How to Add the Designer Tab in PowerPoint 2016

Adding the Designer tab to PowerPoint 2016 can enhance your presentation design process by providing design ideas and suggestions. This feature, also known as PowerPoint Designer, offers automated design suggestions to improve the layout of your slides. Although the Designer tab is not always visible by default, you can enable it through PowerPoint’s options and settings. Below is a step-by-step guide to adding the Designer tab in PowerPoint 2016.

1. Open PowerPoint 2016: Launch Microsoft PowerPoint 2016 on your computer.

2. Access Options: Click on the "File" tab located in the top-left corner of the PowerPoint window.

3. Open PowerPoint Options: From the File menu, select "Options" to open the PowerPoint Options dialog box.

4. Navigate to Add-Ins: In the PowerPoint Options dialog, click on "Add-Ins" from the list on the left.

5. Manage Add-Ins: At the bottom of the Add-Ins section, you’ll see a "Manage" dropdown menu. Select "COM Add-ins" from this menu and then click "Go".

6. Check Designer Add-In: In the COM Add-Ins dialog box, look for an entry related to "Designer" or "PowerPoint Designer". If it's listed but unchecked, check the box next to it to enable it.

7. Install Designer Add-In: If the Designer add-in is not listed, you may need to install it. Ensure your PowerPoint is updated to the latest version and check for any available updates. Designer might be included in recent updates or available as part of Office 365 subscription features.

8. Restart PowerPoint: After enabling the add-in, restart PowerPoint to ensure the changes take effect.

9. Check the Ribbon: Once PowerPoint restarts, check the ribbon at the top of the window for the "Designer" tab. It should now be visible and accessible.

10. Using Designer: With the Designer tab enabled, you can now use its features to enhance your presentations. Click on the "Designer" tab to access design ideas and recommendations for your slides.

Troubleshooting: If the Designer tab still does not appear, ensure that you have an active internet connection as PowerPoint Designer requires online access. Also, verify that your version of PowerPoint 2016 supports this feature, as it might be limited to Office 365 or Office 2019 versions.

Note: The Designer tab might be labeled as "Design Ideas" in some versions of PowerPoint.

By following these steps, you can successfully add and use the Designer tab in PowerPoint 2016, enhancing your ability to create visually appealing presentations with minimal effort.