Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 Version Overview
If you're considering upgrading to Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 before attending a training course or arranging custom training, check out this list of some of the new features in PowerPoint 2013.
If you are using PowerPoint 2016 or considering upgrading to PowerPoint 2016, see the Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 Overview.
Are you working on PowerPoint 2010? Check out new features in the Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 Overview.
Looking for PowerPoint training courses?
Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 New Features
Applies to: Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 for Windows
The following are some of the key new features available in Microsoft PowerPoint 2013.
Default Widescreen Format
In PowerPoint 2013, the default format is widescreen or 16:9. However, if you're printing slides, they won't convert to print as 1 slide per page as easily as the 4:3 size (Microsoft recommends printing widescreen 2 slides per page).
There are a number of widescreen templates that are included with PowerPoint 2013. Also, if you switch from 4:3 to widescreen, graphics will need to be resized. It's best to start in widescreen if that is how you intend to run your presentation.
Enhanced Theme Options
There are new theme options or variations in PowerPoint 2013. Click on the Design tab on the Ribbon and you'll be able to choose between different themes and variations.
New Animations
PowerPoint 2013 features four new animations. There are two new entrance effects and two new exit effects.
Compress is available as an entrance and exit effect. There is also a Stretch entrance and a Collapse exit effect.
New Slide Transitions
There are 11 new transitions and Microsoft has brought back the random transition option.
The new transitions are:
- Fracture
- Crush
- Peel Off
- Fall Over
- Drape
- Curtains
- Page Curl
- Airplane
- Origami
- Wind
- Prestige
- Random
Improved Presenter View
In PowerPoint 2013, the improved Presenter View allows you to easily view the current slide, the notes for your current slide and a preview of the next slide. This view is seen only by the presenter while the audience views the current slide.
To launch Presenter View, press Alt + F5 to start your presentation from the beginning in Presenter View or press Alt + Shift + ALT + F5 to start Presenter View at the current slide.
You now also have a variety of options in Presenter View – a laser pointer / pen / highlighter, slide sorter, zoom and an option to switch between black screen and the current slide.
New Video and Audio Formats and Features
PowerPoint 2013 has a number of newly-supported audio and video formats that can now be viewed in PowerPoint without having to download other applications (such as QuickTime). The ability to include MP4 videos which play smoothly without adding QuickTime is a great improvement for those using video.
The following video formats are now supported in 2013 (the default is MP4):
- MP4 video file (.mp4, .m4v, .mov)
- Windows media file (.asf)
- Windows video file (.avi)
- Movie file (.mpg or .mpeg)
- Adobe Flash media (.swf)
- Windows media video file (.wmv)
The following audio formats are now supported in 2013:
- AIFF audio file (.aiff)
- AU audio file (.au)
- MIDI file (.mid or .midi)
- MP3 audio file (.mp3)
- MPEG-4 audio file (.m4a, .mp4)
- Windows audio file (.wav)
- Windows media audio file (.wma)
Feature enhancements include:
- Music can be played in the background easily with the Play in background feature.
- You can now drag and drop media files from folders directly into a presentation.
- In 2013, you can also export PowerPoint presentations to MP4 video instead of just Windows media video (wmv).
Match Colours using the Eye Dropper Tool
You can now match colours with the Eye Dropper tool. This tool allows you to pick up a color from another object and paste it to a different object.
Contact us to discuss any of our custom options.
Check out our blog for more PowerPoint tips, tricks and shortcuts.
Public courses are delivered at our downtown Toronto location at 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 (Toronto Star Building), Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Do you need more information? Contact us!
Copyright 2017 Avantix Learning Inc.
To request this page in an alternate format, contact our staff.
Custom training
Register for a public course or contact us to arrange custom training at your site or ours.
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Introduction
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
You may like
How to Compress Video and Audio Media in PowerPoint to Reduce File Size
You can compress video (and / or audio) media in a PowerPoint presentation to reduce file size. Since video and audio that is inserted into a PowerPoint file is embedded by default, video and audio media can increase file size significantly.
Using Keyboard Only Navigation in Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Part 3: Task Panes)
This article is the third in a series of navigating and choosing commands in Word, Excel and PowerPoint using a keyboard. In this instalment, we'll review working with task panes. You can use these keyboard navigation and selection strategies in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Project and Publisher.
Using Keyboard Only Navigation in Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Part 1: The Ribbon)
You have the ability to work in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as many other programs using just your keyboard. This can be useful for those working with laptops or for any user that has difficulty using a mouse including users with disabilities (particularly those with mobility impairments). For those that use assistive technology such as a screen reader, Microsoft uses a standard called Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) so that users with visual impairments will be able to navigate in the Office programs. You can use these keyboard navigation strategies in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook, Project and Publisher.
You may also like
8 Excel Tips for Entering Formulas
Check out these 8 Excel tips and tricks for entering formulas. You'll save a lot of time and even help reduce errors in your formulas.
10 Great Excel Pivot Table Shortcuts
Check out these 10 great Excel pivot table keyboard shortcuts. You can use standard shortcuts using the Control key or use Alt to access the Ribbon and create pivot tables in different ways.
How to Find and Remove Blank Rows in Excel Using Go To Special (5 Steps)
You can easily delete blank rows in Microsoft Excel in a few steps rather than wasting time manually deleting blank rows one by one …
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.
Avantix Learning | 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 (Toronto Star Building), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1W7 | info@avantixlearning.ca