Be able to format master slide objects including headings, subheadings, bullets, background colour

19 Presentations – Formatting Master Slide Objects

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson you should be able to format master slide objects, including headings, sub‑headings, bullet styles and background colour.

What is a Master Slide?

• A master slide is a template that controls the overall appearance of all slides in a presentation.
• Changes made to the master slide are automatically applied to every slide that uses that master.
• Typical objects on a master slide: title placeholder, subtitle placeholder, footer, slide number, background.

Why Use a Master Slide?

1. Ensures a consistent look and feel throughout the presentation.
2. Saves time – you do not need to format each slide individually.
3. Reduces the risk of errors such as mismatched fonts or colours.

Accessing the Master Slide

In most presentation software (e.g., Microsoft PowerPoint, LibreOffice Impress) the master slide can be opened via:

• View → Slide Master (PowerPoint)
• View → Master → Slide Master (Impress)

Formatting Headings and Sub‑headings

When the master slide is active, click the placeholder for the heading or sub‑heading and apply the required formatting.

Object	Typical Formatting Options	Suggested Settings for IGCSE Exams
Title (Heading)	Font type, size, colour, alignment, bold/italic	Arial, 44 pt, dark blue, centre‑aligned, bold
Subtitle (Sub‑heading)	Font type, size, colour, alignment, italic	Arial, 28 pt, dark grey, left‑aligned, italic

Formatting Bullet Points

Bullet formatting is controlled from the master slide’s text placeholder.

• Select the placeholder that will contain bullet text.
• Choose a bullet style (solid circle, square, dash, etc.).
• Set the indentation level and spacing.
• Apply a consistent font size (e.g., 24 pt) and colour.

Setting the Background Colour

Background colour is applied to the master slide and therefore appears on all slides that use that master.

1. With the master slide view active, right‑click on the slide background.
2. Select “Format Background” (or equivalent).
3. Choose a solid colour, gradient or picture fill.
4. Confirm the change – the colour now appears on every slide.

Step‑by‑Step Example (PowerPoint)

1. Open the presentation and go to View → Slide Master.
2. Click the topmost slide in the left pane (the main master).
3. Click the title placeholder and set the font to Arial, 44 pt, dark blue, centre‑aligned, bold.
4. Click the subtitle placeholder and set the font to Arial, 28 pt, dark grey, left‑aligned, italic.
5. Select the body text placeholder, click the “Bullets” button, and choose a solid circle.
6. Set the bullet font size to 24 pt and colour to black.
7. Right‑click the slide background, choose “Format Background”, select “Solid fill”, and pick a light‑blue colour (e.g., #DCE6F1).
8. Close the master view – all slides now display the new formatting.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Formatting individual slides instead of the master – this defeats the purpose of consistency.
• Changing the background on a single slide only – use the master to apply it globally.
• Using too many different bullet styles – stick to one style for clarity.
• Neglecting to check the slide layout after editing the master – some placeholders may need repositioning.

Quick Revision Table

Task	Master Slide Action	Result on Presentation
Change heading font	Edit title placeholder	All slide titles update automatically
Modify bullet style	Edit body text placeholder	Uniform bullets on every slide
Set background colour	Format background of master slide	Consistent background across all slides

Exam Checklist

• Identify the master slide view in the software.
• State the steps to change heading and sub‑heading formatting.
• Explain how to set a single bullet style for the whole presentation.
• Describe the process for applying a background colour to all slides.
• Highlight why using a master slide saves time and ensures consistency.