Improve Your Slide Deck with an Appendix Section

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Problem of Too Much Detail
3. Simplify Your Message
4. Assuming the Audience's Understanding
5. Adding More Detail Behind the Scenes
6. Hiding Slides for Additional Information
7. Creating Buttons for Accessing Hidden Slides
8. Rearranging Hidden Slides in the Presentation
9. Adding Sections for Clarity
10. Exporting as Handouts

Introduction

In this article, we will discuss a big picture recommendation for creating effective slide decks in PowerPoint. Many people struggle when it comes to simplifying their message and reducing the amount of detail in their presentations. However, this doesn't mean that you can't provide additional information if needed. By strategically hiding slides and using buttons, you can give your audience access to more in-depth content without overwhelming them during the live presentation. We will explore various techniques and tips to help you streamline your slide decks and confidently deliver your message.

The Problem of Too Much Detail

When providing recommendations on how to build a PowerPoint slide deck, one of the most common concerns is the amount of detail that should be included. People often worry that simplifying their message may leave out important information and that the audience will want more in-depth insights. However, it's essential to strike a balance between providing enough information and overwhelming your audience with excessive detail.

Simplify Your Message

Simplifying your message is crucial in slide deck presentations. Instead of bombarding your audience with all the intricate details, focus on delivering the big picture idea. For example, when discussing the organizational structure, only highlight key personnel at the high level. Similarly, when presenting a timeline, emphasize the major steps rather than delving into every incremental aspect.

Assuming the Audience's Understanding

It's important to remember that your audience can grasp the big picture idea and will agree with you. By assuming that they understand the main concepts, you can simplify your slide deck and make it more effective. However, it's still necessary to plan for situations where individuals may want to dig deeper into the subject matter.

Adding More Detail Behind the Scenes

To address the need for additional information without overwhelming the live presentation, you can create hidden slides that contain more detailed content. For example, if discussing the org chart, prepare a separate slide with a comprehensive hierarchy. Similarly, for a timeline, develop a slide that delves deeper into the process. By having these hidden slides ready, you can choose to reveal them based on audience requests or specific questions.

Hiding Slides for Additional Information

In PowerPoint, you have the option to hide specific slides during the live presentation. This means you can prepare slides with additional detail but keep them hidden until necessary. By strategically hiding slides, you maintain control over the flow of information and provide a streamlined experience for your audience.

Creating Buttons for Accessing Hidden Slides

To provide easy access to the hidden slides, it is recommended to create buttons within your presentation. These buttons can be subtle or even invisible, ensuring a clean and professional look. By clicking on the buttons, your audience can navigate to the hidden slides when they require more detailed information on a specific topic.

Rearranging Hidden Slides in the Presentation

The arrangement of hidden slides is flexible and doesn't have to follow the order of the main presentation. Consider moving the hidden slides towards the end of the deck, creating an appendix section. This placement allows your audience to consume the additional detail after going through the standard presentation. By rearranging slides, you help maintain a logical flow and prevent overwhelming your audience with excessive information during the live presentation.

Adding Sections for Clarity

Adding sections to your presentation can enhance clarity and organization. By dividing your slide deck into distinct sections, such as a presentation section and an appendix section, you make it easier for both yourself and your audience to navigate through the content. Sections provide a clear structure and allow for efficient access to hidden slides.

Exporting as Handouts

When exporting your presentation as handouts, the hidden slides and appendix section play a crucial role. Handouts provide an opportunity for the audience to review the content at their own pace and access the additional information hidden in the appendix section. By including the appendix section in the handouts, you ensure that your audience has access to all the details discussed during the live presentation.

Highlights

• Simplify your message without losing important information
• Assume audience understanding and focus on the big picture
• Use hidden slides to provide more detailed content if needed
• Create buttons for easy access to hidden slides
• Rearrange hidden slides as an appendix section
• Divide your presentation into sections for clarity
• Include the appendix section when exporting as handouts

FAQ

Q: Will simplifying my message make my presentation less informative? A: Simplifying your message focuses on delivering the most important details without overwhelming your audience. Although you may be reducing the amount of information in the live presentation, you can still provide additional detail through hidden slides and handouts.

Q: How do I decide which information to include in the hidden slides? A: When deciding what to include in the hidden slides, consider the level of detail that might be requested by the audience. Focus on providing additional clarity and supporting information for topics that are likely to generate questions or interest.

Q: Can I hide slides during the live presentation and reveal them later? A: Yes, PowerPoint allows you to hide specific slides during the live presentation. You can reveal them by using buttons or navigating through the hidden slides manually.

Q: Will rearranging hidden slides affect the flow of my presentation? A: The rearrangement of hidden slides is flexible and won't disrupt the flow of your main presentation. By placing them in an appendix section, you maintain a logical order while allowing the audience to access additional detail at their convenience.