To add a text box while you are in Slide Master view in PowerPoint, you can use the standard text box insertion method. Keep in mind, as stated in the reference, a text box added in Slide Master view is editable only within the Slide Master itself, not on individual slides in Normal view.
Here are the steps to add a text box while working in Slide Master view:
Steps to Add a Text Box in Slide Master
Adding a text box in Slide Master allows you to place consistent text elements, such as footers, headings, or design elements, across multiple slides based on that master layout.
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Enter Slide Master View: First, you need to access the Slide Master view. Go to the View tab on the ribbon, and in the Master Views group, click Slide Master.
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Select the Layout: In the left-hand pane showing the slide master and layouts, select the specific slide master or slide layout where you want the text box to appear.
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Insert the Text Box: According to the reference, the method for inserting a text box is:
- On the Home tab, in the Insert group, click Text Box.
- On the slide, click the location where you want to add the text box.
Note: While in Slide Master view, you can also find the Text Box option on the Insert tab. Using either the Home tab (as per the reference) or the Insert tab works.
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Add and Format Text: Type the desired default text into the newly added text box. You can then format the text (font, size, color, etc.) and the text box itself (fill, outline, size, position) as needed within the Slide Master view.
Understanding Editability of Text Boxes Added in Slide Master
The reference provides crucial information about the editability of text boxes depending on where they are added:
- Normal View: "When you add a text box in normal view, the text can be edited directly in the slide."
- Slide Master View: "If the text box is added in slide master view, you can edit the text only in the slide master."
This means that a text box you add using the steps above while in Slide Master view will appear on all slides that use that specific master layout. However, when you return to Normal view to work on individual slides, you cannot click on this text box to change its content. The text and its formatting are fixed by the master layout and can only be changed by going back into Slide Master view.
If you need a text area on your slides that users can edit on individual slides (like a title, body text, or a custom editable field), you would typically add a placeholder using the "Insert Placeholder" option on the Slide Master tab, rather than a standard text box from the Home or Insert tab. Placeholders are designed specifically for editable content on individual slides, inheriting formatting from the master but allowing unique content per slide. The reference provided does not detail adding placeholders, only standard text boxes.
In summary, you add a standard editable text box in Slide Master view using the Home tab method, but remember its editability is confined to the Slide Master environment.
