File Menu and Backstage View in PowerPoint 2010
Author: Geetesh Bajaj
Product/Version: Microsoft PowerPoint 2010
OS: Microsoft Windows XP / Vista / 7
Date Created: August 21st 2010
Last Updated: August 21st 2010
Excerpt/Capsule: Get face to face with Backstage view, PowerPoint 2010's most prominent and visible, new feature.
Introducing the File Menu and Backstage View
In PowerPoint 2007, Microsoft replaced the File menu with the Office Button. In PowerPoint 2010, the Office Button is replaced by the File menu! However this File menu is completely different from what you might have used in older versions of PowerPoint. Figure 1 shows the location of the File menu (highlighted in red). Notice that there are no other menus in PowerPoint 2010.

Figure 1: File Menu in PowerPoint 2010
When clicked, the File menu shows the new Backstage view, as shown in Figure 2. Backstage view is not just a menu -- it contains all the create, save, share, and print options for your presentations.

Figure 2: Backstage view
By default you see the Recent tab in Backstage view -- and we explain each of these tabs on this page and other pages. These tabs are:
- Save and Save As
- Open, Close, and Exit
- Info
- Recent
- New
- Print
- Save and Send
- Help
- Options