Microsoft PowerPoint 2013. Analysis of what's new in the Office 2013 series

We are in the midst of the euphoria of the launch of Office 2013, the umpteenth version of Microsoft's flagship product, and you are going to find tens or thousands of reference documents where they will make a detailed description of all its characteristics.

This article will try to present a closer point of view by sharing the experiences of the editor (who writes this article) in the almost daily use of this tool, but emphasizing the news.

Modern UI and Ribbon, interface renewal

The first major change is visual and interface. It is true that the previous version of 2010 already pointed to ways of the future Metro – current ModernUI – but the arrival of the 2013 version implies total immersion in this new graphic design and user interfaceVery focused on the tactile paradigm.

And here comes the first small drawback, PowerPoint is not yet fully mature to be used with your fingers. And much less all the part of Ribbon, which is still valid and thriving in this version. The most comfortable way is using the mouse or, for those who use it naturally, a digital pointer.

So I find that the top menus or the icons to resize the window are too small for my fingers and my level of motor skills, and that I have to “hit” not to close the application while I try to minimize the window.

Once I have assumed the small deficiencies of tactile use, I must admit that the integration of Ribbon in the new interface is very comfortable, since it allows me three degrees of visibility of the command bar according to the need for open space to work.

This way I can totally or partially hide the bar, increasing the possibilities compared to the previous version that only let me see it permanently or make it disappear. Finally, the interface is much nicer. Or at least, to taste the colors, it seems to me.

Creating a new slide collection

The beginning of any PowerPoint file begins with the selection of the template, often a decision that involves reviewing those offered by the application itself or those that are online. And the number and variety in PowerPoint 2013 is far superior to previous versions.

So I have many more, of more types and classifications, with all kinds of design, fonts, and colors; And, as if that weren't enough (which it never is), I have access to an online search engine that brings up literally thousands of templates Although its operation is a bit strange and not very intuitive, once I got “the hang of it”, I have been able to spend a lot of time reviewing and choosing which one was the one that best suited what I wanted.

Finally, how could it be otherwise, I have opened a PowerPoint 2010 of some classes I gave last year to write this article. Since I couldn't spend more time browsing the multitude of templates that are also roy alty-free and free to use.

Usability, PowerPoint ease with specific improvements

The best thing about the new PowerPoint 2013 is that it's just as easy to use as previous versions.Things are still in place and, at most, its functionality has been improved, such as creating animations is much more efficient and the results are as expected.

Also exceptional is the integration with the data repository in the Microsoft Cloud: Skydrive; and therefore with the Microsoft Account – that account that allows us to identify ourselves in all the company's online services and in all our devices in the Windows + Windows Phone + Xbox ecosystem.

When I configure PowerPoint I can tell it that I want to use SkyDrive as a store for all the documents I'm using, so I keep all my devices synchronized and I can access them from any browser connected to the Internet, via the Web and Office Web Apps, to my information ubiquitously.

In most cases, the use of the Cloud repository is completely transparent, and it is especially convenient to be able to start building or retouching a slideshow carousel from a laptop on the train, arrive to the office and continue on the work computer and finish or fine-tune on the tablet in my living room, without having to go around with flash drives or dvd's.

News that have been most useful to me

A very useful novelty that surprised me in a live presentation and direct I discovered it when I was using PowerPoint against a projector, and on the laptop screen use the Vista call Moderator; where, while I have the slide being projected, I can access notes, next slide, pointing and highlighting tools like a pen or laser pointer, time spent in the presentation, or turn everything to black .

The other tool that has improved in this version is the Storyboard, which I use extensively in the creation of project pilots and in their documentation, as they can be assigned to User Stories in TFS.In this case the control templates that it includes have made my life easier and I can assemble the Stories of the interfaces in much less time.

To finish, I want to bring you the official MS video about what's new in Office.

Video: Video: What's new in PowerPoint 2013