Difference Between Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote

Microsoft PowerPoint vs Apple Keynote

MS PowerPoint and Apple Keynote are both software applications that are used to create presentations and slide shows. PowerPoint is part of Microsoft Office suite which is developed by Microsoft while Keynote is a part of iWork which is developed by Apple.

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentation software and part of Microsoft Office suite that includes other applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook etc. In late 1984, Dennis Austin and Robert Gaskins developed PowerPoint for the first time and later on their company Forethought was purchased by Microsoft in 1987. It was then developed by Microsoft.

This software application is primarily used by trainers, teachers, business staff and sales. It is very easy to use and even a novice user can create professional presentations and that too at minimal cost. The three main functions such as editing, creation and presentation are offered by PowerPoint. PowerPoint can also interact with other applications in the Office suite through which users can copy/paste images and texts from other documents easily into the presentation.

The presentation can be created using two methods i.e. work from blank page or use of an existing template. There are different types of templates from which the users can choose from according to their needs. The template describes the background image, information layout and text formatting.

It is easier to edit PowerPoint presentations because the tools are common among all the applications in the Office Suite. The user can easily create backgrounds, format text, create links to internet and add/remove animation.

Keynote

Keynote is also a presentation software application and part of iWork. It is developed by Apple. Other applications included in the suite are Pages and Numbers. Keynote is a powerful yet easy to use presentation tool.

Even for a novice user, creating presentation is much easier in keynote. Similar to templates in PowerPoint, there is an enhanced theme chooser in keynote that allows users to choose a theme from a set of 44 designer themes created by Apple. After choosing the theme, users can include their own images and words for the presentation. Slide navigator is also present in Keynote that allows users to see the progress of their presentation as well as its organization.

The tools available in keynote also allow users to add certain elements such as media, shapes, charts and tables to the slides. With just one click, a table or a 3D chart can be added to the presentation. By using the Media Browser, photos from Aperture libraries and iPhoto can easily be added into the presentation. Users can also add music from iTunes and movies from the Movies folder into the presentation.