ideal for your output device, you can adjust the slide size in PowerPoint.

First, go ahead and open PowerPoint and select a slide.

This guide works will work for most modern versions of PowerPoint that have the ribbon interface, including the version in Office 365.

Next, go to the Design tab. It’s where you can find the options that let you tweak your presentation’s design.

There, head over to the far right end — to where you can find the Customize section. Next, choose Slide Size .

Clicking on this option will reveal a menu. It lets you pick the size of the slide that you want. Your choices are Standard , Widescreen , and Custom Slide Size .

Let’s walk through each of the choices. This way, you will have a better understanding of your options. This will also help you adjust your slide’s size as needed – a size that works best for your projector or TV.

If you go with the Standard size, you’ll be going with a 4:3 aspect ratio. This is a safe choice because it works for familiar devices such as older screens with low resolutions.

A Standard slide size is a suggested choice for old school presenters. This means those who will be working with old projectors and SlideShare or other old online presentation platforms .

If you choose Widescreen , you’ll be going with an aspect ratio of 16:9. This is the ideal choice for you if you’re dealing with newer devices and online presentation platforms.

Got a Microsoft Surface device or HD projector? Going with a Widescreen option is the better way to go. The same is true if you’ll be presenting on a HDTV or 4K TV/monitor.

If Standard and Widescreen slide sizes are not for you, you can also go with the Custom Slide Size…

If you select this option, a pop-up window will appear.

Here, you can select from plenty of choices regarding the slide size you want. If you’re about to deliver your Powerpoint presentation on an unfamiliar projector, it’s good to go with this option.

It’s flexible. It can also accommodate your preferred slide dimensions.

Plus this way, you can select the Orientation for your slides and notes. This lets you have control over the Width and Height of your slides, too.

You can also try expanding the Slides sized for menu option. Doing so reveals preset sizes that go beyond the Standard and Widescreen size options.

As you can see, this option allows you to adjust your slide to fit the size of a Letter Paper, 35mm slide, a banner, 16:10 aspect ratio and more.

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How to change slide size in PowerPoint 16:9, 4:3 and custom?

• March 25, 2021

Trying to change slide size in PowerPoint presentations? PowerPoint lets you choose between a couple of standard slide sizes plus a custom option. In this hints and tips blog post we provide a guide to:

• The different slide sizes in PowerPoint 16:9, 4:3 and custom sizes
• How to change a PowerPoint slide size
• How to change the orientation of PowerPoint slides from landscape to portrait
• A workaround to change selected slides to portrait for printing

Where to change slide size in PowerPoint?

From the PowerPoint Design tab on the ribbon, select the Slide Size feature button. You can find the slide size feature button on the far right end of the ribbon - refer to the screenshot below.

The three slide size options of standard, widescreen and custom will display, as shown in the screenshot below.

What are the PowerPoint slide size options?

PowerPoint offers three different slide sizes. What's the difference 4:3 vs 16:9 PowerPoint slide sizes? The Standard 4:3 and Widescreen 16:9 both have the same slide width , but have different slide heights:

• PowerPoint Standard (4:3) Slide Size: This is the original PowerPoint slide size. The standard screen size is easy to print and works well on older style pull down projector screens (when the screen shape is closer to a square than the newer widescreen layout). Powerpoint 4:3 dimensions are 10 in x 7.5 in (which is 33.867 cm x 19.05 cm). Standard PowerPoint slide size pixels = 1024 px x 768px
• PowerPoint Widescreen (16:9) Slide Size: The PowerPoint 16:9 widescreen option was a later addition but is now the default value in PowerPoint for new presentations. Widescreen is more commonly used now because the size is well suited for presenting on digital screens (typically shaped like elongated rectangles similar to a current TV screen). Powerpoint 16:9 dimensions are 10 in x 5.625 in (33.867 cm x 14.288 cm). Widescreen size 16:9 size ppt dimensions pixels = 1920 px x 1080 px
• On-screen show (4:3)
• Letter Paper (8.5x11in)
• Ledger Paper (11x17in)
• A3 Paper (297x420mm)
• A4 Paper (210x297mm)
• B4 (ISO) Paper (250x353mm)
• B5 (ISO) Paper (176x250mm)
• 35mm slides
• On-screen Show (16:9)
• On-screen show (16:10)

You can either select from one of the many options in the drop down list, or you can directly key in your preferred Width and Height for your PowerPoint presentation. As soon as you key in width and/ or height values, the drop down menu will update to show the Custom option.

Note that when you are entering a custom slide size you have the option to specify your PowerPoint size in pixels (e.g. specify pixels for width and height). You can do this by typing in your preferred height and width in pixels using px at the end. The minimum width or height in pixels for PowerPoint slides is 120 px and the maximum width or height is 720 px. When you specify the pixel size of PowerPoint slide, PowerPoint will convert the pixels automatically to your default unit of measurement (e.g. either cm or in).

You can then select the Orientation of the PowerPoint slides. You have the option of Portrait or Landscape orientation and you can select separately for the slides and the Notes, Handouts & Outline.

Can I resize selected slides in a PowerPoint presentation?

No - the PowerPoint resize option is applied to all slides in your presentation. You cannot change size of selected slides in your PowerPoint presentation.

Does PowerPoint auto resize content if slide size changes?

If you select to change the slide size for an existing presentation, PowerPoint will display a slide scaling popup menu. The menu will give you the following options for scaling your slides:

• Maximise : The maximize size scaling option in PowerPoint will make the content larger, but it may spill over the edges of your slide.
• Ensure Fit: The ensure fit scaling option in PowerPoint ensures that all content remains visible on the slide, however the content may shrink to ensure that it fits.

Can I change orientation of PowerPoint slides from Portrait to Landscape?

Trying to work out how to change PowerPoint to portrait layout? You can change the orientation of your PowerPoint slides from Landscape to Portrait for the entire presentation, (you cannot change only selected slides in a presentation). To change orientation of PowerPoint slides:

As per the steps above, from the PowerPoint Design tab on the ribbon, select the Slide Size feature button (on the far right end of the ribbon).

The three slide size options will display, as shown in the screenshot below. Irrespective of what size layout you want this time, you need to select the Custom Slide Size option from the PowerPoint ribbon.

From the Slide Size popup menu on the PowerPoint ribbon, you have the option to select Portrait or Landscape mode. You can select the orientation display without modifying your slide size if you already have the correct slide size selected.

You can change the orientation for both your PowerPoint slides and handouts. Note that changing the orientation does not automatically adjust your template (for example your logos will likely appear distorted and the title page of your presentation will look squished). You need to adjust your PowerPoint template separately. If you are changing orientation only for a single PowerPoint presentation, you can do this via your presentation's Slide Master. Or if you plan on creating multiple presentations in the new orientation, its worth spending the extra time to create a new .potx template file suited to the new orientation.

Can you have different orientation slides in a PowerPoint? presentation?

Trying to add a vertical slide in PowerPoint, but keep the rest of the presentation horizontal? Unfortunately it's not possible to have a combination of Portrait and landscape slide orientations in a single PowerPoint presentation. But there is a workaround if you are printing rather than online presenting your PowerPoint presentation.

If you are preparing a PowerPoint presentation that will be printed, a workaround to include different orientation pages in PowerPoint is to create a slide master layout with the orientation on its side. This is a way to rotate PowerPoint slides to Portrait without changing all slides. Refer to the screenshot below for an example.

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How to Change Slide Size or Dimensions in PowerPoint

Change PowerPoint Slide Size (Widescreen, Standard or Custom)

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 7, 2023

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

You can change the slide size or aspect ratio of a PowerPoint presentation in all versions. The default slide size or dimensions in 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 or 365 is widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio). You can also enter a custom slide size if you prefer (including entering slide size in pixels). The best time to set slide size is when you first set up your PowerPoint presentation before you add any content. If you change the size later in the process, you may have to deal with distorted pictures and you may also need to adjust the position and size of various objects on slides in Normal View and in the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View.

The most common slide sizes or aspect ratios are typically used as follows:

• Widescreen or 16:9 aspect ratio is frequently used for onscreen presentations using a projector, monitor or a widescreen TV. Older projectors used the standard aspect ratio but most new projectors are designed for widescreen.
• Standard or 4:3 aspect ratio is often used if slides are intended to be printed on letter size paper.

Slide size changes affect the entire presentation. You cannot change slide size for single slides.

You should never change slide size just before running a presentation as you may not be satisfied with the results. If you already have a presentation with images and other content, it's also a good idea to change slide size on a copy of the presentation so you can keep the original deck and slide size.

Note: Some Ribbon tabs may appear with slightly different names if you are working with PowerPoint 365 and have a smaller screen or different display settings. Buttons on the Ribbon may appear as icons only and are also affected by screen size and display settings.

Recommended article: How to Reduce the Size of PowerPoint Presentations (10 Ways to Compress Your PowerPoint Decks)

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Regardless of the version of PowerPoint you use, you should go through your slides after you change slide size to be sure you are satisfied with the results. Be sure to check the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View as well.

Change slide size to widescreen or standard

To change slide size to widescreen or standard size:

• In Normal View, click the Design tab in the Ribbon.
• Click Slide Size in the Customize group. A drop-down menu appears.
• Select Widescreen, Standard or another option from the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears with options to maximize content or scale to fit (this dialog appears only if you are moving from a larger to a smaller slide size).
• Select the desired option.

Slide Size appears on the Design tab in the Ribbon:

The following dialog box appears in PowerPoint to maximize content or scale to fit only when you change slide size to a smaller size (such as widescreen to standard):

If you select Maximize, the slide content will not be resized when you change to the smaller slide size.

If you select Ensure Fit, PowerPoint will scale your content to fit the smaller slide size.

Change slide size to a custom size

You can use custom slide sizes. Simply choose options from the Slides sized for drop-down menu in the dialog box (such as A4 paper size) or enter custom dimensions.

To change slide size to a custom size:

• Choose Custom Slide Size from the drop-down menu. A dialog box appears.
• Select an option from the Slides sized for drop-down menu or enter the desired slide size in the Height and Width boxes.
• A dialog box appears with options to maximize content or scale to fit (this dialog appears only if you are moving from a larger to a smaller slide size).

Note that the measurement system in PowerPoint dialog boxes is based on your system settings. If you would like to change the measurement system, check out our article on How to Change the Measurement System in PowerPoint.

The following dialog box appears when you select Slide Size and then Custom Slide Size:

You can create posters in PowerPoint by entering a custom slide size such as 36 inches wide by 56 inches high or 91.44 cm wide by 142.24 cm high. The maximum slide size in PowerPoint is 56 inches or 142.24 cm. As a best practice, set the slide size before adding content to the poster.

Many PowerPoint users are not aware that you can enter slide size in pixels (simply enter the measurement with px beside the number). This is useful in a number of situations such as using PowerPoint to create social media posts. If you enter slide size in pixels (such as 200px), when you tab to another box or close the dialog box, PowerPoint changes the pixels to the equivalent in the current measurement system.

Deal with issues when changing slide size

When changing slide size in existing presentations with content, 4 common issues occur:

• Pictures may be distorted as PowerPoint tries to adjust images to fit slide size. Images on slides in Normal View will be affected as well as images on the slide master(s) and layouts. If pictures are distorted, you will need to either manually resize each image or delete them and insert them again.
• Objects such as placeholders and shapes that have been created in PowerPoint are not in the position you'd like. You may need to move objects or reset one or more slides (on the Home tab in the Ribbon, click Reset in the Slides group).
• Extra space is created if you change to a larger slide size. You may need to move or resize objects and adjust the slide master(s) or layouts in Slide Master View.
• If you have changed to a smaller slide size, you may need to increase font size for placeholders and text boxes.

Dimension differences between different slide sizes

In PowerPoint 2013 and later versions, widescreen (16:9) format measurements are different and are set to 13.33 inches wide by 7.5 inches high or 33.867 cm wide by 19.05 cm high. This matches the height of the 4:3 format.

Avoid issues when changing slide size

To avoid issues in PowerPoint related to slide size, you should:

• Try to set slide size as a first step after you create a presentation and before you have entered any content. In 2013 and later versions, the default is widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio).
• If you have changed slide size in a presentation with content, review your slides to be sure you are satisfied with the results. You should also check the slide master(s) and layouts in Slide Master View.
• Never change slide size just before running a presentation as you may not be pleased with the results and you won't have time to fix your slide deck.
• If you have created a presentation with content, make a copy of the presentation first and change slide size on the copy.

Keep in mind that widescreen is normally used for on screen presentations and standard is often used for printed presentations.

This article was first published on October 6, 2019 and has been updated for clarity and content.

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How to change the size of slides in Microsoft PowerPoint

The actual size(s) of the slide is less important than the aspect ratio. By default, slides in presentations that you create from the Blank Presentation template are set to Widescreen size.

To change the size of your presentation slides, on the Design tab, in the Customize group, click the Slide Size button and then:

Notes : The Standard slide size:

• 1600 x 1200
• 2048 x 1536
• 2560 x 1920
• Matches the aspect ratio of standard tablet screens
• Exactly fills the screen in the Slide pane and when printed on a tablet.

Notes : The Widescreen slide size:

• 1920 x 1080
• 2048 x 1152
• 2560 x 1440
• Does not match the aspect ratio of standard tablet screens
• Has empty space above and below when printed on a 4:3 screen.
• Click Custom Slide Size... :

In the Slide Size dialog box:

• Choose the slide orientation in the Orientation group.

After choosing the necessary options, click OK . The Microsoft PowerPoint dialog box will show two options on how to scale the existing slides to a new slide size:

Maximize the content size or scale it down to Ensure Fit it on the new slide.

Note : It is impossible to change the size or orientation just for some slides.

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How to change the size of slides in Microsoft PowerPoint to match your customized presentation style or screen size

• You can change the size of a slide in your PowerPoint presentation through the "Design" menu. 
• Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to change slide sizes on the Windows PC, Apple MacOS, and web-based apps. 
• Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

When it comes to designing your visual presentation, one size does not fit all. 

That's doubly true for PowerPoint presentations, which may be viewed on several platforms and devices. Sometimes PowerPoint's default slide isn't the best option for your project, and the program has a built-in fix for that. 

When you create a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, you can customize your slides' size and dimension. This allows you to choose a perfect canvass for your content. 

Microsoft offers the ability to change the size of your slides on the Windows, Mac, and web-based apps. Here's how to do it. 

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Microsoft office (from $149.99 at best buy), apple macbook pro (from $1,299.00 at apple), acer chromebook 15 (from $179.99 at walmart), how to change slide size in powerpoint for pc.

1. Open an existing PowerPoint file, or start a new presentation.

2. Select "Design" from the top menu bar. 

3. Toward the right, click "Slide Size." 

4. In the drop-down menu, select Standard, Widescreen, or "Custom Slide Size…"

5. When you're done, click "OK." 

How to change slide size in PowerPoint for Mac

1. Create a new presentation, or launch an existing file. 

2. Click "Design" from the top-line row of options.

3. Toward the right, you'll see "Slide Size." Click it for a drop-down menu of options.

4. Select the included Standard or Widescreen options, or click "Page Setup…" for a custom size.

5. Choose "OK" when you're done. 

How to change slide size in PowerPoint for web

1. Navigate to powerpoint.office.com and sign in to your Microsoft account. 

2. Open a new or existing PowerPoint.

3. Select "Design" from the top row of options.

4. Click "Slide Size."

5. Select between Widescreen and Standard, or create custom dimensions with "Custom Slide Size…"

6. If selecting custom, enter the dimensions and then choose whether you want it in landscape or portrait mode. 

7. Choose between maximizing your slide size or scaling it to fit the new dimensions. 

8. Click "OK." 

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How to Change Paper Size in PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a powerful tool used by millions of people across the globe to create professional presentations. One of the critical aspects of creating an effective presentation is choosing the right paper size. By default, PowerPoint comes with the standard 8.5 x 11 inches paper size. However, in many instances, this might not be sufficient, and you may need to change the paper size. In this article, we will explore the different aspects of changing paper size in PowerPoint and provide you with a comprehensive guide to do so successfully.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Need for Changing Paper Size in PowerPoint

Changing the paper size in PowerPoint may seem trivial, but it can determine how visually appealing, professional, and effective your presentation looks. Choosing the right paper size ensures that your presentation looks sharp, clear, and well-structured. Depending on the type of presentation, the audience, and the display devices, you may need to change the paper size. For instance, if you are presenting on a widescreen projector, you may need to choose a widescreen paper size to ensure your presentation fills the screen entirely.

Another reason why changing paper size in PowerPoint is important is to ensure that your presentation is optimized for printing. If you plan to print your presentation, you need to choose a paper size that matches the printer’s paper size. This ensures that your presentation prints correctly and looks professional. Additionally, changing paper size can also help you to create handouts that are easy to read and follow. By choosing a paper size that is appropriate for handouts, you can ensure that your audience can easily follow along with your presentation.

It is also worth noting that changing paper size in PowerPoint can help you to create presentations that are accessible to people with disabilities. For example, if you are creating a presentation that will be viewed by people with visual impairments, you may need to choose a larger paper size to ensure that the text and images are clear and easy to read. Similarly, if you are creating a presentation that will be viewed by people with hearing impairments, you may need to choose a paper size that allows you to include captions or subtitles for your audio content.

Different Paper Sizes Supported by PowerPoint

PowerPoint supports a range of paper sizes suitable for various purposes. The standard paper size is the 8.5 x 11 inches, but PowerPoint also supports other paper sizes such as 11 x 17 inches, A3, A4, B4, B5, and many more. Choosing the right paper size depends on various factors such as the content, audience, and display devices. Therefore, it’s essential to understand the different paper sizes supported by PowerPoint to make an informed decision.

When selecting a paper size for your PowerPoint presentation, it’s important to consider the aspect ratio of your slides. The aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between the width and height of your slides. The standard aspect ratio for PowerPoint is 4:3, but there are also widescreen options such as 16:9 and 16:10. Choosing the correct aspect ratio for your presentation can ensure that your slides look their best and are optimized for the display device.

Steps to Change the Paper Size in PowerPoint 2016 and Later Versions

Changing the paper size in PowerPoint 2016 and later versions is relatively easy. Here are the steps:

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the Design tab.
• Click on the Slide Size button in the Customize group.
• Select your desired paper size from the list or choose Custom Slide Size to set a custom paper size.
• Click on OK, and your slide size will change to the selected size.

It is important to note that changing the paper size may affect the layout of your slides. You may need to adjust the size and position of your text boxes, images, and other elements to ensure they fit properly on the new paper size.

Additionally, if you plan to print your presentation, make sure your printer supports the selected paper size. Otherwise, you may need to adjust the paper size in your printer settings or choose a different paper size that is supported by your printer.

How to Change the Paper Size in Earlier Versions of PowerPoint

If you are using an earlier version of PowerPoint such as 2013, 2010, or 2007, the steps to change the paper size are slightly different. Follow these steps:

• Click on the Page Setup button in the Page Setup group.
• Select your desired paper size from the list or choose Custom to set a custom paper size.

It is important to note that changing the paper size in earlier versions of PowerPoint may affect the layout of your slides. You may need to adjust the size and position of your text boxes, images, and other elements to ensure they fit properly on the new paper size. It is recommended to preview your presentation before printing or presenting to ensure everything looks as intended.

Tips for Choosing the Right Paper Size for Your Presentation

Choosing the right paper size for your presentation is essential to ensure its effectiveness. Here are some tips to help you choose the right paper size:

• Consider the display devices: Choose a paper size that matches the aspect ratio of the display devices to ensure that it fills the screen entirely, thereby reducing the chances of pixelation.
• Think about the audience: Consider the preferences, needs, and expectations of your audience before choosing a paper size. A larger size may be more effective if you are presenting to a large audience in a large venue.
• Test before presenting: Always test your presentation on different devices and venues to ensure that the chosen paper size is compatible with all the devices your audience might be using, and it looks consistent and professional.

Another important factor to consider when choosing the right paper size for your presentation is the amount of content you have. If you have a lot of information to present, a larger paper size may be more appropriate to ensure that the text and images are clear and easy to read. On the other hand, if you have less content, a smaller paper size may be more suitable to avoid overwhelming your audience with too much information.

Common Issues Faced While Changing the Paper Size in PowerPoint and How to Fix Them

Changing the paper size in PowerPoint may not always be smooth, and you may encounter some issues. Here are some common ones and how to fix them:

• Text and images may not adjust to the new size: In some instances, text and images may get cut off or distorted while changing paper size. To fix this, select the slides and apply the Autofit feature to adjust the text and images to fit the new size.
• Aspect ratio may get distorted: Changing the paper size may affect the aspect ratio, leading to distorted pictures and videos. To fix this, select the picture or video, click on the Picture Format or Video Format tab, and select the option that retains the aspect ratio.

Another common issue that may arise while changing the paper size in PowerPoint is that the layout of the slides may get disrupted. This can happen when the new paper size is significantly different from the original one. To fix this, you can try adjusting the layout manually by moving the elements around or using the Slide Master feature to make global changes to the layout.

Additionally, changing the paper size may also affect the font size and style of the text on the slides. This can make the presentation look inconsistent and unprofessional. To avoid this, it is recommended to use a standard font size and style throughout the presentation. You can also use the Replace Font feature to quickly change the font style and size of all the text on the slides.

How to Ensure Compatibility of the Changed Paper Size Across Devices

It’s crucial to ensure the compatibility of the changed paper size across devices, as not all devices may support the same paper size. Here are some steps to ensure compatibility:

• Test on multiple devices: Test your presentation on multiple devices to ensure that the chosen paper size is compatible with all of them.
• Save as PDF: To ensure that the presentation retains its formatting, save it as a PDF file so that the paper size is consistent across all devices.

Another important step to ensure compatibility is to check the printer settings before printing. Make sure that the printer is set to the correct paper size and orientation to avoid any issues with the printed document. Additionally, it’s important to communicate the paper size changes to any collaborators or recipients of the document to avoid confusion or formatting issues.

Advantages of Changing Paper Size for Your PowerPoint Presentation

Changing the paper size in PowerPoint can have numerous advantages, such as:

• Improving the visual appeal: Choosing the right paper size can enhance the overall look of your presentation, make it more visually appealing, and improve its professional appearance.
• Optimizing for different devices: Different devices have different screen sizes and display ratios. Changing paper size can optimize your presentation to fit perfectly on all devices, help reach a broader audience, and improve the user experience.

Another advantage of changing paper size for your PowerPoint presentation is that it can help you save printing costs. By choosing a smaller paper size, you can fit more slides on a single page, reducing the number of pages you need to print. This can save you money on paper, ink, and printing services.

Additionally, changing paper size can also help you create more engaging handouts for your audience. By choosing a larger paper size, you can include more detailed information, graphics, and images on your handouts, making them more informative and useful for your audience. This can also help your audience remember your presentation better and refer back to it later.

Best Practices for Changing Paper Size in PowerPoint to Enhance Your Presentation’s Effectiveness

Here are some best practices to follow when changing paper size in PowerPoint:

• Stick to standard sizes unless needed: Unless required, stick to the standard 8.5 x 11 inches paper size, as it is supported by most devices and is a safe choice.
• Consider the audience and venue: Choose a paper size that is suitable for your audience, venue, and display devices.
• Test, test, test: Always test your presentation on different devices, venues, and screen resolutions, so that you can ensure that the chosen paper size is compatible and effective across all.

Changing the paper size in PowerPoint can drastically enhance the effectiveness, professionalism, and visual appeal of your presentation. By following the steps and tips outlined above and implementing best practices, you can effectively change the paper size and optimize it for different devices and venues. Always remember to test your presentation across multiple devices and resolutions to ensure that it looks consistent, professional, and effective across all platforms.

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What is the Size of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

When creating a PowerPoint presentation, it is essential to determine the appropriate size for your slides. Understanding the size of a PowerPoint slide in pixels is crucial to ensure that your presentation looks great on all devices, from desktops to mobile devices.

The standard size of a PowerPoint slide is 1024×768 pixels and the widescreen PowerPoint slide is “1920×1080” pixels. It can also be adjusted based on your preferences or the requirements of the platform on which you plan to present your slides.

In this article, we will discuss the standard size of a PowerPoint slide in pixels or inches as well as how to adjust it to fit your needs. Let’s get started!

1. What is the Size of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, there are multiple preset slide sizes available. You can also customize the size of the slide using the “Custom Slide Size” feature available in the application. Depending on the slide size you select, the size of the slide in pixels will vary.

1.1 What is the Size of a PowerPoint Standard Slide in Pixels?

The “Standard (4:3)” option in Microsoft PowerPoint used to be the only size option in the beginning since most screens from 2010 and before were that size. The standard slide size in PowerPoint is “1024×768” pixels. 

1.2 What is the Size of a PowerPoint Widescreen Slide in Pixels?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the default size of the slides is the “Widescreen (16:9)” option. The widescreen PowerPoint slide is “1920×1080” pixels.

2. What is the Size of a PowerPoint On-Screen Show Slide in Inches?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, the size of the slides is mostly measured in inches. Using the “Slide Size” dialog box, you can check the dimension of a slide in inches. Depending on the type of the selected slide, the slide size varies. There are three different “On-Screen Show” slide sizes available in Microsoft PowerPoint.

2a On-Screen Show (4:3)

The “On-Screen Show (4:3)” slides are “10×7.5” inches in size. This is the “Standard” slide size.

2b On-Screen Show (16:9)

The “On-Screen Show (16:9)” slide size is “10 x 5.625” inches in dimension. This is the “Widescreen” option which is the default slide size in PowerPoint.

2c On-Screen Show (16:10)

The “On-Screen Show (16:10)” slides are “10 x 6.25” inches in width and height respectively.

3. How to Find the Size of the Slide in Inches?

Using the “Slide Size” dialog box in Microsoft PowerPoint, you can find the size of the slides in your presentation in inches. To do so, follow the 3 quick steps.

Step-1: Click on the “Design” tab

In the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen, click on the “Design” tab. This will open the “Design” menu.

Step-2: Click on the “Slide Size” option

In the “Customize” group of the “Design” menu, click on the “Slide Size” option. Then click on the “Custom Slide Size” option in the dropdown menu under the “Slide Size” option. This will open a dialog box.

Step-3: Click on the “OK” button

In the “Slide Size” dialog box, you can now see the size of the slide in inches in the “Width” and “Height” boxes. Then click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the dialog box to close it.

4. How to Change the Size of a PowerPoint Slide?

In Microsoft PowerPoint, you can change the side of the slides using the “Design” menu. However, you can only change the size of all the slides in a presentation at once. To change the size of the slide in PowerPoint, follow the 3 simple steps.

The first step is to open the “Design” menu. To do so, click on the “Design” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen.

In the “Customize” group of the “Design” menu, you have to now click on the “Slide Size” option. This will open a dropdown menu containing the preset slide size options available in PowerPoint.

Step-3: Click on your preferred slide size

Finally, all you have to do is click on your preferred slide size option from the preset options available in the dropdown menu under the “Slide Size” option. The available slide sizes are “Standard” and “Widescreen” .

4.1 How to Customize the Size of a PowerPoint Slide?

The “Custom Slide Size” feature in Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to customize the size of all the slides in a presentation. Using the feature, you can set any dimension to the slides in your presentation. To customize the size of the slides in a presentation, follow the 7 easy steps.

The first step is to open the PowerPoint presentation file where you want to customize the size of the presentation slides. Then click on the “Design” tab in the menu ribbon located at the top of the screen to open the “Design” menu.

The next step is to click on the “Slide Size” option in the “Customize” group of the “Design” menu. In the dropdown menu, the default slide size is the “Widescreen (16:9)” option.

Step-3: Click on the “Custom Slide Size” option

Now all you have to do is click on the “Custom Slide Size” option at the bottom of the dropdown menu under the “Slide Size” option in the “Design” menu. This will open a dialog box.

Step-4: Click on the “Slide sized for” option

In the “Slide Size” dialog box, click on the “Slides sized for” option. Then click on the “Custom” option at the bottom of the dropdown menu under the “Slides sized for” box.

Step-5: Click on the “Width” box

In the “Slide Size” dialog box, the next step is to click on the “Width” box. Now you can type in your preferred width of the slides in inches. You can also use the up and down arrows in the “Width” box to increase or decrease the width of the slide respectively.

Step-6: Click on the “Height” box

The next step is to customize the height of the slides. To do so, click on the “Height” box in the “Slide Size” dialog box and type in your preferred slide height in inches. You can also click on the up or down arrows in the “Height” box to adjust the height of the slides to your preference.

Step-7: Click on the “OK” button

Finally, all you have to do is click on the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Slide Size” dialog box to save the custom size for the slides in the presentation file.

Determining the Size of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels: A Guide

Have you ever wondered what the size of your PowerPoint slide is in pixels? It’s actually pretty simple to figure out, and you can do it with just a few clicks. In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps so you can determine the pixel dimensions of your presentation slides.

Step by Step Tutorial: Determining the Size of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels

Before we dive into the steps, let’s understand why this is important. Knowing the pixel size of your slides can help you design better presentations that look great on any screen. Plus, if you’re creating content for the web or digital platforms, pixel dimensions are crucial for ensuring your work displays correctly.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and go to the ‘Design’ tab

Click on the ‘Design’ tab located at the top of the PowerPoint window.

When you’re working on your PowerPoint presentation, the Design tab is where you’ll find all the options for customizing the look and feel of your slides. It’s the gateway to adjusting the size of your slides.

Step 2: Click on ‘Slide Size’

Look for the ‘Slide Size’ button on the right-hand side of the toolbar and click on it.

The ‘Slide Size’ button gives you access to various options for adjusting the size of your PowerPoint slides, including the ability to see and change the pixel dimensions.

Step 3: Select ‘Custom Slide Size’

In the drop-down menu that appears, select ‘Custom Slide Size’ to open the Slide Size dialog box.

The ‘Custom Slide Size’ option allows you to specify the exact dimensions for your slides, including width and height, in various units of measurement including pixels.

Step 4: Check the pixel dimensions

In the Slide Size dialog box, look for the width and height measurements in pixels.

The Slide Size dialog box will show the current size of your slides. If it’s set to a different unit of measurement, you can easily switch to pixels.

Step 5: Adjust the slide size if necessary

If you need to adjust the size of your slides, enter the desired dimensions in pixels and click ‘OK’.

You can customize the size of your PowerPoint slides to fit specific requirements or to ensure that your presentation looks its best on different devices or resolutions.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll have successfully determined the pixel size of your PowerPoint slides. This information can be incredibly useful for graphic design purposes, ensuring that your presentation looks sharp and professional on any screen.

Tips for Determining the Size of a PowerPoint Slide in Pixels

• Always make sure you’re working with the latest version of PowerPoint for the most accurate size adjustments.
• If your presentation will be displayed on a large screen, aim for higher pixel dimensions to maintain image quality.
• Remember that changing the slide size can affect the layout of your content, so double-check your presentation after resizing.
• Consider the aspect ratio when customizing slide size; common ratios include 4:3 for standard screens and 16:9 for widescreens.
• Use pixel dimensions that match common screen resolutions to ensure your presentation looks great on most devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the default size of a powerpoint slide in pixels.

The default size of a PowerPoint slide is 960 pixels wide by 540 pixels high for a widescreen (16:9) aspect ratio.

Can I change the pixel dimensions for all slides in my presentation at once?

Yes, when you adjust the slide size, the changes will apply to all slides in your presentation.

Will changing the slide size affect the quality of my images?

If you increase the slide size, you may need to use higher resolution images to maintain quality.

What should I do if the content on my slides gets distorted after resizing?

You may need to manually adjust the content on your slides to fit the new dimensions.

How do I know what pixel dimensions to use for my presentation?

Consider the device or screen where your presentation will be displayed and use dimensions that match its resolution.

• Open PowerPoint and go to the ‘Design’ tab
• Click on ‘Slide Size’
• Select ‘Custom Slide Size’
• Check the pixel dimensions
• Adjust the slide size if necessary

Determining the size of a PowerPoint slide in pixels is a piece of cake once you know where to look. Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or new to the game, understanding the pixel dimensions of your slides can make a world of difference in how your presentation is perceived. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your slides are perfectly tailored to any screen size, making your message resonate with clarity and impact. Plus, with a few extra tips up your sleeve, you can easily navigate through any presentation design challenges that come your way. Remember, the devil is in the details, and in this digital age, knowing your pixels from your points can truly set you apart. So, go ahead, give it a try and watch your presentations transform from good to great!

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

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How to Size Your Slides for Legal Paper in Powerpoint 2013

Microsoft Office products are often configured for your current geographic location. This can mean default paper sizes, or margins on your document. But much like you might need to switch between centimeters and inches for Word margins , you may need to change the size of your slides in Powerpoint.

While Microsoft Powerpoint is easier to manage when you are presenting on a screen, it can typically look fine when you need to print out a slide show. But you may be wondering how to change your paper size if you are designing a printed presentation and using a non-default paper size.

Printing on legal paper can be a little more difficult than it should be in some situations, and you may have found that one of those situations can come up with Microsoft Powerpoint. The legal paper size is often ideal for certain types of presentations, particularly if you need the extra page space when you print the presentation.

But you might be having trouble getting your presentation sized properly and, ultimately, printing it out. Our guide below will show you a few different settings to adjust so that the printed legal-sized Powerpoint presentation looks as good on paper as it does on your screen.

How to Change Paper Size in Powerpoint

• Open your slideshow.
• Select Design .
• Click Slide Size , then Custom Slide Size .
• Enter the desired dimensions, then click OK .
• Choose how to adjust existing content.

Our article continues below with additional information on changing the paper or slide size in Powerpoint, including pictures of these steps.

If you use speaker notes in Powerpoint but are having trouble with Google Slides, then our how to see speaker notes on Google Slides app tutorial can help you to find them.

How to Set the Slide Size to Legal Dimensions in Powerpoint 2013 (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article are going to change the dimensions of your slides to be the same dimensions as legal paper. You will then be able to adjust the print size of the presentation to print those slides, if necessary, on legal paper without any weird formatting issues that might otherwise arise.

Step 1: Open your presentation in Powerpoint 2013.

Step 2: click the design tab at the top of the window..

Step 3: Click the Slide Size button in the Customize section at the far right end of the ribbon, then click the Custom Slide Size option.

Step 4: Set the Width to 13 in and the Height to 7.5 in, then click the OK button.

The actual dimensions of legal paper are 14 inches by 8.5 inches, but you need to give a little leeway for margins.

Step 5: Select the resizing option that you prefer.

Step 6: Click the File tab at the top-left corner of the window.

Step 7: Select the Print option.

Step 8: Click the Printer Properties button and choose to print on legal paper.

This is a little different on each printer, so your options here can vary. Then click the Full Page Slides button and ensure that the Scale to Fit Paper option is selected. You can then print the presentation.

Would you also like to print the notes for your presentation so that you can use them when you are speaking? Learn how to print speaker’s notes in Powerpoint 2013 .

Additional Sources

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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Powerpoint Printing Actual Size

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If your slide is in 4:3 (Standard) aspect ratio, it is normally 10"wide x 7.5" high and will print at the correct size on letter-size piece of paper with a 1/2" border.

If your slide is 16:9 Widescreen format originally created in PowerPoint 2007 or 2010, it is 10"x 5.63" and will print on letter-size paper with 1/2" margins on either side. Newer widescreen slides must be printed on legal-size paper to print at the correct size, since they are 13.33"x 7.5"

When you create your custom size (I'm guessing 11"x 8.5") you have no allowance for the printer margins, so the printer driver might be trying to fit the slide into it's printable area rather than print it at 100%. The problem is with your printer driver settings, not with PowerPoint.

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Start by choosing Design>Slide Size>Custom Slide Size and set the Slides sized for dropdown to A4 Paper (210x297 mm) . This will give you a working area of 10.833" x 7.5". Draw your art and print to A4 without scaling (100%).

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