Resize a PowerPoint Presentation for Different Screens

When you create a PowerPoint presentation, the computer you create it on may be different from the screen that you are presenting on. The aspect ratio may be different between computers.

What is aspect ratio? Aspect ratio is the size relationship between the height and width of the slides. Some ratios look more square while some look rectangular. The three aspect ratios used on campus are 4:3, 16:9, and 16:10. See the PDF below for a table of the various aspect ratios used on campus.


Depending on the computer monitor or projector, the aspect ratio may shift and cause changes to your PowerPoint.

Follow these steps to create your presentation in the proper aspect ratio for the room you will be presenting in.

  1. Check the PDF below for the aspect ratio of the room you will be presenting it: 4:3, 16:9, or 16:10.
  2. In PowerPoint click on the "Design" tab.
  3. In the Page Setup group, click the "Page Setup" button. The page setup dialogue box will appear.
  4. Under the "Slide Sized for:" menu, select the proper aspect ratio for the room you will be presenting in.
  5. Click [OK].

When you preview your presentation on your computer, the slide may not take up the whole screen.


You will want to arrive at the room you are presenting in at least 10 minutes early, if not earlier, to test your PowerPoint presentation. If there are issues with the aspect ratio, it may move the elements of your slide.

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