Inserting Graphic Files in PowerPoint

Graphic files can be inserted into a presentation, but are generally the graphics that you have found or created yourself and are therefore not contained in the collection of clip art provided by Microsoft.

The best way to do this is to try it yourself.

Open MS PowerPoint
Enter some text on the Title slide that appears if you wish, or use an existing presentation you want to insert a graphic file into
To insert a graphic file into a slide you can either use the Insert Picture icon at the bottom of the PowerPoint screen, as Figure 1-1

Fig 1-1: The Insert Picture icon

Figure 1-1

Use Insert, Picture, From File, from the menu bar, as Figure 1-2

Fig 1-2: The menu pathway used to find the required picture

Figure 1-2

Whichever method you use, the Insert Picture window will appear, as Figure 1-3

Fig 1-3: The Insert Picture window

Figure 1-3

This will initially show the contents of your My Pictures folder.

Navigate to the location of the graphic file you wish to insert.

This could be a file you have been given, on disk, or via e-mail; it could be a photo taken by digital camera; something you have scanned; or a file you have found on the Web. As long as it exists as a file you can insert it.

When you have found the file you want, click on it to highlight it
Click Insert, at the bottom right-hand side of the Insert Picture window and it will appear in the centre of your slide

There is a danger that it will overwhelm the slide if it is too big, in which case you will have to resize it.

Resize and move the picture as required

Using the Content Slide

Add any slide from the Contents layout section. In Figure 1-4 I used Title and Content

In the centre of the box where the picture will appear are six icons.

Click on the Insert Picture icon, as Figure 1-4

Fig 1-4: The Insert Picture icon highlighted in the Contents layout

Figure 1-4

The Insert Picture window will appear as before.

Follow the previous instructions to insert the required picture

Feel free to experiment with various files and locations. If you have a digital camera or scanner attached you will find you can also insert pictures directly from them, as Figure 1-5.

Fig 1-5: The menu pathway used to insert a picture from a camera or scanner

Figure 1-5

Exit Power Point when you have finished experimenting. There in no need to save the file.