New Tab of Backstage View in PowerPoint 365 for Mac

When launched, PowerPoint typically opens with Backstage view, that has several tabs to be used for various functions. If you are already working on an open presentation and want to create a new presentation at that point, you can do so using the New tab.

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Follow these steps to explore options with the New tab of Backstage view in PowerPoint 365 for Mac:

1. Launch PowerPoint and open an existing presentation.
2. Click the Home icon, which is placed towards the extreme left of the Quick Access Toolbar, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 1, below.
3. 
   Figure 1: Home icon in QAT
4. Alternatively, select the File | New from Template menu option, as shown in Figure 2, below.
5. 
   Figure 2: New from Template option
3. Either action opens Backstage view. Now, select the New tab, as shown in Figure 3, below.
4. 
   Figure 3: New tab selected within Backstage view in PowerPoint 365 for Mac
5. Options within the New tab are explained below, as marked in Figure 3, above:

   A. Search

   Here, enter any keyword(s) and click the Search button to search for Online templates and Themes. You can see the results in another window, as shown in Figure 4, below. Click on any of the thumbnails to open a new presentation based on the template.

   
   Figure 4: Search result

   You can also see search results in recent files, shared files, or files in your OneDrive account. To see these results, click on the relevant tabs, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 4, above.

   B. Thumbnails

   Here, you'll find templates and Themes that you have used recently. You can also bring up a clean slide using the Blank Presentation option.

   C. Cancel

   Press the Cancel button to come out of Backstage view.

   D. Create/Open

   This button changes depending upon what is selected. If you select a Theme or template, you will see the button is called Create. However, when you select an existing presentation, you will see the button is called Open. Clicking Create brings up a new presentation based on the selected theme, whereas clicking Open opens the selected presentation in PowerPoint.