What Is a PowerPoint Placeholder?

Easily add text, graphics, and more to your presentations

By
Wendy Russell
Wendy Russell
Writer
  • Brock University
Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.
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Updated on February 12, 2020

In PowerPoint, where many slide presentations are based on templates, a placeholder is usually a box with text that indicates the location, font and size of type that the user will enter. For example, a template may include placeholder text that says "Click to Add Title" or "Click to Add Subtitle." Placeholders aren't limited to text. Placeholder text that says "Drag Picture to Placeholder or click icon to add" gives the PowerPoint user instructions for adding an image to a slide. 

Placeholders Are Meant to Be Personalized

The placeholder not only serves as a call to action to the user, it gives the person who is creating the presentation a feel for how the type, graphic elements or page layout will look on the slide. The placeholder text and instructions are suggestions only. Every element can be personalized. So if you don't like the font that PowerPoint chose for your favorite template, you are free to change it.

Types of Elements Used in Placeholders

After you select a PowerPoint template, click Layout on the Home tab to see the many different variations of your chosen template. You'll see templates for title screens, table of contents, text screens, photo screens, templates that accept charts and other layouts. 

Depending on the template layout you choose, you may place any of the following on a slide, in addition to text.

  • Photos
  • Tables
  • Excel charts
  • Clipart
  • Movies

These objects can be placed on slides by other methods as well, but using placeholders makes it an easy task.

FAQ
  • How do you delete a content placeholder in PowerPoint?

    Go to the View tab and select Slide Master. Then, from the left thumbnail pane, choose the slide layout you want to edit. Select the placeholder > Delete.

  • How do you insert a placeholder in PowerPoint?

    To add placeholders to slide layouts, go to the Slide Master tab and select Insert Placeholder. Choose the type of placeholder you want to add, then pick a location for it and draw it. When you're finished creating the placeholder, select Close Master View.

  • How do you resize a placeholder in PowerPoint?

    Go to the View tab and select Slide Master, then select the placeholder you want to resize. Next, use the sizing handles to reshape the placeholder. When you're done making adjustments, return to the Slide Master tab and choose Close Master View.

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