Modern presentation design often prioritizes landscape formats, but knowing how to make slides vertical unlocks a world of creative possibilities for specific contexts. Vertical slides are ideal for mobile-first viewing, social media stories, digital signage in portrait orientation, or when your content naturally flows like a timeline or a process map. This approach moves beyond the standard 16:9 ratio, allowing you to design for impact in environments where screen height is more available than width.
The first step in creating effective vertical slides is understanding the technical setup. You cannot simply rotate a standard landscape slide; you must change the core dimensions of your canvas. This adjustment affects everything from text sizing to image composition. Before you move any text boxes, define your new aspect ratio to ensure your entire presentation maintains a consistent and professional look from the first slide to the last.
Adjusting Slide Dimensions in Common Software
Implementing the vertical format requires changing the default page setup in your chosen application. Each program hides this setting in a different location, but the process is generally straightforward. By accessing the design menu, you can swap the width and height values to match the 9:16 ratio, which is the standard for mobile devices and modern screens.
PowerPoint and Google Slides
In Microsoft PowerPoint, navigate to the "Design" tab and select "Slide Size." Choose "Custom Slide Size," then switch the orientation to "Portrait" or manually input a width of 9 inches and a height of 16 inches. For Google Slides, go to "File," then "Page setup," and select "Custom" to enter the 9:16 dimensions. This single change ensures that your content is built on the correct vertical canvas, preventing awkward stretching or letterboxing later in the process.
Design and Prototyping Tools
If you are creating slides in design tools like Figma, Canva, or Adobe Express, the process is equally direct. You can either search for a vertical presentation template or manually adjust the frame size in the settings panel. The advantage of starting in a vertical workspace is that it guides your eye to prioritize vertical whitespace and flow, which is essential for readability on a phone screen.
Content Strategy for Vertical Layouts
Once the canvas is set, you must adapt your content strategy. Horizontal slides encourage wide, comparative layouts, while vertical slides demand a linear, sequential approach. Think of your deck as a scrollable story rather than a collection of isolated panels. This shift in perspective allows you to create a narrative that guides the viewer downward, revealing information in a controlled and engaging manner.
Typography requires special attention in this format. Since the width is limited, you can use slightly larger font sizes for body text without overwhelming the slide, while maintaining strong hierarchy with headings. Bullet points should be concise, ideally fragment-style sentences that scan quickly. The goal is to ensure that a user reading on a mobile device does not have to zoom or strain their eyes to absorb the information you are presenting.
Visual Composition and Branding
Visual elements like images and charts must be reimagined for the vertical grid. Full-bleed background photos work exceptionally well in this format, creating an immersive backdrop that fills the entire screen. When placing images, focus on the center of the frame, as the top and bottom are often obscured by device bezels or thumbnails when shared online.
Consistency is key to maintaining a professional appearance. Apply your brand colors and logos strategically, ensuring they remain visible against the vertical background. Data visualization simplifies beautifully in this space; rather than complex graphs, consider using single, clear metrics or vertical bar charts that grow upward. This format allows you to present data in a way that feels fresh and intimate, rather than clinical.
