PowerPoint for the web works with some (but not all) of the starter files that are used in desktop versions of PowerPoint.

Built-in Office design templates for presentations

Standard Office design templates for presentations are available in PowerPoint for the web by choosing File > New. Click the thumbnail image of a template to open it and get started.

Custom presentation templates

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

Let's say you have a PowerPoint template in .potx format that you want to use in PowerPoint for the web. To do that:

  1. In the Windows or Mac version of PowerPoint, open the file and do File > Save As. Change the Type of the file to PowerPoint Presentation (.pptx), and then Save the file.

    Store the file in OneDrive or another online storage app.

  2. In PowerPoint for the web, use File > Open to open the file and begin working on it.

If you don't have a desktop version of PowerPoint, you won't be able to use your .potx template file as is.

Sample templates online

On 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 an Edit in Browser button (along with the Download button). Click Edit in Browser 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. Click the Search button near the top right.

  3. In the Search box, type:

    PowerPoint "edit in browser"

    ... plus a term from the list below that describes the kind of sample you're looking for:

    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.

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.