Sometimes, you might want to adapt your presentations to the design of different PowerPoint templates. Similarly, you might want to change the basic theme to a default version or switch to a theme you might have saved on your computer. Below are a few easy ways to change the PowerPoint template and theme.
How to Apply a Template to an Existing PowerPoint File
Step 1: Save Source PowerPoint File as a Template
To apply a template to an existing PowerPoint, make sure that the template that you wish to switch your design to is saved to your device. You can do this via File -> Save as and save the template as a PowerPoint presentation in PPTX format.
Step 2: Apply the Template to PowerPoint
When applying a template to your existing PowerPoint file, go to the Design tab and select Browse for Themes.
Browse to the location where the source file is saved and select the template or theme to apply to your current PowerPoint presentation. You can also opt for downloaded templates to adapt to your current presentation. For example, you might have downloaded Google Slides templates that you might want to adapt to your current presentation. In such a case, you can select them to change the template for your PowerPoint presentation.
Step 3: Save Your PowerPoint with the New Template Design
Once selected, your PowerPoint will adapt to the selected template design. Needless to say, ensure your presentation with the newly applied theme is saved to your device.
How to Save and Switch to a Theme in PowerPoint
Step 1: Save Source PowerPoint File as a Theme
Save the source PowerPoint as a theme via the Design tab by going to Themes -> Save Current Theme as a THMX file.
The saved theme file can be used to apply the theme to a selected PowerPoint file anytime. This theme file also includes the font configuration and color themes. If you only want to change the fonts in the presentation, you can learn how to change Theme fonts in PowerPoint here.
Step 2: Apply Theme to PowerPoint
To apply the saved theme to your current PowerPoint file, go to Design -> Themes -> Browse for Themes.
Select the theme file saved on your computer to apply it to your current presentation.
Step 3: Save Your PowerPoint with the New Theme
Once the changes are applied, make sure you save your presentation with the new theme. Sometimes, the newly applied theme might give a different color from the colors shown in the original template you saved the theme from. In this case, you can go to Design -> Variations to select the color variation you want for your presentation.
How to Change PowerPoint Theme using Design Menu
You can also change the theme for your PowerPoint presentation using a number of default options.
PowerPoint Default Themes
The Design tab in PowerPoint provides several themes. This is one of the quickest ways to give your presentation design a new look.
Theme Variations
You can also opt for different variations from the Design tab via the Variations menu for selected themes. Let’s see how to change the theme in PowerPoint to apply a different variation:
Format Background
To change the background color, switch the background to a gradient, an image, or a pattern, or hide the graphics of your PowerPoint theme, you can go to Format Background via the Design tab.
PowerPoint Designer
If you are short of ideas and can’t seem to find a template to redesign your slides, instead of applying a template to PowerPoint, you can get instant design ideas from the Home tab or via Design -> Designer. PowerPoint Designer provides instant design suggestions based on the content of your presentation slides.
FAQs
Yes, go to File -> Save As and save the presentation as a .PPTX file or as a theme (.THMX) via the Design tab by selecting Themes -> Save Current Theme. You can then apply this saved design to any PowerPoint presentation.
Changing a template generally involves applying a completely new layout with design elements like fonts, colors, and slide structures. Changing a theme, however, usually affects only the color schemes, fonts, and background styles without altering the slide layouts.
In the Design tab, select a theme and then go to Variants to pick from different color, font, and style options associated with that theme.
To change the background, go to Design -> Format Background, where you can select solid colors, gradients, images, patterns, or hide background graphics based on your design needs.
If existing slides don’t adapt to the new theme, ensure that all slides are selected in the slide view before applying the theme. Another reason could be that custom slide layouts or master slides were applied previously, locking certain elements in place. Check the Slide Master view to ensure the theme change is not overridden by custom formatting.
Yes, PowerPoint Designer provides automated design suggestions based on the content of your slides. Access it via the Design tab by clicking on Designer or directly in the Home tab for instant layout ideas.
After applying the theme or template, save your presentation by going to File -> Save. This ensures that the new design settings are retained the next time you open the file.
Final Words
To adapt to the template or theme of a PowerPoint file, you can select the source file to apply the changes to your current presentation. However, if you’re simply looking to give your slides a fresh look, you can opt for default themes or variations, format the slide background, or get help from PowerPoint Designer.
