How to Get the Designer Feature in PowerPoint

The Designer feature in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that helps users create visually appealing presentations quickly and efficiently. This feature leverages artificial intelligence to suggest design ideas based on the content of your slides. To access and use the Designer feature effectively, follow these steps and tips.

1. Ensure You Have an Active Microsoft 365 Subscription
The Designer feature is available exclusively to users with a Microsoft 365 subscription. If you’re using PowerPoint from a standalone license or a non-subscription version, you might not have access to this feature. Check your subscription status by going to File > Account, and ensure you’re signed in with your Microsoft 365 account.

2. Enable Designer in PowerPoint
Once you have the right subscription, you need to ensure that the Designer feature is turned on. To do this:

• Open PowerPoint and go to File > Options.
• In the PowerPoint Options dialog, select General from the sidebar.
• Scroll down to the PowerPoint Designer section.
• Check the box labeled Automatically show me design ideas to enable the feature.

3. Using Designer to Enhance Your Slides
When you start creating or editing a presentation, the Designer feature will automatically suggest design ideas based on the content of your slide. To use Designer:

• Enter your content into a slide, including text, images, and charts.
• Click on the Design tab on the ribbon.
• If Designer is active, you will see a Design Ideas button on the right side of the screen.
• Click on Design Ideas, and a pane will appear with suggested design layouts.

4. Customizing Design Suggestions
The suggestions provided by Designer are based on a combination of your content and popular design principles. To customize or change a suggestion:

• Review the options presented in the Design Ideas pane.
• Click on a design to apply it to your slide.
• You can also modify the design further by adjusting the elements or adding new ones.

5. Troubleshooting Designer Issues
If Designer isn’t working as expected, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure you are connected to the internet, as Designer requires an online connection to fetch design ideas.
• Check if your Microsoft 365 subscription is active and properly synced.
• Restart PowerPoint or your computer to refresh the application.

6. Advanced Tips for Using Designer
For more effective use of Designer:

• Combine Content: Use Designer with a variety of content types, including text, images, and charts, to get diverse design suggestions.
• Use High-Quality Images: High-resolution images can result in better design suggestions from Designer.
• Experiment with Layouts: Try different design suggestions to see which one best fits your presentation style and audience.

7. Designer in PowerPoint Online
If you’re using PowerPoint Online, the Designer feature is also available. The steps to enable and use it are similar to the desktop version:

• Open your presentation in PowerPoint Online.
• Click on the Design tab, then select Design Ideas.
• The pane with design suggestions will appear, and you can choose from the available options.

8. Benefits of Using Designer
The Designer feature offers several benefits:

• Time-Saving: It helps you create professional-looking slides quickly, saving time on manual design adjustments.
• Consistency: Designer ensures a consistent look and feel across your presentation.
• Creativity: It provides creative ideas that you might not have thought of on your own, enhancing the overall visual appeal.

9. Limitations of Designer
While Designer is a powerful tool, it has some limitations:

• Customization Limits: The design suggestions may not always align perfectly with your specific needs or brand guidelines.
• Internet Dependency: Designer requires an internet connection to function, which may be a limitation in offline scenarios.
• Content Recognition: Designer may not always accurately interpret the content of your slides, especially with complex or unusual layouts.

10. Future of Designer
Microsoft continues to improve and update the Designer feature as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance user experience. Future updates may include more design options, better content recognition, and integration with other Microsoft tools.

11. Additional Resources
For further assistance with the Designer feature:

• Visit the Microsoft Support website for tutorials and troubleshooting guides.
• Explore the Microsoft 365 community forums for user experiences and tips.
• Consider taking online courses or tutorials to improve your PowerPoint skills.

Conclusion
The Designer feature in PowerPoint is a valuable tool for creating engaging and visually appealing presentations. By ensuring your subscription is active, enabling the feature, and using it effectively, you can enhance your presentation design with minimal effort. Keep in mind the limitations and leverage additional resources to make the most out of this feature.