What To Know
- ” In the “Page Setup” section, adjust the margins to reduce the amount of whitespace around the slides.
- If the slides are too small or large, you can zoom in or out by using the “Zoom” slider in the Print Preview window.
- If you still can’t eliminate the blank lines using the built-in PowerPoint features, you can try a third-party tool such as CutePDF Writer or PDF24 Creator.
Tired of blank lines interrupting the flow of your PowerPoint handouts? It’s a common annoyance that can leave your presentations looking unprofessional. But fear not, for this comprehensive guide will reveal the secret to printing 3-slide handouts without a trace of blank space.
1. Choose the Right Paper Size
The first step is to select the correct paper size. For 3-slide handouts, you’ll want to use the “Letter” (8.5″ x 11″) or “A4” (210mm x 297mm) paper size. This ensures that the slides fit comfortably on the page without any wasted space.
2. Set the Page Setup
Now, let’s dive into the Page Setup settings.
- Orientation: Choose “Landscape” orientation to print the slides horizontally across the page.
- Slides per Page: Select “3” to fit three slides on each handout.
- Handout Options: Under “Handout Options,” uncheck the “Show Notes” and “Headers and Footers” boxes to remove any unnecessary text.
3. Adjust the Slide Size
The next step is to resize the slides to eliminate the blank lines.
- Select All Slides: Press “Ctrl + A” (Windows) or “Command + A” (Mac) to select all the slides in your presentation.
- Resize the Slides: Go to the “Design” tab and click on “Slide Size.” Choose “Custom Slide Size” and enter the following dimensions:
- Width: 8.5″ (Letter) or 210mm (A4)
- Height: 3.33″ (Letter) or 82.5mm (A4)
4. Remove Page Breaks
In some cases, your slides may still have page breaks that create blank lines. To remove them:
- View Page Breaks: Go to the “View” tab and click on “Page Breaks.”
- Delete Page Breaks: Hover over the page break lines and click on the “X” icon to delete them.
5. Print Preview and Adjust
Before printing, preview your handouts to ensure they look as intended. If there are still any blank lines, you can fine-tune the settings further:
- Adjust Margins: Go to the “File” tab and click on “Print.” In the “Page Setup” section, adjust the margins to reduce the amount of whitespace around the slides.
- Zoom In or Out: If the slides are too small or large, you can zoom in or out by using the “Zoom” slider in the Print Preview window.
6. Use a Third-Party Tool
If you still can’t eliminate the blank lines using the built-in PowerPoint features, you can try a third-party tool such as CutePDF Writer or PDF24 Creator. These tools allow you to create PDF handouts with custom page sizes and layouts, giving you more control over the final output.
7. Print and Enjoy
Once you’re satisfied with the preview, click on “Print” and enjoy your seamless 3-slide handouts. Your presentations will now look polished and professional, without any distracting blank lines.
Tips for Troubleshooting
- Check for Hidden Objects: Sometimes, hidden objects or shapes can create blank lines. Select all the slides and use the “Format” > “Selection Pane” to check for any hidden elements.
- Update PowerPoint: Ensure you’re using the latest version of PowerPoint, as older versions may have bugs that cause blank lines.
- Restart PowerPoint: If all else fails, try restarting PowerPoint and reprinting the handouts.
Common Questions and Answers
Q: Can I print 4 slides on one handout without blank lines?
A: Yes, you can. Follow the steps outlined in this guide and adjust the “Slides per Page” setting to “4.”
Q: How do I make the slides smaller to fit more content on the handout?
A: You can resize the slides by following the steps in Section 3. Simply reduce the width and height of the slides to fit your desired content.
Q: Can I save my 3-slide handouts as a PDF file?
A: Yes, you can. Go to the “File” tab and click on “Save As.” Choose “PDF” as the file type and click on “Save.
