How to apply a uniform format after finishing a presentation

Converting formats has always been challenging, at least for me. I don't know that you are going to find a one step solution but here is how I would recommend executing:

• Create a Master from the correct file.

  View Tab >> Slide Master (under Master Views Section)

This brings up all the different slide types and allows you to configure them however you like. It will take some time and effort to create the master. MAKE A BACKUP I suggest a working copy and a backup copy of the blank master...in the case of saving over the top of it on accident...

• Convert old presentations

This is where its messy. Select everything in the old presentations and paste only the content

Chances are at this point you will have to do a little cleanup.

This definitely is not a one step process, but once it is organized it works very well. Anytime you need to create a new presentation you simply open up the working copy of the master and save as.

Also worth mentioning that the more you can avoid custom formatting in the individual presentations the easier it will be to convert/modify your master in the future.

I've been mucking around with inserting and removing footers on masters, layouts and slides. It is very confusing and nothing updates properly.

Simple workaround:

• remove footers everywhere (masters, layouts and slides)
• forget about them
• insert normal textboxes on the master slide in the footer area
• you can insert fields in these textboxes via insert, then date/time or slide number
• format as required

This new footer WILL properly propagate to all slides.

It will be fixed there and cannot be changed on the slides (as desired). Only one spot to update the footer => master slide (as desired).

It will show up on the title slides though. If you want to avoid it there, you should remove the fixed footer from the master and copy it to the desired layouts under the master slide.