Resource/Misc

Is Helvetica Bad?

Helvetica is a classic and widely used font known for its clean and modern appearance. However, when a PowerPoint presentation created on a Mac is opened on a Windows computer, the Helvetica font used might not display as expected. This issue stems from the differences between how macOS and Windows handle fonts.

On a Mac, Helvetica is one of the default Mac OS system fonts. This version of Helvetica is optimized for macOS and integrates seamlessly into the operating system – like how Aptos does for Windows OS (although Aptos is not locked to Windows and can be installed on a Mac!). But the Helvetica available on Mac devices is unique to the macOS, and only usable on Mac devices. A windows device does not see the Mac version of Helvetica as identical to any version that can be installed on Windows. The files available for Windows differ from the macOS version in subtle ways, such as variations in spacing, kerning, and glyphs. Like any time PowerPoint replaces a font not installed with another font, content is not displayed as designed and things like line wraps can change.

Because the version of Helvetica used Mac devices cannot be used outside a Mac (such as on a Windows device), it should not be used on presentations that will be open on a Windows system.

But I have Helvetica installed (on my Windows device)! Yes you do, but it is a different version of Helvetica, and PowerPoint sees the Mac version and the installed version on the Windows computer as different fonts (and they are; remember, different spacing, kerning, glyphs). Same name, but different…

While Helvetica is a widely loved and effective font, its cross-platform compatibility can cause confusion when switching between macOS and Windows. It is not that Helvetica is inherently problematic, it is a good font. But rather the Mac version is only available on Macs, and that makes it a bad choice for cross-platform use.

An opinion from the TLC Creative design team

By |2025-03-16T08:55:13-07:00March 17th, 2025|Resource/Misc|

New Podcast Episode Available! “Based on the PowerPoint template, is this Going To Be A Difficult Project?”

New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!

In the latest episode of The Presentation Podcast, our three seasoned presentation designers: Troy Chollar from TLC Creative Services, Sandy Johnson from Presentation Wiz, and Nolan Haims from Nolan Haims Creative discuss PowerPoint templates from the perspective of evaluating client provided files – and the state of the template provided. A conversation with a wealth of knowledge on PowerPoint templates! Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.

By |2025-03-03T16:46:14-08:00March 5th, 2025|Resource/Misc|

How to use Google Fonts in PowerPoint

Google Fonts is a great resource for finding and using custom fonts for design projects; print, app, web, and PowerPoint.

Google Fonts is one of the most extensive libraries of royalty-free and open source fonts. Read the details, but I interpret the FAQ that these fonts can be used anywhere!

A unique feature of Google Fonts is that they can be used dynamically. For example, when creating a website that uses Google Fonts, users will be able to view the Google Font content without having to install the fonts on their device. However, PowerPoint does not have the ability to dynamically load Google Fonts. That said, because Google Fonts are available as a downloadable file, they can be used for PowerPoint presentation the same way as any other custom fonts (see our “How to Install Custom Fonts” post for more details).

NOTE: this process is for installing Google Fonts on Windows or Mac computers. Microsoft Teams and web-based presentations will not be able to use custom fonts unless they are embedded (and even then, there are lots of variables on if the custom fonts will display).

  • Head over to the Google Fonts website at https://fonts.google.com/ to browse the library, by searching for a specific font family or using their various filters.

  • After choosing a font, simply click the “get font” button in the upper right corner. and download the .zip file.
    NOTE: Google fonts are available in a variety of file formats; OTF, TTF and the newer variable font format, WOFF. Currently, it’s best to install and use the OTF format for maximum compatibility.

  • Uncompress the .zip folder. Install the .OTF file(s) by right clicking the file and selecting “Install”. Or double-click the font to open the preview, and use the install button here.

TIP: Because Microsoft PowerPoint does a poor job of informing users of custom fonts needed for a presentation, be sure to include custom font info in the slide deck (as a hidden slide, or in the Presenter Notes on slide 1).

By |2025-03-03T16:38:13-08:00March 3rd, 2025|PowerPoint, Resource/Misc, Software/Add-Ins|

New Podcast Episode Available! Episode 216, “Does the Storytelling Animation design trend apply to us in the presentation design space?”

New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!

“Does the Storytelling Animation design trend apply to us in the presentation design space?” In the latest episode of The Presentation Podcast, Troy, Sandy, Nolan, and Lori delve into the evolving role of animation in presentation design – particularly within PowerPoint. They explore how storytelling animation is becoming a significant trend in many aspects of graphic design and discuss how animation can be effectively incorporated into presentations to support the message. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.

By |2025-02-16T09:26:02-08:00February 19th, 2025|Resource/Misc|

New Podcast Episode Available! “Dollars and Designs: Essential Financial & Business Tips for Presentation Designers”

New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!

Episode 215 of The Presentation Podcast has the hosts, Troy Chollar, Nolan Haims, Sandra Johnson, and Lori Chollar delve into the financial side of running a presentation design business. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on managing finances, from invoicing and insurance to business structure and studio operations. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.

By |2025-02-07T16:14:17-08:00February 5th, 2025|Resource/Misc|

Add File Size to Teams

For February we are diving into Microsoft Teams with many of our internal uses, workflows, and managing presentation files and projects with Teams/SharePoint. We are starting the month with one of those annoyances of viewing folders and files within Teams, because the file size is not turned on by default (ugh!).

Microsoft Teams offers many options in its’ directory columns beyond the default view. These can help organize and categorize file information, making daily Teams use easier and more intuitive. As an example, one of the directory options we turn on for virtually every project is showing file sizes. To add a column which displays each file’s size is a simple process.

  1. Within the Teams directory, to the right of the column titles, select + Add column to reveal the Create a column

  1. In the lower left of this panel, select to Show or hide columns.

  1. The Edit view columns panel will appear on the right. The current visible columns will be checked and at the top of the list. Scroll down to find the File Size

Check the File Size box to show (or uncheck to hide)

  1. Don’t forget to click Apply at the top.

  1. That’s it! Your File Size column is now live and will display each file’s size (NOTE: individual files have size, but folders do not).

Look through the display options as other options may be helpful.

TIP: Columns can be rearranged to your preference by simple drag-and-drop (just click and drag any column name to move to desired position and unclick to “drop”). Everyone accessing the Teams folder will see the new columns, in the order you setup. And unfortunately, we have not found a way to apply this view to all folders by default…

Mike @ TLC

By |2025-02-02T21:41:35-08:00February 3rd, 2025|Resource/Misc, Software/Add-Ins|

TPP e214 – 2.5 Presentation Predictions for 2025

New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!

Our three industry experts — Troy Chollar, Sandy Johnson, Nolan Haims — have a lively discussion about the future of presentation design in 2025. Each offering 2.5 presentation design predictions for this year, ranging from the impact of AI to the importance of accessibility and emerging design trends. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site HERE.

By |2025-01-18T10:48:39-08:00January 22nd, 2025|Resource/Misc|

New Podcast Episode Available! “A Journey Through Time: Pro & Tech Tips Only”

New episode of The Presentation Podcast now available!

Welcome to a special episode of the Presentation Podcast, aptly titled “A Journey Through Time: Pro & Tech Tips Only”. In this episode, hosts Troy, Sandy, and Nolan take a journey through their favorite Pro and Tech Tips from past episodes. They share their curated list of apps, presentation formatting tips, and gadgets that have been game-changers for them, and listener favorites. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site HERE.

By |2024-12-30T11:43:39-08:00January 8th, 2025|Resource/Misc|

My QAT is All Words! Give Me Back My Icons – Part 2

Back in July of 2021 our post “My QAT is All Words! Give Me Back My Icons” was visited a lot! Which we interpret to mean the PowerPoint update to the default QAT display affected a lot of people. In summary, we lamented how Microsoft PowerPoint’s update altered the visibility of the 37 icons in TLC’s standard QAT setup. After some research, we found the new setting and “fixed” the QAT bar. The solution was (note below is the new-new way to update the QAT bar text labels), right click an empty space on the QAT and use the new option, “hide command labels” to return the QAT to icons only. Yay – our QAT once again was icons vs. text labels. 

Fast forward three years to November 2024, and we have discovered that new command, “hide command labels”, has moved. Here is the new process – and solution if your QAT is showing long text labels and not icons:  

  1. Open PowerPoint and go to the File tab in the top-left corner of the window. 
  2. Select Options from the list on the left-hand side. This opens the PowerPoint Options dialog box. 
  3. In the PowerPoint Options dialog box, click on Quick Access Toolbar from the list on the left. 
  4. Under the Customize Quick Access Toolbar section, uncheck (or check) the box to “Always show command labels”.  

Hopefully this is helpful! And if you are looking to turbo charge your QAT, download and install the TLC Creative custom QAT – read about it and download here.

By |2024-12-18T21:26:07-08:00December 26th, 2024|Resource/Misc|

New Podcast Releases Today – “Our 12 Presentation Memories of 2024”

New episode releasing on The PowerPoint Blog today!

The final podcast episode of 2024, #212, releases today with Troy, Nolan and Sandy recounting their 12 most memorable presentation highlights of 2024. Listen on your favorite podcast app, or at The Presentation Podcast site here.

By |2024-12-16T11:26:45-08:00December 17th, 2024|Resource/Misc|
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