Account Tab of Backstage View in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows

In PowerPoint and in other Office 2016 programs, you typically need to sign in to a Microsoft Account so that you can access saved settings, customizations, and even some files from the cloud. You typically do so by managing your Account, right inside PowerPoint or another Office 2016 program such as Word and Excel. The Account tab in Backstage view allows you to sign in to your Microsoft Account, automatically connects to your OneDrive account, and do so much more.

Follow these steps to access Account options in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows:

1. Open a presentation in PowerPoint. Click the File menu, as shown highlighted in blue within Figure 1, below.
2. 
   Figure 1: File menu
2. Either way, you bring up the Backstage view. Here, select the Account tab, as shown highlighted in green within Figure 1, above. Doing so brings up the Account options, as shown in Figure 1.
3. 
   Figure 2: Account option within PowerPoint Backstage view
4. Within the Account screen, you'll find several options, as marked in Figure 2, above:

   A. User Information

   Here, you find options to manage your account, change or update your account info, or switch to a separate account altogether, as explained below:

   Change Photo

   This option brings up a web page containing your Microsoft Account profile. Here, you can change your profile picture.

   About Me

   Click this option to bring up the same web page, as shown in Figure 2, above. Here, you can edit your Contact info and Work info.

   Sign Out

   To learn more, read our Sign Out and Switch Accounts in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows tutorial.

   Switch Account

   To learn more, read our Sign Out and Switch Accounts in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows tutorial.

   B. Office Background

   PowerPoint includes the concept of Office Background, which essentially changes or adds a small image strip on the top right area of the program interface, as shown in Figure 3, below.

   
   Figure 3: Office Background

   Learn more in our Office Background in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows tutorial.

   C. Office Theme

   Office Theme enables you to change the PowerPoint 2016 interface color.

   D. Connected Services

   Connected services help you access your settings and recent files or templates across all your devices, including laptops, tablets and even smartphones. Additionally, some services allow you to access media and document files too. Learn how to Manage and Remove Connected Services in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows.

   Add a Service

   Learn more in our Add Services in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows tutorial.

   E. Product Information

   This area displays product info that can be useful to ascertain what type of license you are using. You can also determine whether the application is activated or not.

   The information and options available in this area may be a little different, depending on whether you are using an Office 365 subscription or a perpetual licensed version of Office 2016. To understand the differences, explore our Version and License of Microsoft PowerPoint and Office tutorial.

   The perpetual version’s Product Information area, may not show the Manage Account button, as you can see within the Office 365 subscription version, as shown highlighted in blue within Figure 2, previously on this page.

   Clicking the Manage Account button launches your account page in a new browser window.

   F. Turn on Automatic Renewal

   Opens the Microsoft account page in your default browser so that you can turn on automatic renewal for your Office 365 subscription. Do note that the Turn on Automatic Renewal button may not show up in some cases.

   G. Office Updates

   Again, Office Updates is an option that may only show up in some cases. If you do see this button, clicking it will bring up a fly-out menu, as shown in Figure 4, below.

   
   Figure 4: Office Updates fly-out menu

   The options in this menu are explained below:

   Update Now

   Check if updates are available and lets you download and install updates. If you already have all updates installed, then PowerPoint will inform you.

   Disable Updates

   Disables automatic updates. To re-enable updates, you can now click on the new Enable Updates option in the same menu, as shown in Figure 5, below.

   
   Figure 5: Enable updates

   View Updates

   Opens the What’s new in Office 365 page in your default web browser.

   About Updates

   Brings up an Automatic Updates message box with some info.

   H. Office Insider

   Office Insider is an Office 365 release ring that lets subscribers receive new updates sooner than other subscribers. In many cases, you may not see this button at all. However, if you do see this button, clicking it will bring up the fly-out menu, as shown in Figure 6, below.

   
   Figure 6: Office Insider fly-out menu

   Options within this menu are explained below:

   Change Level

   There are two levels of Office Insider, and you can choose how often you want to receive new updates. Clicking this button brings up the Join Office Insider dialog box, even if you are already signed up, as shown in Figure 7, below.

   
   Figure 7: Change levels in Office Insider

   Why Don’t I See an Office Insider Button

   In many cases, you can only find Office Insider options if you or your sysadmin expressly chose to install an Office Insider release ring of Microsoft Office as part of your Microsoft 365 subscription benefits. So if you don’t see Office Insider options, you need to get in touch with your sysadmin. Even then, it may not always be possible to get signed into Office Insider because most companies prohibit Office Insider access. New features may behave unpredictably or conflict with your other applications, and therefore, many companies won’t allow Office Insider access. However, it is much easier to add Office Insider to personal and home Office 365 subscriptions for the same reason.

   About Office Insider

   Open the Office Insider page on Microsoft’s site in your default browser.

   Visit the Community

   Opens the Office Insider forum page in your default browser.

   I. About PowerPoint

   This summons the About Microsoft PowerPoint window with detailed technical information, as shown in Figure 8, below.

   
   Figure 8: About Microsoft PowerPoint window

   Click the OK button to close this window.

   J. What's New

   Clicking this button provides information on new features installed in the last update, as shown in Figure 9, below.

   
   Figure 9: New update information

3. To go back to PowerPoint's Normal view again, click the Back Arrow button on the top left corner within the Backstage view, as shown in Figure 10, below.
4. 
   Figure 10: Go back to Normal view