Learn how to do code syntax highlighting in PowerPoint!

How to do code syntax highlighting in Microsoft PowerPoint

The basic technique I use to do syntax highlighting for my talk slides has two steps:

1. open Visual Studio Code and write the code I want highlighted; and
2. copy the code from Visual Studio Code directly to the PowerPoint slide.

I use this technique a lot when I'm preparing my talks! For an example of a whole presentation built with this technique you can check this slide deck.

Step-by-step instructions

To make it easier to follow, you can find here the step-by-step instructions. At the bottom of the page you'll also find an animated GIF showing you how I do this.

1. Write some code in Visual Studio Code using the theme you already want:

2. Select the code and copy it:

3. Open PowerPoint (or the presentation you are working on):

4. Paste the code into PowerPoint with the “Paste” menu button or with a keyboard shortcut:

5. Your code should have syntax highlighting! Don't forget to change the font family, font size, among other things, if you need:

Pretty simple and saves you a LOT of trouble if you try to do syntax highlighting by hand... Which I did! It was painful. Finally, just because I can, here is the whole process in an animated GIF:

That's it for now! Stay tuned and I'll see you around!

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