Be able to insert a new slide

Published by Patrick Mutisya · 14 days ago

Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 – Topic 19: Presentations – Insert a New Slide

Topic 19 – Presentations

Objective: Be able to insert a new slide

In most presentation software a new slide can be added at any point in the slide deck. The slide will inherit the default layout unless a different layout is chosen.

General steps (applies to PowerPoint, Google Slides, LibreOffice Impress)

  1. Open the presentation file.

  2. Click in the slide pane where you want the new slide to appear.

  3. Choose one of the following methods to insert a slide:

    • Use the Insert menu and select New Slide.

    • Click the New Slide button on the toolbar (usually represented by a blank slide icon).

    • Press the appropriate keyboard shortcut (see table below).

  4. If required, change the slide layout:

    • Right‑click the new slide and choose Layout.

    • Select a layout such as Title Slide, Title & Content, Two Content, etc.

  5. Enter your content (text, images, charts, etc.) on the new slide.

Keyboard shortcuts for inserting a new slide

SoftwareOperating SystemShortcut
Microsoft PowerPointWindowsCtrl + M
Microsoft PowerPointmacOSCommand + Shift + N
Google SlidesAll platforms (browser)Ctrl + M (Windows) / Command + M (macOS)
LibreOffice ImpressWindows / LinuxCtrl + M
LibreOffice ImpressmacOSCommand + M

Tips for efficient slide insertion

  • Use the Slide Sorter view to see the whole deck and insert slides at the correct position.

  • Duplicate an existing slide if you need the same layout and formatting – right‑click the slide and choose Duplicate Slide.

  • Maintain a consistent design by using the slide master; new slides automatically follow the master’s formatting.

  • Keyboard shortcuts are faster than navigating menus, especially when creating large presentations.

Suggested diagram: Flowchart showing the steps to insert a new slide in a presentation program.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Inserting a slide in the wrong position – always check the slide pane before adding.

  • Leaving the new slide with the default layout when a specific layout is required – adjust the layout immediately.

  • Forgetting to save the presentation after adding new slides – use Ctrl + S (or Command + S) regularly.

Practice activity

Create a three‑slide presentation using any presentation software. Follow these steps:

  1. Insert a title slide.

  2. Insert a second slide using the Title & Content layout.

  3. Insert a third slide using the Two Content layout.

  4. Save the file and name it MyFirstPresentation.

When you have completed the activity, review the slide order and layout to ensure they match the instructions.