Convert text slides into engaging SmartArt in PowerPoint

If your PowerPoint slides are packed with engaging ideas that no one reads because your audience gets lost in the sea of gray letters, there's a quick solution: Make them pop using SmartArt in PowerPoint 2007 and 2010.

First, select your bulleted text:

Text slide

Now click the Convert to SmartArt button on the Home tab and pick a layout (you can select without clicking to see a preview until you find one that works with your concepts):

Convert to SmartArt

Now marvel at the transformation:

SmartArt slide

If you need to fine-tune the layout or colors, select your new SmartArt graphic and click the Design tab that appears under SmartArt Tools:

Smart Art Tools, Design and Layout

If you ever want to convert a SmartArt graphic back to its original form, go to this SmartArt Design tab and select Convert and then Convert to Text:

Convert to Text

Suzanne