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How to: Poster Presentations: Software

Software Options

There are many software programs that you can use to create poster presentations. The most popular three are free to access for GSU Students, Faculty and Staff and easy to use.

• Microsoft PowerPoint - (free to download from GSU email account) Microsoft Office Suite

• Google Slides Google Slides

• Canva Canva

Creating a Custom Slide in PowerPoint

In PowerPoint

  • Open a New Blank Presentation

 

 

  • Select Design from the top level menu, and choose Slide Size - Custom Slide Size (On Macs, you will choose Page Setup)

 

 

  • In the top 'Slides sized for:' toggle box, select Custom, then enter the dimensions for your poster (the largest width/height that PowerPoint accommodates is 56 inches). Select Landscape or Portrait Orientation and click OK!

 

 

 

And off you go! You can use PowerPoint provided themes or design your own poster layout from scratch.

Creating a Custom Slide in Google Slides

  • In Google Slides (you must have or set up a Google Account to access Slides from your browser), choose New Presentation.
  • To customize your Slide size, Choose File - Page Setup, from the top level menu.

 

 

  • Choose Custom from the drop down menu in the pop up window

 

 

  • Enter your desired poster dimensions, you can choose inches for printed posters or for large electronic screen or virtual displays, you can enter the resolution/pixel dimensions specified by your instructions and click Apply!

 

 

Now your Google Slide is the correct size for your poster presentation and you are ready to design!