How to Change PowerPoint Slide Orientation

Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.

Updated on December 21, 2020 Reviewed by

Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.

What To Know

In Windows: In Normal view, press Design >Slide Size >Custom Slide Size. Under Orientation, select Vertical, and set the Height and Width.
On the web: Design >Slide Size >Custom Slide Size >Portrait >OK. Then choose how slides fit the screen.
On a Mac: File >Page Setup. Select Portrait, adjust the size as needed, and press OK.

This article explains how to change the orientation of PowerPoint slides between portrait and landscape. Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2007, PowerPoint for Mac, and PowerPoint Online.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint for Windows

The steps used to change the page orientation between landscape and portrait are the same in all versions of PowerPoint 2013 for Windows and newer.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Design tab highlighted

In the Normal view, click the Design tab.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Slide Size menu highlighted

Select Slide Size.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Custom Slide Size option highlighted

Select Custom Slide Size.

A screenshot of Powerpoint's Slide Size window with the Orientation section highlighted

Use the buttons in the Orientation section to select a vertical orientation or enter dimensions in the Width and Height fields.

A screenshot of Powerpoint's Slide Size window with the OK button highlighted

Select OK to apply the changes.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint 2010 and 2007 for Windows

Follow these steps to change from landscape to portrait slide orientation in older versions of PowerPoint for Windows.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Slide Orientation button highlighted

Select the Design tab, and in the Page Setup group, click Slide Orientation.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Portrait option highlighted

Choose Portrait.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the OK button highlighted

Press OK to save your changes.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint for Mac

To change the page orientation from landscape to portrait in PowerPoint for Mac 2011.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Page Setup option highlighted

Select the File menu and choose Page Setup.

A screenshot of Page Setup in Powerpoint with the Portrait orientation highlighted

In the Page Setup dialog box, across from Slides, select the Portrait orientation. As an alternative, select custom dimensions in the Size section, making the height greater than the width.

Change Slide Orientation in PowerPoint Online

For a long time, PowerPoint Online didn't offer a portrait orientation slide, but that has changed.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Design tab highlighted

Select the Design tab.

A screenshot of Powerpoint with the Custom Slide Size option highlighted

Select Slide Size, then choose Custom Slide Size.

A screenshot of the Slide Size window in Powerpoint with the Portrait option highlighted

Select the Portrait orientation image.

Slide Scale in PowerPoint Online

You have the choice to either choose Maximize, which maximizes the use of the available slide space, or click Ensure fit, which makes sure that the slide content fits on the vertical portrait orientation.

Landscape and Portrait Slides in the Same Presentation

There is no simple way to combine landscape slides and portrait slides in the same presentation. If you've worked with slide presentations, you know that this is a basic feature. Without it, some slides won't present the material effectively, such as with a lengthy vertical list, for example. There is a workaround if you must have this capability.