When most individuals consider making digital shows on a pc, they immediately consider PowerPoint. Microsoft’s software program has stood the take a look at of time, and stays the go-to for many individuals greater than 30 years after it was first launched.
PowerPoint has undergone loads of modifications in that point, however its fundamental goal stays the identical – to assist individuals make nice slideshow shows.
For a few years, paying for Workplace outright was the one approach to entry Excel. Nonetheless, that every one modified with the discharge of Workplace 365 (now Microsoft 365), which supplied entry to all of the apps and common updates in trade for a month-to-month charge.
However Microsoft continues to launch new standalone variations of Workplace apps each few years. The newest of those is Workplace 2021, though this may quickly additionally come beneath the ‘Microsoft 365’ umbrella. The core performance of those doesn’t change, although. The three free strategies defined on this article are virtually sure to remain.
Possibility 1 – Net model
Accessing Microsoft PowerPoint and different core Workplace packages is free through the net, and all you’ll want is a Microsoft account.
Head over to Workplace.com and click on ‘Register’ to enter your particulars. In case you don’t but have an account, select ‘Join the free model of Workplace’ and observe the directions.
Microsoft
As soon as that’s full, you’ll be taken to your fundamental workplace homepage. From the left pane, select ‘Create’ then ‘Presentation’ to open a brand new PowerPoint doc.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
As you may see, there’s additionally the choice to create paperwork in Phrase and PowerPoint right here, alongside Outlook and a free model of Microsoft Groups. These are all ‘Net Apps’, which means you may solely use them through your browser and never a desktop app. Once you work on a file right here, will probably be saved to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service.
Actually, you in all probability have Google to thank for this software program being out there in internet app type, as its free Docs, Sheets and Slides software program and their integration with Google Drive made it tough for Microsoft to maintain asking customers to pay.
Take a look at our information to the greatest cloud storage companies to see how each examine to the remainder of the competitors.
The online model of PowerPoint is a extra stripped-back model of the software program, so the comparability to Google Slides is extra cheap than the total desktop program. Nonetheless, each companies ought to present the whole lot an off-the-cuff consumer is in search of.
Possibility 2 – Use on cell
Maybe once more in response to Google, Microsoft’s Workplace cell functions are fully free and out there throughout trendy cell units.
You may obtain the Microsoft PowerPoint app for Android and iOS. Whereas Microsoft understandably reserves some premium options for its Workplace 365 subscription, the cell apps are nonetheless very succesful and supply integration with OneDrive.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
Possibility 3 – Examine in case your faculty or office will get it free
Many employers supply Microsoft 365 apps to their staff freed from cost. Even when your work e mail tackle ends with the title of the corporate, it could nonetheless be used to signal right into a Microsoft account. After all, you could be working in an workplace job the place Excel and the like are already the defaults.
In case your faculty has signed as much as Microsoft 365 Schooling, all workers and college students ought to have the opportunity entry Workplace apps totally free. To examine, enter your training e mail tackle on the
Microsoft web site.
But when your faculty isn’t but signed up and also you’re able to alter that, examine plans and start the sign-up course of right here.
Study extra in our separate article: Do college students get Workplace 365 totally free?
Possibility 4 – Pay full value
Nonetheless, these free choices aren’t appropriate for everybody. In case you want extra than simply fundamental PowerPoint features and the app isn’t out there to you through faculty or work, the one different is to pay full value.
On the time of writing, the most cost effective Microsoft 365 subscription is Private, which $6.99/£5.99 per 30 days or $69.99/£59.99 per yr. Stepping as much as the Household plan will get 2-6 individuals entry for $9.99/£7.99 per 30 days or $99.99/£79.99 per yr. Each supply a one-month free trial.
Your different choice is to pay for Workplace 2021, the most recent standalone launch. This can be a one-off fee of $149.99 within the US or £119.99 within the UK. Sadly, there’s no approach to pay for PowerPoint by itself.