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How do I change the default template in Powerpoint 2016

Anonymous
2015-10-27T11:30:40+00:00

I would like my company branded template to be the default each time I load Powerpoint or when I click on the New button.  How does one achieve this?  Thanks.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-15T20:42:31+00:00

    I think this might be a 2016 bug or missing behaviour because if I create a Default Theme.thmx file in 2011 from my desired pptx/template here:

    /Users/username/Library/Application Support/Microsoft/Office/User Templates/My Themes

    PowerPoint:mac 2011 correctly starts with the default TEMPLATE (theme plus side master and its layouts)

    But, if I copy the same file (because 2016 doesn't support saving to .thmx!) to the location for PowerPoint:mac 2016, which is here:

    /Users/username/Library/Group Containers/UBF8T346G9.Office/User Content/Themes

    PowerPoint 2016 is seeing the theme when it starts (I checked the colour palette) but it is not loading the slide master and layouts as expected.

    That's kind of what I would expect actually (2001 behaviour is doing more than loading a theme).

    I tried saving a blank.potx file (as per the PC method) in various OSX folders but none worked.

    It seems there should be a way to set the default theme and/or the default template (which contains a theme).

    ===

    EDIT : It seems to be working now! So even though the file is saved as a .thmx file, it's behaving like the blank.pox file does on the PC i.e. it's setting the default template when PowerPoint:mac 2016 starts. Confusing terminology!

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-01-19T20:33:26+00:00

    Change default theme in Powerpoint 2016

    Thanks, CyberTaz. 

    I'm not sure you answered the original question, however--or at least the question I have.  I do not wish to create a default theme.  I want to modify the default template, not theme--i.e., the one that says "Blank Presentation" on the screen when I first open PowerPoint.  Themes involve several extra steps/keystrokes.  I want to click on "Blank Presentation" and have it exactly how I want it, rather than have MS's aesthetic choices forced upon me. 

    Thanks!

    David

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  2. Jim G 134K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2017-01-20T16:44:35+00:00

    Please read through Bob's answer. The final step is to save as a template.

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