In this lesson
Build a Status Update layout, save it as a template and try it in a new presentation.
Example
Harbor status-update template
For this exercise, use Harbor Operations as the brand, with navy headings, a light background and a small text logo in the upper-right corner. The Status Update layout needs a title, an evidence area on the left and a decision area on the right. Keep the brand element on the master so people can edit the slide content without moving it.
How it works
The slide master defines shared elements; its related layouts define the arrangements used by ordinary slides. Editing a master object differs from inserting that same object on every slide in Normal view.
A template is a reusable starting file, normally POTX. The actual presentation is PPTX. A placeholder tells PowerPoint what kind of content belongs in a position; a decorative text box is not an editable content placeholder.
Steps
Begin in a practice presentation and choose View › Slide Master. Select the top master thumbnail before adding the small Harbor Operations text logo in the upper-right corner.
Use the master title and body styles to set the intended heading and text appearance. Keep the brand mark small enough to leave room for a full slide title.
Select the Title and Content layout beneath that master, duplicate it and rename the copy Status Update. Retain its title placeholder and remove only the content placeholders that the new two-column design does not need.
Retain the duplicated layout’s title placeholder. Use Slide Master › Insert Placeholder › Content to create separate evidence and decision areas. Align their outer edges, keep a clear margin between columns and do not substitute a decorative text box for the title.
Close Master View. Insert a new slide and choose Home › Layout › Status Update. Enter Evidence: 24 employees confirmed and Decision: approve $2,400 planned budget into their respective placeholders.
Save Harbor-Status.potx on desktop. Create a new presentation from the saved template and add the test slide again. Check that the logo is inherited and that you can edit the title, evidence and decision placeholders.
Try it yourself
- Add a second layout called Photo Update with a picture placeholder and a short caption area. Create one slide from each layout in a new test presentation.
- Change the master logo text to Harbor Operations Team in the test file. Confirm that both slides update without individually selecting or editing their brand marks.
Show expected result
- The fresh presentation offers Status Update and Photo Update layouts, each with a real title placeholder.
- Changing the master brand updates both test slides; users can still edit the ordinary placeholder content independently.
If something goes wrong
- A logo cannot be selected in Normal view.
- Open Slide Master and look for the logo on the master or layout. An inherited logo cannot be selected in Normal view; edit it at its source.
- A layout change seems absent on an existing slide.
- Select the slide and reapply Home › Layout › Status Update. Use Reset if its placeholder formatting also needs updating. If it still looks wrong, check whether a copied slide brought in another master.
Quick check
Try these questions after the exercise. Check the result in your app before marking the lesson complete.
Choose an answer for all 3 questions to check your understanding.
Optional: try it with Copilot
If you have Copilot, try this after the exercise. Keep the original file and compare its suggestions with your own result.
Suggest a concise decision-slide layout using evidence and decision columns. Keep fixed Harbor branding separate from editable slide content.
More from Microsoft
These Microsoft guides cover the tools used in this lesson.
Loading your progress…