Save a slide design (theme) as a template in PowerPoint

If you create a slide design (theme) and you want to save it as a template (.potx file), simply do the following:

1. Open the presentation that contains the slide design (theme) that you want to save as a template.
2. Select File > Save As.
3. Browse to C:\Users\<your username>\Documents\Custom Office Templates.
4. In the Save As dialog box, in the File name box, type a name for the template.
5. In the Save as type list, select PowerPoint Template, and then select Save.

Use your new template

To make use of your template when you create a new presentation:

1. Select File > New.

2. To find your template:

   Select Custom > Custom Office Templates.

   ​​​​​​​OR

   Select the Personal tab, then select the template you want to use.

3. Select your template, and then select Create.

Themes vs. Templates

Themes are different than templates in PowerPoint:

• A theme is a slide design made up of cohesive colors, fonts, and effects such as shadows or reflections.
• A template includes a theme, but also contains instructions in placeholders suggesting what to insert and what types of information the user of the template might want to include.