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How to download Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint splash page on a MacBook.
Digital Trends

If you’re tasked with creating a presentation for work or school, you should probably learn how to use Microsoft PowerPoint, one of the best slideshow creation tools around.

Here’s what you need to know about purchasing and downloading Microsoft PowerPoint along with other options for using this full-featured Microsoft Office application.

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How to purchase and download Microsoft PowerPoint

Just as you can like download Microsoft Word as a standalone app, you can visit the Microsoft Store and search for PowerPoint. However, it’s hard to find the PowerPoint app without it being part of the Microsoft Office bundle. Luckily, we’ll show you exactly how to get it.

Note: Below are the prices at the time of this writing, which are subject to change at any time.

Visit the PowerPoint purchase page on Microsoft.com where you can buy PowerPoint alone for $159.99. If you’re in school, head to the PowerPoint Home and Student page instead where you can buy PowerPoint at a discounted price of $79.99.

PowerPoint purchase page.
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Be sure to move down the page slightly and review the Requirements tab before making your purchase because it’s nonrefundable. You’ll need at least Windows 11, Windows 10, or macOS to install PowerPoint along with a certain amount of memory and hard disk space per your operating system.

PowerPoint requirements.
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When you’re ready, select Buy now at the top, and you’ll be directed to your cart to complete the purchase. Note that you’ll receive a digital copy of PowerPoint, not a physical one. Choose Checkout to continue.

Checkout page for PowerPoint.
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Enter your Microsoft username and password when prompted or create an account if necessary.

Select your payment method, optionally enter a promo code, and pick Place order. Notice the statement at the bottom of the page informing you that you’ll be charged immediately, and again, there are no refunds.

PowerPoint Place Order page.
Digital Trends

Follow the subsequent prompts to complete your purchase, download, and install PowerPoint per your web browser and operating system.

How to download Microsoft PowerPoint on mobile

If you’d like to create, edit, or review PowerPoint presentations on the go, you can install the free mobile app. All you need is a Microsoft account to use the PowerPoint app on Android or iOS.

For Android, head to Microsoft PowerPoint on Google Play and select Install. For iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision, go to Microsoft PowerPoint on the App Store and select Get.

Once the app installs, select Open in Google Play or the App Store. Alternatively, you can simply tap the app icon that displays on your Home screen. Sign in with your Microsoft account and you’re ready to go.

Note that you do have an in-app purchase available for a Microsoft 365 plan if you decide to upgrade.

Other ways to get Microsoft PowerPoint

If you’re looking for additional ways to get Microsoft PowerPoint, we’ve got two options for you.

First, you can use PowerPoint on the web for free with your Microsoft account. All of your files are saved to OneDrive, which also includes 5GB of storage with your free Microsoft account. You can also enjoy many of the same features without much limitation including the use of PowerPoint templates.

Visit PowerPoint online, sign in, and you’re set.

PowerPoint splash page with Sign In option.
Digital Trends

Second, you can purchase PowerPoint as part of Microsoft 365. Because this is the method you see more than any other, it’s one to consider if you can take advantage of the additional Office apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, and others.

Review how to buy Microsoft Office for all of your options.

PowerPoint and Microsoft 365 plans.
Digital Trends

FAQs

Do you have to download PowerPoint to use it?

Nope! You can use PowerPoint in your web browser with a free Microsoft account as well as with a Microsoft 365 work or school account. You can also install the PowerPoint mobile app for free on Android or iPhone.

Is Microsoft PowerPoint easy to use?

It’s simple to get started, but you should check out our list of Microsoft PowerPoint best practices to improve the quality of your presentations.

What is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint but free?

You can look at applications similar to PowerPoint that are completely free. These include Google Slides, a web-based slideshow creator, and LibreOffice, a downloadable office suite containing Impress for building slideshows.

For additional options, check out how to use Microsoft Office for free along with our list of the best Microsoft Office alternatives.

How do I save a PowerPoint presentation on desktop?

To save a PowerPoint presentation, go to the File tab and select Save or Save As. Choose a location, name the file, and then Save.

Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, Lifewire, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog…
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