PowerPoint Pearls: Creating a "Hot Spot"

PowerPoint allows you to create hyperlinks using various elements of a slide including text, images or AutoShapes. In a previous issue I demonstrated creating a hyperlink using an image. Now let's say that you want to create a hyperlink to another slide in your presentation using a line of text.

You could simply select the text and follow the steps for creating a hyperlink. However, when you choose this method the text looks like a hyperlink - it is underscored and blue. This may not be the look you're going for . . . instead, you can insert an AutoShape, hyperlink that AutoShape, and finally make the AutoShape invisible. (Follow the links above if you need a full review of those steps.)

Insert an AutoShape

1. To launch the Drawing toolbar, click on View, Toolbars, Drawing. The Drawing toolbar is pictured below:

2. Choose the rectangular AutoShape.
3. Use the crosshair cursor to place the rectangle over your text. A left mouse click will anchor the object, dragging the mouse will change the dimensions.
4. Use the handles to modify the dimensions of the AutoShape.
5. If necessary, use the move cursor to change the location on the screen.

Create a link to a slide within the presentation

1. Click on the Autoshape to select it.
2. Click on Insert, Hyperlink... The Insert Hyperlink window will appear.
3. Click on Place in this Document. There is a scroll-down menu, Select a place in this document, that appears in the window and lists the slides in your presentation. Hidden slides are designated by a set of parentheses around the slide number.
4. Click on the slide that will be the target of the hyperlink. The selected slide will appear in the preview window.
5. Click on the OK button.

Format the Autoshape (to make it invisible)

1. Be sure the AutoShape is selected.
2. Click on Format, AutoShape. The Format AutoShape window will appear.
3. Click on the Color and Lines tab at the top of the window.
4. Use the Fill, Color dropdown menu to select No Color. Use the Fill, Line dropdown menu to select No Line.
5. Click OK to apply the changes.

It is best to follow the steps in this order so that you do not make your shape invisible until you are done working with it.

N.B. If you do use this as a navigation feature in your presentation, be sure that you PRACTICE navigating through your presentation!