copy powerpoint template from one presentation to another

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How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation

It's quick and easy to copy over a design template

• Brock University

What to Know

• In the source presentation, select View > Slide Master . In the Slide pane, right-click the Slide Master and select Copy .
• Go to View > Switch Windows and choose the second presentation. Go to View > Slide Master . Right-click the Slide pane and select Paste .
• Choose Use Destination Theme (keeps colors, fonts, and effects) or Keep Source Formatting (copies the source's colors, fonts, effects).

This article explains how to copy a PowerPoint design template over to another presentation. Instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

How to Copy a Presentation's Design Template

It's often quicker to copy a design template from a presentation than to find it in the list of PowerPoint templates. 

Go to View in the presentation that contains the design template you want to copy and select  Slide Master .

Right-click the Slide Master in the Slide pane on the left side of the screen and select Copy .

The Slide Master is the large thumbnail image at the top of the Slide pane. Some presentations contain more than one slide master.

Go to View , select  Switch Windows , and choose the presentation you want to paste the Slide Master into.

If you don't see the other PowerPoint presentation on this list, it means that the other file isn't open. Open it now and return to this step to select it from the list.

In the second presentation, go to View and select Slide Master to open the  Slide Master .

To insert the Slide Master from the other presentation, right-click on the Slide pane to the left, select Paste , and do one of the following:

• Choose Use Destination Theme to keep the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the presentation you are pasting to.
• Choose Keep Source Formatting to copy the theme colors, fonts, and effects of the template you are copying from.

Select  Close Master View .

Changes made to individual slides in the original presentation, such as font styles, do not change the design template of that presentation. Therefore, graphic objects or font changes added to individual slides do not copy over to a new presentation. 

To copy PowerPoint slides to another presentation , right-click the thumbnail of the slide you want to copy and choose Copy . Right-click a blank area of the Slides pane where you want to place it and choose one of the pasting options.

To save a copy of a PowerPoint presentation on your computer, go to the File tab and select Download As > Download a Copy . Select Download to continue.

To embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint , select Share > Embed . Select the HTML code and choose Copy . In your PowerPoint slide, select Insert > Video > Insert Video From Website . In the dialog box, right-click the blank area and choose  Paste  > Insert .

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How to Copy Slides from PowerPoint Templates (Updated 2020!)

So, one of the most common questions we receive is,  how to copy slides in PowerPoint from one PPT presentation to another presentation, or a different PowerPoint template.

So, how to copy slides from PowerPoint?

It is very easy to copy slides between presentations.  I'll use a couple of our PowerPoint templates as examples in this tutorial.

I'm going to use PowerPoint 365 for this tutorial but the process is the same for PowerPoint 2007 and newer.

Open up the presentation you are making and the template you want to copy a slide from.

In the template, right-click on the slide in the slides tab or in the slide sorter view you wish to copy and choose Copy from the menu.  See the illustration below.

Paste your slide you just copied in the presentation you are working on.  Right-click in the slides tab or the slide sorter view at the place you wish to insert (paste) the slide.

Below the "Paste Options" icon you'll see 3 icons, one for matching destination formatting, one for keeping source formatting, and one for paste as a picture. In order for the slide to retain the look of the slide from the template you copied from, you need to tell PowerPoint to use the formatting from the "source"

In the Paste Options, you can choose "Keep Source Formatting".  This retains the format from the template you copied from.

That's how to copy a slide in PowerPoint.  Nice and simple right?  Go ahead and start putting together your favorite slides from all of our templates.

If you're more of a visual learner, you can view our video tutorial on copying slides in PowerPoint at the YouTube link below:

Welcome back to PresenterMedia, everybody. Hi this is Kara Jones, and today I'm going to bringing you a brief tutorial on how to copy slides from Microsoft PowerPoint from one presentation to another, and how to do it within the same presentation. So this is pretty straightforward work, but it's one of the things that it's easy to take for granted. So let's jump right in. In the background you can see we have the Teaching Waves template pulled up; it's one of the PowerPoint templates Josh got done creating last week actually. And what we're going to do is we're going to say that we love this slide with the laptop on it. So we're going to right-click on that slide and go up to copy. Now just like anything else in Microsoft Office, you can use control C if you're that type of person who likes to get that stuff copied. You can also use the copy option up at the top of the ribbon. So we're talking three different ways to copy, nice and straight forward. Next, we're going to open the presentation that we want to put this in. So we're going to go to our desktop and grab our lightbulb toolkit. This one is about a month old, and Judd put this one together, I believe. So you can see how we have this great template all put together. Well if we want to insert a slide from another presentation, all we have to do is click between two slides, you see we get this little red line set up here. Right-click and go to paste. You can see we have the Use Destination theme, which means the Teaching toolkit will use all of the same color patterns as what is assigned to this theme. Keep source formatting, which is what we usually do, so that's if you want to keep the same formatting options from the Teaching Template, or just paste it as a picture. First, we'll show pasting as a picture; what it does is it just dumps it into the most current slide, and this is literally just an image so you can re-size it, anything along those lines to have it within this presentation. The second option, like I said, is Keep source formatting. It's going to put the slide in place, but it's going to keep all the colors and background as the original presentation. The last thing we're going to do is use the destination theme and see how the colors change a little bit here. So for this background we have the blue for Teachers, or changing to Gray because it's matching that lightbulb toolkit. PowerPoint gave us a little pop up saying you can reuse slides. Here is another thing you can do if you want to copy slides from one presentation to another. So if you're going to reuse slides, on the home ribbon, you have a button that says Reuse slides. It's going to give you a pop up on the right, and it's going to show you the locations where you have the most recent PowerPoint objects. Click on the project you want to copy, and to choose content, it's going to show you the slides in that content. Then at the top, you can see where we can see whether or not we select source formatting. If we unselect this and insert a slide, it's going to match the style of the presentation we are inserting into. If we have the option selection, we keep the colors of the slide we are inserting. That's the biggest things that change when you change themes, is the colors and font faces that are tied to the backend of the presentation. So that's how you can easily reuse slides from one presentation to another. I hope you guys learned a little bit today, this was five minutes, or less getting started with PowerPoint from PresenterMedia. If you are not already, click on that subscribe button below, join our YouTube group of growing members who are helping us to know what kind of content to create for you. If you are not a subscriber to PresenterMedia, head on over to PresenterMedia.com. Check out all the PowerPoint templates, clip art images customizable items, custom video backgrounds, and now even customizable video made directly for Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, you name it. Make your own video in 10 minutes or less, and upload it to your social media. Thanks for watching, this is Kara Jones with PresenterMedia, and i'll see you in the next tutorial.

Good Presenting!

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How To Copy A PowerPoint Design Template To Another Presentation

Published: September 11, 2023

Modified: January 8, 2024

When creating presentations in Microsoft PowerPoint, one of the most time-consuming tasks can be designing the slides. Thankfully, PowerPoint offers a feature that allows you to copy a design template from one presentation to another. This can save you a significant amount of time and effort, especially when you want to maintain consistency or replicate a specific design across multiple presentations.

In this article, we will guide you through the step-by-step process of copying a PowerPoint design template to another presentation. Whether you want to apply a professional corporate design, a creative theme, or simply want to transfer the formatting and layout of a single slide, this technique will help you achieve your desired results quickly and efficiently.

By following these instructions, you will be able to seamlessly transfer a design template from one presentation to another, allowing you to create cohesive and visually appealing presentations without starting from scratch each time.

Now, let’s dive into the steps that you need to take to copy a PowerPoint design template to another presentation.

Step 1: Open the source presentation that contains the design template

The first step in copying a PowerPoint design template to another presentation is to open the source presentation that contains the desired template. This source presentation will serve as the reference for the design elements you want to transfer.

To open the source presentation, launch Microsoft PowerPoint on your computer and navigate to the location where the presentation is saved. You can either double-click on the file to open it directly or go to the “File” tab in PowerPoint and choose “Open” to locate and open the presentation.

Once the source presentation is open, you will be able to view all the slides and the design template applied to them. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the layout and formatting of the slides, as you will be copying these elements to another presentation.

If you have multiple design templates applied to different slides in the source presentation, make sure to note which specific template you want to copy. This will help ensure that you transfer the correct design elements to the target presentation.

Now that you have the source presentation open and ready, you can proceed to the next step, which involves selecting the slide(s) with the desired design template.

Step 2: Select the slide or slides with the desired design template

Once you have the source presentation open, the next step is to select the slide or slides that have the design template you want to copy. Selecting these specific slides will ensure that you transfer the desired design elements to the target presentation.

To select a single slide, simply click on it in the slide thumbnail view or in the main slide editing area. The selected slide will be highlighted or outlined to indicate that it has been chosen. If you want to select multiple slides, you can hold down the Ctrl key (or Command key on a Mac) and click on each slide you want to include in the selection.

If you have a large number of slides and locating the desired ones manually seems daunting, you can use the Slide Sorter View, accessible through the “View” tab in PowerPoint. This view provides a comprehensive overview of all slides in the presentation, making it easier to identify and select the ones you want to copy.

Make sure to pay attention to which slides have the desired design template applied. Take note of their sequence and location within the presentation, as this information will be useful when you paste the design template into the target presentation.

With the slide(s) selected, you are now ready to proceed to the next step, which involves copying the chosen slide(s) to the clipboard.

Step 3: Right-click on the selected slide(s) and choose “Copy”

After selecting the slide(s) that have the desired design template in the source presentation, the next step is to copy them to the clipboard. This will allow you to transfer the design elements to the target presentation effortlessly.

To copy the selected slide(s), right-click on any one of the chosen slides. A context menu will appear with various options. From this menu, select the “Copy” option. Alternatively, you can also use the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut to copy the selected slides.

By choosing the “Copy” option, the selected slide(s) will be stored in the clipboard temporarily. This means that they are ready to be pasted into the target presentation.

Keep in mind that you can copy multiple slides at once if you have selected more than one slide in the source presentation. This allows you to transfer a series of slides with the same design template in a single operation.

With the slide(s) copied to the clipboard, you are now ready to move on to the next step, which involves opening the target presentation where you want to apply the design template.

Step 4: Open the target presentation where you want to apply the design template

Now that you have copied the slide(s) with the desired design template from the source presentation, you need to open the target presentation where you want to apply this template. The target presentation is where you want the copied design elements to be pasted.

To open the target presentation, launch Microsoft PowerPoint on your computer and navigate to the location where the presentation is saved. Similar to opening the source presentation, you can either double-click on the file to open it directly or go to the “File” tab in PowerPoint and choose “Open” to locate and open the presentation.

Once the target presentation is open, you will be able to see the slides and the existing design template, if any, applied to them. It’s important to note that applying a design template from the source presentation will override the current design template of the target presentation.

If the target presentation already has content that you want to keep, make sure to create a backup or duplicate the presentation before proceeding with the design template transfer. This will allow you to revert back to the original version if needed.

Now that you have the target presentation open and ready, you can proceed to the next step, which involves pasting the copied slide(s) and applying the design template.

Step 5: Right-click on the slide where you want to apply the design template

After opening the target presentation, the next step is to choose the slide where you want to apply the design template that you have copied from the source presentation. This slide will serve as the starting point for incorporating the design elements.

To select the desired slide, simply click on it in the slide thumbnail view or in the main slide editing area. The selected slide will be highlighted or outlined to indicate that it has been chosen.

Once the slide is selected, right-click on it to display a context menu with various options. From this menu, choose the “Paste” option. Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut to paste the copied slide(s) and apply the design template.

By selecting the “Paste” option, the copied slide(s) from the source presentation will be inserted into the target presentation at the chosen location. Along with the slide(s), the design template applied to them in the source presentation will also be pasted and applied to the selected slide in the target presentation.

It’s important to note that by pasting the slide(s) with the design template, you may overwrite any existing content on the target slide. If you want to preserve the existing content, make sure to duplicate the slide or create a backup of the target presentation before proceeding with the paste operation.

Now that you have successfully pasted the copied slide(s) and applied the design template to the selected slide in the target presentation, you can move on to the next step, which involves adjusting the layout and formatting if necessary.

Step 6: Choose “Paste” from the right-click menu

After selecting the slide where you want to apply the design template in the target presentation, the next step is to paste the copied slide(s) with the design template. This will bring over the desired design elements from the source presentation to the target presentation.

To paste the copied slide(s) and apply the design template, right-click on the selected slide in the target presentation. A context menu will appear with various options. From this menu, choose the “Paste” option.

Alternatively, you can use the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut to paste the copied slide(s) and apply the design template. This will insert the copied slide(s) at the chosen location, along with the design template elements, such as colors, fonts, backgrounds, and layout.

By choosing the “Paste” option, the copied slide(s) from the source presentation will be inserted into the target presentation, and the design template applied to them in the source presentation will be applied to the selected slide in the target presentation.

It’s important to note that when you paste the slide(s) with the design template, any existing content on the selected slide in the target presentation may be overwritten. If you want to preserve the existing content, consider duplicating the slide or creating a backup of the target presentation before proceeding with the paste operation.

Step 7: Adjust the layout and formatting if necessary

After pasting the copied slide(s) and applying the design template to the selected slide in the target presentation, you can proceed to adjust the layout and formatting to ensure that everything looks cohesive and visually appealing.

Take the time to review the content on the slide and compare it to the design template. If there are any inconsistencies or discrepancies, you can make adjustments to align the content with the new design. This may include resizing or repositioning elements, modifying text formatting, or tweaking the color scheme to match the design template.

Furthermore, pay attention to the slide layout. Design templates often come with predefined layouts for different types of content, such as title slides, content slides, or image slides. If the slides you copied have different layouts than the target presentation, consider rearranging and reformatting the content to match the desired layout.

In addition to adjusting the slide layout and content formatting, you may also want to customize the design template further to suit your specific needs. PowerPoint provides various tools and options for modifying the design elements, such as changing the font style, color scheme, or background image.

Remember that the goal is to achieve a harmonious and consistent look throughout the presentation. By fine-tuning the layout and formatting, you can ensure that the design template is seamlessly integrated into the target presentation.

Once you are satisfied with the adjustments and modifications, you can move on to the final step, which involves repeating the process for any other slides if needed.

Step 8: Repeat the process for other slides if needed

If you have additional slides in the source presentation that you want to copy and apply the design template to in the target presentation, you can repeat the previous steps to transfer them.

Simply select the slide(s) with the desired design template from the source presentation, right-click on them, and choose the “Copy” option. Then, navigate to the target presentation, select the slide(s) where you want to apply the design template, right-click, and choose the “Paste” option.

By repeating this process for each slide you want to transfer, you can ensure that all the slides in the target presentation have the desired design template applied consistently.

Keep in mind that as you paste additional slides, they may include their own unique content. You may need to adjust the layout and formatting of each slide individually to align them with the design template and maintain a consistent look across the presentation.

If you encounter any issues or inconsistencies during the process, make sure to review and revise the adjustments and modifications made in the previous steps. This will help you achieve a cohesive and professional result.

Once you have transferred all the desired slides with the design template and made the necessary adjustments, take the time to review the entire presentation for any inconsistencies or errors. Make sure that all the content, formatting, and layout are in line with your expectations and objectives.

With the completion of these steps, you have successfully copied a PowerPoint design template to another presentation, creating a cohesive and visually appealing set of slides that save you time and effort.

Now, it’s time to confidently deliver your presentation with the power of a consistent and professional design template.

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How to Copy Slides from One PowerPoint Presentation to Another?

You’ve just created a stellar PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming meeting. But wait – you remember another presentation with slides that would fit perfectly in this one. If only there was a way to integrate them! Oh, wait. There is. Wondering how to copy slides from one PowerPoint to another? Dive in, and let’s unravel the mystery together.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Copy Slides from One PowerPoint to Another

• Shortcut: As a shortcut, press Ctrl+C after selecting the slides.
• Navigate to the Destination: Shift to your second presentation – this is your destination presentation.

• Mismatched Slide Numbers: Ensure continuity by adjusting slide numbers through the ‘Insert’ tab, selecting ‘Slide Number’.
• PowerPoint Versions: If you’re using older versions like PowerPoint 2007 or PowerPoint 2013, some methods may slightly vary. Check Microsoft Support for specific instructions.
• Feedback & Further Assistance: If you encounter any issues, remember to give feedback. For comprehensive guides, the “See Also” section in Microsoft Office support can be beneficial. Also, PowerPoint for the web offers a streamlined interface if you’re working online.
• Final Words:  Mastering the art of moving slides from one presentation to another can save you time and effort, enhancing your productivity. Whether you use drag and drop, shortcut methods, or repurpose slides, you’ll find this knowledge invaluable.

Transferring PowerPoint slides between presentations is essential for efficient workflow. To copy a slide, start by selecting the slide that you want from one presentation and then paste it into another PowerPoint presentation. Always consider the design theme, and you might choose to use the destination theme for consistency. Utilize tools like SharePoint and OneDrive for streamlined collaboration and storage. By practicing these methods, managing your slides will become a breeze. Happy presenting!

Yes, but be aware that some formatting issues might arise due to version differences.

The animations should copy over, but always review to ensure they function as intended.

Yes, PowerPoint’s fundamental functions remain consistent across Windows and macOS.

It could be due to different design themes applied in each presentation. Adjust via the ‘Design’ tab.

There isn’t a set limit, but copying a vast number of slides may slow down the program temporarily.

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How to Copy PowerPoint Slides to Another Presentation

Copying slides from one PowerPoint presentation to another is a common task that can save time and effort when creating new presentations. Whether you want to reuse slides from an old presentation or combine content from multiple presentations, there are several methods to easily transfer slides between PowerPoint files.

In this blog post, we will cover the step-by-step process for copying slides in PowerPoint using different techniques. We will also discuss tips for customizing and formatting the copied slides to seamlessly integrate them into your new presentation.

Methods for Copying Slides in PowerPoint

There are a few different ways you can copy slides from one presentation file to another in PowerPoint. Here are the most common methods:

The Copy and Paste Method

This straightforward technique allows you to copy one or more slides and paste them into a new presentation:

• Open both the original and new PowerPoint presentations.
• In the left pane showing slide thumbnails, select the slide(s) you want to copy. To select multiple slides, hold down Ctrl (on Windows) or Command (on Mac) while clicking.
• Right-click the selected slides and choose “Copy” or press Ctrl/Command + C.
• In the destination presentation, right-click on a slide and select “Paste” or press Ctrl/Command + V.

The copied slides will now appear in the new presentation.

The Drag and Drop Method

An even easier approach is to simply drag and drop slides between open PowerPoint presentations:

• Open both presentations and arrange the windows side-by-side.
• Click and drag the slide thumbnails from the original presentation into the slide thumbnail pane of the new presentation.
• Release the mouse button to drop the slides at the desired location.

The Reuse Slides Feature

PowerPoint also has a built-in “Reuse Slides” tool for importing slides:

• Open the new presentation and select the slide you want the copied slides to follow.
• Go to the “Home” tab and click the bottom half of “New Slide.”
• Choose “Reuse Slides” at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
• Locate and select the PowerPoint file with the slides you want to reuse.
• Pick the slides you want and click the “Insert” button.

Customizing Copied Slides

When you copy slides to another PowerPoint presentation using any of these methods, you have options for how the pasted slides will appear:

• Keep Source Formatting : The copied slides retain their original slide design and formatting. This may look out of place if the new presentation has a different theme.
• Use Destination Theme : The copied slides adopt the color scheme, font choices, and design template of the new presentation for consistency.

In most cases, you’ll want the copied slides to blend into the new presentation. Using the “Use Destination Theme” paste option is the easiest way to accomplish this.

However, you may need to make additional formatting changes manually:

• Standardize the font choices and text sizes.
• Adjust colors if needed.
• Scale down oversized pictures and graphics so the content fits on the slides.

Review the copied slides carefully to ensure they align with the new presentation before finalizing and presenting the PowerPoint deck.

Tips for Reusing Slides Effectively

Copying existing slides from old presentations can save time when creating new decks. But there is an art to reusing slides effectively:

• Copy slides entirely : Don’t break apart slide content unless absolutely necessary. Copying an entire slide retains the layout, formatting, animations, etc.
• Use duplicate slides judiciously : Don’t overdo it. Too many copied slides may indicate lack of effort.
• Modify the content : Tweak the wording, update stats/facts, swap graphics to give reused slides a fresh feel.
• Check for consistency : Review colors, fonts, effects against brand style guidelines or the presentation’s theme.
• Cite sources : If reusing slides from third-party presentations, be sure to credit the content appropriately.

Insert Other Content Types

In addition to reusing slides from another PowerPoint presentation, you can also insert other content into your presentation:

• Add Excel charts : Copy data from Excel, paste it into PowerPoint, and convert it into a sleek chart.
• Embed videos : Insert videos stored on your computer or link to YouTube/Vimeo clips.
• Import Word documents : You can pull text from Word files to repurpose into PowerPoint slides.

Using external content types makes your presentation more dynamic but be careful not to go overboard. Aim for balance in integrating outside media assets.

Knowing how to properly copy one or more slides from an existing PowerPoint presentation into a new deck is a valuable skill for any presenter.

Whether you want to carry over eye-catching graphics, reuse a professionally designed layout, or simply save time – the copy and paste method, drag and drop technique, and Reuse Slides tool offer simple ways to transfer slides between presentations.

Customize the copied slides using paste options to match the new theme and review carefully to ensure consistency before presenting your new and improved PowerPoint presentation.

About The Author

Vegaslide staff, related posts.

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How to copy slides to or from another presentation

• Copy the slides from the original presentation to the new presentation,
• Use the Reuse Slides tool , which displays the content of an original presentation and allows choosing the slides you want to insert in the new presentation.

Copy slides

To copy the slides from the original presentation to the new presentation, do the following:

   1.   Open both presentations:

• The presentation from which you want to copy slides – source presentation,
• The presentation to which you need to copy slides – working or destination presentation.

   2.   On the View tab, in the Window group, click the Arrange All button:

Or place the presentations on the screen like you want to see both of them simultaneously.

   3.   Select slide or slides to be copied:

• In the Slide Sorter view, click the slide on the Slide pane.
• In the Normal/Outline/Slide Sorter view, click the first slide you want to select.
• To select a contiguous series of slides, press and hold the Shift key, then click the last slide you want to select.
• To select noncontiguous slides, press and hold the Ctrl key, then click each additional slide you want to select.

For example:

   4.   Copy the selection to the Clipboard by doing one of the following:

   5.   In the working (destination) presentation, do one of the following:

PowerPoint inserts the copied slide(s) and applies the destination theme to the copies.

Reuse Slides tool

The Reuse Slides pane displays all slides from any presentation and copies some of them to the working presentation. To open the Reuse Slides pane, do the following:

   1.   On the Home tab or Insert tab, in the Slides group, click the New Slide arrow, then on the New Slide menu, below the gallery, click the Reuse Slides... command:

   2.   On the Reuse Slides pane (by default, it is opened on the right side), do one of the following:

In the Browse dialog box, browse to the folder that contains the presentation from which you want to use slides, and then double-click the presentation or click the Open button.

If you've recently opened the presentation from which you want to import slides:

• Click the down arrow in the Insert slide from field to expand the list, then select the presentation from the list.

The Reuse Slides pane displays thumbnails of the available slides.

   3.   On the Reuse Slides pane, click the thumbnail of each slide you want to insert into your presentation.

PowerPoint automatically applies the new theme to reused slides:

If you want the slide to keep the formatting from the source presentation instead, select the Keep Source Formatting checkbox at the bottom of the Reuse Slides pane:

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How to create a dynamic presentation

Microsoft Office Themes in PowerPoint

Working with multiple presentations

Copy and paste your slides

Save yourself time and work by copying a slide — either from the presentation you’re working on or from a separate presentation. When you copy one or more slides from a presentation to a location within the same presentation or to another presentation, you can specify the theme that you want the new slides to adopt.

Click View , and then in the Presentation Views group, click Normal.

In the slide thumbnails on the left side, click the slide that you want to copy:

To select multiple sequential slides, click the first slide, press Shift, and then click the last slide that you want. Alternatively, you can click on the first slide, press Shift and then press the CURSOR DOWN button until you get to the last slide.

To select multiple non-sequential slides, press Ctrl, and then click each slide that you want.

Right-click the selected slide(s), and then click Copy .

Right-click the thumbnail you want your copied slides to follow in the second presentation, and under Paste Options , do one of the following:

Where is the Paste Options button?

You can get to Paste Options by clicking Home and then clicking the small arrow under Paste .

Click View , and then click Normal .

To select multiple non-sequential slides, press COMMAND and then click each slide that you want.

Ctrl+click or right-click the selected slide(s), and then click Copy .

Ctrl+click or right-click the thumbnail you want your copied slides to follow in the second presentation, click the Paste Options button that appears, and then do one of the following:

To take the theme of the presentation you're pasting into, click Use Destination Theme . This will adapt the copied slide to match the destination theme.

To maintain the theme of presentation you are copying from, click Keep Source Formatting . This implies that the slide will keep its original theme format and not presentation's theme

Copying and pasting in PowerPoint for the web differs somewhat from copying and pasting in the PowerPoint desktop application because of web browser technology limitations. If you are using the Firefox browser to access PowerPoint for the web, see Copy and paste slides using Firefox below.

Select the slide or slides you want to copy, and then on the Home tab, click Copy .

To select multiple sequential slides, click the first slide, press Shift, and then click the last slide that you want.

Still in the thumbnail pane, right-click where you want the copied slide to be pasted, and then click Paste .

Note:  If you are prompted for access to the Clipboard, click Allow Access .

Copy and paste slides using Firefox

You’ll need to use keyboard shortcuts to copy and paste slides using the Firefox browser.

In the thumbnail pane, select the slide you want to copy, and on the keyboard, press Ctrl+C.

Still in the thumbnail pane, go to where you want to paste the slide, and on the keyboard, press Ctrl+P.

Reuse (import) slides from another presentation

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How to Drag Slides From One PowerPoint to Another: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dragging slides from one PowerPoint to another is a simple process. Open both presentations, select the slide or slides you wish to move, and drag them to the destination PowerPoint’s slide sorter or slide panel. After completing this action, the moved slides will appear in the second presentation, ready for further editing or presenting.

After you complete the action of dragging slides from one PowerPoint to another, the slides you moved will be incorporated into the new PowerPoint presentation. They will appear in the sequence you placed them, and you can then rearrange, edit, or style them as needed to fit the flow of your new presentation.

Introduction

Have you ever been working on a PowerPoint presentation and realized that a slide or two from another presentation would fit perfectly? Maybe you’re consolidating information for a big meeting, or maybe you’re a teacher who wants to reuse a particularly effective slide in a new lesson. Whatever the reason, PowerPoint makes it relatively simple to move slides from one presentation to another, ensuring you can create the most impactful presentation possible without having to recreate content from scratch.

Knowing how to drag slides from one PowerPoint to another can save you time and help maintain consistency across different presentations. It’s also a useful skill for anyone who frequently presents, whether in a business, academic, or personal setting. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without this handy little trick.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Drag Slides from One PowerPoint to Another

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what we’ll achieve. We’ll learn how to efficiently transfer slides from one PowerPoint presentation to another. This technique is handy when you want to merge presentations or move content around without starting from scratch.

Step 1: Open Both PowerPoint Presentations

First things first – open both the PowerPoint presentations: the one with the slides you want to move and the one where you want to move them to.

When you have both presentations open, make sure they’re both in a view that allows you to see the slides. A good view for this is the “Slide Sorter” view, which you can access from the “View” tab in PowerPoint. This way, you can see all slides at once, making it easier to select and move them.

Step 2: Select the Slides You Want to Move

In the presentation with the slides you want to move, click on the slide you wish to transfer. If you’re moving multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key (Command on Mac) and click each slide.

Make sure you select every slide you want to move before you start dragging. If you accidentally miss one, you’ll have to repeat the process for the missed slide. Also, remember that any changes you make to the original slide will not be reflected in the copy once it’s moved.

Step 3: Drag and Drop the Slides into the New Presentation

Click and hold on the selected slides, then drag them to the other open PowerPoint window. Drop them in the desired location in the second presentation’s slide thumbnail pane or slide sorter view.

As you drag the slides over to the new presentation, you’ll see a faint outline or a cursor indicating where the slides will be dropped. Be precise with where you place them, as this will determine their order in the new presentation. If you make a mistake, don’t worry; you can always rearrange the slides later.

Time-efficiency is a significant benefit of dragging slides between PowerPoint presentations. Instead of spending precious minutes or even hours recreating a slide you know exists elsewhere, you can simply move it over. This leaves you more time to focus on other aspects of your presentation.

Ensuring consistency across presentations is another advantage. By moving slides, you can maintain the same formatting, branding, and messaging, which can be crucial in a professional setting. It’s also less prone to human error than recreating slides from memory.

Flexibility is key when working on presentations, especially if you’re collaborating with others. If someone else created a great slide, you can easily incorporate it into your presentation. This method keeps everyone on the same page and ensures the best content is used.

One potential issue with dragging slides between PowerPoint presentations is formatting discrepancies. Sometimes, slides may not look exactly the same in the new presentation, especially if you’re using different templates or themes. This can mean spending time readjusting the slides to make sure they fit in with the rest.

Version compatibility can also be a problem. If you’re moving slides from a newer version of PowerPoint to an older one, some features may not be supported, which could cause issues with how the slide appears or functions.

Finally, if your slide includes specific fonts, media, or other elements that aren’t available on the computer you’re moving the slides to, these elements might be missing or look different. It’s always a good idea to check for these discrepancies before finalizing your presentation.

Additional Information

When dragging slides from one PowerPoint to another, it’s essential to consider the design and layout of your new presentation. You might need to tweak the slides a bit to make them fit seamlessly into their new home. For example, the color scheme or fonts used in one presentation might clash with the other, so be prepared to do some editing to ensure a cohesive look.

Another tip is to use the “Reuse Slides” feature if you’re dealing with a large number of slides or want more control over the insertion process. This feature, found under the “New Slide” dropdown, allows you to browse and insert slides from other presentations with the option to preserve or discard formatting.

Additionally, remember that any animations, transitions, or embedded media will also be transferred with the slides. So, make sure everything works as intended in the new presentation. It’s always a good idea to do a quick run-through after incorporating the new slides to catch any issues.

Using the prompt keyword, remember that when you drag slides from one PowerPoint to another, you’re essentially copying and pasting content. This can be incredibly helpful for constructing comprehensive presentations without unnecessary duplication of efforts.

• Open both PowerPoint presentations.
• Select the slides you want to move.
• Drag and drop the slides into the new presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i move multiple slides at once.

Yes, you can move multiple slides at once by holding down the Ctrl key (Command on Mac) and clicking each slide you want to transfer, then dragging them together to the new presentation.

Will animations and transitions also be moved with the slides?

Yes, animations and transitions that are applied to the slides will also be transferred when you drag them to the new presentation.

What if the design themes of the two presentations are different?

If the design themes are different, you may need to do some reformatting after moving the slides to ensure they match the new presentation’s style.

Can I undo the action if I make a mistake?

Yes, you can undo the action by pressing Ctrl+Z (Command+Z on Mac) if you accidentally move the slides to the wrong spot or change your mind.

What should I do if a font or media doesn’t transfer correctly?

If a font, media, or any other element doesn’t transfer properly, you may need to manually add it to the new presentation or choose suitable replacements that are available on the second computer.

Mastering the art of dragging slides from one PowerPoint to another can revolutionize the way you create presentations. It’s a skill that’s easy to learn but has a significant impact on your workflow, saving you time and helping to ensure your slides are always up to snuff. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or just someone who likes to create killer slideshows for family and friends, knowing this trick can make all the difference.

For further reading, consider exploring more advanced PowerPoint features like the “Reuse Slides” function or diving into tutorials on how to make the most of PowerPoint’s vast array of tools. And, of course, never underestimate the importance of practice. The more you work with PowerPoint, the more seamless and intuitive these processes will become.

Remember, dragging slides from one PowerPoint to another is just one of many ways to enhance your presentations. Stay curious, keep learning, and your next slideshow might just be your best one yet.

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 Copy Slides to a Different PowerPoint Presentation

Jessie Richardson Read more January 6, 2021

If you’ve created a fantastic PowerPoint presentation, you may want to reuse the slides in the future. Fortunately, this is a pretty straightforward task. With just a few simple clicks, you’ll be able to copy them.

However, there are various other options, like keeping the formatting, which you should know about. In this article, we’ll show you how to copy slides to a different PowerPoint presentation. Plus, we’ll show you some useful PowerPoint hacks.

Copying Slides and Keeping Formatting

The presentations you’re working on can have different styles and themes. Nonetheless, you want to copy slides from one presentation to another, but keep the same formatting. To do so, make sure you open both PowerPoint presentations. For a better view of all slides, under ‘View’ tap on ‘Slide Sorter.’ There you’ll see all the slides from the presentation. All you have to do is select the ones you want to copy.

Depending on what you want to do, you can either select all slides or just specific ones. The commands are different for Mac and Windows users. To select all files:

For Windows users : Ctrl + A

For Mac users : Cmd + A

If you want to select specific slides, this is what you need to do:

Windows users : Ctrl + click

Mac users : Cmd + click

Now that you’ve selected, you can copy by holding Ctrl and C, or Cmd and C for Mac users. Once you do that, head over to the other presentation. To keep the formatting, click on the ‘New slide’ under the ‘Home’ button. Then, click on ‘Reuse Slides.’ You’ll now see a box open on the right side of the presentation, where you can browse the slides from the old presentation and select the ones you want to copy.

The next step is crucial because it allows you to keep the formatting of the old presentation. By ticking the box next to ‘Keep source formatting,’ you ensure the old slides keep the same style and the theme, even though they’re now copied to a new presentation.

Copying Slides Without Source Formatting

If you want to merge slides from different PowerPoint presentations, while keeping the uniformed style and theme, the steps will be different.

As before, open both PowerPoint presentations and select the slides you want to copy. In the presentation where you want them inserted, open ‘Slide Sorter’ for a better view. Here, copy the slides – and that’s it! When you adopt this method, the slides will assume the new presentation style and lose their formatting.

PowerPoint Hacks

Besides being able to copy slides from one presentation to another, there are other hacks and tips you should know. Without further ado, let’s see what these are.

Hack #1: Embedding Fonts

Fonts are a huge part of any PowerPoint presentation as they draw the attention of the audience. If you choose a font that isn’t clear, your audience won’t be able to see the content of the presentation itself. However, another problem may arise when you share your presentation with someone who doesn’t have the font you’ve used in PowerPoint. To avoid this, here’s what you can do:

Now, when another person receives your presentation, they won’t have a problem seeing it, even if they don’t have the same font saved.

Hack #2: Adding Audio

If you want to get a little bit creative with your presentation, you can add audio. To do that, click on ‘Insert’ from the menu bar and then ‘Audio.’ You can now choose whether you want to use something from your computer or online. Once you insert the audio, you’ll see the ‘Playback’ tab. You can now select the starting point of the sound, or choose it to play in the background while you deliver the presentation.

Hack #3: Make Your Presentation a Video

Although PowerPoint presentations can be interesting, many people still prefer to watch videos on a particular topic. Luckily, you can easily turn your presentation into a video. Follow these steps:

Various PowerPoint Options

As you can see, PowerPoint comes with some fantastic options. If you’ve made a really great presentation and want to use some slides in the future, you can do it easily. Moreover, you can choose to keep the formatting if you want.

Besides that, there are some other unique PowerPoint features which can make a huge difference to your presentation. Make sure you check them out the next time you need help. How about you? Are you a fan of PowerPoint presentations? Do you know any other hacks? Why not share them with the rest of the community in the comments section below?

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Ask a new question

How to copy paste special (Backgrounds only) for PowerPoint ?

Is it possible to Paste Background only ?

I need to copy backgrounds to another PowerPoint without content as example shown below.

My current method is to time-consumingly manually

select Source Slide

select Destination Slide

Paste with Destination Theme

Repeat above for next slide

Save Destination which contains Source content but Destination Backgrounds

Thanks ahead !

REFERENCES that I looked at:

Replace ALL SLIDE MASTER on multiple EXISTING presentation files - Microsoft Community

How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation (lifewire.com)

Quick Tip: Apply and Transfer PowerPoint Slide Master (empowersuite.com)

How To Merge Slides in PowerPoint and Why It's Useful | Indeed.com

Report abuse

• Microsoft Agent |

Good day! Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community. We are happy to help you.

From your description, you want to copy background only to another PowerPoint file without content .

You may try following steps:

1.Firsly select the source slide from the left side where all slides are visible.

2.With the slide selected, access Home tab in ribbon and click the Format Painter option.

3.Then go to your presentation, from the left side where all slides are visible, click the slide which you want to paste the background, it will apply the same background.

Below is our test result:

1.copy background and paste in a different file:

2.copy background and paste in another slide on the same file:

Hope above can help you!

If our understanding of the question is not consistent with yours, feel free to point it out, we will continue trying best to assist you.

Hope you keep safe and healthy always!

Tina | Microsoft Community Moderator

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