custom gradients

When you save a presentation as a template, everything contained in that file is incorporated into the template. When you open a template from the PowerPoint Presentation Gallery or double-clicking in Finder you get a new presentation that is a copy of the saved template. So everything is exactly as you saved it .

To set a particular gradient as the default within a presentation, format a shape with a gradient fill. Then right-click on that shape and choose Set As Default Shape.

Any new shapes you make within the presentation will have your custom gradient.

You can also save the presentation as an Office Theme (.thmx). Your custom default gradient will work when you open a new presentation based on the them, or if you apply the theme to an existing presentation. The gradient will also become the default for shapes in Word and Excel if you apply the custom theme to files in those applications.

To save the gradient as part of the theme, set a gradient fill and then right-click on the shape and set that as the default shape for the presentation. Save the presentation as an Office Theme (.thmx). When you open a new presentation from the saved theme in the PowerPoint Presentation Gallery the new presentation will have the gradient fill as the default for any new shapes.