7 X 7 Rule Powerpoint

Despite its reputation for dry content delivery across virtual and in-person meetings alike, PowerPoint remains the get-to choice for many professionals, even equally other options sally that offer greater usability and flexibility exterior of the Microsoft ecosystem.

Function of the presentation platform'due south popularity stems from its familiarity — many organizations still run Microsoft-first IT software environments, making PowerPoint the obvious option for straightforward presentation design. Simplicity provides the second part of this popularity permutation since creating a basic PowerPoint presentation on a unmarried topic requires minimal time and attempt.

The problem? "Simple" doesn't ever mean "effective". Staff across markets, industries, and verticals worldwide accept stories virtually unbearably long and irksome PowerPoint presentations that were long on details but brusque on value. The 7x7 dominion offers a framework to help heave PowerPoint form and part by reducing text volume and improving information impact.

In this piece, we'll break down the 7x7 rule in PowerPoint, all-time practices, and offer some actionable examples of seven-by-seven solutions in-situ.

The PowerPoint Problem

To put it just, almost viewers don't similar PowerPoint. While the format has the benefit of speed and convenience — and tin can feasibly be used to communicate data quickly and concisely — many presentations are overlong and overwrought with bonanzas of bullet points that seem relevant simply are really just digital hot air.

In most cases, the disconnect between advent and action is boring at best and irritating at worst. Equally noted by the BBC, however, in farthermost cases — such as NASA'south Challenger shuttle disaster — disregarded information in an overstuffed presentation tin have pregnant real-world consequences.

All-time bet? To avoid PowerPoint frustration and fatigue, it's time for a new framework: The 7x7 rule.

What is the 7x7 dominion in PowerPoint?

The 7x7 rule is unproblematic: For every slide, utilize no more than seven lines of text — or seven bullet points — and no more than seven words per line. Slide titles aren't included in the count.

There'due south no specific data supporting the 7x7 model as the platonic; some PointPower proselytizers consider 8x8 good enough while others say 6x6 is more streamlined. The indicate here isn't the hard-and-fast number but the underlying thought: Cutting out extraneous information to amend presentation uptake.

Slides can yet contain images — and should, wherever possible — merely sticking to the 7x7 rule helps cutting downwardly on excess data that might exist better-shared in follow-up emails or one-on-one discussions. In effect, the 7x7 rule is a mode to reduce the corporeality of fourth dimension staff spend pretending to care virtually PowerPoints and instead help them focus on slide information that's relevant, contextual, and actionable.

Best Practices for the 7x7 Rule in PowerPoint

Edifice a typical PowerPoint slide is straightforward. Like any business concern practice, however, it tin exist improved with a standardized set of rules designed to limit waste and improve efficiency. And when it comes to well-nigh PowerPoint presentations, almost whatever modify makes a positive impact.

Let's interruption downward some of the best practices for building PowerPoint slides with the 7x7 rule.

1. Single slide, single concept.

Each slide should address a single concept rather than trying to connect the dots across multiple data points, trends or ideas. While it's fine to build on previous slide data every bit your presentation progresses the single slide, single concept approach helps focus presentation efforts from the word go.

2. Images increment touch.

As noted above images are a welcome addition to slides, and so long as they're relevant. If you find yourself adding unrelated stock photos just to add some colour — don't. Keep slides, text, and images on-track.

4. Forget the funny.

Almost everyone has a story about a "funny" PowerPoint joke that was null of the sort. In almost cases, these heavy-handed sense of humor efforts are shoehorned in ostensibly to aid viewers better call up slide information. In fact, they shift the focus away from your main objective.

5. Plan it out.

Before creating your presentation, create a bones outline that highlights your primary concept, how y'all program to get it across, and how many slides in full information technology should take. And then, draft your slides. Take a intermission, review them, and cutting dorsum wherever possible.

6. Consider the 7x7x7.

If you really desire to go all-in on the 7x7 dominion, consider calculation some other 7 and aiming for no more than 7 words in each line, no more than than 7 lines on each slide, and no more than vii slides in full. It's not easy — merely offers a much amend adventure of getting your point across.

7x7 Dominion in Powerpoint Examples

And so what does the 7x7 rule look like in practise? It's one thing to talk most building a amend slide, simply it's easy to autumn back into bad habits when it's time to put together a presentation. It makes sense; content creators are oft trying to convey a significant amount of information in a brusque menses of time, and information technology'due south like shooting fish in a barrel to get sidetracked by the notion that every piece of data must be included to make the meeting a success.

Permit's start with a slide that's substantially removed from the 7x7 rule:

There's a lot to unpack here. Nosotros're using likewise many lines and too many words per line. Lines are complex without proverb much, and the attempt at sense of humor doesn't add anything.

Permit's try once again:

This one is amend — nosotros've reduced the number of lines to 7 and lost the joke, merely about of the lines still have more than 7 words and the text is overly convoluted.

Let's endeavor one more time:

This slide is articulate and concise, and almost lines take less than 7 characters. It offers the same information every bit the first 2 versions — it's just more effective and efficient.

The 7x7 Solution

While using 7 lines of text with 7 words or less isn't a silvery bullet for all PowerPoint-related bug, it's a good place to begin if you're looking to boost viewer engagement and limit fatigue.

Bottom line? PowerPoint isn't always the platonic format for getting your bespeak across, but if you need to create a quick-hitter presentation that lands well with your audience, first with the 7x7 solution.

7 X 7 Rule Powerpoint,

Source: https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/7x7-rule-powerpoint

Posted by: lovelandlosting.blogspot.com

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