Be able to move or delete a slide

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Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Topic 19: Presentations – Moving, Deleting & Managing Slides

Learning Objective

By the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Create a new presentation, apply a master slide and save with the correct file name/format.
  • Insert, edit and justify the required objects (text, images, charts, tables, audio/video, shapes, hyperlinks, action buttons).
  • Move and delete slides efficiently using the mouse, keyboard shortcuts and ribbon/menu commands.
  • Apply consistent slide numbers, headers/footers, transitions and animations.
  • Add presenter notes and ensure basic accessibility (alt‑text, colour contrast).
  • Export or print the presentation in the layout required by the exam question.

1. Full Workflow for a Presentation

  1. Start a new file – choose Blank Presentation or an appropriate template.
  2. Save immediately using the exam naming convention (e.g. Smith_Presentation_2026.pptx) and the correct format (.pptx for PowerPoint, .odp for Impress, .gslides for Google Slides).
  3. Apply a Master Slide (PowerPoint View → Slide Master; Impress View → Master Slide; Google Slides Slide → Edit master):
    • Set heading style, footer text and a slide‑number placeholder.
    • Lock the layout so new slides follow the same design automatically.
  4. Insert the required objects (see Section 2).
  5. Arrange the slides – move or delete as needed (Section 3).
  6. Apply transitions and animations (Section 4).
  7. Add presenter notes (Section 5).
  8. Check accessibility (Section 6).
  9. Export / print (Section 7).

2. Slide Management – Moving & Deleting Slides

2.1 Slide Sorter View

The slide overview pane is called the Slide Sorter view in the syllabus. It displays thumbnails of all slides and is the preferred view for re‑ordering large decks.

2.2 Moving Slides

2.2.1 Mouse – Drag‑and‑Drop (Slide Sorter view)
  1. Open Slide Sorter (View → Slide Sorter in PowerPoint/Impress; click the Grid view icon in Google Slides).
  2. Click and hold the thumbnail you wish to move.
  3. Drag it to the new position – a vertical line shows where it will be inserted.
  4. Release the mouse button.
2.2.2 Keyboard Shortcuts
Software Move Slide Up Move Slide Down Delete Slide
Microsoft PowerPoint Alt + Shift + ↑ Alt + Shift + ↓ Delete (selected slide) or Ctrl + Shift + Delete
LibreOffice Impress Ctrl + Alt + ↑ Ctrl + Alt + ↓ Delete (selected slide) or Ctrl + Shift + Delete
Google Slides Ctrl + ↑ (Windows) / ⌘ + ↑ (Mac) Ctrl + ↓ (Windows) / ⌘ + ↓ (Mac) Delete (selected slide) or Backspace
2.2.3 Ribbon / Menu Commands
  1. Select the slide thumbnail in the left‑hand pane.
  2. Go to the Home tab (or Slide menu in Impress).
  3. Click Move Up or Move Down in the Slides group.

2.3 Deleting Slides

2.3.1 Using the Mouse
  1. In Slide Sorter, click once on the slide to delete.
  2. Press Delete, or right‑click and choose Delete Slide.
2.3.2 Using Ribbon / Menu Commands
  1. Select the slide thumbnail.
  2. Open the Home tab.
  3. Click Delete → Delete Slide.
2.3.3 Safe Deletion Strategy
  • Duplicate a slide first (Ctrl + D) if you are unsure about deleting it.
  • In the exam environment only three Undo actions are usually permitted, so rely on duplication rather than Undo where possible.
  • Undo a deletion immediately with Ctrl + Z (or the Undo button) if you have not exceeded the limit.

3. Inserting & Editing Required Objects

The syllabus expects candidates to be able to add the following objects and to justify their use (AO3 – analyse, evaluate, make reasoned judgements).

Object Insertion Path (PowerPoint / Impress / Google Slides) Key Editing Options When to Use (Justification)
Text box Insert → Text Box / Insert → Text Box / Insert → Text box Font, size, colour, alignment, bullets/numbering. Use for short, focused statements. Paragraphs should be avoided on a slide because they increase cognitive load.
Image / Photograph Insert → Pictures / Insert → Picture / Insert → Image Resize, crop, add alt‑text (right‑click → Format Picture → Alt Text). Choose an image when it conveys information faster than text (e.g., a map, a product photo). Add alt‑text for accessibility.
Chart Insert → Chart / Insert → Chart / Insert → Chart Select chart type, edit data table, apply style. Prefer a chart over a table when the emphasis is on trends, comparisons or proportions – it reduces the amount of reading required.
Table Insert → Table / Insert → Table / Insert → Table Add/remove rows/columns, merge cells, format borders. Use a table for precise numeric data that the audience may need to reference directly (e.g., a schedule).
Audio / Video Insert → Audio → Audio on My PC / Insert → Audio or Video / Insert → Video Set playback (auto, on click), trim, add caption. Include only when the media adds essential information that cannot be expressed clearly with text or images.
Shape Insert → Shapes / Insert → Shape / Insert → Shape Fill colour, outline, rotate, add text. Use shapes to highlight key points, create flow‑charts or group related items.
Hyperlink Select text/object → Insert → Link / Insert → Hyperlink / Insert → Link Link to a web address, another slide, or an external file. Provide a hyperlink when the audience may need to access additional resources or navigate within the presentation.
Action button Insert → Shapes → Action Buttons / Insert → Interaction → Action / Insert → Shape → Action Assign navigation (Next slide, Previous slide, Custom link). Useful for non‑linear presentations (e.g., a menu slide) where the presenter must jump to different sections.

4. Applying Consistent Transitions & Animations

  • Open the Transitions tab (PowerPoint/Impress) or Slide → Change transition (Google Slides).
  • Select a transition style that matches the purpose (e.g., Fade for a formal report, Push for step‑by‑step instructions).
  • Click Apply to All to keep the deck uniform.
  • For animations, open the Animations pane; use simple effects (Appear, Fade) and apply the same timing to similar objects.
  • Be ready to justify the choice – the effect should support, not distract from, the content.

5. Adding Presenter Notes

  1. Switch to Notes View (View → Notes Page in PowerPoint; View → Notes in Impress; click Speaker notes at the bottom in Google Slides).
  2. Type cues, prompts or additional data that you will use while presenting.
  3. Notes are not printed on the slide unless you select “Print with notes”.

6. Slide Numbering, Headers & Footers

  • Insert slide numbers via Insert → Slide Number (PowerPoint/Impress) or Insert → Slide numbers (Google Slides). Tick “Apply to all”.
  • If the exam question requires a specific footer (school name, date, etc.), add it on the Master Slide so it appears automatically on every slide.
  • After moving or deleting slides, quickly verify that numbers are sequential – they update automatically but a visual check avoids mistakes.

7. Accessibility Considerations

  • Alternative text for every non‑text object – right‑click the object → Format Picture/Shape → Alt Text.
  • Ensure sufficient colour contrast (dark text on a light background). Use built‑in contrast checkers where available.
  • Never rely on colour alone to convey meaning; add labels or symbols.

8. Exporting / Printing the Presentation

  1. Save the working file in the native format (.pptx, .odp, .gslides).
  2. For sharing with users who may not have the authoring software, Export as PDF (File → Export → PDF).
  3. Handouts:
    • Print → Handouts (3 or 6 slides per page) and decide whether to include notes.
    • Set orientation (portrait/landscape) as required by the exam question.
  4. Always use the Print Preview to check layout before confirming.

9. Practical Tips for the Exam

  • Work in Slide Sorter view when re‑ordering many slides – it gives a clear overview.
  • Duplicate a slide (Ctrl + D) before deleting if you are uncertain.
  • Remember the exam environment typically allows only three Undo actions; plan changes carefully.
  • Check every slide contains:
    • Slide number (if required)
    • Consistent heading style (from the master slide)
    • Alt‑text for images and other non‑text objects
  • Save frequently – especially after major re‑ordering or after adding media files.

10. Summary Checklist

  1. Start a new presentation and save with the correct naming convention and file format.
  2. Apply the appropriate master slide (headings, footers, slide‑number placeholder).
  3. Insert all required objects; edit them and provide a brief justification for each.
  4. Move or delete slides using the method you find quickest (drag‑and‑drop, shortcut, ribbon). Duplicate before deleting if unsure.
  5. Apply consistent slide numbers, headers/footers, transitions and animations.
  6. Add presenter notes and verify accessibility (alt‑text, colour contrast).
  7. Export or print the final version in the layout specified by the exam question.
  8. Use Undo only as a safety net; rely on duplication for uncertain deletions.
  9. Save the file again and submit.
Suggested diagram: a screenshot of Slide Sorter view showing a slide being dragged to a new position, with the vertical insertion line highlighted.

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