Adding and formatting presentation text in PowerPoint 2010

To ensure that the text used in a PowerPoint presentation is accessible to all members of the audience, you should ensure that a Sans Serif font is used (e.g. Arial, Tahoma, Verdana) at a minimum size of 24, and that there is sufficient colour contrast between the background of the slide and the text.

Changing the text font

  1. Select the text by highlighting it or clicking on the edge of the text box so the line around it is solid (not dotted).
  2. Click on the Home tab.
  3. Select a Sans Serif font from the font drop-down list (e.g. Arial, Tahoma, Verdana).

Changing the text size

  1. Select the text by highlighting it or clicking on the edge of the text box so the line around it is solid (not dotted).
  2. Click on the Home tab.
  3. Use the drop-down list to select size 24 or above.

Changing the text colour

If the background of the slide is light then you should use a dark text colour. If the background of the slide is dark then you should use a light text colour. To change the colour of the text:

  1. Select the text by highlighting it or clicking on the edge of the text box so the line around it is solid (not dotted).
  2. Click on the Home tab.
  3. Use the drop-down list next to the A with a line of colour underneath.
  4. For more options click on More colours.
  5. Here you can choose a colour from the Standard tab or create a custom colour on the Custom tab.


To use an NTU colour, type in the Red Green and Blue values.

  1. NTU Blue: Red=0, Green=77, Blue=117.
  2. NTU Red: Red=237, Green=0, Blue=70.
  3. Click OK.