Set PowerPoint format: 16: 9 and 4: 3 - how it works

To ensure that pictures and text in your presentation do not look stretched, you must set the correct format (16: 9 or 4: 3) in PowerPoint. In this article, we will tell you exactly how this works and how you can even set up other formats.

PowerPoint: Set format 16: 9 or 4: 3

Most projectors and screens use the 4: 3 and 16: 9 image formats. Therefore, these two formats are preset in PowerPoint. You can switch between the two and many other aspect ratios at any time:

1. To do this, start PowerPoint on your computer and switch to the "Draft" tab in the menu.
2. Click here on "Slide size" or, in older versions of PowerPoint, on "Page setup".
3. You can now select the desired format under "Paper form". In addition to the classic 16: 9 and 4: 3, there are numerous other formats available.
4. Then save your settings with "OK".
5. Since the aspect ratio also changes the format of the text and graphics of your presentation, you now have to decide how PowerPoint should proceed.
6. Select "Maximize" if you simply want to enlarge the content of your slides. Here you run the risk that some images will no longer be displayed. Instead, choose "Scale to fit" to perfectly match images and text to the new format.

PowerPoint: Create and activate your own format

If you are not satisfied with the styles in PowerPoint, you can also create your own format and thus determine the slide sizes yourself. Then save the settings as a draft so that you don't have to change the format every time you present.

1. To do this, open the "Design" tab again and click on "Slide size" or "Page setup".
2. With "paper form" you decide for the entry "user defined".
3. Then enter the desired height and width of your slides and apply your settings with "OK".
4. Now right-click on your current layout in the "Design" tab.
5. Then select the entry "Set as default design". The next time you start PowerPoint, your individual format is automatically activated.