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Smart & Easy Software Tips: Better Presentations with Black Slides
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Smart & Easy Software Tips, Tricks & Techniques: Issue #35
Publisher: Dawn Bjork Buzbee mailto:Dawn@SoftwarePro.com
The Software Pro(R), Certified Microsoft Office Expert
http://www.SoftwarePro.com
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In This Issue: Improve Presentations with Black Slides
Temporarily switching to a black display or slide is an effective way in PowerPoint to change focus, add audience interaction or to handle discussions or content that are not related to the current slide in a presentation.
Why bother? You don't want to leave your audience distracted by the slide in front of them. Plus, a black display quickly signals a change in topic or material.
Explore the 5 ways to work with black slides in PowerPoint:
1. Presentation Remote
2. Projector Remote
3. Create a Black Slide
4. Quick Slide Show Keyboard Shortcuts
5. End with a Black Slide
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5 Ways to Get a Black Screen in PowerPoint (on purpose)
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1. Presentation Remote
The easiest way to switch to a black display is with a presentation remote. If you use one, practice using the button to go to a black screen so you are less likely to accidentally hit this button when you don't want it.
Don't use a presentation remote? Find out 6 reasons why a remote will help you deliver more effective PowerPoint presentations:
http://www.softwarepro.com/articles/pres_whyremote.htm
2. Projector Remote
If a presentation remote is not available, you may have access to the projector remote control. This is more likely for smaller or internal presentations when the A/V equipment is not so tightly controlled as with conference sessions or large groups. Many projector remotes have an option for "Black Screen". Also, practice turning this feature on and off. Do not choose "Standby" as it may take several minutes to "wake-up" the projector from this mode.
3. create a Black Slide
As with other parts of a presentation, you may also want to build in or choreograph your interaction and other transitions in addition to the slide show. Do this by adding a black slide at the point where you want to temporarily change focus.
One advantage of a black slide over just turning the screen black is that, when you continue with your presentation, the next slide or topic will display. Plus, a black slide may "jog" your memory about planned transitions.
Learn how to create your own black slides in a PowerPoint presentation at:
http://www.softwarepro.com/howto/ppt_black_slide.htm
4. Quick Shortcuts to a Black Display
While running your PowerPoint slide show, easily switch to black by pressing the letter B (for black) or press the [Period] key while running your slide show. Just press B again to restore the presentation.
You can also press the letter W (for white) to toggle/switch to a white display. A white display, however, is often too bright in many presentation environments.
This shortcut is one of many helpful slide show tips found in the PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts handout:
http://www.softwarepro.com/docs/PowerPoint-KeyboardShortcuts.pdf
5. End with a Black Slide
Another way to work with a black slide in a PowerPoint presentation is to choose whether or not you want to end your presentation with a black slide. Change this option at Tools > Options and select the View tab. Under the Slide show area, check or uncheck "End with black slide" and OK to continue.
Bonus Tip:
To avoid moving too far at the end of a PowerPoint presentation and accidentally exiting out of a slide show, I like to add a few "buffer" slides that I don't plan to show. If I do, however, click too many times with my presentation remote, the extra slide will display. Good choices for these ending slides include a simple slide with your company logo or website or an appropriate photo.
Finally, as with any presentation, make sure to practice your presentation (along with planned interaction) so that you can effectively and successfully deliver your message.
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Keep your audiences involved and interested in your message by easily adding interaction and transitions to your PowerPoint presentations.
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Please pass this along to others who may appreciate it!
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Dawn Bjork Buzbee
The Software Pro(R)
11675 Bent Oaks Street, Suite 200
Parker, CO 80138 USA
(303) 699-6868, Fax (303) 766-0886
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