Keynote is easily one of the strongest presentations apps. We find Keynote provides the most “wow” of the 3 programs in the iWork suite as Keynote is one that truly shows off the visual capabilities of the iPad.
Basic Features
Keynote can create dazzling presentations with animated transitions and graphics on your iPad. If you plan on using Keynote with any frequency, you should look into buying a keyboard for your iPad to work effectively. Keynote is very intuitive to work with and allows you to create presentations that display photos, graphics, and bullet pointed text. Just remember with the iPad version of Keynote you are limited to what files and formats the iPad display.
Templates – Currently Keynote comes with 12 standard templates that cover most types of presentations from display sales and financial data for businesses to school presentations. When selecting a template, you will be prompted to insert pictures and fill out texts. The interface is very intuitive and user friendly and you just follow the instructions to create the basic presentation.
Slide Transitions – You have a choice of slide transitions: flip, dissolve, pop, twirl, spin, zoom, and many more. You are not limited to one type of transition for a presentation as you can choose from the menu of transitions from one slide to the next.
Style Text – When creating or editing a presentation, you can change the text style as you wish. To change the text style, just tap a text block to select it. Tap the Style text “icon to get to the “Style, Text, and Arrange” tabs. The Style text icon is the located in the upper right hand corner of Keynote. It’s the farthest left icon in the upper right hand corner that looks like a lowercase “I” within a white circle. After you select the style text icon a pop-up box with appear allowing you to change the style, text, and arrangement of the highlighted text.
Images and Graphics – The next icon to the right of the Style Text icon allows you insert media, tables, charts, and shapes. This icon looks like a mountain range in a picture frame. This icon allows you format and add photos as well as other graphics including tables and charts in your presentation.
Animated Transitions – Right after the “images and graphics” icon is the animated transitions icon. This icon looks like 2 diamonds. To add animated transitions, on the left hand side tap any thumbnail slide in your presentation. A “none” box will appear next to that slide. Tap the “none” box. This bring up the “Transitions” pop up box. Simply go through the list of transitions and choose whichever you wish. Tap the “Options” tab in the transition box to edit the length and time of the transition. This will allow you to create self running Keynote presentations and decide how long the viewer watches each slide.
Change settings – To change the settings tap the “Tools” Menu. This icon looks like a wrench. From this tool you can print, adjust settings, use the search tool, and get help. In addition you can add notes for the presenter by tapping “Presenter Notes.” Under “Settings,” you can spell check your presentation as well as select the edge guides and slide numbers.
Playing a presentation – The play icon is the normal triangle shape icon we are all use to seeing. Once you start to play your Keynote presentation, tap or swipe the slide to go onto the next slide. If you want the presentation to run automatically without tapping a slide after pressing the play icon, set your transitions to advance automatically.
Adding a New Slide – Tap the “+” icon in the bottom left hand corner to add a new slide. A pop up box will appear allowing you to choose the format of the Slide. Among the selections you can choose a Title page, blank page, partially formatted text page, etc.