Top 3 Ways to Add Icons to a Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation

You can make Microsoft PowerPoint more interesting and intuitive by using icons instead of just text. For example, most people know that the exclamation point in a triangle represents a warning. We also know that a trash can icon represents deletion.

Not only are icons useful, they often make a presentation visually appealing. With Microsoft PowerPoint, users can add icons in the following ways.

1. Using Default Icons in Microsoft PowerPoint

Users must have a Microsoft 365 subscription when using this method. If you have one, follow this process:

Stage 1: Start the Microsoft PowerPoint application.

Step 2: Select the Insert tab on the Ribbon.

Stage 3: Select the Icons tab to bring up the menu with All Icons.

Step 4: Browse the icon offers and click Add to choose your preferred icon.

Step 5: After that, right click and choose your preferred color for the selected icon.

This method is easy, understandable and time-saving. However, it only limits you to the options the software offers. In other words, you will have limited options.

2. Convert Emojis to Icons

Yes, you read it right. You can convert emojis to icons by following these steps:

Stage 1: Select the Shapes tab on the Ribbon.

Step 2: Select the option to add a text box.

Stage 3: Draw your text box anywhere on your PowerPoint slide.

Step 4: Hold down the Windows + key. (period) keys together. Next, the emoji menu will open.

Step 5: Select your preferred emoji and it should appear in the text box.

Step 6: Select the Shapes tab and add a rectangle over the emoji.

Step 7: Right-click the rectangle and click Select Back; this should make the emojis stand out.

Step 8: Click the rectangle, hold down the Ctrl key and click the text box with the emoji in it.

Step 9: Click Format, Merge & Intersect Shapes and the emoji will become an Icon.

Step 10: To change the color of the icon, right-click and choose your preferred Fill or Outline color.

You can choose from a wide variety of options and it’s great. Also, the method can be used by both Windows and Mac users. However, this method only works for Windows 10 and not in previous versions.

3. Create Icons Using Shapes

This method is perhaps the most creative, as it allows for innovation and creativity. Includes the use of Shapes and Merge feature in PowerPoint.

Stage 1: Search for the icon you want to create using a search engine. In our case, we chose to create a warning sign.

Step 2: Break apart the components or shapes that make up the mark. A simple warning sign has an exclamation point in the middle of a triangle.

Stage 3: Insert the relevant Figures. In our case we chose Triangle, Parallelogram, Oval and Delayed Flowchart Shape.

Step 4: Combine the Related Shapes in the Icon format you envision.

Step 5: Highlight the Shapes by holding down the left button and creating a rectangle around them.

Step 6: Click Ctrl + G on your keyboard to group shapes.

Since the icons are created using Shapes, users can create different variants. The only downside is that you need to know PowerPoint well enough to get the desired look.

Make Presentations Fun

One or all of the methods mentioned above should be useful in helping you add variety to your Microsoft Presentations. Alternatively, if none of the above options suit you, you can always browse the Internet for ready-made icons and add them to your Presentation. However, one downside to this seemingly easy method is that scalable vector graphics aren’t always free.

Thinking of some cool tricks you can do in Microsoft PowerPoint? Check out this great way to create animations in Microsoft PowerPoint.