Are you having trouble typing in PowerPoint? You’re not alone! Many people have reported this issue, and it can be frustrating when you can’t get your work done. There are a series of factors that might be at play here, but luckily, this little technical issue is usually was to fix.

In this article, we will list seven possible solutions that should allow you to type in on your PowerPoint slides. Some will be as simple as altering a setting or restarting your device whereas others will be a bit more involved.  reasons why you can’t type in PowerPoint and how to fix this issue. We will also provide some helpful tips for making your presentations look great!

1. Make Sure The Text Box Is Set Up Right

Before we get too deep into the weeds with our possible solutions for this problem, let’s make sure you have everything set up right to add text to your PowerPoint. If you’re new to using this software, you might not know what steps are even required for this.

Most PowerPoint slides will provide one or more text boxes by default using the format of its specified theme. However, if you accidentally erased these boxes or selected a blank slide format, then you’ll need to add a text box manually.

There are two ways you can do this. The first is to select the “Insert” menu option and double click the “Text Box” option found within the “Text” section. You should see a small text box appear that you can move, alter in size, and type within.

An alternative method for creating text boxes in your PowerPoint slide would be to choose a theme the provides them. To do this, you’ll right click anywhere on your slide to open the quick menu and then hover over the “Layout” option. You should see a series of layouts appear that you can select.

Text boxes will appear as boxes with a dotted border, so as long as the layout has one or more of these, you should have not problems typing.

2. Create a New Slide

Sometimes things just go oddly wrong with your PowerPoint slides for no apparent reason. One minute, everything is going smoothly, and the next, your text box refuses to let you type.

If you have little to not content on the slide that you’re experiencing typing issues, a quick and easy solution might be to delete the current slide and create a new one.

Before you delete all of your work, remember to highlight, right-click, and copy what you’ve written and either paste it somewhere else (ex. Word document) while you setup the new slide, or make sure you don’t copy anything else until the new slide is ready.

To create a new slide in PowerPoint is fairly simple. You can find the “New Slide” button under the “Home” and “Insert” menus. Once you’ve made the slide, if the text box allows, right click and paste the content you wrote previously. You can then delete the problematic slide by hovering over it on the slide menu on left-hand side, right click, and select the “delete slide” option.   

3. Copy and Paste a Text Box From Another Slide

If you find that the text box on your PowerPoint slide refuses to let you type and creating a new slide didn’t work, another quick fix might be to copy the text box itself from a different slide.

To do this, you’d either create a new slide with text boxes or use a text box from a different slide that you already know is working properly because you’ve typed content inside.

Regardless of which you choose, to copy the text box you’ll want to hover over its border until you see the directional cursor (appears with four arrows like a compass). You’ll then right click to highlight/bold the text box’s border and open the quick menu.

Inside the quick menu you’ll select the “Copy” option. Finally, go to the problematic slide, right click, and select the “Paste” option. You should see the text box appear along with any content you may have written inside. Hopefully, this process now allows you to type with in the text box and edit what’s inside.

4. Bring The Text Box Forward/Send Content Backward

Many people notice they can’t see and/or type in their text box after they’ve added something to their PowerPoint slide. This could have been an image, a shape, etc. What might have happened is that inserting new content sent your text box backwards position-wise, inhibiting your ability to type.

To fix this issue, you’ll either need to bring the text box forward or send the content blocking it backward, depending on which is easiest to access.

If you can see the text box peeking out behind whatever is covering it, you can try to select it, then right click to open the quick menu and select the “Bring to Front” or “Bring Forward” option, depending on which suits your slide best.

Alternatively, if the text box is completely covered, you can repeat the process by selecting whatever is blocking it, right-clicking to open the quick menu, and then selecting the “Send to Back” or Send Backward” option.

5. Save Your Presentation

Every once in a while, your PowerPoint needs a mini reboot to resolve little issues like a malfunctioning text box.

Some users have found that solving this issue is as easy as saving their presentation and trying again. This seems to give PowerPoint the kick it needs to allow you to type once again.

To save a PowerPoint presentation, open the “File” menu and either select “Save” or “Save As.” The “Save as” option will create a new folder or save an existing file to a new location versus the “Save” option that merely updates an already existing file.

6. Check for Software Updates

It’s possible that a small issue, like your PowerPoint textbox refusing to let you type, is the start of a much bigger issue, like the software being outdated.

Once you’re certain the quick fixes listed above can’t solve your typing problem, it might be time to check the software statuses of Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and your operating system.

Hopefully, all you need is a quick update for one or more of these sources and you’ll be on your way to typing once again. Worst-case scenario would be that you are using software that is so outdated that it needs a complete upgrade.

For example, if you’re still using Office 2013 (Version 15) on your Windows 10 device, it might be time to invest in a newer model, like Office 2019 (Version 16) on Windows 10 or Microsoft 365 on Windows 11. Older options eventually get discontinued and are no longer supported by Microsoft or various operating systems, so if it’s been a while since you used or updated PowerPoint, you might want to check what version you have.    

7. Restart or Shut Down Your Device

This definitely isn’t the most ideal option since it means you’ll need to close what you’re working on, but if your PowerPoint slide won’t let you type, you probably aren’t getting very far anyways.

A process that almost always fixes any bugs or issues PowerPoint might be experiencing is to restart your device or to shut it down completely and reboot it anew.

If you had a decent amount of work on your PowerPoint presentation already, you’ll obviously want to save it before performing this process. However, if you weren’t able to accomplish much and don’t mind starting from scratch, it might be best to delete the presentation altogether, shut down your device, and start fresh.

Final Thoughts

Finding that your PowerPoint text box isn’t letting you type can be extremely debilitating to your productivity. Hopefully, some of these common fixes worked for you. If not, the issue might be a corrupted file on your presentation. If this is the case, your only options would be to either create a new presentation (maybe you can copy and paste your content without carrying the corrupted file) or to potentially reach out to Office support through the “Help” menu found in PowerPoint.

RAW is a file format that captures lossless image data from a camera. Long preferred by professional photographers for the quality it offers, this format allows digital creators to achieve the desired vivid results. This makes avoiding a flat look essential.

At times, your RAW files may look flat, which may affect the overall quality of your images. Read on below to find out what can cause this issue.

1. They Need to Be Edited

Before processing, RAW files will look flat and washed out to the point of making you wonder why they are so frequently praised. This is a normal occurrence, as they first need to be edited before they will look usable.

To get to see what the fuss is about, you will have to use your favorite post processing software. Think of RAW files like photo negatives. You will have to “develop” them to see their polished quality.

2. There is Dirt on the Lens or Sensor

RAW files are generally not affected by most camera settings other than exposure. If you notice that your RAW files are coming out greyer or foggier than usual, this may indicate that there is something on the lens or sensor

Usually, if there is dirt on a camera lens, you may notice some specks showing up on the photo you are taking. If you start noticing any sudden issue with flat and foggy RAW files, check the lens and sensor, and clean off any dirt if necessary. If there was dirt on either of these, especially the sensor, you may see a huge improvement with your RAW files once cleaned.

3. The Profile Is Affecting the Preview

When importing RAW files into editing and post-processing software, RAW photos may look very flat in the preview.

This is usually due to the difference in camera profiles. Editing software tends to ignore camera profiles, which will make the preview seem very different from the preview shown on the camera.

This issue can be easily corrected by using the camera profile presets available with your editing software. You will then be able to see previews that are more like the result you saw on the camera and far less flat.

4. The Contrast Is Off

Many times, your RAW files look flat due to a lack of contrast. When importing RAW files, you may notice that the exposure is alright but the contrast isn’t set, which results in flat images.

To easily correct this, increase the contrast of the image in your preferred editing and post-processing software. You will see the improvement immediately and your image will no longer be flat.

5. Saturation Levels Are Not Set

RAW files may look flat especially when you take a photo of vividly colored scenes. When imported as RAW files, those vivid colors will be lost until post-processing is finished. The quickest way to get past the flat look of your RAW files is to change the saturation levels of the image. You will instantly see your photos come back to life in vivid detail.

6. You Haven’t Used Curves

When your RAW files look flat, you may have skipped past some editing steps. Using Curves to add life back to your RAW files is an essential step in the process. Curves add more nuance to contrast, exposure, and saturation levels, which creates a richer result that will completely eliminate any flatness.

7. Highlights and Shadows Are Missing

One of the most convenient aspects of RAW files is the depth of editing they make possible. The image data they capture allows impressive detail to be seen in the final product.

If your RAW files look flat, make sure you tinker with the highlights and shadows during editing. This will have a dramatic effect on the results, and will allow you to enjoy the images even more.

8. The Exposure Has Been Changed

While you should do many changes during the editing of your RAW files, you may find that keeping the exposure the same will provide better results.

If you notice that your RAW files are flat, check the exposure. Significant changes in the exposure levels will affect the look of the image.

Conclusion

RAW can look underwhelming because they tend to be flat, but that is one of their best assets. RAW files allow for fine editing to be done, and they will only reveal their glory once post-processing is complete.

If you are from an era when buying art consisted of purchasing a tangible item that could be physically displayed you may be having trouble with the concept of buying digital art. The popularity of a piece of digital art like other art forms has a lot to do with what people like. This may have you wondering if people are really buying digital art or if it is just a passing trend.

People really do buy digital art and it is becoming an increasingly popular way for some to make some serious income. Whether you are creating or collecting digital art, there is a viable market that is sure to expand as technology improves and people become more comfortable with the concept. 

To learn more about digital art and why there is a valid market for it, continue reading.

Digital Art – Are People Really Buying It?

For many, the concept of buying digital art seems ludicrous, and in some ways, it may be; however, in the ever-changing world of technology, it seems that digital art is here to stay and the market will only expand as more people become more comfortable with the idea.

When people think of digital art they commonly interpret it to be two-dimensional drawings, illustrations, and other forms of graphic design but that is only one small part of it.

What many people fail to consider is that there is a whole other world that includes three-dimensional animation/graphics and all of the techniques that it takes to create the finished product.

Digital art is not specific to just one age demographic, in fact, you may think that digital art is targeted at the younger generations but studies show that many creators and collectors/traders of digital art are over forty years of age.

Digital Art Sales Unlikely to Slow Down Anytime Soon

Unlike traditional fine art forms, digital art is used frequently by professionals and companies as a way to build their brands and secure themselves in a particular niche.

There is not an industry today that does not utilize some form of digital art to market its products or services which is another reason the buying market is not likely to slow down anytime soon.

On the flip side, more and more people are collecting and selling digital art the way traditional fine art would be via auction houses and/or online trading forums.

Exclusive websites that require memberships and have strict rules about sharing/selling digital images have been created for artists and digital art collectors.

Here they can store their digital treasures in a virtual vault. These sites allow the owner of the image to view the images at any time but many of them do not allow the image to be reproduced or shared.

The sites mentioned above generally specialize in one-of-a-kind NFT art which is becoming more popular among celebrities and other well-funded fine art collectors. They like the exclusivity of digital art along with the feeling that they own something that no one else owns and it cannot be altered or shared.

Continue reading to learn more about why people are buying digital art.

Advantages of Buying Digital Art

Many of the people buying digital artwork in a creative or professional setting which means that oftentimes they are collaborating with others on a particular project. When you own a piece of digital art:

1. You can share it as many times as you like as long as you have the proper licenses/permissions
2. It can be shared instantly worldwide versus a physical piece of artwork that would require shipping
3. It can be created/edited by more than one artist which is another reason it is important to have permission to share the image
4. Digital artwork is easier to fix if you make a mistake than a painting or sculpture
5. Creating digital art does not make a mess or require a lot of gear and tools, a tablet/computer and possibly a good stylus pen are all it takes to create a masterpiece

Digital Art – Ludicrously Lucrative

Although the concept of buying something that you cannot touch or use as you see fit seems completely insane, more and more people have jumped on the bandwagon and found that they can make some serious cash if they play the game right. If you are on the fence about buying digital art, you can rest assured that you are not the only one but with some research, you will likely find a niche that fits your style and get the collecting bug as so many others have.

A green screen is an effective tool to get things done – and it’s not restricted to the entertainment world. If you want to create a quality visual in Canva, a green screen can be an excellent way to get things done. However, it may be a little tricky to understand how to use a green screen in Canva on your first try.

If you’re interested in using a green screen on Canva, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn more about the process, step-by-step. The more you practice with this unique tool, the better you will get at it. Soon, you will have advanced images in no time at all. Let’s get started.

Make A Green Screen

You need a green screen to use the benefits that come with it. The most affordable option is to create a green screen yourself. It might sound tricky, but there isn’t too much involved with making a green screen without professional help on hand.

Here is how you can make a green screen:

1. Invest in a roll of green fabric or paper
2. Ensure it is wrinkle free
3. Hang the green screen or place it where you need it to go

You have an effective tool after these steps.

Alternatively, you can paint a wall green for a similar effect. Get a low sheen paint and ensure you use a wall that is allowed to be green. It won’t be practical to cover it up unless you use a tapestry or large painting. Once you have your area mapped out, it’s time to create a video or an image.

Video With Proper Techniques

Whether you take a video or a picture on the green screen, it’s critical to use proper techniques. If you don’t take time, the green screen result will appear unnatural and off-putting.

Here are the best techniques to keep in mind:

1. Wear The Proper Clothes
2. Utilize The Right Lighting
3. Use The Correct Distance

These will ensure your result looks professional.

Let’s discuss these techniques to ensure you know what you’re doing before starting. To use a green screen on Canva, you need to take advantage of the green screen. These might seem minor, but they can make all the difference in your shooting process.

Wear The Proper Clothes

If you or another person plans on being in the images, you need to plan the wardrobe. You can’t wear anything – some types of clothing will mess with the green screen effect and ruin the editing process at the end.

Here are a few types of clothes you should not wear:

• Reflective clothing
• Green
• Shiny accessories

If you steer away from these, you should be okay.

The green screen can limit your outfit possibilities. If you want green images, it may be better to go with something else for your image background. However, if anything else works, you are good to go.

Utilize The Right Lighting

Lighting matters when making a video or taking a picture for your Canva creation. Clean lighting will prevent unnecessary glares, spots, and shadows from taking over your shot. You typically need at least three sources of light for the ideal result in your image – one from the front and each side.

Here are some lighting tools you need to create the best final result:

• Softboxes to help distribute light
• Lights that help indoors and outdoors
• Other tools like sheets to assist with even lighting

You can get creative with the tools you use to push the light from one place to another.

The right lighting can take a regular room and transform it into a coffee shop. If you have a particular look you want for your Canva project, lighting needs to be part of your green screen endeavor. It will make the final product much more convincing than it would be without the illumination. Aim for three lights on the subject for a realistic finish.

Use The Correct Distance

The green screen is most effective if you keep the subject a solid distance away from the sheet or wall. If they are too close, everything blends. If they are too far, it may be tricky for the green screen effects to look realistic in the final product.

Generally, the further away the subject is from the green screen, the better. Not everyone has the room in their home or studio to push their subject away from the green screen. If this statement applies to you, lighting needs to become a critical part of the image.

Without it, the subject will look like they are on a fake background no matter what you do.

Edit The Video or Image

Now that you have the footage, it’s time to edit the video or picture. This part is the trickiest for those who have never used a green screen. How do you take raw footage of a green background and transform it into something usable on Canva?

Luckily, several platforms allow easy editing of green screen images. A few of the best include:

• Canva Video Editor
• Kapwing
• WeVideo

These will guide you through the process.

Download the image or video to save it to your computer. Once you have your edited image or video, it’s time to place it in Canva. This step is the final one before you receive your end product.

Insert The Video or Image

Now, it’s time to locate the template you want on Canva. You may need an Instagram story format for your company or a website template for your professional site. Whatever the case, it’s critical to select one that works with what you need.

Take the video or image and insert it into the template of your choice. You can readjust and rearrange items to your heart’s content once inside the Canva platform. Once you have your final product, post it and wait for the compliments to pour in.

Pressure sensitivity is a key feature of Huion stylus pens for its ability to create fine lines and delicate shading that instantly elevate any piece of digital art. When this feature isn’t working properly, you’ll likely notice your work suffers by either looking flat and lifeless or by enduring poor responsivity between your stylus pen and its connected device, resulting in countless mistakes. The first step to solving this frustrating issue is finding its cause. 

There are a range of reasons why the pressure sensitivity feature is no longer working for your Huion stylus pen and paired device, including:

1. Driver issues
2. Incorrect settings in use
3. Poor connection between tools
4. Pairing with incompatible device or program

In this article, we will cover the most common reasons why the pressure sensitivity feature on your Huion device isn’t working properly. As you read, you’ll also find brief but in-depth guides on how to resolve each issue, so you can restore your Huion tools as quickly as possible.

Common Causes of Huion Pressure Sensitivity Not Working and How to Fix Them

If you’re having trouble getting the pressure sensitivity to work on your Huion stylus pen, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Many users have reported this issue and are just as puzzled as you are regarding what might have caused it.

As we stated previously, there are several reasons why the pressure sensitivity feature isn’t working. So, determining the cause in your case might require a bit of detective work through some classic trial and error.

Let’s break down the most common causes of pressure sensitivity not working for a Huion device include:

1. Driver issues
2. Incorrect settings in use
3. Poor connection between tools (recalibrate, restart, unplug/)
4. Pairing with incompatible device or program

Below, we have dedicated individual sections to discussing each of these reasons in more detail and how to fix them.

1. Driver Issues

The most common reason why the pressure sensitivity isn’t working on your Huion device is likely related to an issue with the tablet’s driver. Unfortunately, this is also a multifaceted issue that could have several solutions.

Update the Huion Driver

The easiest explanation would be that your Huion tablet’s driver is simply outdated, which can be resolved by visiting Huion’s official website and comparing the most recent driver version to the one currently installed on your device.

If you find yours is outdated, you can download the newest version using Huions “Driver and Manual” log.

Send the Huion Tablet to a Repairman

The more complicated explanation for this issue concerning your driver would be that it is either broken or faulty. Unless you take your Huion tablet to a professional, it can be difficult to determine what specifically is broken or faulty within the driver.

Uninstall and Reinstall the Driver

As a result, the easiest solution that tends to work best for people is to completely uninstall and reinstall the driver. You can do this by going into your “Device Manager,” finding your Huion tablet from the list of devices, and then right-clicking it and selecting “Uninstall Driver”. Once that’s done, restart your computer and then follow the Huion driver installation guide.

2. Incorrect Settings In Use

Once you’re certain that your Huion tablet’s driver isn’t the source of the issue, your next step would be to check your settings, both on whatever devices you’re using as well as the program you’re digitally drawing in.

Photoshop Use

If you’re using Photoshop, for example, check that the “Pen Pressure Sensitivity” is toggled on from within the “Brush Settings” menu, under “Shape Dynamics”. You can also try fiddling with the “Opacity Jitter Control” and “Flow Jitter Control” to see if that has any effect.

Other Programs

If you’re not using Photoshop, the same process applies; just check that your program acknowledges pressure-sensitive input from your Huion tablet.

Other Fixes

There are other settings that Huion users have found helpful to alter.

They include:

• Sleep mode on your PC or mac device- set to never
• Support TabletPC found in PenTablet interface: set to enabled
• Privilege within “Sharing and Permissions” option of tablet driver folder- set to “Read & Write”
• Windows Ink within Stylus Pen tab of driver interface- set to enabled

Some of these settings might not be applicable depending on what device you’re using, but it’s a good starting off point, nonetheless.

3. Poor Connection Between Tools

The next step in resolving this common Huion device issue is to check as many points of connection as possible between your stylus pen, your Huion tablet, and your secondary device (ex. PC or mac).

Check the Power Connection

A good place to start is somewhere simple, like your stylus pen’s battery or Bluetooth connecting if these are applicable. Make sure the battery is in place and properly charged or that your connected devices are receiving your stylus pen’s signal properly.

Reset Everything

From here, it might be easiest to do a quick reset of everything, either by disconnecting and reconnecting your tools if they are wireless or unplugging them and plugging them back in if they’re wired, especially via USB cable.

Another method you could try is to recalibrate your stylus pen to make sure it is communicating accurately with your tablet.

Restart Your Device

For your PC, mac, or tablet, try restarting the devices after you’ve reconnected everything. This might give them the quick reboot they need to work together properly again.

4. Pairing With Incompatible Device

Hopefully, you’ve been able to resolve your pressure sensitivity problem by this point, but if you haven’t, the last common cause that might be responsible is using a device or program that is either incompatible with each other or does not support the pressure sensitivity feature in Huion devices.

The first step in pinpointing this issue is to confirm that your stylus pen, drawing tablet, and secondary device (ex. PC or mac) are all compatible with one another. If you are using a stylus pen that is incompatible with your tablet or any other combination, then one or more features are going to be negatively affected.

Check Program Compatibility

Once you’re sure everything is compatible with one another, you’ll want to check the program(s) that you’re using. Not all digital art or similar programs are capable of supporting pressure sensitivity, and some might not even function properly with the devices you’re using.

A good way to confirm if this is the issue is to open a program that you’re certain works with pressure sensitivity and testing this feature. If it isn’t working, then the program isn’t the problem. However, if it does work and then you test a different program and find the feature won’t work there, then you have your answer.

Final Thoughts

The process of determining why a Huion device’s pressure sensitivity isn’t working can be extensive and require a lot of trial and error.

Hopefully, you were able to find answers here, but if you reached the end of this guide and your pressure sensitivity still isn’t working, then the likely reason is that one or more of your devices is broken or malfunctioning. You can either repair or replace them or reach out to Huion’s customer service resources for additional help.

If you are a photographer, you may have noticed that your RAW files always appear darker than JPEG files. While this can easily be adjusted during the editing process, you may be wondering why this happens.

As a general rule, RAW files appear darker than JPEG files because of the camera’s processing system and how much information the RAW file holds. Because the file is unprocessed, it can be brightened and modified to a greater degree than JPEGs when uploaded into an image editing software.

When shooting in RAW, it can be difficult to get an idea of how your picture will look after editing. Keep reading to learn more about the darkness of JPEG and RAW files and why this happens.

Why Are RAW Files Darker?

If you’re used to working with RAW files, you are probably well aware that this file type is designed with the intention that the photo will go through an editing process.

JPEG images initially appear brighter due to how the camera processes the image. Generally, JPEG photos will significantly boost the image’s contrast and brightness when compared to RAW images. This is due to the fact that JPEGs are made to be used directly out of the camera, so what you see is what you get, whereas RAW images are meant to be edited before use.

However, if you are one to edit your photos in post-production, then this added brightness probably won’t work for you. In fact, it limits the amount of control you have during the editing process.

RAW files give you more control over brightness and contrast when imported into editing programs like Adobe Photo or Lightroom than JPEG files do. This is because there is a large amount of information contained within the file.

What Is The Difference Between RAW Files and JPEG Files?

To understand why RAW files may appear darker, it’s important to have a deeper understanding of the files themselves and how they work. The difference between these two file types really boils down to how much information they hold.

A RAW file is designed to carry all of the information that was recorded when your camera captured the photo. It is a file that is unprocessed and uncompressed. This is also referred to as a digital negative.

Some of the benefits of shooting in RAW include:

• Larger color range
• Higher sharpening quality
• Lossless compression
• More control in post-production

However, these files are generally quite large and can be difficult to share. They also always require post-processing in the camera’s software or an editing program like Lightroom.

On the flip side,  a JPEG file is a processed and compressed file that only holds the most vital information of a photo. The image goes through processing within the camera, so it is ready to be developed the moment it is uploaded. However, these files are quite small, so there are limited recovery options.

How Do You Brighten Dark Photos in RAW Format?

If you have captured a few underexposed images in RAW, there is no reason to sweat just yet. Because of how much information and data RAW files carry, you can easily bring your image back from the dark.

All you need is an editing program that can process RAW files:

• ACDSee Photo Studio
• Adobe Lightroom
• Adobe Photoshop
• AfterShot Pro
• Aurora HDR
• Capture One Pro
• DxO PhotoLab
• Luminar AI
• PhotoDirector 365

Once in your preferred editing program, you can make adjustments to the image to bring up the brightness. You’ll want to start by increasing the exposure and contrast of the photo. Next, make simple adjustments to highlights and shadows to bring out specific elements within the photo.

Making adjustments to blacks and whites is another way to make your photo appear brighter. For example, if you have a portrait of a woman in a white dress, but the dress is appearing dingy or gray, you may want to increase your whites.

You may also want to adjust the tone of the photo. Oftentimes, increasing the brightness of an image can alter some of the colors. Play around with the temperature, tint, and vibrancy to make sure everything looks right.

Final Thoughts

You should now have a better understanding of why RAW files are darker than JPEGs. Shooting in RAW is a great way to get the most out of the images you capture. However, if you’re not processing your photos afterward, you may get stuck with dark and dingy images.

Remember to always process your RAW files in an image editing program afterward, even if it’s to make a simple edit such as increasing the brightness.

When working on a PowerPoint presentation, there is nothing more frustrating than having the formatting change from one slide to the next. This can slow down your workflow, and possibly create inconsistencies between slides if you happen to miss the change. But why does it happen?

As a general rule, formatting in PowerPoint will default to the style of the chosen theme when working on a new slide. This means that the font size, style, slide colors, and backgrounds will change with each new slide.

While formatting can be one of the most frustrating aspects of working with any design, getting it right from the start can save you a lot of time and effort in the long run. Keep reading to learn why your PowerPoint formatting keeps changing and what you can do about it.

Why Does My PowerPoint Formatting Keep Changing?

When you first started up your PowerPoint presentation deck, you probably selected a theme that most closely fits the style you were hoping to achieve. While this is a great way to get started, it may cause some frustrations with the formatting later on.

Any new Powerpoint slides that are added to the deck will take on the format setting of the chosen theme. That means that any formatting changes you’ve made on previous slides will not carry over to new slides. This includes:

• Heading font
• Body font
• Font size
• Background colors
• Accent colors
• Hyperlinks
• Effects

For example, if you change the text size for the title of one of your slides, on the next slide the text will revert back to its original size. While this can be helpful in some cases, if you’ve made major changes to the font or slide colors, this can create inconsistency throughout the presentation.

Why Does Font Change When You Copy and Paste?

But what if you copy and paste the content from one slide to another? How about copying a slide from one presentation deck to another? Will the formatting keep? Not necessarily.

Unfortunately, the same rule applies to content that is copied from one slide and pasted to another. The slide will default to the theme’s style and generally require some editing.

However, that doesn’t mean you will have to do this every time. Going through the process of unnecessary reformatting can be avoided with a few simple changes.

Turning Off AutoFit to Keep PowerPoint Formatting

One reason you may be running into your formatting changing is because of a feature called AutoFit. This is a feature in PowerPoint that shrinks the size of the text in titles, bullets, and paragraphs so that the text fits comfortably on the slide.

While this was created with good intentions, AutoFit can lead to poor and inconsistent formatting throughout your presentation. Luckily, this feature comes with an off switch.

To turn off AutoFit, click on File in the upper lefthand corner and select Options. Once the dialogue box appears, select Proofing from the menu on the left and click the box that says “AutoCorrect Options.”

From here, a second dialogue box should appear with the AutoCorrect settings. Select the AutoFormat tab and uncheck the box next to AutoFit. Once you hit OK the settings will be saved and you should no longer have issues with AutoFit changing your format.

Locking and Unlocking Elements in PowerPoint

If your PowerPoint slides deal more with elements like shapes and graphics, you may want to lock the objects in place. For example, let’s say you have a colored box behind a group of text on a slide. If the box is accidentally moved, the formatting for the slide may appear off.

To lock an object, simply click on the padlock symbol in the Selection Pane. This can be found in the Shapes Ribbon menu. Another way to lock an object is to right-click the element and then select the Lock option from the dialogue box.

Once an object is locked it cannot be moved from its place on the slide. However, if you need to make changes to the placement, simply unlock the object and it will move freely again. To do this, right-click the object and select Unlock from the dialogue box.

Using the “Keep Current Format” Option

Another easy way to ensure consistent formatting is to use the “keep current format” option. This is a setting PowerPoint provides that allows you to retain the current format settings when copying and pasting elements of slides from one deck to another.

To do this, start by selecting the slides you would like to copy and add them to the new presentation deck.

Once this is done, you should see an icon appear that looks like a clipboard with a drop-down arrow. Click on the arrow and navigate to the option “keep current format.” Selecting this will retain all of the previous formatting settings of the slide regardless of the deck’s default theme settings.

Create Your Own PowerPoint Theme

Another way to keep your formatting in check is to create your own theme. This can be done using an existing theme and changing the colors, fonts, and effects to your liking. Once everything is how you like it, simply save the Theme.

To accomplish this, navigate to the View tab and click Slide Master. From here, select Save Current Theme. I new dialogue box will appear. This is where you will name your theme and click save.

Once saved, your new theme will appear in the Themes group on the design tab. Keep in mind that it will now function as a theme, so any new changes applied will not carry over to new slides.

Final Thoughts

While formatting issues can be frustrating, there are usually several workarounds that can keep things running smoothly. Hopefully, this article gave you the information needed to understand why your PowerPoint formatting keeps changing.

Remember to also check your theme and make sure to switch off the AutoFit feature. If you are still having issues, the Microsoft support team is always available to help!

Sometimes GIFs are a fun way to respond to a situation, but other times they could be a speed bump on the road to building your blog or webpage. However, there are ways to get around hard coding in pics and GIFs. So can a GIF be transparent?

GIFs can be transparent, but there are conditions. GIFS can either be opaque or transparent. No gradients can occur. The critical thing to remember is that they have an on-and-off feature, so getting them fully transparent isn’t going to happen.

Working with GIFs is a great way to create fun for your webpage or lighten the mood in a text thread. However, there are times when using them could be inappropriate, and learning how to control their transparency could right the ship. So read on and discover if GIFs can be transparent.

GIFs and Their Transparency

GIFs can be altered just like any other file type. However, when you add it to an InDesign workspace, it will not have a transparency slider. Often when you are working on a design, you can adjust this setting. With a GIF, you have the option of turning it on or off. There are ways to match the background but getting the GIF completely transparent is your only option.

Using Apps Can Blend the Background of the GIF

One of the most popular ways to create the effect of transparency on a GIF is by using an app. Several on the market work towards making the effect of transparency, but none of them can completely block the file from working.

A few ways that apps work to blend backgrounds in GIFs are:

• Color – The most used method of blending backgrounds is to match the color and blot around the image until the color is obscured. This method can be done with one of the powerful design platforms but works easier if you find an app that specializes in blending GIF files.
• Cut – Another way that GIF files can be blended or obscured is by using the cut option. Apps do this automatically, but there are ways to get it done inside InDesign of Photoshop, depending on which iteration you are using.
• Masking – A combination of the Cut and Color moves is to create a mask around the GIF. This cuts out the moving piece of the file and drops away the background. You have to zoom in and do several clicks and movements before the file is ready, so be prepared to do tedious work.

The ways that the GIF can be blended or obscured only work to make the item blend into the background and not transparent. It makes the secondary colors of the file fall away while highlighting the central pieces of the GIF. The critical thing to remember is that there is only on or off when it comes to the files.

Choosing Apps for Transparency is Easy

The best way to find out which app will work for you is by researching. Each has its strengths and weaknesses that could make or break the deal for you, and by checking their capabilities, you make less work for yourself in the long run. Therefore, it’s best to start with a few options before you take a deep dive on your own.

Some apps to consider when looking for a GIF transparency tool are:

• Unscreen – Unscreen is a fantastic tool that works like a magic wand on GIF and video backgrounds. It is an advanced program that must be downloaded to your desktop or can be added as an extension of the design platform you are using. Unscreen is easy to use and does some fantastic things to backgrounds.
• EzGif.com – Another great piece of software for background removal and GIF transparency is EzGIF. It is easy with no downloading or attaching. All you have to do is download the GIF and upload it to the site. Once done, it will spit out a copy sans background.
• OnlineGifTools – When it comes to simplicity, you can’t go wrong with the ease of use at OnlineGifTools. They have a plug-and-play desktop website that allows you to add files from your computer and fiddle with the file’s transparency. Remember that GIF files cannot be shut off completely; rendering the background is the best option.
• Online Image Editor – Online Image Editor is another web-based editing tool that can add transparency to parts of a GIF. The OIE platform doesn’t have many bells and whistles, but it has one of the most accurate cutting tools on the market. OIE works excellently if you don’t have the space for a fancy design app like InDesign.
• LunaPic – Straightforward is the name of the game at LunaPic. Like the other sites on the list, LunaPic is a web-based alternative with only a few options when uploading. Their wealth of tools is found in several different areas as the site has virtually all the tools that Adobe offers while being a web-based platform.

Using web-based tools over expensive downloadable platforms helps you get the job done and saves room on your hard drive. Keeping your computer’s functionality is imperative when working for transparency with GIFs and other files. There are more extensive options on the market, but web-based can save time and money.

Conclusion

GIFs can either be transparent or not at all. Coding inside the file makes the moving sections impossible to gradient to opaque or transparent. You have to choose one or the other, but there are ways around it. By working on the background, you can make the GIF pop, but it will not be see-through.

There are tons of apps on the market that can help you with the background of your GIF. They work to blend or obscure the backgrounds from the file and allow you to add colors that will fit into your design. Unfortunately, while GIFs go transparent, they cannot be shaded and are either going to be visible or not.

PowerPoint allows you to create awesome presentations with only a little effort. It has numerous customizable options to help you design the best way to show off your ideas and plans. However, you must ensure your content will fit on its slides before you can use it.

Generally, PowerPoint slides are big enough to hold a 1024 x 768-pixel image using the default settings. This resolution should work in most situations, but you can adjust the resolution of your slides as needed. Out of the box, PowerPoint will let you make slides up to 5376 x 5376 depending on your DPI.

While screen resolution is important, it is not the only factor that determines the size of a PowerPoint slide. By reading further, you will learn about these other characteristics and their available options.

The Default PowerPoint Slide Pixel Resolutions

Microsoft PowerPoint offers numerous customizable templates that allow you to quickly create awesome presentations. The user-friendly program makes it easy to look like a professional as you stand in front of the crowd with the full line of Office editing tools at your disposal. You even include attention-grabbing transitions, animations, videos, audio clips, and other forms of multimedia.

However, these benefits are nothing without fitting your content into the right resolution. Image resolution can greatly impact the quality and effectiveness of your presentation in seemingly unpredictable ways. As such, you always want to ensure everything has the right size on the screen.

Out of the box, that means your slides must be 1024 x 768 pixels in size with 96 dots per inch (DPI) resolution. These are PowerPoint’s default settings. This resolution will allow you to present your content on most PowerPoint-compatible display monitors and projectors regardless of their size.

What Other Resolutions Can I Choose On PowerPoint?

Fortunately, PowerPoint lets you customize the size of your slides to an extent. You must use one of the included resolution settings, but they can help you make your content fill the screen.

These size and resolution options are:

• 640 x 480, 72 DPI
• 1024 x 600, 72, DPI
• 1024 x 768, 96 DPI
• 1280 x 720, 96 DPI
• 1366 x 768, 96 DPI

Keep reading to learn how to adjust your slide size.

How to Adjust PowerPoint Slide Size

While these are the PowerPoint pixel size options, you never directly work with them.

Instead, you use descriptive names that represent the display output such as:

• Standard
• Widescreen
• A3
• A4
• B5
• Letter Paper
• Overhead
• Custom
• Banner

You can find these settings in the Slide Size window you access by clicking on the “Slide Size” button from the ribbon menu. Depending on your version of PowerPoint, the Size window may be a menu or a pop-up window. The menu format will list the more common sizes along with a button to choose a custom size to access the others.

With either version, you will find a few configurable options once the Slide Size window opens up. The first is a large dropdown box that lists the default size parameters. You just choose the one you want from the list. Doing so may or may not alter the other options.

For instance, you can adjust the height and width separately, or select how many slides will use the size. The text boxes will accept measurements in inches (in), centimeters (cm), pixels (px), or points (pt).

You can set these values to anything you like but PowerPoint will limit your input to under:

• 56 x 56 in
• 142.24 x 142.24 cm
• 4032 x 4032 pts
• 5376 x 5376 px

Now, let’s see the forms of measurement PowerPoint uses.

PowerPoint Does Not Use Pixels to Measure Size

New PowerPoint users may find it hard to believe, but the software does not use pixels to define the size of elements. Instead, it measures text and images in points. It then converts these point measurements into your preferred system, which can be either inches, centimeters, or pixels.

Points come from typography and represent a real physical distance. A point is 1/72 inch, which translates to around 0.75 of a pixel on a 96 DPI monitor. This choice of internal measurement has a few consequences that can affect the look of your slides.

Because of these consequences, you may want to consider other resolution indicators than just pixel size.

Aspect Ratio

For instance, PowerPoint only supports two aspect ratios. You can either use the Standard (4:3) or choose the Widescreen (16:9) option, and your choice can make a big difference.

Some common aspect ratios include:

• Laptops – 16:9
• MacBooks – 16:10
• Projectors – 4:3
• Large-format monitor – 16:9

Generally, you want to use the one that matches the aspect ratio of your display system. The wrong one can make your presentation look odd. If you watch movies adapted for television, you know how bad it can get.

DPI Resolution

PowerPoint displays its measurements based on the system specified by the operating system. As such, most of the time, you will want to set this option to inches. This is because most guides, projectors, monitors, and resolution options are in Dots Per Inch (DPI). DPI represents how many pixels fit in an inch of your display, letting you calculate the required slide size for various output devices.

For instance, the PowerPoint default of 96 DPI is not a high-definition format. As such, slides with the default settings can appear blurry if you display them on anything bigger than HD720p. If you lower them to 72 DPI, you can use displays that offer up to HD1080p. Though, you will want to set the DPI to around 144 if you want to use a 4k or 8k projector or monitor.

Monitor Scaling

If you normally project presentations onto a wall, screen, or a large monitor, you may want to know if your slides hold up to scaling. Scaling has the effect of changing the DPI, which can skew the look of your slides to your audience.

For instance, using the standard Windows scaling settings, a slide that is originally 96 DPI can appear as 1920 DPI when scaled to twice its size. Thus, your slide would require twice the pixel resolution than it normally would to maintain optimal quality.

Conclusion

PowerPoint slides have a default pixel size which you can adjust according to your needs. You generally do this by selecting one of the preset resolutions, but you can also create custom settings. However, your slide size must fit the constraints of your presentation display.

Canva is an easy-to-use software that makes a novice designer look like a pro. Its templates and fonts make it fun to play with, and when you begin to add video, there’s even more fun. So how do you reduce the size of a video in Canva?

Reducing video size can be pivotal for a project to work correctly or for the video to look its best. However, if you can’t figure it out, there could be loads of stress and possibly a loss in profits. So stay calm and read on to learn everything you need to know about how to resize a video in Canva.

Reducing a Video’s Size in Canva

One of the easiest things to do in Canva is to resize the video. They made a fantastic decision to place the button for video at the top with the main buttons. They avoided having to scroll through multiple menus before finding their target by putting it there.

Finding the Resize Button is the First Step

It might not seem like a high hurdle, but the Resize button is on the top toolbar next to File. There are only three options, and Resize is on the right. Once you hit the resize button, you will get a dropdown menu with the following options phase.

The steps to resize a video in Canva are:

• Custom Size – The first option is to create a custom size for your video. If you know the dimensions, you can create a video that fits the exact size you are looking for. A video cut to size looks better and could be placed in a highly profitable location for the company.
• Choose a Package – The next choice is to pick one of the premade packages that Canva offers. They offer a load of different pre-made sizes for everything from your Facebook page to a banner ad.
• Resize Options – Now that you have chosen your package, it is time to resize the video. There are two options, copy & resize and copy. The ‘resize & copy’ allows you to make two videos, one for your files and one for your project.

The video is ready to go in your project and possibly your files. The critical thing to remember is how easily the process was accomplished and to work towards learning which sizing works best for your projects.

Canva’s Options are a Big Reason it is so Popular

The number of things that Canva can do with video is staggering. Not only can you resize and copy videos from the different formats you can add to them with a slew of other editing tools that some competitors might not have.

A few options that Canva gives to edit your videos are:

• Templates – One of the most incredible things on Canva is the templates. They allow you to choose themes that could be perfect for your situation. For example, if you are shooting a commercial for your real estate business, there’s a template that will fit your needs and then some.
• Links – Links are another great thing to be added to your videos. These links can be to your social media or places with vital information about your business or event. The links are valuable because they add another layer to your brand and give people the option to buy the items they see during the commercial.
• Logos – A critical thing for your branding is to have access to your logos. Canva allows you to use the logos designed for your company in their templates and designs. Your logo is an extension of your business, and having the ability to place that logo in your media is extremely important.
• Fonts – Fonts are another great thing you can add to your presentations with Canva. Adding fonts to videos allows for displaying more information to your clients and potential details for buyers.

Canva is loaded with options to tinker with your projects. The great thing about it is that for a few dollars a month, you get access to an array of tools that don’t take up space on your computer and allow you to edit like a professional. It’s worth the investment.

Canva’s Functionality is its Best Feature

One of the things you don’t think about when you use Canva is how much stuff packs into a single platform. They allow you to do many things, usually reserved for expensive applications. Some of the functionality is enough to launch your brand and provides the stepping stones to work with more extensive programs like Photoshop or InDesign.

Some of the things you can do with Canva are:

• Branding – Branding is a way to change your business from a stall at the local swap meet to a thriving enterprise that spans several different industries. With Canva, you can create videos, business cards, and a social media presence that will supercharge your client list and explode your bank account.
• Commercials – For whatever industry you work in, there’s a commercial waiting on the Canva platform. They have several different ways to upload your video and splice it with templates that give it a professional feel at a fraction of the price.
• Blogs – Another way that influencers get followers is by creating blogs. These blogs could be about their everyday lives or their life on vacation. No matter the subject, Canva has the option to impress potential followers while showing your tech savvy.

Canva can be as valuable as you make it. There are tons of things to make for your company that will boost your sales and increase your client list. Although, with the money you save on other applications, you will also see the rewards on the bottom line.

Conclusion

Canva is a versatile platform that allows users to create media for their platforms and brands that will increase their cash flow and lead to potential household names. In addition, Canva’s video resizing option is fast and allows you to combine the versatility of its platform with the videos you make for your brand or event.

When creating videos that can be used for everything from birthday cards to love letters, it is hard to beat Canva. While it might not do the things that expensive applications can, it does provide an excellent platform to learn how to create media of all types.