What is Prezi?

Prezi is a visual “storytelling” alternative to traditional slide-based presentation formats like Microsoft PowerPoint. Prezi presentations feature a map-like, schematic overview that lets users pan between topics at will, zoom in on desired details, and pull back to reveal context.

This freedom of movement enables “conversational presenting,” a new presentation style in which presentations follow the flow of dialogue, instead of vice-versa.

The Prezi online and offline editors employ a common tool palette, allowing users to pan and zoom, and to size, rotate, or edit an object. The user places objects on a canvas and navigates between videos, images, texts and other presentation media. Frames allow grouping of presentation media together as a single presentation object. Paths are navigational sequences that connect presentation objects for the purposes of structuring a linear presentation.

Here is a quick start guide to using Prezi…

Start from a template

When you create a prezi, you can choose from a number of reusable templates or a blank canvas. When you decide to use a template, you can edit everything you see on the canvas just as if you were creating your own prezi, including copying and pasting pre-made content from other prezis or applications.

Navigate the canvas

Getting around your prezi canvas couldn’t be easier.

Zooming around: This is a key feature of Prezi, so naturally we made it simple. You can zoom in and out by using your mouse’s scroll wheel or by clicking the + and – symbols on the right hand side of your screen.

Panning: To move your prezi canvas left, right, up, or down, hold down the left button of your mouse and then move in the direction you want to go.
To take a step back and get an overview of everything you’ve added so far (both in Edit and Present mode), you can use the Home button
on the right hand side of your screen (you can find it just above the zoom + and – buttons). Clicking the Home button before you start making a prezi will also ensure that you’re starting from the right place.

Add text and images

Click anywhere and start typing to add text.

Select ‘Insert‘ from the top-menu to start adding images from the web or your computer.

Get to know the Transformation Tool

In Prezi, the Transformation Tool is your best friend. Once you add anything to your canvas, click on it once to bring up the Transformation Tool. Now you can move, size, and rotate your content any way you like. If you add a frame to your prezi, you can click on it once to bring up the Transformation Tool and move, scale, or rotate everything inside.

Frame your content

Frames are a signature part of Prezi and a great way to manage your content. Frames work like slides and can be used to group your ideas. Use frames to create a placeholder in your prezi and then add content to them. Frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and you can change the color of them as well as their size and position. The other great thing about frames is that once you place one on your prezi canvas, you can move, size, and rotate it, and all the content within your frame will move, size, and rotate too.

Create frames:

Choose ‘Frames & Arrows‘ from the top menu.

Then choose whether you want a circle, rectangle, bracket, or invisible frame.
Use frames to add animation and take your audience through your prezi.

Customize colors and fonts: Theme Wizard

Use the Theme Wizard to customize the colors of your prezi and to set your font choices from Prezi’s font library.

You can also create branded Prezi themes by adding your exact company colors to the wizard. Paying users (Pro, EduPro, Enjoy, and EduEnjoy license holders) can even add their own logo to a customized theme.

Insert diagrams

Prezi has created layout drawings, diagrams, and charts that can help you better communicate your ideas to your audience.

Quickly add content to your diagrams, and duplicate them (using the right-click menu or keyboard shortcuts) to start filling your prezi with inspiring content.

Add symbols and shapes

Click ‘Insert’ and then select the ‘Symbols and shapes’ icon at the top of the screen to add shapes, lines, arrows, and more to your prezi.

Insert rectangles, circles, and triangles to frame your content. Alternatively, add symbols from a huge library or purpose designed drawings to further enhance your prezi.

Add URLS to your prezi

To put live links into your prezi, copy and paste the desired URL into a text box. Then click away from the text box and your link will become active (you will see it automatically underline).

Path: navigate and rearrange with the Path sidebar

When presenting your ideas, it can sometimes help to have a clear narrative that takes your audience through your prezi. With the Left Sidebar, you can create a journey from one idea to the next. Edit your path and its points in Edit mode and take your audience along that path in Present mode.

To set your path, click the ‘Edit Path’ on the left-hand side of screen. Then click on the objects in your prezi canvas in the order you wish them to appear.

You can also use the sidebar to rearrange and delete path points or to zoom to a specific path point.

“Borrow” from other prezis

On the Prezi Explore page you can find loads of great prezis from which you can “borrow” content, animations or even sound effects. Reusing content in this way allows you to share your ideas more effectively and is a great way to get started with Prezi. To use content from another prezi, first select a reusable prezi you like from the Explore page, then click ‘Save a copy’ to place a copy of the prezi in your own prezi library. From here, you can open the prezi and start putting your own content into it. Alternatively, cut and paste the elements you like into one of your own prezis. https://prezi.com/jbjbixjnt1km/prezi/