Microsoft Copilot - Create a PowerPoint from a PDF: A Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on: 07/27/2024

Step 1: Introduction to the New Feature

Microsoft Copilot has rolled out a fantastic new feature for PowerPoint users. If you're familiar with converting Word documents into PowerPoint presentations, you'll be excited to learn that you can now do the same with PDF files. This is a game-changer for anyone who needs to create presentations quickly and efficiently.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how to transform a PDF document into a sleek PowerPoint presentation using Copilot. Whether you're preparing for a big presentation or repurposing existing content, this new feature is a real time-saver.

Step 2: Accessing Copilot in PowerPoint

First, open Microsoft PowerPoint. If you're a Copilot user, you'll find the Copilot feature under the Home tab, all the way over to the far right. This is where the magic happens. Let's dive right in.

YouTube Video - Copilot Feature: PowerPoint Presentation from a PDF file

Step 3: Preparing Your PDF File

Before you start, make sure you have your PDF file ready. For this example, I used a 42-page PDF from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It doesn't matter what the content is; the key is that it's a PDF file you want to convert into a PowerPoint presentation.

You don't need to have the Word document for this process, which is particularly useful if you only have the PDF version of your content. Close the PDF file if it's open, just to ensure everything works smoothly.

Step 4: Creating a Presentation from a PDF

Navigate to the Copilot feature in PowerPoint. You'll see the option to "Create a Presentation from a File." Click on it. The system will prompt you to select the file type. Traditionally, it looks for Word documents stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Make sure your PDF is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.

Type in the name of your PDF file. In my case, I typed "qrc" to find the PDF below. Select your file and hit "Open." Copilot will start processing the file to create your presentation.

Step 5: Reviewing the Generated Presentation

Once Copilot has processed your PDF, it will generate an outline based on the content. This outline will be visible on the right side of your screen in the Copilot taskpane. The system also creates speaker notes, just like it would for a Word document.

In this example, Copilot created 46 slides from the 42-page PDF. The slides include an agenda, graphics, tables, and images based on the PDF's content. This is incredibly useful for creating visually appealing presentations quickly.

Step 6: Customizing Your Presentation

With your slides generated, you can now customize them to fit your needs. You might want to rearrange slides, add additional content, or tweak the design. The generated slides are a great starting point, but customization will make your presentation truly stand out.

Focus on the key points you want to highlight and ensure your slides are engaging. Use the speaker notes generated by Copilot as a guide for your presentation.

Chris Menard

Chris Menard is a certified Microsoft Trainer (MCT) and works as a full-time Trainer at BakerHostetler - one of the largest law firms in the US. He runs a YouTube channel with 900+ technology videos that cover various tools such as Excel, Word, Zoom, Teams, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Outlook. To date, the channel has helped over 20 million viewers. Menard also does 2 to 3 public speaking events every year, presenting at the Administrative Professional Conference (APC), the EA Ignite Conference, the Support Staff Conference, the University of Georgia, and CPA conferences. You can connect with him on LinkedIn at https://chrismenardtraining.com/linkedin or watch his videos on YouTube at https://chrismenardtraining.com/youtube.