To apply a different slide layout to a slide

·         Display a slide within a presentation that you wish to change the slide layout of.

·         Right-click on the slide and from the pop-up menu displayed, select the Slide layout command, as illustrated.

·         This will display the Slide layout dialog box.  Select the required slide layout and then click on the Apply button.  In the example illustrated, the 2 Column Text slide layout has been selected.

Customizing the slide layout

When you choose an AutoLayout you may wish to re-size or re-shape your text placeholder.  You may also wish to move the placeholder so that you can more easily accommodate a picture within the slide.

To re-size the text place-holder

·         Click once on the placeholder so that it is displayed enclosed within a shaded border, with handles at each corner and half way along each side. Move the mouse pointer to the corner edge of the text placeholder and you notice that the mouse pointer shape changes from an arrow shape to a diagonal line with an arrowhead at either end.  When the pointer changes to this shape depress the mouse button, (and keep it depressed).  Move the mouse pointer and you will be able to re-size your placeholder in two dimensions (i.e. up down and right left).  Release the mouse button when you have got the required shape and size.

To move the text place-holder

• Click once on the placeholder so that it is displayed enclosed within a shaded border, with handles at each corner and half way along each side. Move the mouse pointer to the edge of the text placeholder (not on any of the small black handles that let you re-size or re-shape) and you notice that the mouse pointer shape changes from an arrow shape to an arrow shape with a 4-way cross attached to it.  When the pointer changes to this shape depress the mouse button, (and keep it depressed).  Move the mouse pointer and you will be able to move your placeholder within the slide.  Release the mouse button when you have moved the placeholder to the desired position.