Microsoft Sway can be called a newer and more user-friendly alternative to PowerPoint. This cloud-based application brings a new perspective to PowerPoint. By using it, you can easily create a newsletter or your resume with minimal effort. All you need to know is your way around this tool, and you'll be a power user in no time.
ContentsWho can use Sway?Installation1. How to create swings2. How to add content3. Get your hands on editing tools4. How to set focus points5. Get your way around patterns and styles6. Create your custom Sways7. How to share swings8. Collaborate intelligentlyPave your way
So, if you are planning to get the most out of Microsoft Sway, the following guide will help you get the most out of it.
Let's start.
Microsoft Sway is free. Yeah, you heard me right. As long as you have a Microsoft account, you can use Sway. Or if you have an Office 365 subscription, you can enjoy other benefits like password protection for your files and documents.
Ultimately, as long as you have a working Microsoft account, you can create Sway documents.
As for apps, you can get the Windows 10 version from the Microsoft Store. Otherwise, you can simply log in to the sway.office.com website.
Since it is mainly a web application, there is no hassle of configuration and other such things. Similar to Google Docs, you just need to log in and access the different templates.
If you install the Windows 10 version of Sway, let me tell you, the access is exactly the same as the online version.
Yes, Sway files are called Sways. Now that we've got it sorted, let's see how to create Sways. When you log in, you will find a bunch of templates on the homepage. Choose one that matches your job. In my case, I chose the corporate presentation template.
You will be taken to the Sway overview. You can click the right and left arrows to navigate through the slides. Or you can just see the preview of the file by clicking the Browse button.
To start editing the Sway, click "Start editing this Sway" and you will be taken to the Edit view.
Now all you have to do is add the content.
Adding content to Sways is a breeze because every little tool and feature is so well organized. Plus, the large fonts and intuitive interface make it a simple affair.
Simply click on a header (or the text/image) on any card you want to edit. Under each card you will find a plus icon which allows you to add any content.
At the time of writing, Sway allows adding images, audio, video, and even embedding URLs and group cards. Naturally, you can also add content from your PC.
Not sure about the outcome of the document? Click on the Design tab to see a preview of the current Sway.
To add images, click on the image holder and a panel will open on the right side. The good thing is that Sway will automatically suggest images for you based on your theme.
All you have to do is click on the suggestions to open the window with more options. Select one and press the Add button at the top.
The same is true for video. Plus, you can still add content from your PC or OneDrive account.
And when it comes to changing text styles, you can bold or italicize text, or even add a link. All of these formatting options can be found in the top ribbon.
An interesting feature of Sway is the Focus Point. You can specify which areas of an image you want to focus on.
To use it, click on an image and select the Focal Point option. Then touch the areas you want to focus on. Interestingly, if the whole frame is important, you can always check the box below the image.
Annoyed that Sway has limited models? Well, let me tell you that this cloud-based service offers a variety of styles for a particular model. To change the style, open a template and go to its Design mode.
Then click the Styles icon in the top right corner and bingo!
Choose one from dozens of different styles and you should be sorted. The thing about styles is that the color palette and font are built-in. Therefore, when choosing a style, make sure it matches our theme.
Fortunately, the story does not end there. Sway lets you customize the design of your document, giving you the independence to choose your font, animation emphasis, color palette, and text size.
Want to have fun? Tap the remix! button and watch the magic unfold.
Besides templates and different styles, you can also have Microsoft Sway create a template for you of a subject of your choice.
For example, if you want a template for a tech-related project, Sway does its best to gather all the information regarding the topic and put it into a nice template.
All you have to do is go to the Sway home page and select Start a topic.
Add your interest and wait a few minutes while Sway tells you a story.
Alright, you've chosen the style, created a Sway, now what? Share the Sway, of course.
Click Share in the upper right corner and copy the link. Apart from simple link sharing, Sway also offers a few other sharing options. For example, you can share the visual link directly to your emails.
Visual links preview the header image with the title. This way, users would be more likely to click on it.
Other than that, you can share Sways directly to your Facebook and Twitter account. You can also copy the embed code.
Collaboration is the key theme of any online service, be it Dropbox Paper or Google Docs. Like these services, you can also invite your colleagues to collaborate on the same.
To invite your colleagues, click Share and select the edit option. When done, share the link.
This is how you could showcase your awesome ideas using Microsoft Sway. Not only does this make your portfolio, presentation or CV stand out, but it also ensures that you don't spend many restless nights creating them.
Then: Email management can be a tough business. Fortunately, this can be simplified via rules. Learn how to create rules via the post below.
