Modifying Placeholders in the Slide Master


When you create your presentation, the slide footer is based on the design template you chose. But perhaps you want to change the size and position of the placeholders or add a line around the text of your footer. You can modify the formatting of the footer placeholders in Slide Master view.



To resize and reposition a footer:

  1. Open the Slide Master.
  2. Select the footer you want to modify.
  3. Place your cursor over a Resize handle (one of the white circles on the box).
  4. When the cursor changes to the resize cursor , click and drag your mouse.
  5. When the box is the size you want, release the mouse button.
  6. Place your cursor on any other part of the box.
  7. When it changes to the move cursor , click and drag your mouse.
  8. A dotted outline of the box follows your cursor as you move your mouse across the screen.
  9. When the box appears where you want the footer, release the mouse button.

To format headers and footers:

  1. Open the Slide Master.
  2. Select the footer you want to modify.
  3. To change the font: select the footer text, then click the Font Box arrow and click the new font.
  4. To add color: click the Fill Color arrow on the Drawing toolbar and click a color to select it.
  5. To add a line: click the Line Color arrow on the Drawing toolbar and click a color to select it.


  • If you want to delete the footer from your presentation, you can select it on the Slide Master and press the Delete key. Another way to delete a footer, is to open the Header and Footer dialog box and deselect the Footer option.
  • Although formatting can add color and style to your presentation, it is important to remember that too much color can be distracting to your audience. Try to use color to draw attention to a part of your slide and to emphasize information.

Use these steps to modify any placeholder on the Slide Master. When you modify a placeholder in the Slide Master, the changes will affect all slides associated with that master.

  • To change the size of a placeholder, select Placeholder on the Format menu, select the Size tab, make your changes, and click OK.
  • To change the position of a placeholder, select Placeholder on the Format menu, select the Position tab, make your changes, and click OK.
  • To change the font of a placeholder, select Font on the Format menu, select the new font, and click OK.
  • To change the formatting of a placeholder, select Placeholder on the Format menu, select the Colors and Lines tab, make your changes, and click OK.