How to Insert and Format Maps in PowerPoint [with Templates]

If you’ve ever had to showcase geographical information in your presentations, you’ve come to the right place. In this article we’re going to take a look at creating and formatting maps in PowerPoint. We’ll explore different ways you can do it, and everything you need to know about working with maps in PowerPoint.   

It is easy to get overwhelmed by complex looking map-making tools. There are easier options available that you can implement into PowerPoint. This article will guide you through a step-by-step process of creating and customizing maps in PowerPoint, and using it to help you visualize geographical data effectively. Let’s begin.  

To learn more about maps in PowerPoint, watch this video from our YouTube channel:

How to Insert a Map into PowerPoint

To insert a map into your presentation, go to Insert in the ribbon.  

Click on Chart and select Map from the pop-up window.

A new Excel window will open, where you can edit values for each country.

If you just want a single country, edit the sheet to only have that country.   

Enter the location of the country you want a map of in the first column, and enter a value (if needed) into the second column.  

How to Format Maps in PowerPoint

Once you’ve selected the locations you need, you may close the Excel window.  

Based on where you right-click on your map, you get different options, such as Format Chart Area, Format Plot Area, Format Data Series and more.

If you want to format the actual map, right-click on the map and you’ll see the Format Data Series option.

Clicking on this will open a sidebar, where you can format the map.

On the right panel, you have the option to format different parts of your map. For example, if you want to set the colors for the maximum and minimum values, click on Series Option, and select Series 1. You will now see the feature that lets you assign colors to the minimum and maximum values in your map. 

There are however many limitations while adding maps in the steps mentioned above. There is an easier way to add maps into your PowerPoint presentation. Check out SlideBazaar’s PowerPoint add-in, that comes with plenty of themes, templates, and you guessed it, maps! 

Just search for the map you need, add it your slide with just a click, it is as easy as that. 

Try out SlideBazaar’s PowerPoint add-in for free today.

Conclusion

Adding maps to your PowerPoint presentation is a fairly straightforward process, but it comes with many limitations. The best option would be to use SlideBazaar’s free PowerPoint add-in, that gives you a wider variety of choices of locations. And it lets you add these maps into your slides with just a click. Check it out today!