Using the AutoContent Wizard
The AutoContent Wizard guides you step-by-step through the creation of a PowerPoint presentation and is the option that provides the most assistance and automation. You answer a few basic questions about the type of presentation you need to make and PowerPoint does the rest. The end result is a complete series of slides with content suggestions based on the presentation type you chose. PowerPoint also applies a design template suitable to the type of presentation you need to make and applies a layout to each individual slide.
→ To learn techniques for adding dynamic content to your presentations, seeThe Message—Scripting the Concept.
From there you can revise the content suggestions with your own information and you're ready to do the presentation. Or, you can modify the actual appearance of the presentation by applying a different design template, modifying the design, adding or removing slides, and so forth.
To use the wizard when you first start PowerPoint, follow these steps:
Select Start, Programs, Microsoft PowerPoint. The PowerPoint dialog box displays, as shown in Figure 2.12.
Figure 2.12. You can choose what you want to do when you first start PowerPoint.
Tip
You can also start the AutoContent Wizard from within PowerPoint. To do so, select File, New to display the New Presentation dialog box. Select AutoContent Wizard on the General tab and click OK.
Select the AutoContent Wizard option button and click OK. The wizard displays (see Figure 2.13).
Figure 2.13. The AutoContent Wizard offers detailed guidance on creating a presentation.
Click Next to continue to the next step, as shown in Figure 2.14.
Figure 2.14. You can choose from a variety of presentations in specific category groups.
Click the category button that represents the type of presentation you want to create. The adjacent box displays the available presentations, listed in Table 2.1.
Select the presentation you want to use and click Next.Figure 2.15 illustrates the next step.
Caution
Not all presentations are initially installed. PowerPoint lets you know if you choose a presentation that isn't currently installed and asks if you want to install it. You must have your Office 2000 installation CD in the CD-ROM drive to do this.
Tip
To add your own presentation to the AutoContent Wizard, click the Add button. To remove a presentation, click Remove.
Figure 2.15. The type of output you choose affects the presentation background the wizard applies.
Tip
To change this background after you've created your presentation, selectFormat, Slide Color Scheme to open the Color Scheme dialog box.
Click Next to continue, shown in Figure 2.16.
Figure 2.16. In the final step, you enter a title and choose optional footers, numbers, and dates.
If you want to include a footer on each slide, enter it.
Select Date last updated or Slide number to include this information in the presentation.
Click Finish.
PowerPoint displays a sample presentation with slides you can view from the outline section of the window.Figure 2.17 illustrates a sample presentation for facilitating a meeting.
You can then replace the existing text with content that reflects your own needs. You can also delete images and slides that you don't need, change the design of your presentation, and otherwise modify it to your satisfaction .
Figure 2.17. The AutoContent Wizard includes content suggestions for facilitating a meeting.
