If you're new to PowerPoint, working with text is a key skill to learn early. This post covers the basics—how to select, move, copy, paste, and format text inside your slides.

How to Select Text

To move or change text, you need to select it first.

• Click near the text.
• Hold and drag your mouse across the text.
• Release the mouse. The text is now selected.

Copying and Moving Text

Rewriting the same text again and again wastes time. PowerPoint helps you copy and move text easily.

To Copy and Paste:

1. Select the text.
2. Click the Copy button on the Home tab.
   
   
   
3. Click where you want to paste the text.
4. Click Paste.
   
   
   

Your copied text appears in the new spot.

To Cut and Paste:

1. Select the text.
2. Click Cut on the Home tab.
   
   
   
3. Click where you want the text to go.
4. Click Paste.
   
   
   

The text moves to the new location.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Cut: Ctrl + X
• Copy: Ctrl + C
• Paste: Ctrl + V

These shortcuts save clicks and time.

To Drag and Drop Text:

1. Select the text.
   
   
   
2. Click and hold.
3. Drag the text to a new location.
   
   
   
4. Release the mouse.

The text will move where you drop it.

Formatting and Aligning Text

Well-formatted text stands out and is easier to read. PowerPoint lets you change:

• Font size
• Font color
• Text alignment

You can align text left, right, or center, or justify it to fit neatly. Use these tools to help guide your audience’s focus.

1. Font

Use the drop-down menu to change the font of the selected text.

2. Font Size

Choose the font size of the selected text from the drop-down menu, or use the Increase Font Size and Decrease Font Size commands to increase or decrease the size.

3. Bulleted and Numbered Lists Styles

Some placeholders format text as a bulleted list by default. Click the Bullets or Numbering commands to create a new list, or click the drop-down arrows to choose the list style.

4. Text Direction

This command allows you to change the direction of your text.

5. Font Style

Use the font style commands to apply bold, italic, underline, shadow, or strikethrough to the selected text.

6. Character Spacing

Here, you can adjust the spacing between characters.

7. Change Case

Here, you can quickly change the case of the selected text.

8. Font Color

You can use this command to change the text color.

9. Horizontal Text Alignment

You can use these commands to align your text to the left, center, or right of a placeholder or text box.

10. Align Text

You can use these commands to align your text at the top, middle, or bottom of a placeholder or text box.