Change the Default Template or Theme in PowerPoint 2007 for Windows

When PowerPoint 2007 is launched, it opens with an empty presentation of just one slide. This one slide typically has placeholders for a title and a subtitle, and any text you type shows up in black over a white slide background. Why do you have to live with these defaults? Can you change this blank presentation so that you get a slide that's part of your custom PowerPoint template or Theme? Or even any of the other Templates/Themes built within PowerPoint?

Yes, that's possible. But before we show you how you can change the default Template/Theme, let's explore what you get when you launch PowerPoint. Yes, you do get the one slide blank presentation, as shown in Figure 1, below. However, there's more here than what meets the eye. First of all, this blank presentation also has a Template/Theme. You will find the Template/Theme name mentioned on the Status Bar, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 1, below.

Figure 1: The blank presentation slide has its own secrets

Now that we know that this default blank Template/Theme influences the black text on white slide look, can we change this to something else? Yes! And to do that, you need to follow any of the two alternative options. The first option creates a default template. The second option creates a default Theme. Choose the one that works for you.

Save a Default Template

Follow these steps to save your own default template in a specified location and also provide it with the right name:

1. Open a template file or a presentation based on the template you want to use as your default.
2. Click the Office Button and from the menu, choose the Save As option, as shown in Figure 2.
3. 
   Figure 2: Save As option
3. This brings up the Save As dialog box, as shown in Figure 3.
4. 
   Figure 3: Save As dialog box
4. Within the Save As dialog box select the PowerPoint Template (*.potx) from the Save as type list, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 4.
5. 
   Figure 4: Save as type list
5. PowerPoint automatically chooses the correct folder for you when you choose to save as a template. Notice the area highlighted in blue within Figure 5, below. Can't read the folder path? Just click on the area to see the actual path (see Figure 6).
6. Accept the folder location and provide a name to the template. Remember, the template must be named Blank.potx, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5.
7. 
   Figure 5: Provide a file name
8. 
   Figure 6: Click to find out the path to the folder
6. Hereafter, when you choose the Office Button | New | Blank option, or even just launch PowerPoint. Then, a presentation will be created based on the template you choose as the default blank template.

Save a Default Theme

Follow these steps to save a default Theme:

1. Start a new blank presentation.
2. Access the Design tab (highlighted in red within Figure 7) of the Ribbon.
3. 
   Figure 7: Design tab of the Ribbon
3. Within the Themes group, click the More button (highlighted in blue within Figure 7, above) to bring up the Themes drop-down gallery, as shown in Figure 8.
4. 
   Figure 8: Themes drop-down gallery
Tip: Is the Theme that you want to be the default not visible here? You must then first apply your Theme to the open presentation to see it within the Themes drop-down gallery. Explore our Applying Themes in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 tutorial to learn more.
4. Now, right-click any of the Themes to bring up a context menu, as shown in Figure 9. Within the context menu select the Set as Default Theme option, highlighted in red within Figure 9.
5. 
   Figure 9: Set as Default Theme option
5. Behind the scenes, PowerPoint automatically chooses the correct folder and saves the active Theme within that folder. The Theme is saved as Default Theme.thmx, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 10.
6. 
   Figure 10: Default Theme file within the appropriate location
6. Hereafter, when you choose the Office Button | New | Blank option, or even just launch PowerPoint. Then, a presentation will be created based on the Theme you choose to be the default.