File Menu and Backstage View in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows

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, below, shows the location of the File menu, which is placed towards the extreme left of the Ribbon, as shown highlighted in red. Notice that there are no other menus in PowerPoint 2010 for Windows.

Figure 1: File Menu in PowerPoint 2010

When clicked, the File menu shows the new Backstage view, as shown in Figure 2, below. 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:

1. Save and Save As
2. Open and Close
3. Info
4. Recent
5. New
6. Print
7. Save and Send
8. Help
9. Options