How to Create Your Own Theme in Microsoft PowerPoint 2010

When you are working in Microsoft PowerPoint 2010, there are several themes to choose from when you press the "Design" tab.  However, don't you think it would be fun to create your own unique theme? Well, today I am going to show you how.

Step 1: Open a new PowerPoint Presentation.

Step 2: Click the "View" tab. Then, click "Slide Master."

Step 3: Edit the background.  

- Click on the "Slide Master" tab, then click the "Background Styles" drop down menu. 

- Choose from any of the gradients that appear or create your own background by clicking the "Format Background" button. You now have the option of adding a solid, gradient, picture/texture, or pattern fill to use as a background and have more control over the colors.

Step 4: Choose the fonts. 

- On the "Slide Master" tab, click on the "Fonts" drop down menu. You can choose one of the pre-made font sets, or you can click the "Create New Theme Fonts" to chose the heading and body fonts that you would like to use in your theme.

Step 5: Edit the color scheme.

- Click on the "Colors" drop down menu (it is above the "Fonts" drop down menu on the "Slide Master" tab). You can choose from a variety of built-in color schemes or create your own by clicking the "Create New Theme Colors" button.

Step 6: Save your theme!

- To save your custom theme, click the "View" tab. Then, click the "Normal" option.

- Click the "Design" tab. Then, click on the drop down arrow beside the themes to get more options. At the very bottom, click the "Save Current Theme" button and name your theme. Finally, click "Save."

Your theme should automatically be saved as an Office Theme inside the Templates>Document Themes folder. Next time you open PowerPoint, it should show up with the other themes under the design tab.

Step 7: Show it off!

Won't it feel great to create a PowerPoint using a theme that you created? Next time someone compliments you on how good your PowerPoint looks, you can say: "I designed it myself!"

Here is the theme that I created:

TIP: If you would like your title slide to have a different background than the others like mine, just change the background on the title slide layout without clicking the "Apply to All" button. 

TIP: Play around with Word Art and text effects. I added a dark blue outline to my title and heading text and added a shadow by clicking the "Shadow" button in the "Font" box under the "Home" tab.