PowerPoint for Posters  

Basic steps on changing settings for posters

A.  Slide set up

     1.  Open PowerPoint

     2.  Select blank slide layout – NOTE:  Your poster will be on just ONE slide

     3.  Select the Design tab

     4.  Select Page Setup

     5.  Under “Slides sized for” use the pull-down arrow to select “custom”

     6.  Set the height and width as per the conference regulations

          NOTE: Powerpoint only goes to a width of 56 inches

     7.  Keep the slide orientation as landscape

     8.  Select OK

     9.  Select View tab

     10.  Check Rulers & Gridlines -  this will help you line up text boxes. 

B.  Textbox set up

     1.  Select Insert tab

     2.  Click Text Box and then click and drag over area on slide where you want the box.  Eg. The title

     3.  Don’t agonize if it’s not the exact size & in the exact spot.  You can move it & resize it later

     4.  Enter text & select center or left justify

     5.  Repeat for the other sections: Abstract; Introduction; Materials & Methods; Results; Conclusions; Literature Cited; Acknowledgements; Further Information/Contact

     6.  See Design Tips tab for font sizes

This is a standard layout for poster.  The title is centered across the top with the other elements in either three or four columns similar to a newspaper.  Traditionally, posters are read left to right, top to bottom.  Charts are often placed in the middle. 

That said, there are variations in layout.  

NOTE that this layout doesn't show use of white space. 

AND feel free to use other section headers such as "Research Question" in place of "Introduction"