PowerPoint has come a long way from static slides and bullet points. In 2025, it’s not just a presentation tool; it’s a storytelling engine. With Microsoft 365 Copilot now deeply integrated, and a suite of new features that make designing, writing, and presenting easier than ever, there’s no excuse for a dull deck.

Here’s how to create a presentation that not only looks stunning but also feels effortless to build.

1. Start with a Clear Story (Copilot Can Help)

Before you even open PowerPoint, think about your story. What’s the one thing you want your audience to remember?
Now, here’s where Copilot steps in. With a simple prompt like:

“Create a 10-slide presentation on sustainable packaging trends for 2025.”

Copilot will generate a full outline, suggest slide titles, and even draft content. You can tweak the tone, ask it to simplify or expand ideas, and it’ll adapt instantly.

2. Use Designer to Make It Beautiful (Without Trying)

PowerPoint Designer has been around for a while, but in 2025, it’s smarter. It now understands context better, so if your slide says “Top 3 Marketing Trends,” it’ll suggest layouts that visually highlight a list.

You don’t need to be a designer. Just drop in your content, and Designer will offer layout options that look like they came from a creative agency.

Pro tip: Use high-quality images and icons from the built-in Microsoft library. It’s royalty-free and beautifully curated.

3. Animate with Purpose (Not Just for Flash)

Animations can elevate your message, or distract from it. The latest PowerPoint makes it easier to apply subtle, professional animations with just one click.

Try the Morph transition to smoothly move between slides or objects. It’s perfect for showing progressions, comparisons, or zooming into details.

4. Real-Time Collaboration with Comments & Threads

Working with a team? PowerPoint now supports threaded comments and real-time co-authoring. You can tag teammates, resolve feedback, and even see who’s editing what, live.

This is especially useful for marketing and customer teams where feedback loops can get messy. Keep everything in one place, and avoid the dreaded “final_final_v3.pptx” chaos.

5. Use Speaker Coach to Practise Like a Pro

This one’s a game-changer. Speaker Coach listens to your rehearsal and gives feedback on your pace, tone, filler words, and even inclusivity of language.
It’s like having a personal presentation coach, without the awkwardness.

6. Embed Live Data & Interactive Charts

Need to show real-time sales data or customer feedback? PowerPoint now lets you embed live Excel charts or Power BI dashboards. No more updating numbers manually before every meeting.

This is especially powerful for customer and marketing teams who need to present up-to-date metrics.

7. Record Once, Share Everywhere

With Record Presentation, you can now create narrated, interactive presentations that feel like videos. Perfect for async updates, onboarding, or customer education.

You can even include your webcam feed, annotations, and slide transitions, all recorded in one go.

Final Thoughts: PowerPoint Isn’t Just a Tool, it’s a Platform

PowerPoint has evolved into something far more powerful than a slide deck tool. With Microsoft Copilot now embedded, it’s become a gateway to smarter, faster, and more engaging communication. But here’s the thing, unlocking its full potential isn’t just about knowing the features, it’s about deploying them safely, responsibly, and in a way that fits your business.

We help businesses roll out Copilot with confidence. From governance and licensing to change management and user enablement, we make sure organisations can embrace AI without compromising control or clarity.

Because when Copilot is deployed well, it doesn’t just make PowerPoint better, it transforms how people work.