IGCSE ICT: Presentations — Revision Notes

Presentations in Cambridge IGCSE ICT 0417 (Topic 19) cover creating a presentation from a text file, using a master slide to place and format objects consistently, editing slides (layouts, objects, presenter notes, hyperlinks, action buttons, alternative text, transitions, animations, hidden slides) and outputting the presentation as a looped carousel, presenter-controlled show or printed handouts. It is assessed practically in Paper 2.

Condensed for revision. For the full explanation, use the presentations study guide, then try the presentations practice questions.

Syllabus coverage

Topic 19 has no numbered subtopics; the syllabus gives four content rows.

Syllabus content row	Content
Create a presentation	Create a new presentation using a text file
Use a master slide	Insert and edit objects consistently: images, text, shapes, logos, slide headers and footers, placeholder position, automated slide numbering; format master slide objects: headings, subheadings, bullets, background colour
Edit a presentation	Apply slide layout; insert, move, delete slides; insert and edit objects (text, images, video, animated images, charts, tables, audio, symbols, lines, arrows, callout boxes, shapes); presenter notes; hyperlinks to a slide, file or email address; action buttons; alternative text/screentip; consistent transitions; consistent animations; hide slides
Output the presentation	Display looped on-screen carousel or presenter controlled; print full-page slides, presenter notes, handouts

How do you create a presentation from a text file?

Open or import the text (.txt or .rtf) file as an outline: each heading-level line becomes a slide title, and indented lines become bullet points on that slide. Check that every slide has the right title and bullets, and that no blank slide has been created.

What is a master slide and why use it?

A master slide holds the design and objects that appear on every slide (or every slide of a layout). Anything placed or formatted on the master is applied consistently and changes everywhere in one edit.

Put on the master	Example
Images and logos	Company logo top right on every slide
Text and shapes	A coloured bar along the bottom
Slide headers and footers	Presenter’s name, date
Automated slide numbering	Slide number in the footer that updates automatically
Placeholder position	Where the title and content boxes sit
Formatting of headings, subheadings, bullets	Font, size, colour, bullet shape
Background colour	Same background on every slide

Benefits: consistency (house style), speed (format once), fewer errors (nothing forgotten on one slide).

Editing slides

• Slide layout: title slide, title and content, two content, title only, blank.
• Insert, move or delete slides to the order instructed.
• Objects: text (headings, subheadings, bulleted lists), still images, video clips, animated images, charts, tables, audio (sound) clips, symbols, lines, arrows, callout boxes and shapes.
• Presenter notes: notes for the speaker, not shown to the audience on screen.
• Hyperlinks from text or objects to: another slide in the presentation, an external file, or an email address.
• Action buttons: ready-made buttons (next, previous, home) whose settings are changed to go to a specified slide or file.
• Alternative text / screentip: a description of an object, read by screen readers (accessibility) or shown when the pointer hovers over it.
• Transitions (between slides) and animations (on text, images and objects within a slide) should be consistent — the same effect throughout — so they do not distract the audience.
• Hide slides: the slide stays in the file but is skipped in the slide show.

Transitions vs animations

	Transition	Animation
Applies to	The change from one slide to the next	Objects on a slide (text, images, shapes)
Example	Fade between slides	Bullets appear one at a time
Good practice	Same transition on every slide	Same effect for similar objects

How can a presentation be output?

Output	Use
Looped on-screen carousel	Runs automatically and repeats, with timings, for example in a shop window or reception (no presenter)
Presenter controlled	Speaker moves through slides with clicks or keys, for example a lesson
Print full-page slides	One slide per page
Print presenter notes	Slide with its notes underneath, for the speaker
Print handouts	Several slides per page for the audience to take away

Worked example: a reception-area display

A hotel wants a presentation in its reception that runs all day without a presenter.

• Set slide timings (for example 8 seconds each) and loop continuously until Esc.
• Use consistent, gentle transitions; avoid audio that would annoy guests.
• Put the hotel logo and slide numbers on the master slide.
• Hide any slide that is only used at staff training sessions.

Common mistakes and exam traps

• Placing a logo on each slide by hand instead of the master — positions differ slightly and lose the consistency mark.
• Typing slide numbers instead of inserting automated numbering.
• Using a different transition or animation on every slide when the task asks for consistency.
• Confusing presenter notes with handouts.
• Deleting a slide when the task says hide it.
• Hyperlink pointing to the wrong slide, or action button left at the default “next slide”.
• Blank slide left over after importing the text file.

Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of a master slide? It controls the layout, formatting and objects that appear on every slide, so the presentation is consistent and changes are made once. Logos, slide numbers and background colours are usually placed on the master.

What is the difference between presenter notes and handouts? Presenter notes are for the speaker and show each slide with its notes. Handouts are for the audience and show several slides per page.

Why add alternative text to an image? It describes the image for people using screen readers and appears as a screentip, making the presentation more accessible.

When would you hide a slide rather than delete it? When the slide may be needed for another audience. A hidden slide stays in the file but is skipped during the show.

Self-test

1. Name three objects that should be placed on a master slide.
2. State the difference between a transition and an animation.
3. Describe a looped on-screen carousel.
4. Give two destinations for a hyperlink in a presentation.
5. State one reason for using consistent transitions.

Answers: 1 any three of logo, image, slide numbers, footer text, background colour, heading/bullet formatting; 2 a transition is the effect between slides, an animation is an effect on an object within a slide; 3 a presentation that runs automatically with timings and repeats continuously; 4 another slide, an external file, an email address; 5 looks professional and does not distract the audience.

Official syllabus

Cambridge International, Cambridge IGCSE Information and Communication Technology (0417) syllabus for 2026, 2027 and 2028, Version 3, Topic 19 “Presentations” (Create a presentation; Use a master slide; Edit a presentation; Output the presentation).