Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Sets New Standards for Presentation Graphics Software on the PC NEW YORK -- MAY 22, 1990 -- Microsoft Corporation today announced Microsoft(R) PowerPoint(R) version 2.0 for the Microsoft Windows graphical environment, a new presentation graphics program for business presenters using IBM(R) personal computers and compatibles. The first application from Microsoft designed specifically for the Microsoft Windows(TM) graphical environment version 3.0, PowerPoint takes full advantage of its performance, memory and color capabilities. In addition, PowerPoint delivers complete presentation support, creating slides, overheads and electronic slide shows, generating speaker notes and audience handouts, and providing tools for creating and organizing presentations. "PowerPoint for Windows represents a dramatic step forward for presentation graphics on the PC," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation. "With its ability to access the full power of the new Windows version 3.0 graphical platform, PowerPoint offers incredible ease of use, flexibility and power. And the revolutionary color tools make it easy for even non- artist business presenters to get great looking visuals." Key Features of PowerPoint -------------------------- Intuitive Graphical User Interface. The PowerPoint graphical user interface smoothly integrates all tools and commands, making them readily available to the user via pull-down menus or icons, unlike previous character-based graphics products with complex menu structures. Complete Presentation Support. PowerPoint for Windows saves an entire presentation in a single file making it easy to develop a consistent look for a presentation, sort visuals to create a logical flow and automatically number pages. It also makes it easy for users to copy visuals from one presentation to another -- and to output the same presentation in a variety of formats. Broad Color Capabilities. PowerPoint for Windows comes with over 5,000 pre-designed color schemes that help users select color combinations that work together effectively. In addition, users can easily create shaded backgrounds for a professional look, as well as recolor pictures brought in from another presentation or a commercial clip art package. Built-In Charting Capabilities. PowerPoint users can create pie, bar, line, column, area and scatter charts using a "chart by example" capability. Data for charting can be entered into a spreadsheet-like matrix, or imported from popular spreadsheet programs. Partnership with Genigraphics. PowerPoint includes a set of over 400 clip-art images developed by Genigraphics artists over the years. Genigraphics also provides production services for producing 35mm slides and color overheads from PowerPoint files. Ability to Import Outlines and Graphics. PowerPoint for Windows imports outlines developed in Microsoft Word for Windows (or any other outline saved in RTF or ASCII format) and automatically generates visuals from them. PowerPoint also imports graphics from popular drawing and painting programs. File Exchange Between PC and Macintosh. PowerPoint provides a conversion utility to move documents between Macintoshes and PCs. This unique utility faithfully converts all elements, including text, drawings, shaded backgrounds, pictures and color schemes. Built-in Word Processor. PowerPoint features an integrated word processor with a spelling checker, find-and-replace function and multiple levels of bullet points. Drawing Features. PowerPoint includes several drawing tools, a snap- to-grid function and alignment guides for refined drawing control; and a linked text capability that automatically aligns text in a box, circle or other graphic. Bitstream(R) Fontware(TM). The PowerPoint package includes Bitstream Fontware -- software that reads fonts stored as outline and generates them in bitmapped form. All of the fonts included have metrics that match the Adobe(R) PostScript(R) fonts, so the output will have the same spacing no matter what output device is used. Flexible Output. PowerPoint supports a wide variety of output devices, including laser printers and film recorders, in addition to the Genigraphics output solution. Presentations can be shown on a computer monitor or output to a video projector as an electronic slide show. System Requirements, Pricing and Availability --------------------------------------------- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, version 2.0 requires an IBM PC or compatible with a 386(TM) or 286 processor (386 recommended), Microsoft Windows graphical environment version 3.0 or higher, IBM VGA, EGA, 8514/A or any video adapter supported by Microsoft Windows, a Microsoft Mouse or compatible, a hard disk and a 5-1/4" or 3-1/2" 1.44 MB or 720K disk drive. A 256-color video adapter and compatible MS(R) Windows environment version 3.0 driver is optional. The suggested retail price of version 2.0 of Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows is $495, and it is expected to be available at Microsoft resellers beginning in June. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ "MSFT") develops, markets and supports a wide range of software for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages and application programs, as well as books, CD-ROM products and hardware for the microcomputer marketplace. ### Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, MS and PowerPoint are registered trademarks and Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Adobe and PostScript are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems, Inc. Bitstream is a registered trademark and Fontware is a trademark of Bitstream, Inc. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. 386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation.