1. Open PowerPoint, select Slide Layouts, and then select Blank.
2. Click on the X in the sidebar to close it. (Normal view is unnecessary because the poster consists of a single slide.)
3. Go File > Page Setup…, then enter the width and height of the poster in inches. You will see an error message saying the page is larger than the printable size—that is fine, just click out of it.

B. The title, abstract, analysis, conclusions, and any other textual info can be made in a text box. The edges of the textbox can be used to alter its size and shape and to drag it around on the page. The font should be large enough for people to read (around 48 pt.) and the text should be as concise as possible.

To create a textbox:

1. Click on the Text Box button in the menu on the top. You can then drop a textbox on the slide. Drag the textbox to where you want to place the text.
2. In the Formatting Palette on the right set the font face, size, and alignment. It is best to use a simple font like Times New Roman. The title and any headers should be centered, while paragraphs should be justified. The jagged right edge of left-aligned paragraphs creates an uneven, visually displeasing effect.

3. Type or copy-paste the desired text into the textbox.
4. If copy-pasting from several documents with different fonts, use Edit > Paste Special… > Unformatted Text.
5. Be sure to insert a descriptive title in large font (around 80 pt.) at the top.

C. Insert images by going to Insert > Picture > From File… or by clicking on the Insert Picture button (a small pastel landscape in a rectangle) in the lefthand Object Palette.

1. As a rule, edit and size all images with an image editing application like Preview before inserting them into the PowerPoint slide.
2. Since these images will be printed on very large posters, they must have a high resolution—at least 150 dpi but preferably 300 or 600 dpi.
3. In Photoshop (and most standard image editors), you can set the dimensions and resolution of the image by going to Image > Image Size… and typing the desired values into the dialogue box that appears.
4. Save as a JPG file with the highest possible quality setting.

5. You can add borders to text boxes and images through the Format Picture dialogue, which is available in the Formatting Palette on the right or the Format menu at the top.
6. Note: Images on the World Wide Web, since they do not normally have a resolution higher than 72 dpi, will not be appropriate for your poster. Copyright is also an issue with most Web content. Use a digital camera or talk to your professor about obtaining high quality images.
7. On your computers is a photo editing program called the Gimp. You can use this for advanced editing of images, or you can use iPhoto or Preview for more simple editing. To repeat, your images should be no less than 150 dpi since it will be blown up considerably.  Anything less will end up looking pixelated.

D. Any lines, arrows, circles, or other drawn graphics should be done via PowerPoint, not in Photoshop or an image editing application.

To add arrows, lines, or circles to the images in your slide:

1. Use the Lines or AutoShapes tabs in the lefthand Object Palette to select what you want, the draw it on the image itself.
2. When the shape or line is selected on the slide, you can change the fill, line color, line type, line weight, etc. in the Formatting Palette on the right.

3. You can do the same by going to Format > AutoShape… or by ctrl-clicking on the shape and selecting Format AutoShape….
4. It is also very easy to use the Line Color and Line Style tabs in the lefthand Object Palette.

E. Visually arrange the objects in your poster by using the Guides view.

1. With the zoom set to Fit, go to View and select Guides.
2. You will now see the slide quartered by dotted lines according to which you can arrange your text and images.
3. If you drag the objects around the slide, in their movement they will automatically “snap” to a standard position with respect to the guidelines.
4. When an object is selected, you can also use the arrow keys to nudge the object around.
5. Use the boxes on the border of the selected object to place it with respect to the guidelines and other objects in the slide.
6. Be sure to look at the sample posters links, they are intended to provide you with some ideas on layout and visuals.

F. Printing

1. When you are finished with your poster, print out a small version on a regular sized color printer in order to check the overall layout, colors and legibility. If you can read the poster in this format, your fonts and images will be large enough to read on your full sized poster.  You can do this by selecting “scale to fit printer” before you print.
2. Once you have proofed the small version of your poster and made any necessary changes, go to Edit and then Select All. Then go to the “Size, Rotation and Ordering” section of the formatting palette. Click on “Grouping” and select “Group”. This will preserve the spacing and layout of all the elements in your poster when you print it.
3. Save your poster as a PDF. Macaulay needs a PDF file to be able to print your poster. However, you should take both the PowerPoint and the PDF files with you when you go to print the poster in case you have to make any changes.