Microsoft PowerPoint is synonymous with presentations. Whether in an office, a classroom, or a conference: there is simply no better tool for creating professional presentations than Microsoft PowerPoint. It is an absolute must-have skill for any career that requires communicating with groups of people.
Microsoft PowerPoint is a presentation graphics program that you can easily use to create professional-level presentations. Users can easily add animation, photos, videos, and sound effects to make their presentation more engaging.
PowerPoint is a part of the iconic Microsoft Office software suite. The other programs in Microsoft Office are Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheets), Outlook (email client), Publisher (desktop publishing), and Access (database).
In this article, we’ll list the top six reasons why business professionals should learn Microsoft PowerPoint.
#1: PowerPoint Skills Are In-Demand
Microsoft Office is the most-used software program in the world and the absolute standard for global office workers. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) which examines the global consumer market, Microsoft Office ranks 4th in the top 20 business skills required across occupations and industries. PowerPoint is also in the top 20 at #16th. Microsoft Office and its programs are the only software on this list.
More than 25% of high-opportunity jobs require training in PowerPoint. There are over 500 million PowerPoint users in the world. According to ZipRecruiter, 89% of business people use PowerPoint when creating a professional presentation. That means that 9 out of 10 business presentations are created with PowerPoint.
This demand starts before entering the workforce: Microsoft Office skills have been ranked #2 in the most needed skills by college students.
#2: PowerPoint is Used in Every Industry
Some of the top jobs that use PowerPoint frequently are bankers and financial analysts, managers, consultants, and teachers.
PowerPoint is versatile and has near-unlimited potential for different uses. Teachers and instructors can use it to create tutorials. Managers can use it to share information with their team and organize a meeting. Marketers can use it to convey a brand’s identity. Freelancers can use it as a digital portfolio or for job pitches.
There is simply no better tool for achieving the various goals of presenters than Microsoft PowerPoint. Since its creation, PowerPoint has become more than just a simple presentation tool.
#3: PowerPoint is Easy to Share
It is possible to convert PowerPoint presentations into different file formats, including HTML, PDFs, and Word documents. Since it is a part of Microsoft Office, it has natural integration with all other industry-standard programs included in that suite.
While this might seem minor, it provides an enormous advantage when working on teams, especially in the increasingly remote workplace. Your teammates won’t have to install or learn a new program to view a PowerPoint file.
With PowerPoint, most computers can open these files, and fortunately, many people have at least some experience in navigating PowerPoint. As a result, it is much easier to share these files.
#4: PowerPoint Has a Lot of Features
PowerPoint provides users with many features that no other presentation software offers. While many people are familiar with the basic features of PowerPoint, when a person gains advanced training in the program, it is possible to create much more than presentations: PowerPoint can also create flowcharts, graphs, newsletters, and several other creative uses. Some people use PowerPoint to strengthen their social media presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter by creating new logos and images.
Not only does PowerPoint provide users with a lot of features, but there are also a countless number of Add-Ins for PowerPoint. In many cases, if a user thinks something is missing from PowerPoint, there is already an Add-In feature. Because PowerPoint has been the leader of its category for decades, it has a much more extensive library of Add-Ins than other presentation software programs. Some of PowerPoint’s most interesting Add-Ins are Pexels (free high-quality photos), Office Timeline (to include schedules and due dates), QR4Office (to give your presentation a QR code), and PowerPointLabs for adding animations.
There is also an extensive PowerPoint archive that includes a variety of theme colors, fonts, effects, layouts, and background styles which you can use to add even more functionality or visual appeal.
#5: PowerPoint Macros Can Be Used in Powerful Ways
PowerPoint has several fantastic default features, including PowerPoint macros. These can be programmed to occur when specific actions have occurred. This allows users to create complex interactions and enhances the possibilities of your presentation.
Even if you are new to PowerPoint and not yet trained on all the advanced features associated with coding, you can start building the knowledge you’ll need to take advantage of them in the future. While PowerPoint began as a presentation tool, it has since developed something that has allowed users to perform an incredible number of tasks.
#6: PowerPoint is Secure
While presentation tools are an invaluable way to create engaging meetings, they can also create a security risk for companies. Many companies enforce policies that state anything created by its employees is required to be kept confidential. Some companies even prohibit employees from storing company materials on any location other than shared company drives.
Fortunately, PowerPoint presentations can be saved on shared network drives, which helps to avoid the risk of leaks. This differs substantially from other presentation tools with cloud-based storage, which are more likely to be leaked.
#7: It is Easy to Start Using PowerPoint
While the first PowerPoint presentation you make might not be as impressive as what users who have mastered the program can do, it is relatively easy to learn how to open the program, add slides, and make content.
If you need to make a straightforward presentation, PowerPoint is much easier to use than many other tools. Workers with demanding schedules who may have a harder time learning how to use presentation tools that require a more substantial time investment can quickly start creating PowerPoint presentations.
Enroll in a PowerPoint Class Today
While several programs have tried, none have ever truly rivaled PowerPoint: it is likely to remain the standard for presentation creation software.
If you are interested in training in PowerPoint, you should consider enrolling in one of NYIM’s PowerPoint classes offered either in a state-of-the-art facility in Midtown Manhattan, NYC or live online. NYIM offers PowerPoint for Business and Advanced PowerPoint for Business. Or you can take both levels together as the PowerPoint Bootcamp for a 10% discount. NYIM also offers a PowerPoint Specialist Certificate Program which includes the courses above, along with individual training, and proctoring for the Microsoft PowerPoint Specialist Exam.
When you learn PowerPoint, you will learn all that you need to know about creating dynamic and engaging presentations.