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How to make slides vertical in powerpoint.

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Change slides from landscape to portrait, use vertical and horizontal slides in the same presentation.

When you open a new PowerPoint presentation, the slides are horizontal by default. However, you can change them to vertical orientation in a few simple steps. Here’s how to switch your slides from landscape to portrait layout.

First, open your PowerPoint presentation. In the "Customize" group of the "Design" tab, select "Slide Size." Click "Custom Slide Size" ("Page Setup" on Mac) in the drop-down menu.

The "Slide Size" dialog box appears. In the "Slides" group of the "Orientation" section, select the radio button next to Portrait or Landscape, and then click "OK."

A new dialog box appears. Here, you can maximize or resize the content so it fits the slide's new orientation. Select the option that works best for you, and you're all done!

Microsoft doesn’t provide this functionality. But if you link two presentations together, you can create the illusion that both landscape and portrait slides are in the same slideshow.

Keep in mind that once you link two presentations together, you break that link if you move either of them to a different location. To prevent this, move both presentations into the same folder before you link them.

In this example, we assume the first presentation has landscape slides, and the second has portrait. We open the first presentation and navigate to the slide from which we want to create the link. Once there, we select an object to use to insert the link. You can insert a link in text, images, or objects.

To illustrate our point, we’ll use a text box.

Next, we navigate to the "Links" group under the "Insert" tab and select "Action."

In the "Action Settings" dialog box that appears, we select the radio button next to "Hyperlink to." We open the drop-down menu, and then select "Other PowerPoint Presentation."

File explorer should open. We select the presentation to which we want to link, and then click "OK."

Back at the "Actions Settings" dialog box, the file path of the second presentation should appear in the "Hyperlink to" box. If everything looks good, click "OK."

The link now shows up in the selected object.

When you click this link, it seamlessly transitions you to the second presentation. In Slide Show view, this creates the illusion that you have slides of both orientations in the same slideshow.

However, if you want to return to presentation one, you must link back to it from presentation two.

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Office 2019

Can I change the Orientation of just one slide in PowerPoint?

By: Author Shrot Katewa

There are times when you wish to create only one slide of a different size in a PowerPoint presentation. This means you want to have both portrait and landscape slide sizes in the same presentation. Is it possible to do this? This is a question that had us scratching our heads! We did a lot of tinkering and quite a bit of research and we share what we found in this post. But first, let’s answer the question.

Can you change the orientation of a single slide in the same PowerPoint presentation? You CAN NOT create two slides of different sizes or orientations in the same presentation. Unlike Word, PowerPoint does not have this capability! But you can do a couple of other things.

In the rest of the article, I’ll show you a couple of different methods on how you can change the layout of just one slide in PowerPoint. So, let’s get started!

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

What are Portrait and Landscape slide orientation in PowerPoint?

Powerpoint, by design, is made to allow slides to be created in a landscape mode. In this format, the information is mostly created to be read from left to right. This is a natural slide format as it shadows the way our computer screens are designed.

PowerPoint also has a Portrait mode (see image above). This kind of format is higher than it is wider. In the Portrait layout, the information is laid out from top to bottom. It gets its name from the hand-drawn canvas portrait paintings of the yesteryears which were drawn by hand on a canvas of a similar layout.

PowerPoint allows us to efficiently switch between the two slide layout formats. However, the problem is that when you switch between the two layouts, PowerPoint changes all the slides to the chosen layout rather than a single slide.

Is there any work around to show different slide sizes in the same PPT?

PowerPoint is a very powerful tool if it is fully understood. There are several things you can do with PowerPoint which it is not designed to do. For example, you can create social media posts, create videos, business cards, and much more using PowerPoint.

Even so, it is not the perfect application and sometimes you come across a situation where there seems to be no solution. Having a single portrait slide with other landscape slides in PowerPoint is one such issue.

There seem to be only two possible methods to achieve this desired result. Let’s have a look at it.

Method 1 – Embed external links to a slide in Portrait mode

One way to resolve the issue of not being able to insert a single Portrait slide in the middle of a bunch of landscape slides could be using links. Let’s look at a pictorial example. For the sake of this example, we shall denote the presentation in which we need to showcase the portrait slide format as the “Target presentation”.

Step 1 – Create two separate presentations for both layouts and save them

What you need to do is to create two separate PPT presentations. Create your Portrait slide layout separately that you need to put in the target presentation. Therefore, we should have two different presentations as shown in the above image. Make sure to save both presentations before proceeding ahead.

Step 2 – Identify target slide for embedding the portrait layout slide

Add text on a blank slide in your target presentation where you intend to display the portrait format slide. Now, what we need to do is insert a hyperlink. This can be easily done by first inserting the text in the text box.

Then go to the “Insert” tab and click on “Action”. (Please note – these instructions are for Mac) A dialogue box will open up. In the dialogue box, select the second option “Hyperlink to”.

Upon choosing the second option, a dropdown menu will show up. You’ll need to scroll down and select “Other PowerPoint presentation”.

Step 3 – Add the hyperlink to embed the portrait slide 

Browse and open the destination folder in which the portrait presentation is saved. Simply, browse to the location of the destination folder, click on the desired portrait powerpoint file and click “OK”. PowerPoint will then ask you to choose the slide number (if you have more than 1 slides in the PPT). Select the slide number that you wish to display, and click “OK”.

Now you will notice that the text that we have used to link to the portrait file will turn blue and get underlined. This is because it has now become a hyperlink.

Step 4 – Check to verify that the desired result has been achieved

Make the presentation in full screen mode by clicking on the “Slide Show” button on the bottom bar in your target presentation.

When your presentation turns full screen, you just need to hover over the hyperlinked text and click on it.

You’ll notice that the slide in the portrait mode is now visible in your main presentation. One thing you need to be aware of is that the slide is still not present in the target presentation. All we are doing is tricking PowerPoint to open a slide from a different presentation by creating a hyperlink. Thus, every time you need to open the portrait slide, you’ll need to come to this specific slide that contains the hyperlink and click on it. To go back to your target presentation from the portrait slide, simply press escape button on your keyboard denoted by “Esc” (top left corner of the keyboard)

Method 2 – Copy the contents of your Portrait slide, and paste it in your target PPT as an image

Okay, so this second cool little hack is simple and pretty straightforward. In this method, even though we may not be able to change the slide layout of just one slide, we will be able to achieve the desired result. Let’s have a look at how to do it –

Step 1 – Open both PPTs and add a black box that covers the complete slide in the target presentation

As a first step, open both the presentations. In the target presentation, add a blank slide. Next, insert a shape such that it covers the complete landscape slide end-to-end. Remove the border, and make the color of the shape to black. Adding a black shape is an optional step. The purpose of adding this black box is to mimic the background of a presentation in full screen. You’ll see what I mean in just a minute.

Step 2 – Copy contents of the portrait slide and paste it as an image in the target PPT

Open the portrait slide layout that you would like to put on the target presentation. Copy all the contents of that slide and paste it on the desired slide in the target presentation. As soon as you paste the items, scroll to the right bottom corner of the items that you have pasted, and you will notice additional pasting options with a clipboard icon that appears. Click on the small box with a clipboard icon, and a dropdown will appear. Simply select the “Paste as picture” option from the dropdown. This will ensure that your portrait slide is now an image.

Step 3 – Resize and align the image to the centre of the slide

Now we need to resize the image to fit the height of the landscape layout. Align the top left corner of the image with the top left corner of the slide (or you could align the top right corner of the image with the top right corner of the slide). Next, we shall resize the image from the diagonally opposite corner (in our example, it will be the bottom right corner). Remember, we should always resize the image proportionately so that it doesn’t distort the image. To do that, simply press the “Shift” key and while dragging the image.

Next, align this image to the centre of the slide. An easy way to align images and shapes in PowerPoint is using “Align tools”. Simply select the image by clicking on it. You’ll notice a “Picture Format” option that appears in the menu bar on the top. Click on the “Align” button. A dropdown will appear. Just select “Align to centre” under horizontal align options. You’ll notice that the image has moved to the centre of the screen.

Steps described above can help you lock the aspect ratio of any image in PowerPoint. The process is similar when you wish to lock the aspectAs a last step, click on the “Slide Show” button to make the PowerPoint presentation full screen. You’ll notice that you’ve successfully displayed a portrait layout on a landscape slide. While, you may not have been able to change the layout of the slide itself, putting the portrait slide as an image helps us essentially achieve the same result. ratio of not just an image but also of any other shape such as a square, circle or rectangle.

Pro tip – Worry about portrait slides only if the output screen can display in portrait mode

After reading the method 2 described above, I know you’re probably wondering “I didn’t want to paste an image in the slide. I wanted to have a portrait slide inserted in my landscape presentation”. However, you may need to keep in mind that almost all the screens on which you would be displaying your “Portrait” presentation, would by default have a landscape layout. In other words, unless you’re viewing the portrait slide on a screen that displays the output in a portrait mode such as a cell phone, your portrait slide will always have a blank space on the side!

Thus, there can be several other variations to the method 2 described above. For instance, you could also save your portrait slide as a PDF, and copy and paste that PDF file on the target presentation. Even in such a scenario method 2 will work just fine! What matters is to really understand the principle that portrait slides will always have blank space on the sides if the output screen can only display in landscape mode.

As mentioned earlier, there is no straightforward way to have both portrait and landscape slide sizes in the same presentation. Then again, before you break your head over it, you should ask yourself, is it really that important to have a portrait slide in your presentation as the slide may most likely be displayed in a landscape mode due to the output screen layout. If it is important, then you can follow the methods described above.

I hope the tips mentioned in the article were helpful to you, and that it saves you time in the future as well to create an effective presentation.

Our goal on this blog is to create content that helps YOU create fantastic presentations; especially if you have never been a designer. We’ve started our blog with non-designers in mind, and we have got some amazing content on our site to help you design better.

If you have any topics in mind that you would want us to write about, be sure to drop us a comment below. In case you need us to work with you and improve the design of your presentation, write to us on [email protected] . Our team will be happy to help you with your requirements.

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How to Change PowerPoint Slide Orientation

Change orientation first so elements don't drop off the slide

• Brock University

What To Know

• In Windows: In Normal view, press Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size . Under Orientation , select Vertical, and set the Height and Width .
• On the web: Design > Slide Size > Custom Slide Size > Portrait > OK . Then choose how slides fit the screen.
• On a Mac: File > Page Setup . Select Portrait , adjust the size as needed, and press OK .

This article explains how to change the orientation of PowerPoint slides between portrait and landscape. Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2007, PowerPoint for Mac, and PowerPoint Online.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint for Windows

The steps used to change the page orientation between landscape and portrait are the same in all versions of PowerPoint 2013 for Windows and newer.

In the Normal view, click the Design tab.

Select Slide Size .

Select Custom Slide Size .

Use the buttons in the Orientation section to select a vertical orientation or enter dimensions in the Width and Height fields.

Select OK to apply the changes.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint 2010 and 2007 for Windows

Follow these steps to change from landscape to portrait slide orientation in older versions of PowerPoint for Windows.

Select the Design  tab, and in the  Page Setup  group, click  Slide Orientation .

Choose Portrait .

Press OK to save your changes.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint for Mac

To change the page orientation from landscape to portrait in PowerPoint for Mac 2011.

Select the  File  menu and choose Page Setup .

In the  Page Setup  dialog box, across from Slides , select the  Portrait orientation. As an alternative, select custom dimensions in the Size section, making the height greater than the width.

Choose OK to apply the changes.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint Online

For a long time, PowerPoint Online didn't offer a portrait orientation slide, but that has changed.

Select the Design tab.

Select Slide Size , then choose Custom Slide Size .

Select the Portrait orientation image.

You have the choice to either choose Maximize , which maximizes the use of the available slide space, or click Ensure fit , which makes sure that the slide content fits on the vertical portrait orientation.

Landscape and Portrait Slides in the Same Presentation

There is no simple way to combine landscape slides and portrait slides in the same presentation. If you've worked with slide presentations, you know that this is a basic feature. Without it, some slides won't present the material effectively, such as with a lengthy vertical list, for example. There is a workaround if you must have this capability.

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How to Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint

Most PowerPoint (PPT) presentations are in 16:9 format, aka landscape orientation, which is great for presenting on most monitors and projectors. But there’s so much more you can do with your slide orientation.

We’ll run through various options for choosing a different orientation for PowerPoint. From vertical to portrait to widescreen – you’ll learn how to set the orientation you want in no time at all.

Stay flexible: adapt to circumstances

There will be times when you encounter the odd challenge in presenting; for example, you might come across 4:3 monitors/projectors or pivot monitors in portrait orientation. To make sure that your presentation is the most effective it can be no matter what the circumstances, you may need to adapt it to an appropriate size or orientation. Portrait orientation is also generally better than landscape for creating handouts or printing a presentation.

PowerPoint portrait orientation: the advantages

You may have already discovered that there are times when a landscape PPT slide orientation just doesn’t work very well. For example, when you want to use an organizational chart to clearly present key employees and their roles within the company. What to do? Well, it’s easy – use the portrait PPT slide orientation. It’s great for org charts and so much more.

How to set PPT slide orientation to portrait

1. Open the presentation.

2. Go to the Design tab and select Slide Size .

3. Now select Custom Slide Size .

4. Choose Portrait under Orientation > Slides .

5. Confirm your selection with OK .

6. A PowerPoint dialog box will now open for you to choose between Maximize and Ensure Fit .

Maximize will enlarge your content, which means some images may no longer be displayed correctly. With Ensure to Fit, PowerPoint will attempt to fit all your content into the new orientation.

Set the PPT orientation for individual slides

Portrait orientation can be a good way to enhance your presentation, but things are often a bit more complicated. Many PowerPoint templates are tailored to landscape orientation , so it’s often only possible to create your whole presentation in either landscape or portrait orientation . You can alter the PPT slide orientation for your entire presentation as shown above. But if you just want the one slide in portrait orientation, we’ll show you how to do that.

To create a presentation containing slides in two different orientations, you need to create two versions of the same presentation – one in landscape and one in portrait — and then link them together. (Don’t panic; we’ll show you how!)

To link, first select an object, such as a text box, in your main presentation (let’s say this is in landscape orientation). This object will serve as the link base. Now go to the Insert tab and select Action .

PowerPoint will now open the Action Settings dialog box, so you can select how to open the presentation you put in portrait format. After Click Hyperlink to and then on Other PowerPoint presentation .

Now select your second presentation (in this case, the one in portrait orientation) and click OK . A link to the presentation in portrait orientation will now be created on the slide you selected. To go back to your original presentation from the linked presentation (for instance when you’ve finished with the slides in portrait orientation and want to return to landscape), simply repeat the process to create another link back.

PowerPoint portrait slides: print to fit

If you want to create a PDF from your presentation, for example print a slide, you can set the PPT slide orientation and size manually. To do this, first change the orientation to portrait and then select Custom under Paper Size . Now enter 21.6 cm for the width and 27.9 cm for the height (or whatever dimensions your paper happens to be).

Set another PPT slide orientation

PowerPoint doesn’t just offer portrait and landscape; there are other slide orientations which you can use to add impact to your PowerPoint presentation.

The first option here is to change the size of your slides. To do this, simply click Design > Slide Size and choose between Standard , Widescreen or Custom Slide Size .

If the selected content can’t be scaled automatically, you’ll need to choose either Maximize or Ensure Fit . Once again, you have the choice of an enlarged version, possibly without graphics, or a reduced but complete version of your slides.

4:3, 16:9, A3, banner and many more options

To use a size other than Standard or Widescreen , select Custom Slide Size from the Slide Size dropdown menu. Click the down arrow under Slides sized for: to see several options as well as their dimensions.

On-screen Show will crop the slides to 4:3, 16:9 and 16:10 dimensions. What you should consider when changing from 4:3 to 16:9 can be found here . And why you should rather use 16:9 here .

Widescreen sets the dimensions to 33.867 cm x 19.05 cm.

Both versions look the same when viewed, but Widescreen gives you more surface area for your content. Be careful when printing: Widescreen won’t fit on a regular sheet of paper without scaling it first.

Other options include Banner and Letter – PowerPoint offers you a variety of interesting options.

Customize your dimensions: inches, pixels or centimeters

You can change the setting for dimensions under Custom Slide Size . To change the height or width of your slide, simply enter the desired dimensions followed by in, cm or px.

Select OK to save your changes. Once again, you may need to choose Maximize or Ensure Fit to scale the content properly.

Set a default slide orientation for your presentations

If you’ve found a format for PowerPoint that really suits the presentations you create, set a slide size that you want to work with in the future. This will be your new Theme . Once you’ve done that, go to the Design tab, click the arrow under Themes and select Save Current Theme . Your new theme will now be listed under Themes > Custom and can be used for future presentations.

Important: avoid distorted content when changing your slide orientation

When you’re working with different ppt orientations, be aware that you may have to rearrange or scale your slide content to make everything look coherent.

Conclusion: Change your ppt slide orientation quickly and easily!

It can be tricky to present all the facts and depth of content to your audience in a landscape orientation presentation. Choosing another orientation can create interesting new visual perspectives to keep your audience’s attention.

Looking for help with a specific slide orientation for PPT? We’re more than happy to advise and help you. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with any questions or worries about your presentations.

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What is microsoft powerpoint.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a leading presentation software developed by Microsoft. It's part of the Microsoft Office suite and is widely used for creating slide show presentations that include multimedia like images, videos, and charts. PowerPoint is an essential tool for educators, businesses, and anyone needing to present information in a visually engaging format.

Who is Microsoft PowerPoint best suited for?

Microsoft PowerPoint is best suited for professionals such as Product Marketers , educators, and sales teams. Product Marketers can use PowerPoint to create compelling presentations for product launches, highlighting features and benefits. Educators can develop informative lectures that are visually engaging for students. Sales teams can craft persuasive sales pitches to showcase products or services to potential clients, enhancing the overall communication and effectiveness of the message.

Common FAQs on How to Make PowerPoint Slides Vertical

To change the slide orientation to vertical, go to the "Design" tab, select "Slide Size," then choose "Custom Slide Size." From there, you can set the orientation to "Portrait."

Unfortunately, PowerPoint does not allow different orientations for individual slides within the same presentation. All slides must be either horizontal or vertical.

Vertical slides are useful for certain presentations such as posters, infographics, or content that's more convenient to read in a vertical format, especially on mobile devices.

Changing the slide orientation may disrupt the layout and design of your slides, so you might need to adjust elements to ensure they fit well in the new orientation.

Yes, once you set your slides to a portrait orientation, you can print them in this format. Make sure your print settings are set to match the slide orientation.

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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How To Change Page Orientation in PowerPoint to Portrait

How To Change Page Orientation in PowerPoint to Portrait

The page orientation in a presentation slide, also known as the PowerPoint portrait orientation, is the way in which the rectangular slide is oriented for normal viewing while presenting. The two most common types of orientation are portrait and landscape and these are the two formats available in Microsoft PowerPoint.

In PowerPoint, it is very easy to change the page orientation from landscape to portrait or vice versa. Here we will show you how to change PowerPoint to portrait and modify the slide orientation so you can use a portrait layout format instead of the default landscape style.

Table of Contents:

Why Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint?

Benefits of portrait orientation, how to make powerpoint portrait by changing the page orientation.

• How to Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint
• How to Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac

Applying Portrait Orientation to Templates

When it comes to creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation, choosing the right slide orientation is more important than you might think. The default landscape orientation is suitable for many scenarios, but there are situations where switching to portrait orientation, like how to change to portrait in PowerPoint, can greatly enhance your presentation’s effectiveness.

• Focus on Vertical Content: Portrait orientation is particularly useful when your content is more vertically oriented. For example, if you’re showcasing a series of tall images, vertical charts, or lengthy textual content, portrait orientation ensures that your audience can see the entire content without excessive horizontal scrolling.
• Print-Friendly: Portrait orientation aligns well with standard paper sizes. So, if you intend to print your slides or create handouts, portrait orientation allows for a seamless transition from digital to printed materials.
• Emphasize Storytelling: Portrait orientation encourages a more storytelling-friendly layout. It can be ideal for sequential storytelling, timelines, or presentations with a clear top-to-bottom flow.
• Mobile and Tablet Compatibility: With the rise of mobile devices, portrait orientation works well for presentations viewed on smartphones and tablets. This ensures your content is easily readable, even on smaller screens.

Switching to portrait orientation offers several advantages that can help you create more engaging and visually appealing PowerPoint presentations:

• Enhanced Readability: Portrait orientation allows for larger text and graphics, making your content more readable, especially from a distance.
• Visual Impact: It provides a unique, eye-catching format that can captivate your audience and make your presentation stand out.
• Improved Aesthetics: Certain types of content, such as tall images and vertical infographics, look more aesthetically pleasing in portrait orientation.
• Storytelling and Sequencing: Portrait orientation encourages a storytelling approach, enabling you to present information in a more structured and sequential manner.
• Print and Handout Compatibility: If you plan to distribute handouts or print your slides, portrait orientation ensures a seamless transition from digital to physical formats.

You can change the slide orientation in Microsoft PowerPoint by using a special setting in the PowerPoint Ribbon, under Slide Size option. This option will help to change landscape to portrait in PPT, and it can also be used to change PowerPoint slide dimensions to a different format or Aspect Ratio (learn more about PowerPoint slide size here).

Follow the following steps to change the landscape orientation to portrait orientation in PowerPoint. If you use Google Slides, you can make your Google Slides presentation vertical here .

1. Open the PowerPoint presentation and then click on the  Design tab at the top menu.

4. To change the slide orientation from PPT landscape to portrait , just select the Portrait option by checking the corresponding radio button. This process demonstrates how to change a PPT to a portrait in a straightforward manner.

5. A new dialog box will appear, this time asking what to do while scaling to a new slide size. Here you can choose to maximize the visible area or Ensure Fit to scale it down and ensure the new design will fit on the new slide format.

• Maximize: This option lets you take advantage of the entire slide dimension to cover the slide with the current content.
• Ensure Fit: This option will scale the current content down to ensure it will fit on the new slide. Depending on your design, by choosing this option you may find two empty bars at the top or bottom of the slide as displayed in the thumbnail examples shown below.

Finally, here we can see the new orientation applied to the PowerPoint presentation. The following screenshot shows our Kite PowerPoint template adjusted to a portrait format and ready to be used to design a flyer or eye-catching brochures in PowerPoint.

Did you know? The portrait word definition comes from the fact that a close-up portrait of a person’s face and upper body is more fitting for a canvas or photo where the height of the display area is greater than the width, and is more common for the pages of books. Landscape originally described artistic outdoor scenes where a wide view area is needed, but the upper part of the painting would be mostly sky and so is omitted. [source: Wikipedia]

How to Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint

In Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 you can also change the slide orientation. This option is located in the Design menu under the Page Setup section as shown in the screenshot below.

How to Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint 2011 for Mac

If you are using Mac instead of Windows, then you can also change the slide orientation in Microsoft PowerPoint 2011. In this case, the Page Setup option is located under the Themes menu.

1. Go to the Themes menu and click on the Slide Size button.

2. Then, click Page Setup…

Applying portrait orientation to PowerPoint templates is a simple process that can add a fresh and unique touch to your presentations. Here’s how you can do it:

• Open a Blank Presentation: Start with a blank PowerPoint presentation or the one you wish to modify.
• Design Tab: Click on the “Design” tab at the top menu to access the design options.
• Slide Size Menu: Next, click on the “Slide Size” menu button located on the right side of the toolbar. This menu allows you to adjust the slide size and orientation.
• Custom Slide Size: Choose the “Custom Slide Size” option to open the Slide Size dialog box. Here, you can customize the slide size properties to suit your needs.
• Select Portrait Orientation: To change from PowerPoint landscape to portrait, check the radio button for “Portrait” under the “Slides” section.
• Scaling Options: You will be prompted with a dialog box asking how you’d like to scale your content to fit the new slide size. Choose between “Maximize” or “Ensure Fit” depending on your design preferences.

By applying portrait orientation to templates, you can create visually striking presentations that are tailored to your content and audience, ensuring that your message is delivered effectively and memorably.

By using a different slide orientation format in PowerPoint you can control how the slide will be displayed either while presenting or while designing a PowerPoint presentation that you plan to print later. For example, this can be very useful if you want to design a flyer, a poster for a University, or even a restaurant menu from Microsoft PowerPoint.

• Page Orientation at Wikipedia

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Landscape, Office for Mac, Page Orientation, Page Setup, Portrait, Slides Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials

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How to Make Slides Vertical in PowerPoint

PowerPoint has been a go-to presentation tool for most people, especially those in the corporate world. The traditional slide orientation in PowerPoint is horizontal, with images and text arranged from left to right. However, there are instances when you may need to change the orientation of your PowerPoint slides to a vertical setup. In this article, we’ll delve into understanding the need for vertical slides, step-by-step guidance on how to change slide orientation, customizing slide layouts, best practices for designing vertical slides, and examples of great vertical slide designs for inspiration.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Need for Vertical Slides in PowerPoint Presentations

There are different reasons why you may choose to make your slides vertical in PowerPoint presentations. One of the primary reasons is to create a more engaging and attention-grabbing presentation that stands out among traditional horizontal slides.

Vertical slides/layouts are particularly useful when you want to present your content in stages or hierarchical order. It helps your audience to follow a clear progression through the content. You can showcase multiple ideas in a single slide without overcrowding it or creating a cluttered appearance. It also enables you to present data and analytics with ease, making it more comprehensible to your audience.

Another advantage of using vertical slides is that it allows you to break away from the monotony of traditional presentations. It adds a unique touch to your presentation and can make it more memorable for your audience. Additionally, vertical slides can be used to create a sense of drama or suspense, especially when revealing important information or data.

However, it is important to note that vertical slides may not be suitable for all types of presentations. For instance, if you have a lot of text or data to present, it may be better to stick to traditional horizontal slides. It is also important to ensure that your vertical slides are well-designed and easy to read, to avoid confusing or overwhelming your audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Slide Orientation in PowerPoint

Changing the slide orientation in PowerPoint is a simple process that involves the following easy steps:

Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide(s) you want to change to vertical orientation.

Navigate to the “Design” tab on the Ribbon menu and locate the “Slide Size” button in the “Customize” section. Click on the button, and a drop-down menu will appear with different sizing options.

Select “Custom Slide Size” from the drop-down menu, and a pop-up window will appear.

Under “Orientation,” select “Portrait” from the drop-down menu if it wasn’t already selected. You can also adjust your slide size to 9 inches by 16 inches or any custom size you prefer by inputting the appropriate values.

Click the “OK” button, and all the selected slides will now have a vertical orientation.

It is important to note that changing the slide orientation may affect the layout and formatting of your slides. You may need to adjust the content and images on your slides to fit the new orientation properly. It is recommended to preview your presentation after changing the slide orientation to ensure that everything looks as intended.

Customizing Slide Layouts for Vertical Presentations

Customizing the slide layout helps keep your presentation consistent and visually appealing. You can customize the slide background color, font size, slide numbering, and overall visual display for all the slides. When in a vertical presentation, remember that the eye moves differently from a horizontal setup. Therefore, adapt your layout design to capture your audience’s attention and ensure readability.

One way to adapt your layout design for vertical presentations is to use more vertical space. This means using longer and narrower slides, which can help create a sense of flow and continuity throughout your presentation. Additionally, consider using more images and graphics to break up text and add visual interest.

Another important aspect of customizing slide layouts for vertical presentations is to pay attention to the hierarchy of information. Since the eye naturally moves from top to bottom, it’s important to place the most important information at the top of the slide and work your way down. This can help ensure that your audience is able to quickly and easily understand the main points of your presentation.

Best Practices for Designing Vertical Slides in PowerPoint

Designing vertical slides in PowerPoint to look great can be a challenging task for many. To create visually appealing vertical slides, start by understanding the following best practices:

Text Orientation:

Ensure that the text orientation aligns with the slide orientation to improve legibility. Text should be set vertically rather than horizontally, which can be uncomfortable for the eye.

Use whitespace efficiently to balance your design. Too many images or text can create a cluttered design and become overwhelming for the audience.

Use a readable font size, large enough for your audience to read the text without strain. A good rule of thumb is to use at least 24 pt. font size.

Use appropriate images on your slides to accompany your text and improve engagement. Ensure that your images are of high-quality and relevant to the content presented.

Choose colors that complement each other and make your content pop. Ensure that colors are consistent across all slides to maintain a consistent brand image.

Slide Transitions:

When designing vertical slides, it’s important to consider the slide transitions. Avoid using too many transitions or animations, as they can be distracting and take away from the content. Stick to simple and subtle transitions that enhance the overall design and flow of the presentation.

Tips for Optimizing Visuals and Text on Vertical Slides

When optimizing visuals and text on vertical slides, consider the following tips:

Making text visible:

Choose a background color that creates contrast and makes your text visible. Alternatively, use contrasting text colors to improve legibility.

Positioning:

Ensure that your text and visuals are appropriately positioned on the slide for optimal readability. For example, if you have multiple images on a single slide, position them in a uniform manner.

Cropping images and resizing them accordingly helps maintain the visuals’ quality and reduces clutter on the slide.

Another important tip for optimizing visuals and text on vertical slides is to use a consistent font style and size throughout the presentation. This helps maintain a professional and cohesive look, and prevents distractions caused by sudden changes in font style or size. Additionally, it is important to limit the amount of text on each slide to avoid overwhelming the audience with too much information. Use bullet points or short phrases to convey your message effectively.

How to Use Vertical Slides to Enhance Your Presentation Storytelling

Vertical slides enable you to tell your story in a sequential manner and improve the audience’s information retention. Rather than using linear horizontal slides, vertical slides allow for a more interactive and dynamic storytelling experience, immersing the audience better in the subject matter.

One of the benefits of using vertical slides is that they allow you to break down complex information into smaller, more manageable pieces. This can help your audience better understand and retain the information you are presenting. Additionally, vertical slides can be used to create a sense of progression or hierarchy in your presentation, guiding your audience through the key points of your story.

When creating vertical slides, it’s important to keep in mind the overall flow of your presentation. You want to make sure that each slide builds upon the previous one, creating a cohesive and engaging narrative. You can also use visual elements, such as images or graphs, to enhance your storytelling and make your presentation more memorable.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Creating Vertical Slides in PowerPoint

Some common mistakes to avoid when creating vertical slides in PowerPoint include overcrowding, using small or unreadable fonts, irrelevant visuals, inadequate color schemes, and inconsistencies in slide designs.

Examples of Great Vertical Slide Designs for Inspiration

Below are some great vertical slide designs to inspire your PowerPoint presentation:

• Vertical timelines: Use vertical slides to showcase timelines and track progress through the different stages.
• Infographics: Use vertical slides to present complex data in a visually appealing way using graphs, charts, and other visual aids.
• List format: Use vertical slides for bulleted or numbered lists. This format makes it easier to scroll through and see all the elements at once.

How to Convert Horizontal Slides to Vertical Slides in PowerPoint

If you have already created your presentation in horizontal format and would like to change the orientation to vertical, use the “Convert to Picture” option. Select the slide to change, navigate to “File,” select “Save As,” then choose “PNG” from the options. Save your slide as an image file, then insert it into a new vertical slide by selecting “Insert Picture” on a new slide.

Applying Transitions and Animations to Your Vertical Slides in PowerPoint

When designing a presentation, transitions and animations can be helpful in capturing your audience’s attention and maintaining engagement. You can apply transitions to all slides or specific ones, depending on your preferences. To add transitions to your slides, navigate to “Transitions” on the Ribbon menu, select “Effect Options,” and choose the desired transition effect to apply.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Making Slides Vertical in PowerPoint

Some common issues you may encounter when creating vertical slides include truncation of text, lack of white space, and inconsistent design. To avoid these issues, choose the appropriate font size, avoid overcrowding slides, and ensure consistent design elements across all slides.

Integrating Multimedia into Your Vertical Slide Presentations

You can integrate multimedia into your vertical slide presentations to enhance your content and improve audience engagement. You can add videos, images, and audio files to any slide to supplement your presentation. Ensure that the multimedia is relevant to the content and works seamlessly with your presentation software.

Collaborating on a Team During the Creation of Vertical Slides in PowerPoint

When working on a team presentation, it’s essential to ensure that all members are on the same page. You can collaborate on your presentation development by using cloud-based platforms such as PowerPoint Online, Google Drive, or Microsoft OneDrive. These platforms enable remote collaboration and allow multiple members to work on a presentation simultaneously.

Finalizing and Sharing Your Vertical Slide Presentations with Others

When finalizing your presentation, ensure that you’ve proofread it and confirmed the accuracy of all the information presented. You can share your presentation with others via email or by uploading it to a cloud-based storage platform. Ensure that your presentation format is compatible with the recipient’s software to avoid technical issues.

Creating vertical slides in PowerPoint is a powerful tool to share your content with maximum impact. Owing to improved engagement, recall, and attention span, vertical slides are a popular option for presentations. With this guide, you’re now equipped with the knowledge and skills to create well-designed, dynamic vertical slide presentations that captivate your audience and showcase your content in the best possible way.

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How to Do Vertical & Horizontal Slides in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

PowerPoint presentations are a staple in the corporate world, and knowing how to do vertical and horizontal slides can make your presentation stand out. In a nutshell, vertical slides are typically used for the main points or topics, while horizontal slides are used for sub-points or details. With the right tools and techniques, you can create a dynamic and visually appealing presentation that engages your audience.

Step by Step Tutorial on Vertical & Horizontal Slides in PowerPoint

Creating vertical and horizontal slides in PowerPoint is a straightforward process that can greatly enhance the flow and engagement of your presentation. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to accomplish this.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint and select your desired slide layout

Begin by opening PowerPoint and selecting the slide layout that best fits your presentation’s theme and content.

When choosing a slide layout, consider the amount of content you’ll be including and how you want it organized. PowerPoint offers a variety of layouts that cater to different types of information, so take a moment to explore your options.

Step 2: Insert a new slide

Insert a new slide by clicking on the “New Slide” button in the toolbar or using the “Ctrl + M” keyboard shortcut.

Adding a new slide is the starting point to building your presentation’s structure. Think about the order of your content and how you can use vertical and horizontal slides to guide your audience through your key points.

Step 3: Adjust the slide orientation

Adjust the orientation of your slide to vertical or horizontal by going to the “Design” tab, selecting “Slide Size,” and then choosing “Custom Slide Size.”

In the “Slide Size” dialog box, you’ll have the option to select either “Portrait” (vertical) or “Landscape” (horizontal) orientation. Decide which orientation best suits the content of your slide and make the change.

Step 4: Customize your slide

Customize your slide by adding text, images, charts, and other elements to convey your message effectively.

Once you’ve set the orientation, it’s time to add content to your slide. Use the various tools in PowerPoint to insert and format your elements, making sure they’re visually appealing and easy to understand.

Step 5: Add transitions and animations

Enhance your slides by adding transitions between slides and animations to your elements to create a more dynamic presentation.

Transitions and animations can add a professional touch to your slides, making the flow from one slide to the next smoother and keeping your audience engaged. Experiment with different options to find the best fit for your presentation.

After completing these steps, you’ll have a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates both vertical and horizontal slides, offering a more organized and captivating viewing experience for your audience.

Tips for Vertical & Horizontal Slides in PowerPoint

• Keep your slides consistent by using the same fonts, colors, and styles throughout your presentation.
• Use high-quality images and graphics to enhance your message and make your slides more visually appealing.
• Avoid overcrowding your slides with too much text or too many elements; keep it simple and focused.
• Practice your presentation with the slides to ensure a smooth delivery and to familiarize yourself with the transitions and animations.
• Always save and back up your presentation to avoid losing any progress or changes you’ve made.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vertical & Horizontal Slides in PowerPoint

What is the difference between vertical and horizontal slides in powerpoint.

Vertical slides typically represent the main points or topics of your presentation, while horizontal slides delve into the details or sub-points related to each vertical slide.

Can I mix vertical and horizontal slides in the same presentation?

Absolutely! Mixing vertical and horizontal slides can provide a clear structure and make it easier for your audience to follow along.

How do I switch between vertical and horizontal slides during a presentation?

You can switch between slide orientations by adjusting the slide size under the “Design” tab before adding content to that slide.

Is there a limit to how many vertical or horizontal slides I can have in my presentation?

There is no set limit to the number of slides you can have; it’s more important to focus on the quality and relevance of your content.

Will changing the orientation of my slides affect the quality of my images or text?

Changing the slide orientation should not affect the quality of your content, but you may need to adjust the layout or size of your elements to fit the new orientation.

• Open PowerPoint and select a slide layout.
• Insert a new slide.
• Adjust the slide orientation to vertical or horizontal.
• Customize your slide with content.
• Add transitions and animations.

Mastering vertical and horizontal slides in PowerPoint can take your presentations to the next level, allowing for a more structured and engaging experience for your audience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you’ll be well-equipped to create dynamic and visually appealing slides that effectively communicate your message.

Remember to keep your content focused, use high-quality visuals, and practice your delivery to ensure a seamless presentation. Whether you’re presenting to colleagues, clients, or at a conference, your newfound skills in PowerPoint will undoubtedly make a lasting impression. Happy presenting!

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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How to Rotate a Powerpoint Slide Presentation

People may use Microsoft PowerPoint to produce compelling and eye-catching slideshows. A presentation is made up of individual slides that can be customized with text and pictures.

Landscape is the standard slide orientation. But the same presentation in Powerpoint could look noticeably better if you swap between a horizontal and vertical orientation. Users can modify the slide layout to portrait by rotating it 90 degrees. This is frequently useful for displaying portrait-oriented photographs that may be included in the slide.

However, Microsoft Powerpoint only lets you manually rotate the objects within a slide, note the entire slide itself. If you want to rotate your slides then you will need to change a setting found on the Slide Size menu.

Understanding how to flip a PowerPoint presentation can make your work stand out, as most presentations will use the default landscape orientation. We’ll go over how to rotate a PowerPoint slideshow in this article.

How to Change Your Powerpoint Presentation Slide Orientation

• Open the slideshow.
• Click the Design tab.
• Choose Slide Size .
• Click Custom Slide Size .
• Select Portrait , then click OK .

Our article continues below with additional information on rotating your Powerpoint slides, including pictures of these steps.

How to Change from Landscape to Portrait Orientation in Powerpoint for Office 365 (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed in the Microsoft Powerpoint for Office 365 version of the application, but will also work in other versions of Microsoft Powerpoint that use the ribbon like Powerpoint 2013, or Powerpoint 2016.

Step 1: Open the presentation that you want to rotate.

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

Step 3: Click the Slide Size button in the Customize group at the right side of the ribbon.

Step 4: Click the Custom Slide Size option at the bottom of this drop down menu.

Step 5: Check the Portrait option under the Slides section of the ribbon, then click the OK button.

When you click slide orientation options to switch between the two you will also see an option to maximize or ensure fit if your slides already contain content. I typically select “Ensure Fit” but your needs will dictate which option is best for you.

Our guide continues with more information about rotating slides.

How to Change the Slide Layout in Powerpoint

Microsoft PowerPoint instantly resizes text boxes, graphics, tables, headlines, and other elements in your presentations as you modify the layout.

To begin, go to the top of the screen and select the “Design” tab in the toolbar once you open the document, whether it is new or previously designed. When the Design selection menu displays, select the Slide Orientation button. As soon as you select Slide Orientation, a new dropdown menu appears, from which you can select Portrait.

Select Rotate PowerPoint Slide from the dropdown menu and then click OK. All your presentations will rotate 90 degrees when you select the Portrait option instead of the landscape arrangement, and your job is done easily!

How to Use Slide Master to Change the Orientation in Powerpoint

Another option for completing this work is to use PowerPoint’s Slide Master. You must first go to the View button at the top of the toolbar to access Slide Master.

You’ll find the Slide Master selection once you’ve chosen View. When Slide Master is launched, the left panel will show all your slides.

There will also be a new Slide Master tab at the top of the window with a number of options. If you click the Slide Size option on this menu you will see the Custom Slide Size option as well, which you can use to rotate your slides.

How to Rotate Content of the Slides in PowerPoint

In some cases, you may wish to rotate the full contents of a PowerPoint slide to achieve a specific goal. Changing the orientation for each piece of information, on the other hand, might be tedious.

Instead of rotating distinct pieces of content one by one, you can rotate everything at once without damaging the overall style and look.

Luckily, Microsoft PowerPoint allows you to merge all elements on a slide, giving you complete control over the entire presentation. Here are the actions you can take to accomplish this.

If you click on the border of an object in one of your slides you should see a circular arrow at the top of that object if you click and drag that arrow you will be able to rotate that object.

But what if you have a lot of objects on a slide and you want to rotate all of them at once? Luckily you can do that, too.

First, click somewhere on the slide that contains the information you wish to rotate. Next, click the Home tab. Click Select and then Select All , or use CTRL+A for faster work. Now you should see a circular arrow at the top of a slide object. If you click and hold that arrow you should be able to spin all of the selected content on the slide to rotate it to the desired orientation.

Note that there is also a Group option on the Home tab that can be useful. If you click an object on a slide, then hold down the Ctrl key and click another object you will be able to choose the Arrange option on the Home tab, then select Group. When multiple objects are grouped together you can click on one of the grouped objects to select them all, then perform the same formatting task on all of them at once.

More Information on How to Rotate a Powerpoint Slide Presentation

If you don’t have Powerpoint then you can convert from Powerpoint to Google Slides and edit that file for free.

When you open the Slide Size dialog box to rotate your slides you will see a lot of other options for adjusting the format of your presentation.

There is an option to choose what you want your slides to be sized for, plus you can set specific height and width dimensions for your slides if the default dimensions don’t work.

Additionally, you can choose where to start the numbers if you are numbering slides, and you can choose the orientation for any notes, handouts, or outlines you may have.

Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to rotate just one or two slides in a Powerpoint presentation. You will need to rotate the entire presentation. There are workarounds that involve creating multiple presentations and linking them together, however, if it is a necessity.

In older versions of Microsoft Powerpoint you could change this setting on a Page Setup dialog box that was accessible from the Design menu. However, that is no longer available in newer versions of the application.

Final Verdict

By the end of this article, you should now be able to use your handy toolbar to change the trajectory of your slideshow. Rotating PowerPoint slides is an unusual and noteworthy design choice, even if it appears to be just a little alteration to your presentations.

If you think that your slide content would look better on portrait slides then it is worthwhile to switch the page orientation between portrait layout and landscape layout and see if you prefer one over the other.

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 Make PowerPoint Vertical (Portrait Orientation)

• Post author By Michael Belfry

Last week we talked about how to change slide size in PowerPoint . This time, we’ll look at changing slide orientation in a PowerPoint presentation. Specifically, we’ll discuss changing the slide orientation from landscape to portrait.

One thing that never ceases to amaze me is the number of ways participants in our Microsoft PowerPoint training use presentation software.

I’m especially impressed when people use PowerPoint to create content for social media.

Why Would You Change the Slide Orientation?

Most of the main social media platforms showcase short, vertical videos.

If you want to incorporate Microsoft PowerPoint content into videos created for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Facebook and Instagram Reels, you’ll want to create slides with a 9:16 aspect ratio and a portrait orientation.

Portrait and Landscape Orientation

In the graphic below, the first image shows a smartphone displaying an image in portrait orientation, the second image is a smartphone displaying a graphic in landscape orientation.

You can create content in either orientation in a PowerPoint presentation. Make sure to choose portrait orientation for vertical videos on social media.

Change Slide Orientation with Custom Slide Size

To change the slide orientation in PowerPoint:

• Click the  Slide Size  button on the  Design  tab in the  Customize  group. A drop-down menu appears.
• Select Custom Slide Size…
• Select Portrait in the Orientation section of the Slide Size dialog box then click OK .

• In the final dialog box, select Maximize or Ensure Fit .

Maximize will fill the screen but some elements may be cut off, Ensure Fit will ensure that all elements are visible but the presentation may have borders.

Once you’ve select portrait orientation, you can add elements to your PowerPoint presentation as you normally would.

• Tags slide size

By Michael Belfry

Working as a full-time training consultant, Michael provides Microsoft Office courses to government and private sector clients across Canada.

How to Make Slides Vertical in PowerPoint

Last updated on May 25th, 2023

When starting a blank presentation in PowerPoint, the default slide canvas is presented with a portrait layout. But, PowerPoint is so powerful that allows to change the page orientation very easily. A vertical orientation might be suitable for a variety of business and educational presentations. It also helps for preparing certain kind of visual assets like vertical posters, brochures, media kits, presentation reports or visual Infographics in PowerPoint .

How to change a PowerPoint Presentation from Horizontal to Vertical Orientation?

The first step to change the slides vertical is to adjust the slide size and page orientation. Our goal here will be to change the PowerPoint presentation from landscape to portrait orientation.

Here, you can change the slides orientation from Landscape to Portrait.

Once you confirm the change, you will be prompted to choose the strategy that PowerPoint will follow to scale down the content into the 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?

At this point, you can choose to maximize the content within the slides canvas, or click Ensure Fit to ensure the current content will fit perfectly on the slide.

For the sake of this demonstration, we have chosen Ensure Fit, and you can see the final result of the vertical slide as follows.

Once you have modified the slide size to vertical, you can finish your presentation, document or infographic.

In conclusion, PowerPoint is a powerful tool offering the flexibility to cater to a wide array of presentation needs. Its easy-to-use features, such as changing the page orientation from horizontal to vertical , make it suitable for not just business and educational presentations , but also for designing vertical posters, brochures, media kits, presentation reports, and visual infographics .

This versatility in handling various formats and slide sizes is what sets PowerPoint apart as a powerful tool for creating effective and engaging presentations . The ability to alter the slide canvas orientation allows for a heightened level of creativity and strategic design, empowering users to craft presentations that cater specifically to their audience’s needs and preferences.

So, whether you’re looking to give an impactful business presentation or design a visually compelling infographic, remember that the ability to switch from horizontal to vertical orientation in PowerPoint can significantly enhance your presentation’s look and feel, as well as its ability to convey your message effectively.

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How to Change PowerPoint to Portrait? A Step-by-Step Guide

Table of contents.

PowerPoint slides typically use a landscape orientation, where the width of the slide is wider than its height. This layout has become the norm for presentations because it matches the shape of many projectors and computer screens, ensuring that your content looks its best when displayed to your audience.

Landscape and Portrait Slide Sizes?

In PowerPoint, slides are typically set to Landscape orientation by default, coming in two sizes:

• Standard : 4:3 ratio (10×7.5 inches)
• Widescreen : 16:9 ratio (13.33×7.5 inches)

For Portrait slides, the default size is 10×5.626 inches.

Landscape orientation provides a wider space for your content, making it great for including visuals like images, charts, graphs, and tables. The text flows naturally from left to right, which is easier for viewers to read and understand.

On the other hand, Portrait orientation has a taller, narrower layout, with the height exceeding the width. While it’s not as common in presentations, Portrait orientation might be useful for specific situations where a different layout is needed.

How to Change PowerPoint to Portrait  

On windows:.

Step 1 – Open your presentation:  Launch Microsoft PowerPoint and open the presentation you want to modify.

Step 2 – Access the Design tab:  Locate the ribbon at the top of the PowerPoint window. Click on the “Design” tab.

Step 3 – Find the Slide Size options:  Within the “Design” tab, look for the “Customize” group on the right-hand side. Click the dropdown menu under the label “Slide Size.”

Step 4 – Choose “Custom Slide Size”:   Several pre-defined sizes will appear. Instead of selecting one of those, choose the option at the very bottom: “Custom Slide Size.”

Step 5 – Set Orientation to Portrait:  A new window titled “Slide Size” will pop up. Under the “Orientation” section, you’ll see two radio buttons: “Landscape” (which is the default) and “Portrait.” Click the radio button next to “Portrait” to switch the orientation.

Step 6 – Click “OK”:  Once you’ve chosen “Portrait,” simply click the “OK” button at the bottom of the “Slide Size” window.

Step 7 – Choosing Between “Maximize” and “Ensure Fit”

After clicking “OK” in the previous step, PowerPoint might prompt you with a choice between two options:

• Maximize:  This option enlarges your existing slide content to fill the entire portrait space. However, this may cause some elements to appear distorted or cut off.
• Ensure Fit:  This option shrinks your slide content to fit proportionally within the portrait layout. This ensures everything stays visible but may leave extra blank space around the edges.

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• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Go to the File menu and select Page Setup.
• In the “Page Setup” dialog box, under Orientation, choose Portrait. You can also adjust the width and height values here if needed.

Recommendations:

• For presentations intended to be shown on a screen:  Choose “Maximize” to utilize the full portrait area. Text and images might need slight adjustments to avoid being cropped.
• For printing handouts or notes:  Opt for “Ensure Fit” to guarantee all content remains visible on the printed page, even if there’s extra space.

Are you a Google Slides user? Check our guide on How To Make Google Slides Vertical here !

How to Make a Single Slide Portrait in PowerPoint? 

While PowerPoint doesn’t directly support both orientations within a single file, you can achieve this by linking separate presentations. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open your landscape presentation.

Step 2: Navigate to the slide where you want to insert the link.

Step 3: Add a text box or select existing text to act as the link.

Step 4: Go to Insert > Action.

Step 5: Choose between “Mouse Click” (triggers when you click the text) or “Mouse Over” (triggers when you hover over the text).

Step 6: Select “Hyperlink to:” and choose “Other PowerPoint Presentation” from the dropdown.

Step 7: Locate and select your portrait presentation. Then in “Hyperlink to Slide”, select the slide you want to start from.

Step 8: Click “OK.”

Now, during your presentation, clicking (or hovering, if you chose Mouse Over) the designated text will seamlessly switch to your portrait presentation.

Remember these things while linking the presentation :

• Ensure both presentations are saved in the same folder to avoid broken links.
• Consider using a clear call to action on the linked text, like “Click here for details” or “View data in portrait mode.”

Benefits of Portrait Orientation

There are several reasons why you might need to change the orientation to portrait:

1. Enhanced Viewing Experience

• Vertical Content Suitability : Documents, articles, and social media feeds primarily consist of text, making portrait orientation more efficient in utilizing the screen’s height. This allows for better readability with fewer scrolls needed to view content.
• Focused Viewing : Portrait orientation gives a better view of vertical content like portraits or tall buildings, allowing you to focus on the details without distractions.

2. Considering Device Limits

• Comfortable Handheld Use : Holding a phone or tablet in portrait orientation is often more comfortable for long periods.
• Optimized Screen Space : On smaller screens, portrait orientation might be the only way to see everything without zooming or scrolling sideways.

3. Tailoring to Application Needs

• App-Specific Design : Certain applications are primarily designed for portrait orientation, and using them in landscape mode may result in functionality or display issues.
• Seamless Reading Experience : Many ebooks and webcomics are formatted for vertical scrolling, making portrait orientation preferable for a smooth and uninterrupted reading experience.
• No design skills required
• 3 presentations/month free
• Don’t need to learn a new software

Tips for Creating Visually Appealing Portrait Slides

Choosing the Right Images:

• Pick clear, well-lit portraits without blurriness or pixelation.
• Make sure the images match the slide content, avoiding generic stock photos.
• Select portraits that convey emotions and resonate with the audience, considering facial expressions and mood.
• Aim for diversity by including various genders, ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds.

Composition and Design:

• Crop images strategically to highlight the subject’s face and remove distracting background elements.
• Position portraits carefully within the slide layout for balance.
• Use empty space effectively to avoid clutter and draw attention to the portrait.
• Coordinate the color scheme of the portrait with other slide elements.

Text and Content:

• Keep text brief on the portrait slide to avoid overshadowing the image.
• Choose a clear, readable font that matches the overall style.
• Place text thoughtfully to ensure important parts of the portrait are visible.

Additional Considerations:

• Use filters sparingly to enhance the mood without compromising image quality.
• Consider adding subtle overlays or textures for visual interest.
• Maintain a consistent visual style for a professional look.

Closing Thoughts

Changing PowerPoint to portrait orientation is a straightforward process that lets you customize your presentations to fit different purposes. Whether you’re making a vertical infographic or getting slides ready for a poster presentation, these steps will help you easily switch between landscape and portrait orientations in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why change slide orientation in powerpoint.

While landscape dominates presentations, switching to portrait in PowerPoint can be beneficial for showcasing tall content like portraits and infographics, creating handouts, adapting to specific screens, or adding visual variety. However, this format has limitations – you can’t mix orientations and content might require adjustments. Choose the orientation that best suits your content and presentation goals.

Can I mix Portrait and Landscape slides in one presentation?

While directly combining them isn’t possible, you can achieve a similar effect. Here’s how:

Create two separate presentations: One in landscape and another in portrait.

Link the presentations: Insert hyperlinks in your main presentation (landscape) to specific slides in the portrait presentation.

Does changing one slide’s orientation affect the whole presentation?

Yes. By default, all slides in a presentation share the same orientation (landscape or portrait). Changing one slide’s orientation will automatically adjust the entire presentation to match.

Can I revert my portrait PowerPoint back to landscape?

Yes, you can easily revert to landscape by adjusting the slide size settings.

Are there specific templates designed for portrait presentations?

Some templates are optimized for portrait mode, or you can customize existing ones.

Is there a quick way to switch between Landscape and Portrait in PowerPoint?

Unfortunately, there’s no single shortcut key to change the entire presentation’s orientation. However, you can access the orientation settings through the following methods:

• Go to the “Design” tab. In the “Customize” section, you’ll find the “Slide Size” option. Clicking the dropdown menu allows you to choose between Landscape and Portrait.
• Right-click on any slide. Select “Size and Layout” from the context menu. A window will appear where you can choose the desired orientation.

How to put PowerPoint in portrait mode for handouts?

In Print settings under “Handouts,” choose a portrait layout option like “2 Slides per Page (Portrait)” to display your slides in portrait on printed handouts.

What happens to my existing content if I change the orientation to portrait?

PowerPoint will attempt to scale your existing content to fit the new orientation. However, depending on the amount of content and its layout, adjustments might be necessary to ensure everything displays correctly.

Will my presentation work on all projectors if it’s in portrait orientation?

While most modern projectors can handle portrait presentations, some older models might have limitations. It’s recommended to test your presentation on the specific projector beforehand if unsure.

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Microsoft 365 Life Hacks > Presentations > How to make your PowerPoint presentations accessible

How to make your PowerPoint presentations accessible

When it comes to getting your message across, it’s important to keep in mind that people in your audience interpret visuals and audio differently. Learn how to make your presentations accessible.

Tips for making PowerPoint accessible to everyone

PowerPoint comes with built-in accessibility features that help people with different visual or cognitive abilities both view and present slides. Here are some ways to keep everyone in mind when designing your presentation.

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Powerpoint empowers you to develop well-designed content across all your devices

Add alt text in PowerPoint

Add alternative text to all the images and graphics in your presentation. In the Alt Text pane, briefly describe the image, its intent, and what’s important. This allows people who are blind or who have low vision to use screen reader tools that read alt text out loud, better helping them understand the visuals in your slideshow.

Use high-contrast PowerPoint templates for clarity

Strong contrast between your slide’s design and background colors makes it easier for people with low vision or colorblindness to read onscreen text. Contrasting and complementary colors aren’t just great for visual design, but they also ensure that text will appear clearly from different distances and seating positions. Search PowerPoint design templates for ones tailored toward accessibility.

Aim for larger fonts

Consider using 18pt or larger type in your slides. Not only does this draw more attention to the most important messages in your presentation, but it also means your slides won’t be overloaded with information, with the potential to overwhelm your audience. Keeping text to just the most important points reflects the design principle that a slideshow is meant to complement your overall presentation, not to replace it.

Use captions, subtitles, and alternative audio tracks

For audience members who are deaf, captions and subtitles ensure that they won’t miss a word. PowerPoint makes it easy to add video and animations to your slides, which allow you to craft engaging presentations . PowerPoint also supports closed captions and subtitles that are already embedded in video files, while PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 has a transcription feature that automatically generates subtitles as you’re presenting.

Use the Microsoft Accessibility Checker

Included in all Microsoft 365 apps, this powerful tool quickly reviews your files for potential issues for people with disabilities, and it lists suggestions and tips to improve accessibility. Some of the issues that Accessibility Checker looks for include missing alt text or slide titles that are otherwise picked up by Screen Reader, hard-to-read text contrast, or the order of slide elements that are read back in a specific order.

After Accessibility Checker reviews your file, you’ll see tips on why these issues might get in the way of audience members and their versatile needs, along with ways to quickly and easily fix the issues yourself.

Some of the design techniques that help you create winning presentations are also ideal for people with disabilities—which is a win-win for conveying your ideas. Check out more presentation tips that help you deliver your best.

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