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

19 Presentations – Master Slide Formatting (Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417)

Learning Objectives

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

• Create a new presentation and save it in the correct file format.
• Open the master‑slide view and edit all master‑slide objects (title, subtitle, body text, footer, background).
• Apply a single, consistent bullet and numbered‑list style (including multi‑level lists) to the whole presentation.
• Set one transition/animation effect for every slide and ensure no slide‑specific “on click” animations remain.
• Insert and format common objects (images, charts, tables, media, hyperlinks, action buttons) via the master.
• Add presenter notes, print or export notes, and produce the required hand‑out/PDF output.
• Proof‑read the presentation against the AO3 checklist (spelling, consistency, contrast, placeholders, etc.).

1. What Is a Master Slide?

• A master slide is a template that defines the default appearance of every slide that uses that master.
• Any change made on the master is automatically reflected on all associated slides, guaranteeing consistency and saving time.
• Typical master‑slide objects:

  • Title placeholder (heading)
  • Subtitle placeholder (sub‑heading)
  • Body‑text placeholder (bullets, numbered lists)
  • Footer placeholders – date, slide number, logo or copyright
  • Background (solid colour, gradient, picture)
  • Default transition/animation settings

2. Creating a New Presentation

1. Open the presentation software (PowerPoint, LibreOffice Impress, or Google Slides).
2. Choose File → New → Blank Presentation. A default title‑slide master is created automatically.
3. Save the file immediately:

   • PowerPoint – File → Save As → .pptx
   • LibreOffice Impress – File → Save As → .odp
   • Google Slides – the file is saved automatically in Google Drive.

   Do not save as .pdf for the practical test – the examiner expects a editable .pptx/.odp file.

3. Opening the Master‑Slide View

4. Master Layouts – Main Master vs. Layout Masters

• The pane on the left shows a main master (topmost) and one or more layout masters (e.g., Title Slide, Title & Content, Two‑Content, Section Header).
• Changes on the main master propagate to all layout masters unless a layout overrides that setting.
• Select the appropriate layout when you need a different arrangement of placeholders (e.g., a title‑only slide for section headings).

5. Editing Master‑Slide Objects

5.1 Title (Heading)

1. Select the title placeholder on the required layout.
2. Apply formatting: font, size, colour, alignment, bold/italic.
3. Suggested IGCSE settings – Arial or Calibri, 36‑44 pt, dark blue or black, centre‑aligned, bold. Ensure a contrast ratio ≥ 4.5:1 with the background.

5.2 Subtitle (Sub‑heading)

1. Click the subtitle placeholder (often labelled “Click to add subtitle”).
2. Format using a slightly smaller size and a lighter colour than the heading.
3. Suggested IGCSE settings – Arial or Calibri, 24‑30 pt, dark grey, left‑aligned, italic.

5.3 Body‑Text (Bullets & Numbered Lists)

1. Select the body‑text placeholder.
2. Bullets – click the Bullets button, choose a single style (solid circle is safest).
   

   Define New Bullet (if you need a custom symbol) → choose a symbol or picture → OK.

3. Numbered lists – click the Numbering button, select a simple Arabic‑numeral style. Ensure the same style is used on every slide.
4. Multi‑level lists:

   • Press Tab to increase the level; PowerPoint/Impress automatically changes the bullet/number symbol.
   • Reduce the font size by 2‑4 pt for each deeper level to maintain hierarchy.

5. Set line spacing to 1.15‑1.5 and left‑align the text for readability.

5.4 Footer (Date, Slide Number, Logo)

1. Click the footer placeholder on the main master (or on a specific layout if a different footer is required).
2. Insert the required elements:

   • Date – Insert → Date & Time, choose “Update automatically”.
   • Slide number – insert the Slide Number field; align left, centre or right as required.
   • Logo or copyright – insert an image, resize to ≤ 1 cm height, position in the lower‑right corner.

3. Use a small, legible font (12‑14 pt, grey) so the footer does not dominate the slide.

5.5 Background Colour (and Alternatives)

1. With the master view active, right‑click the slide background (or use Format Background from the ribbon).
2. Choose one of the following:

   • Solid fill – select a colour that gives a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 with the text (e.g., light‑blue #DCE6F1 with dark text).
   • Gradient fill – create a subtle top‑to‑bottom gradient; keep contrast consistent across the slide.
   • Picture fill – insert a high‑resolution image, set Transparency to 20‑30 % if needed to keep text legible.

3. Apply the background to All Slides (or only to the selected layout) and click Close Master View.

5.6 Verify Placeholders

Before leaving the master view, check that every layout still contains the required placeholders (title, subtitle, body‑text, footer). Accidentally deleting a placeholder is a common exam mistake.

6. Consistent Bullet & Numbered‑List Styles (AO2)

• Set the primary bullet style (solid circle, 24 pt, black) on the body‑text placeholder.
• Define secondary and tertiary symbols via Define New Bullet (e.g., open circle, dash) and reduce the font size by 2 pt for each level.
• For numbered lists, choose a simple Arabic‑numeral style and keep the same font size as the primary bullet.
• All slides that use the layout will inherit these settings automatically.

7. Setting a Single Transition / Animation for All Slides

1. In the master view, select the layout you want to affect (usually the main master).
2. Open the Transitions pane and choose a simple effect (e.g., Fade or Push).
3. Set the duration to 0.5‑1 s and click Apply to All Slides.
4. If you add an animation to a placeholder (e.g., “Appear” for bullet points), use the Apply to All button.
5. Finally, disable “On mouse click” for any slide‑specific animation that may have been added inadvertently – the examiner expects a uniform transition.

8. Inserting and Formatting Common Objects via the Master

Objects placed on the master become part of every slide that uses that layout.

• Images / Logos – Insert → Picture, resize (≤ 1 cm height for logos), position, then lock the object (right‑click → “Lock Anchor” in Impress or “Lock” in PowerPoint).
• Charts – Insert → Chart, choose a simple style (e.g., Column, Pie). On the master, set:

  • Colour palette that matches the slide background (e.g., blue‑grey scheme).
  • Data labels turned off unless required.
  • Font size for axis labels – 12 pt, dark colour.

• Tables – Insert → Table, define rows/columns, then apply a table style:

  • Header row shaded (light grey) with bold text.
  • Gridlines visible, font size 12 pt, dark text.

• Audio / Video – Insert → Media, set playback to “Automatically” or “On Click” as required. Keep file size below 5 MB for the exam environment.
• Hyperlinks & Action Buttons – Insert → Hyperlink (to a web page or another slide). Use a consistent colour (blue) and underline for visibility. Action buttons can be set to “Next slide”, “Previous slide”, or “Run program”.

9. Adding Presenter Notes

1. Exit the master view and go to a normal slide.
2. At the bottom of the window, click the Notes pane and type speaker cues, key points, or reminders.
3. Notes are not displayed on the slide itself but can be printed:

   • PowerPoint – File → Print → Print Slides with Notes.
   • Impress – File → Print → Handouts → Include notes.
   • Google Slides – File → Print → Include speaker notes.

4. When exporting to PDF, choose “Include slide notes” if the examiner requires a notes version.

10. Exporting / Printing the Presentation (AO2 & AO3)

• Handouts – File → Print → Handouts (3‑6 slides per page) with or without notes.
• PDF – File → Export → Create PDF/XPS. Ensure “Include slide background” and, if needed, “Include notes” are checked.
• Looped display – Slide Show → Set Up Slide Show → Loop continuously (useful for kiosk presentations).
• Always preview the final output to verify fonts, colours, and backgrounds appear as intended.

11. Proof‑reading & Verification Checklist (AO3)

12. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Formatting individual slides instead of the master – defeats consistency.
• Changing the background on a single slide only – always use the master.
• Using more than one bullet or numbered‑list style – stick to a single style throughout.
• Leaving the footer blank or omitting the date/slide number – often required in exam tasks.
• Applying gradients or picture fills without checking contrast – can make text unreadable.
• Forgetting to update the slide‑number placeholder after adding or deleting slides.
• Leaving slide‑specific animations (e.g., “on click”) that break the uniform transition rule.
• Saving the file as .pdf or another non‑editable format for the practical test.

13. Quick Revision Table

14. Example: Full Master‑Slide Setup (PowerPoint)

1. File → New → Blank Presentation; save as ExamDemo.pptx.
2. View → Slide Master.
3. Main Master

   • Title placeholder – Arial, 40 pt, dark blue, centre, bold.
   • Subtitle placeholder – Arial, 26 pt, dark grey, left, italic.
   • Footer – insert Date & Time (auto), Slide Number (right‑aligned), small school logo (bottom‑right).
   • Background – Gradient (light‑blue to white); contrast ≥ 4.5:1.
   • Transition – Fade, 0.75 s, Apply to All.

4. Title‑Slide Layout

   • Remove subtitle placeholder if not needed.
   • Increase title size to 44 pt for emphasis.

5. Content Layout

   • Body‑text placeholder – bullet style: solid circle, 24 pt, black.
   • Level‑2 bullet – open circle, 22 pt.
   • Insert a default image placeholder (centre‑top) for logos or diagrams.
   • Insert a default chart placeholder; set colour palette to blue‑grey, hide data labels.
   • Insert a default table placeholder; apply header shading (light grey) and gridlines.

6. Close Master View – all normal slides now inherit the defined formatting.
7. Add a few content slides, type presenter notes, then File → Export → Create PDF (include slide background). Verify the PDF matches the master settings.

15. Exam Checklist (AO1‑AO3)

• Identify and open the master‑slide view.
• State the steps for changing title and subtitle formatting.
• Explain how to set a single bullet style and a single numbered‑list style (including multi‑level lists).
• Describe how to apply a background (solid, gradient, or picture) and how to check contrast.
• Outline the process for adding a consistent transition/animation and disabling any slide‑specific “on click” effects.
• Show how to insert a logo, a default chart, and a default table via the master and how to set their default styles.
• Demonstrate adding presenter notes and printing/exporting slides with notes.
• List the items to check in the AO3 proof‑reading checklist (spelling, consistency, contrast, placeholders, footers, transitions, embedded objects, export preview).