Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows Sets New Standards for Presentation Graphics Software on the PC SAN FRANCISCO, Calif -- May 22, 1990 -- Microsoft Corporation today announced Microsoft(R) PowerPoint(R) version 2.0 for the Windows(TM) graphical environment, a new presentation graphics program for business presenters using IBM(R) personal computers and compatibles. Already the best-selling Macintosh(R) desktop presentation program, the Microsoft PowerPoint program sets new standards for PC presentation graphics software in two key ways. By using an intuitive graphical user interface, PowerPoint is exceptionally easy to learn and use. The first application from Microsoft designed specifically for the Microsoft Windows version 3.0 graphical environment, PowerPoint takes full advantage of the performance, memory and color capabilities of this powerful graphical platform to provide tools for creating and organizing presentations. The PowerPoint program also delivers complete presentation support, creating a single file for each presentation that contains the visuals -- which can be imaged as overheads, 35mm slides or an electronic slide show, as well as speaker support materials like speaker notes and audience handouts. "PowerPoint for Windows represents a dramatic step forward for presentation graphics on the PC," said Bill Gates, Microsoft co- founder and Chairman. "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 a non-artist business presenter to get great looking visuals.." Intuitive Graphical User Interface ---------------------------------- The Microsoft PowerPoint graphical user interface lets users see all the elements of their visuals -- including text, graphics and charts along with colors, fonts and backgrounds -- exactly as they will appear on the finished slide or overhead. This WYSIWYG ("what you see is what you get") capability saves time by eliminating the need for a preview mode with limited editing as is found in most character-based presentation graphics programs. With PowerPoint, users manipulate objects on the screen directly rather than working through menu commands or form-entry screens: A single mouse action is all that's required to shrink or expand objects or drag them to a new location. The graphical user interface in PowerPoint also allows users to easily mix different elements -- such as text, numerical data, drawings and charts -- on a single visual and to exchange data with other Windows applications, including spreadsheet, charting and word processing applications. Complete Presentation Support ----------------------------- In contrast to the older style presentation graphics packages, in which each visual is saved as a separate file, Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows saves an entire presentation in a single file. This approach makes it easy to develop a consistent look for a presentation, rearrange visuals to create a logical flow and automatically number pages. It is also easy for users to copy visuals from one presentation to another -- and to output the same presentation in a variety of formats such as overheads, 35mm slides or "electronic slides" shown on the computer monitor. To assist with presentation management, the PowerPoint program offers a range of special tools, including: o A Slide Master that lets users create a consistent look for all visuals in a presentation, including standardized design items that automatically appear on each visual (such as a logo, border or date). o A slide sorter that displays miniatures of all visuals in a presentation at once, allowing users to rearrange them as needed. o A title sorter that displays the titles of all the visuals in a presentation at once, allowing users to rearrange them as needed. The PowerPoint program also provides a variety of speaker support materials, including: o Notes pages containing a reduced-size copy of each visual at the top of each page, along with ample room for notes or even a full script. o Audience handouts with reduced-size visuals that are printed either two, three or six to a page. Broad Color Capabilities ------------------------ Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows provides unprecedented ease and power for working with color on the PC. For example, the program comes with over 5,000 predesigned color schemes, developed by Genigraphics, the worldwide leader in the production of high-quality 35mm slides and artwork. These color schemes help users select color combinations that work together effectively while ensuring a consistent look throughout a presentation. Shaded backgrounds -- gradual color transitions that give visuals a professional look -- are available in 44 different styles. Each slide can use any of the 16.7 million colors available with the Microsoft Windows version 3.0 graphical environment. With PowerPoint it is also easy to recolor a picture brought in from another presentation or a commercial clip art package. "It was particularly important to provide an easy way to use color in PowerPoint," said Bob Gaskins, general manager of the Microsoft Graphics Business Unit. "While graphics artists may be able to choose from 16.7 million colors, we knew that it would be overwhelming to the vast majority of business presenters. The color schemes developed with Genigraphics assure a high-quality, professional look for every presentation." Built-In Charting Capabilities ------------------------------ Built-in charting lets PowerPoint users create the major business chart types, including pie, bar, line, column, area and scatter charts. Each of the 45 predefined chart styles can be selected by clicking on a pictorial representation of it. In addition, a "chart by example" capability allows users to create new chart templates by modifying existing ones. Data for charting can be entered into a spreadsheet-like matrix, or data can be imported from several popular spreadsheet programs. Partnership with Genigraphics ----------------------------- In developing PowerPoint for Windows, Microsoft has worked closely with Genigraphics, the world's largest network of slide service bureaus and the industry leader in producing state-of-the art business presentations. In addition to the Genigraphics-developed color schemes, the PowerPoint program includes a set of over 400 color clip- art images developed specifically for presentations by Genigraphics artists. The clip art is object-oriented rather than bit mapped, so it can be resized and imaged accurately on a variety of output devices, from laser printers to film recorders. Genigraphics also provides production services for imaging 35mm slides and color overheads from PowerPoint files. The Genigraphics(R) driver and GraphicsLink(TM) communications program, which will ship with the PowerPoint program, allow users to create and send presentations to Genigraphics for imaging. When the Genigraphics driver and GraphicsLink are used, files can be received by Genigraphics as late as 6 p.m. and still be delivered as finished 35mm slides the next morning. File Exchange Between PC and Macintosh -------------------------------------- For the first time, graphic images can be translated precisely between Macintosh and Intel(R)-based personal computers. PowerPoint provides a conversion utility that uses the Apple(R) File Exchange to move documents between Macintoshes and PCs. The utility faithfully converts all elements, including text, drawings, shaded backgrounds, pictures and color schemes. Graphic images, regardless of native format, will be converted from one platform to the other. Additional Capabilities ----------------------- Other key features in Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows include: o Built-in word processor. PowerPoint features an integrated word processor with a spelling checker, find-and-replace function and multiple levels of bullet points. o Drawing features. PowerPoint includes several drawing tools, including lines, circles, ellipses, squares and rectangles; a snap-to- grid function and alignment guides for refined drawing control; a shadow command to create a shadow effect on any object with just one command; and a linked text capability that automatically aligns text in a box, circle or other graphic. o Graphics importation. PowerPoint imports graphics from popular drawing and painting programs. o Ability to import outlines. 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. Each first-level heading in the outline becomes the title of a visual, with subsequent headings becoming body text. o Bitstream(R) Fontware(TM). The PowerPoint package uses Bitstream Fontware -- software that reads fonts stored as outline and generates them in bitmapped form. PowerPoint comes with several fonts, including ITC Zapf Dingbats(R) and versions of the Times(R) and Helvetica(R) families. All 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. o Flexible output. PowerPoint supports a wide variety of output devices, including PostScript and HP(R) compatible laser printers and film recorders, in addition to the Genigraphics output solution. o Electronic slide show. With PowerPoint, any presentation can be turned into an electronic slide show and shown on a computer monitor or output to a video projector. System Requirements, Pricing and Availability --------------------------------------------- Microsoft PowerPoint version 2.0 for the Windows graphical environment requires an IBM PC or compatible with a 386(TM) or 286 processor (386 recommended), the 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 5.25" or 3.5" 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 in the United States. Versions of Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows localized for the French and German markets are expected to be available in August, with versions expected in Dutch, Italian and Swedish within the next six months. 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. Apple and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. Bitstream is a registered trademark and Fontware is a trademark of Bitstream, Inc. Genigraphics is a registered trademark and GraphicsLink is a trademark of Genigraphics Corporation. HP is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Intel is a registered trademark and 386 is a trademark of Intel Corporation. IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation. ITC Zapf Dingbats is a registered trademark of International Typeface Corporation. Helvetica and Times are registered trademarks of Linotype AG and its subsidiaries.