Using templates in PowerPoint for the web

PowerPoint for the web works with many of the starter files that are used in desktop versions of PowerPoint.

Built-in Office design templates for presentations

Standard Microsoft 365 design templates for presentations are available in PowerPoint for the web. To access them, select File > New > Browse templates. Then select a template thumbnail image to get started.

Custom presentation templates

Presentation templates usually come in the .potx file format. However, PowerPoint for the web can't open .potx files. To get started with a .potx file you need the help of a desktop version of PowerPoint (Windows or Mac version).  

To open .potx format PowerPoint template in PowerPoint for the web, follow the below steps: 

  1. In PowerPoint desktop (Windows or Mac), open the file and select File > Save As. Change the Type of the file to PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx), then Save the file. 
  2. Store the file in OneDrive or another online storage app. 
  3. In PowerPoint for the web, use File > Open to access the file and begin working on it. 

Sample templates online

In Templates.Office.com, there are .pptx sample files that can be opened and worked with in PowerPoint for the web.

When you open the web page for this kind of sample file, you'll see Create button (along with a Preview button). Select Create to open the file in PowerPoint for the web and begin customizing it for your purposes.

PowerPoint Online templates and themes

To find sample files online

  1. Go to Templates.Office.com

  2. Select in the Search templates box.

  3. In the Search box, type:
    "PowerPoint edit in browser" plus optionally any term from this list: 

    agenda holiday
    announcement invitation
    autumn list
    baby map
    bids quotes memo
    birthday newsletter
    brochures nutrition
    business photo album
    business cards planner
    business plans poster
    calendars presentation
    cards profit loss
    certificates report
    Christmas schedule
    college school
    congratulations science
    diagrams spring
    education summer
    financial themes
    fitness timeline
    flyers training
    food wedding
    graduation winter
    health

If you don't see one you like, Microsoft Create has several customizable PowerPoint templates to choose from.