What is PowerPoint? Detailed application version information

For a long time, PowerPoint has been widely used in educational and office environments. This presentation tool integrates a variety of features and tools to help you create reports, presentations, diagrams, designs, and more. So what exactly is PowerPoint, what are the versions, how is it applied, and what is its primary use? Let's explore all about this popular presentation software with Mytour, and how to download it.

What is PowerPoint?

This software, also known as PPT, is a tool used to create, edit, and design presentations. It is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which includes other familiar applications such as Word, Excel, PDF, Outlook, Visio, and more. The main purpose of PowerPoint is to visually and vividly convey information in the form of text, images, charts, or videos. A presentation in PPT consists of slides arranged in the order determined by the user.

Uses of PowerPoint

This software is applied in various fields and serves many different purposes, especially in education and business environments. Specifically, you can use PowerPoint to perform the following tasks:

• Create lectures to deliver lesson content to students.
• Prepare reports for presenting educational or research topics.
• Craft presentations to introduce products and services to clients.
• Generate reports to present to supervisors, departments, and team members on a business issue.
• Design advertising images and marketing materials for the company's marketing campaigns.

Compilation of Microsoft PowerPoint versions developed over time

In addition to knowing what PowerPoint is, you should keep up with the latest versions for download. This software was developed by Robert Gaskins and Dennis Austin at Forethought company and was first released in 1987. Later, PPT was acquired by Microsoft for about $14 million three years after its release. During its development, Microsoft has released a series of versions, adding new features and functionalities to PowerPoint.

Here is a list of PowerPoint versions since its inception:

• PowerPoint 1.0 (1987)
• PowerPoint 2.0 (1990)
• PowerPoint 3.0 (1992)
• PowerPoint 4.0 (1993)
• PowerPoint 7.0 (1995) - within Office 95
• PowerPoint 97 (1997) - within Office 97
• PowerPoint 2000 (1999) - within Office 2000
• PowerPoint 2002 (2001) - within Office XP
• PowerPoint 2003 (2003) - within Office 2003
• PowerPoint 2007 (2007) - within Office 2007
• PowerPoint 2010 (2010) - within Office 2010
• PowerPoint 2013 (2013) - within Office 2013
• PowerPoint 2016 (2016) - within Office 2016
• PowerPoint 2019 (2018) - within Office 2019
• PowerPoint Online and PowerPoint 365 - within Office 365

Key Features of Powerpoint

Through various updates, the latest version of PowerPoint boasts numerous standout features. Hence, whenever in need of a presentation tool, most people often think of PPT rather than other tools. Here are the latest tools integrated into this presentation software.

Zoom & Morph for seamless transitions

Zoom feature is integrated into the Microsoft Office 365 PowerPoint. With this feature, users can decide the slide sequence according to their preferences rather than adhering to a linear order.

Moreover, Morph is a tool for creating smooth transitions and effects between objects and slides in presentations. It helps design captivating presentations to impress viewers. Note that Morph feature is available in PowerPoint 2019, 2016, and Office 365 versions only.

Design Ideas - Featuring Pre-designed Templates

If you've ever lacked ideas for presenting images in your slideshow, the Design Ideas feature in Microsoft PowerPoint will assist you. This feature utilizes Microsoft's AI to analyze content (images, videos, and text) inserted into slides, then suggests design layouts to suit your needs.

Slide Hyperlink - Linking Slides

What is the slide hyperlink feature in PowerPoint? This feature is extremely useful for today's PowerPoint users. It enables you to create links between objects and any slide, thus creating a flexible structure for your presentation. To create a link, simply select the object (text, shape, image, video, etc.), then insert a link to any slide. When presenting the PowerPoint and clicking on the linked object, PowerPoint will automatically navigate to that slide.

Inking - Digital Ink

This feature helps PowerPoint users draw, write, color, or annotate directly on slides using digital ink. It's very useful when users want to highlight a specific point on a slide or illustrate visual content for their presentation.

Icon & 3D

To impress viewers, you can utilize the Icon & 3D feature in the software. This feature allows you to insert vector icons and 3D objects into slides. To insert them, access the “Insert” tab > “Illustrations” > select “Icons” or “3D models” and click Insert.

Template & Quick Starter

These are two extremely useful features in PowerPoint software (available in the 2019 version and Office 365). With Template, you can access “File” > “New” and find slide templates with pre-made fonts, colors, backgrounds, and formats.

Using Quick Starter, you can also go to “File” > “New” and select “Quick Starter”. There, enter the topic of your presentation into the search box, and PPT will automatically return a series of suitable slide templates for you to quickly create your presentation.

What is the operational interface structure of Powerpoint? 

After understanding what PowerPoint is and its features. You need to learn how to familiarize yourself with the interface to proficiently use this tool. Specifically, the operational interface of PPT consists of the following parts:

Commands and Controls

This section is at the top of the operational interface. It includes the most important features for designing presentations, namely:

1. The title bar is at the top, displaying the name of the presentation created in PPT.
2. The Ribbon bar below the title contains important command tabs such as File, Home, Insert, Design, Animations, View, ..
3. The quick access toolbar includes Save, Undo, Redo, and Present located at the top left.

What is the main interface of PowerPoint?

This is the area where users interact the most to create slides in PowerPoint software and view the presentation results, including the following small areas:

1. The left area contains a list of slides created in order.
2. The middle area displays the content of the current slide being accessed.
3. The 'notes' area for recording information.
4. Shortcut buttons allow you to change display status, present, zoom presentation size, ...

Where to Download PowerPoint?

What application to download PowerPoint software? You need to purchase Microsoft Office suite, including PPT and other office applications, or subscribe to Microsoft 365. To download the Microsoft suite to your computer, follow the instructions below:

Step 1: Visit the Microsoft Office website (https://www.microsoft.com/office).

Step 2: Choose the Microsoft package that suits your needs (package for individuals, families, or businesses).

Step 3: Select the appropriate package and click 'buy now' > log in to your Microsoft account.

Step 4: Complete the purchase process.

Step 5: On the management page, select 'Install Office' to download the installation file set, then follow the instructions to complete the PowerPoint installation.

Note: You can use PowerPoint online for free here (https://office.live.com/start/PowerPoint.aspx) to view or share PPT files.

Common Terms Used in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint is often referred to through various terms depending on the user's field of application, for example:

• Slide: A part of the presentation in PowerPoint.
• Presentation: Refers to the presentation created by users in PowerPoint.
• Animation: Integrated effects in PowerPoint to make presentations more engaging.
• Transition: Effects that move between slides in a presentation.

Which Fields and Users is PowerPoint Applicable to?

Who uses PowerPoint and for what? It is a versatile presentation tool widely used across various industries and user groups. Here are some examples of industries and users applying this software:

Education: Teachers, lecturers, and students use it to create lectures, reports, and project presentations.

Business: Employees, managers, and directors use it to present data, report business results, propose projects, and conduct meetings.

Marketing and Advertising: Marketing professionals use it to create presentations on marketing strategies, market analysis, and campaign effectiveness reports.

Art and Design: Artists, designers, and architects use PowerPoint to present their ideas, projects, and artworks.

In summary, this article explains to you what PowerPoint is, its prominent features, and how to download this software. It's an incredibly useful presentation tool for every field and industry in society.