Use the Template

Start with the DNR template when creating a PowerPoint. They are preformatted to make accessibility easier.

To access the template, go to File > New. Select the MNDNR template. Mac users will need to download the template from the Branding Resources page of the intranet.

In the template, you can choose from a wide variety of slide layouts by selecting “Layout" from the ribbon’s “Home” tab. This sample slide deck gives you an idea of how the layouts look when populated with content.

Adding Content Placeholders

What if you can't find a template layout slide that fits your needs? You can add content placeholders by adjusting the slide masters.

1. Go to View > Slide Master.
2. Choose a slide from the panel on the left-hand side of the screen you wish to edit. Right click on that slide and click "Duplicate Layout." This creates a new slide to edit.
3. Modify by going to "Insert Placeholder."
4. To give the new slide a name, right-click on the thumbnail and select "Rename Layout."
5. Select "Close Master View" on the Slide Master.

Check Text in Outline View

Double check if your text will be read by a screen reader by going to View > Outline View. This window provides a full text outline of your presentation.

Text in text boxes won't show up in outline view. So if any of your text is missing, go back and put it in content placeholders.

Notes May Not be Read

The presentation notes section can be hard to access for assistive technology users. Do not put information for the end-user in the notes section. It is only for the author or presenter of the PowerPoint.

If the notes are crucial, consider adding them into a slide or sharing them in another format.

Review Reading Order

To ensure that screen readers read the information on your PowerPoint slide in the correct order, check your reading order. To do this:

1. Go to the Home tab, select "Arrange" in the Drawing group and then click on "Selection Pane."
2. The objects on the slide are read in the order they appear on the pane from bottom to top (the first object at the top of the list is actually the last object read).
3. To change the reading order, highlight the section you wish to move and click the up or down arrows. Or click and drag.

Note: Reading order is something that needs to be manually checked every time. It may or may not be flagged by the accessibility checker. Additionally, if it does get flagged, fixing it will not remove the tip from the checker.

Give Each Slide a Different Title

Ensure each PowerPoint slide has a unique title. Titles serve as a presentation outline in the same way headings outline a Word document. You can also use assistive technology to read through only the slide titles and then jump directly to the slide you want.

The DNR branded PowerPoint template already has a title placeholder on each slide. Simply enter the title name. Just be sure the name is different on each slide.