Convert Powerpoint to Word

Converting your PowerPoint documents is a good idea if you want to hand out copies of your presentation while you present or if you need to use notes to help make the verbal portion of your presentation more effective. To convert PowerPoint to Word, simply export the PowerPoint presentation to a Word document using the native file path specific to your version of PowerPoint; typically, this means accessing a "Send To" or "Export" feature from your "File" menu, then clicking on a "Create Handouts" option from the menu that pops up. You can then identify the specifics of how you want the document to be converted.

Steps

  1. Remove any graphics that aren't static. You should remove any videos, GIFS, or animated clip art before conversion. If left in, the animated graphics will either appear static on the Word document or not show up at all.
  2. Open up the PowerPoint presentation which you want to convert. You can do this by either:
    • Opening PowerPoint, clicking File, clicking Open from the drop-down menu and selecting the correct file from your computer.
    • Finding the presentation in your computer, and double-clicking it.
  3. Export the PowerPoint document to a Word document. This process differs slightly depending on your version of PowerPoint.
    • PowerPoint 2003 Users
      • Click on File in the top left corner of the window.
      • Click on "Send To" in the drop-down menu.
      • Click on Microsoft Office Word in the menu which appears.
    • PowerPoint 2007 Users
      • Click on the orange Office button in the top left of the window.
      • Click on Publish, which should be the second to last option in the drop-down menu.
      • Click on "Create Handouts in Microsoft Office Word" in the corresponding menu. It should be the second option.
    • PowerPoint 2010 Users
      • Click on File in the top left corner of the window.
      • Click on "Save and Send" in the drop-down menu.
      • Click on "Create Handouts" and then click on the new "Create Handouts" button tat appears beneath the bulleted list.
    • PowerPoint 2013 Users
      • Click on File in the top left corner of the window.
      • Click on "Export" in the list that appears on the left.
      • Click on "Create Handouts" and then click on the new "Create Handout" button that appears beneath the bulleted list.
  4. Pick out a layout for your presentation. In the "Send to Microsoft Word" window that pops up, choose an appropriate layout. This will determine how Word organizes your slides. There should be 5 layout options for you to choose from.
    • Notes next to slides: An image of each slide will be displayed on the Word document and your notes will be to the right of each slide. 3 slides will be displayed per page. This is a good option if you plan to use the handout to help you present.
    • Blank lines next to slides: An image of each slide will be displayed on the left of the Word document, alongside blank lines to the right.
    • Notes below slides: On each page of the Word document, an image of the slide will be displayed and any speaker notes will be beneath the image. Only one slide will be on each page, so this layout uses slightly more paper.
    • Blank lines below slides: On each page of the Word document, an image of the slide will be displayed, alongside blank lines beneath each image. This is a useful option if you want the audience to take detailed notes on each slide.
    • Outline only: This option is the most basic. Only the text will be displayed on the Word document, no images will be transferred over. This is a useful option if you need to quickly edit the text in the handout, though.
  5. Select either Paste or Paste Link. This is a very useful feature for converting your document.
    • Paste: Copies over your presentation to the Word document.
    • Paste Link: Copies over your presentation, but any change you make to the PowerPoint presentation will be reflected in the Word document.
  6. Click OK in the "Send to Microsoft Word" window. A copy of your presentation in Word should now have been created.