If you're new to PowerPoint, you'll need to learn the basics of working with text. In this lesson, you'll learn how to cut, copy, paste, and format text.
Video Tutorial
Watch the video below to learn more about the basics of working with text in PowerPoint.
To select text:
Before you can move or arrange text, you'll need to select it.
- Click next to the text you want to select, drag the mouse over the text, then release your mouse. The text will be selected.
Copying and moving text
PowerPoint allows you to copy text that is already on a slide and paste it elsewhere, which can save you time. If you want to move text, you can cut and paste or drag and drop the text.
To copy and paste text:
- Select the text you want to copy, then click the Copy command on the Home tab.
- Place the insertion point where you want the text to appear.
- Click the Paste command on the Home tab.
- The copied text will appear.
To cut and paste text:
- Select the text you want to move, then click the Cut command.
- Place the insertion point where you want the text to appear, then click the Paste command.
- The text will appear in the new location.
To drag and drop text:
- Select the text you want to move, then click and drag the text to the desired location.
- The text will appear in the new location.
Formatting and aligning text
Formatted text can draw your audience's attention to specific parts of a presentation and emphasize important information. In PowerPoint, you have several options for adjusting text, including size and color. You can also adjust the alignment of the text to change how it is displayed on the slide.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different commands in the Font and Paragraph groups.
Font Selection
Change the font face for your selected text (currently set to Gill Sans MT).
Font Size Options
Type an exact number or click the A buttons to increase/decrease the text size.
Text Shadow
Add a shadow directly behind your text to make it stand out against backgrounds.
Character Spacing
Adjust the amount of blank space placed between each letter of your text.
Change Case
Quickly change text to UPPERCASE, lowercase, or Title Case without retyping.
Font Color
Select a new color for the highlighted text.
Bullets & Numbering
Format your text into an organized bulleted or numbered list.
Text Alignment
Align your paragraph to the left, center, right, or justify it evenly.
Line Spacing
Control the amount of vertical space between the lines of text in your paragraph.
Align Text (Vertical)
Change how your text is anchored vertically within its text box (Top, Middle, or Bottom).
Challenge!
- Open our practice presentation.
- Select slide 4.
- Use cut and paste or drag and drop to move the text Lower blood pressure between Companionship and Social opportunities.
- Select the list of benefits and add italics.
- Select the text Did you Know?, remove the boldface, and change the size to 36pt.
- When you're finished, your slide should look like this:
5 FAQs about Text Basics in PowerPoint
What is the difference between Cut and Copy?
Copy creates a duplicate of the selected text, leaving the original in place. Cut removes the selected text from its original location so you can paste it somewhere else.
What is the keyboard shortcut to select all text?
You can click inside a text box and press Ctrl+A to instantly select all the text inside that placeholder.
How do I change the font color?
Select your text, go to the Home tab, click the drop-down arrow next to the Font Color icon (the letter 'A' with a color bar under it), and choose your desired color.
Can I undo a mistake if I delete text accidentally?
Yes! You can press Ctrl+Z on your keyboard to undo your last action and recover accidentally deleted text.
How do I copy text formatting to another word?
Select the text with the formatting you like, click the Format Painter tool (the paintbrush icon) on the Home tab, and then click and drag over the new text you want to format.
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