Maps can be made using PowerPoint, a flexible tool that can be used to generate a number of visual aids. In presentations, maps can be helpful for a variety of reasons, such as locating a business or placing data in a geographical context.
We’ll walk you through the process of creating and formatting maps in PowerPoint in this tutorial.
How To Create And Format Maps In PowerPoint
Using PowerPoint to create and format maps can be an effective way to enlighten and include your audience. The below mentioned procedures will help you make maps that are both aesthetically pleasing and educational.
Step 1: Insert a Map
Open Microsoft PowerPoint and go to the slide you want to add the map on first. Pick Maps from the Illustrations menu group by clicking the Insert tab in the top menu bar. The Maps window will then appear on the right side of the screen.
You can select a map from the Maps tab, including the World, Continents, or US States. After choosing the desired map, select Insert Map. The map will be added to your slide as a result.
Step 2: Customise the Map
After inserting the map, you can alter it to suit your requirements. When you click on the map to choose it, the Format tab will show up in the top menu bar. You can use the following customisation options:
- Modify the map’s style: To choose a different map type, such as Road or Satellite, click on Map Type under the Format tab. The map’s zoom level is also modifiable.
- Add new data labels or delete existing ones by selecting Data Labels from the Format menu. Labels for cities, nations, and other places on the map are optionally visible.
- Change the colour scheme: To alter the map’s colour scheme, click Colour Scheme under the Format tab. A choice of pre-made colour schemes are available, or you can design your own.
- Add information to the map: Click Data under the Format tab to add information to the map, such as sales figures or population statistics. You can manually enter data or import data from an Excel file.
- Customise the legend: To alter the legend on the map, select Legend from the Format menu. The legend’s name, position, and style are all editable.
Step 3: Add Shapes and Icons
You can add shapes and icons to the map to improve its aesthetic appeal. Pick Shapes from the Illustrations menu group by clicking the Insert tab in the top menu bar. This will reveal a dropdown menu of available shapes.
Draw the desired form on the slide after choosing it. The shape’s fill colour, outline colour, and other attributes can then be modified. By selecting Icons from the Insert option, you may also add icons to the map.
Step 4: Animate the Map
Consider including animations in your presentation to make it more interesting. Here are a few possibilities:
Use the Zoom animation to zoom in and out of certain parts of the map.
Create a journey path by using the Motion Path animation to connect two points.
Using the Appear animation, you may draw attention to particular map places.
Step 5: Add Interactivity
Consider including interactive components in your map if you’re delivering your PowerPoint remotely or want to make your presentation more engaging. Use of hyperlinks is one method for doing this.
Choosing the object you want to link is the first step in adding a hyperlink. Then choose Hyperlink from the Insert option by clicking on it. Select the hyperlink type you want to utilise, such as a website or a another presentation slide.
To make your map interactive, you can use use PowerPoint’s ‘Action’ function. You can design actions that take place when someone clicks on an object using this feature. For instance, you could programme an action to open a new slide with more details about a certain location of the map when a user clicks on it.
Step 6: Think About Utilising 3D Maps
Additionally, PowerPoint has a 3D map capability that enables you to make 3D representations of actual places. Click the “Insert” tab, choose “3D Models,” and then click “From Online Sources” to access this feature.
Then, you may look up the place you want to make a 3D map of and select from a range of templates. After choosing a template, you can edit the map by adding labels, markers, and information.
Step 7: Save and Present
Make sure to save the presentation once you’ve changed the map to your taste. To save the file, select File > Save or File > Save As and then the destination. Name the presentation something that accurately describes its content.
Use the slideshow mode to display the map when you are ready to make your presentation. Your presentation can become more engaging by using the “Animations” item in the top menu bar to add animations and transitions to the map.
Creating and formatting maps in PowerPoint: some tips
- For the map, use high-quality pictures to prevent pixelation or blurriness.
- Pick a colour palette that goes well with the presentation’s overarching theme.
- To prevent the map from becoming cluttered, use simple shapes and icons.
- To make the information on the map easier to grasp for viewers, use data labels and legends.
- Keep the map’s text brief and simple to understand.
- To prevent drawing viewers’ attention away from the material, only sometimes use animations and transitions.
- To make sure the map looks excellent across all platforms, test it on various gadgets and screen sizes.
You can make maps that are both educational and interesting for your audience with a little practise.