Level 2 · Intermediate: mask, models & objects

2.2Custom templates & themes (.potx)

Goal: Create and save a reusable business template for all your presentations.

Estimated time: 15 min · self-paced reading · If you only have 5 min: read “The essentials in 30s” + the diagram.

The essentials in 30 seconds

The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating.
It always opens as a copy: the original is protected.
The .thmx theme (colors/fonts) also applies to Word and Excel: complete brand identity.

Spun Mini Case — Custom Templates & Themes (.potx)

Amel creates a .potx template for the communications team, with the colors of the SME and the launch provisions. Colleagues should be able to get started without reinventing the layout.

Continuation of the common theme: the Blida agri-food SME is preparing its market launch.

1. The .potx: the team’s vault

A template (.potx) = theme + master + layouts + example slides, saved via File → Save as template. The whole team starts from the same box: new recruits included, everyone produces colors without thinking.

2. Build a model that serves

A good template contains: title page, section titles, content, two contents, comparison, key figure, quote, end/call to action. Eight provisions cover 95% of needs; beyond that, it's DIY in disguise.

3. Distribute and maintain

Store the .potx on SharePoint/OneDrive shared (or 365 organization templates), version (“Charte-v3.potx”), announce changes. A template that no one finds is a dead template: pin it to File → New.

Common misinterpretation: “Custom Templates & Themes (.potx) is just a cosmetic tweak. » No: The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating of standards. It always opens as a copy: the original is protected. It is this choice that makes the message readable and credible for the public.

Theme + mask + 8 layouts: everyone produces colors without thinking.

Text version of the diagram (SEO / screen readers / translation): 1) The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating. 2) It always opens as a copy: the original is protected. 3) The .thmx theme (colors/fonts) also applies to Word and Excel: complete brand identity. Lesson: apply “Custom Templates & Themes (.potx)” to serve the message, not to decorate.

🔎 Concrete example — Real World Example — One-Afternoon Starter Kit

1. Start from a clean presentation (purged mask)
2. Create the 8 layouts (title, section, content, 2 contents, comparison, figure, quote, end)
3. Save: “Charte-v1.potx” on SharePoint
4. Test: a colleague creates 5 slides without design instructions

Reading: if its slides are in color, the model wins.

Lesson: version (v1, v2): the charter evolves.

Section vocabulary

.potx

PowerPoint template: double-click = new presentation based on it (the template remains intact).

Simple example: Amel mobilizes “.potx” in preparing for the launch.

What it is not: treat “.potx” as a detail unrelated to the message.

Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?

Custom Office Templates

The special folder (Documents) whose contents appear in File → New → Personal.

Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Personalized Office Templates” in preparation for the launch.

What it is not: Treat “Custom Office Templates” as a detail unrelated to the message.

Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?

Custom theme (.thmx)

Colors + fonts + effects saved alone (Creation → gallery → Save active theme): also applicable to Word and Excel.

Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Personalized theme (.thmx)” in preparation for the launch.

What it is not: Treat “Custom Theme (.thmx)” as a detail unrelated to the message.

Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?

Graphic charter

The visual rules of the organization (colors, logos, fonts) that the model translates into practice.

Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Graphic Charter” in preparing for the launch.

What it is not: treat “graphic charter” as a detail unrelated to the message.

Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?

In practice — The outstanding business model

Start from the presentation for which you customized the master (section 2.1) and empty the slides of any specific content — keep one example slide per useful layout.
File → Save as → type “PowerPoint Template (*.potx)”: PowerPoint switches to the templates folder. Name “Company Presentation”.
Test: File → New → Personal → your model: a new presentation opens, already decorated.
Also save the theme alone (Creation → Save active theme): it becomes applicable to old presentations to be brought up to standard.

A ready-to-broadcast business model — every team presentation now starts off on the right foot.

Ready-to-say script — Custom templates & themes (.potx) (25 sec)

“Create and save a reusable business template for all your presentations. Concretely, I check this point before planning: the .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating of standards. »

Short wording, to be adapted to the audience and the context of the meeting.

Copy and paste template — “Custom templates & themes (.potx)” checklist

CHECKLIST — Custom templates & themes (.potx)
1. The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating.
2. It always opens as a copy: the original is protected.
3. The .thmx theme (colors/fonts) also applies to Word and Excel: complete brand identity.
4. Distribute the .potx to the team (or via IT in org template locations).

EXPECTED RESULT: A ready-to-deliver business model — every team presentation now gets off to a good start.

Express version

Apply only the essentials and the first key point, then check the rendering in projection.

Remote

Share the file and check fonts, contrasts and text size before the video conference.

As a team

Lock in the common model and document choices to keep colleagues consistent.

Printed version

Keep the message titles and the text outline; remove animations that are no longer needed.

✓ Best practices

8 provisions, no more, no less.
Store in versioned shared.
Test with a real colleague.

✗ Common pitfalls

30 layouts including 25 unused.
Model on unknown local disk.
Edit the template without announcing (broken slides).

Key takeaways

The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating.
It always opens as a copy: the original is protected.
The .thmx theme (colors/fonts) also applies to Word and Excel: complete brand identity.
Distribute the .potx to the team (or via IT in the org template locations).

48 hour challenge — apply tomorrow

Take the business template in circulation on the Amel launch presentation: Start from the presentation whose master you customized (section 2.1) and empty the slides of any specific content — keep one example slide per useful layout. Time 20 minutes and note what has changed for the audience.

Section exit checklist

I can explain and apply: The .potx capitalizes on your mask work: no more manual updating of standards.
I can explain and apply: It always opens as a copy: the original is protected.
I can explain and apply: The .thmx theme (colors/fonts) also applies to Word and Excel: complete brand identity.

Self-assessment 1-5: Do I master “Custom Templates & Themes (.potx)”?Can I apply it in a real presentation without help?

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