5 tips to reduce your PowerPoint file size

There are 5 applications that I use everyday when I am working. They are Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, Teams and Edge.

Powerpoint especially, is getting smarter with the suggestions and AI capabilities. While this is true, I found that in the past few years, the file size is getting bigger and bigger.

Intrigued by this, I did some simple research and found out these things can simply save your time when uploading/sending/storing powerpoint files:

1. Check the images you are using. No matter how small it may appear. I often found that "thumbnails" picture is not thumbnail in size. People just re-sized it but not reducing it size.
2. Reduce video size/duration. Some people use video to "fill in the gap" or to get the "wow effect" or just simply for explaining things. Limit the video duration to maximum 1 minute, use resolution that is match to the Projectors/LED that will display the video. For example if your Projector only can display 1024x768 resolution, do not try to squeeze 4K videos in your file.
3. Limit the content. Some people love to put everything in the file, and have a super long Appendix section. It may be good if you only use the file for yourself. If you plan to share it with other people, ensure you have a "shareable" version and send that one instead (without the long appendix).
4. Share using "Cloud Storage" like OneDrive, will help you limit the number of "copies" in your sent items, and also the recipients. Person who received your email/files also will have option to open it through cloud storage which will reduce their mailbox size and also reduce the time for the message to load.
5. Finally, check the "Slide Master". I often found that people love to create a big templates inside the "Slide Master", including having large pictures in the templates. I have experienced a 1MB file grow into 15MB file just because of the "Slide Master" has so many content in it. To check it go to "View" then "Slide Master". Check it out to reduce your file size.

hopefully this tips can make your files smaller :)