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Microsoft MVP Summit 2025

Last week Microsoft held their annual “MVP Summit”, an invite only event on the Redmond, WA campus. As an awarded MVP for PowerPoint, I was on the invite list and ventured up to the Microsoft campus for several meetings and information sessions with the PowerPoint Program Managers hearing about, and discussing, future features. All content is under NDA, but I can say, several updates to PowerPoint are releasing soon – and the focus for every group within Microsoft is AI and Microsoft Copilot integration and features.

A few stats on the Microsoft MVP program:

First, I have been annually awarded as an MVP for PowerPoint since 2004! It is a huge privilege and honor that is one of my career highlights (and my Microsoft MVP profile is is here).
The Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVP) program recognizes exceptional community leaders for their technical expertise, leadership, speaking experience, online influence, and commitment to solving real-world problems. MVPs are individuals who share their knowledge and influence Microsoft products and services.
The MVP program benefits to awarded individuals is primarily direct communication with Microsoft teams, a voice in directing program development, early access to Microsoft products, and recognition for their contributions. For me is it really the opportunity to collaborate with the PMs and developers to give real-world feedback on how PowerPoint is used, the pain points of use, and brainstorm ideas on what would make it a better tool for presentations.
Last, there are not many of us; 15 Microsoft MVPs for PowerPoint in North America (U.S. and Canada) and ~35 worldwide.

Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2025-04-01T06:18:49-07:00March 31st, 2025|Personal|

Microsoft Remix3D for 3D Models

Microsoft is making a big push into 3D and is supporting all users with some new tools. Remix 3D is a Microsoft offering, and uniquely the site has minimal Microsoft branding, and can be used by anyone.

Remix3D has a wide variety of 3D models (and by “wide variety” I mean cheesy cartoon quality to more professional subject matter). Everything on Remix3D is FREE and completely royalty free!

PowerPoint has very recently added the ability to add real 3D models to slides. Here at TLC Creative we feel having support for 3D models in presentations is going to add a great layer of visual styling options! Previously adding a 3D model meant exporting a .png image or movie file of the model. Now we can add the real 3D model, maintaining its 3D attributes.

To use any of the Remix3D.com models in PowerPoint (or Word, or Excel) you can either go direct to the website, login (a Microsoft account is needed, not necessarily your Office365 email), download and insert onto a slide. As example, searching for “Globe” there is a good selection of models to choose from.

The other option is to search and insert directly in PowerPoint. Remix3D works seamlessly with all Office apps (PowerPoint, Word, Excel), including the new Microsoft Paint 3D application. The integration is impressive. Using Office 365 PowerPoint go to INSERT > 3D MODELS > FROM ONLINE SOURCES.

The dialog that opens is a view of Remix3D’s library. Search and find a 3D model and click insert. Here is a search for “Globe” in the PowerPoint direct dialog. All the same models. Find the 3D model you want and click INSERT.

Two notes:

The background behind the 3D model is not going to be inserted, just the model over the slide background.
When searching through the website, you can interact with the 3D models to rotated on all axis’ to view. But the PowerPoint direct dialog is only a static image of the 3D model.

The selected 3D model is placed on the current slide, centered on the slide. 3D models are vector act, so they can be scaled to any size with no quality loss. In addition, 3D models has a new center activation icon that allows it to rotate, zoom and pan the model to the desired view for the presentation.

Throughout this month we are highlighting using 3D models in presentations with the TLC Creative design team’s PowerPoint demos that integrate 3D models.

Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2018-01-06T23:30:23-08:00January 4th, 2018|Software/Add-Ins|

Microsoft MVP for PowerPoint Again!

It’s a great day after receiving an email from Microsoft with this as the masthead!

I am honored to have Microsoft continue to include me in the “Most Valuable Professional” program as a representative for PowerPoint.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2017-07-10T08:34:33-07:00July 7th, 2017|Personal|

2016 Microsoft MVP for PowerPoint!

MVP_Banner

I received a very exciting email Friday (standing outside the Astor New Orleans with a number of other PowerPoint MVPs) confirming Microsoft has renewed the MVP Award for contributions in PowerPoint technical communities through 2016! This will be my 15th year as an MVP for PowerPoint and I am truly excited about the award, AND about being connected to the Microsoft development team over the next year with so many great things lined up to happen in MS Office and PowerPoint!

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T08:53:18-07:00October 4th, 2015|Personal|

PowerPoint 2016 For Windows Available Today!

The cadence for updates at Microsoft is definitely much faster – today Office 2016 (for Windows, not to be confused with Office 2016 for Mac which was released earlier this year) is available.

Office16_banner

How Often Is Microsoft Releasing Updates:

From the information I have seen, Microsoft is releasing (for Office 365 subscription use) updates now 3 releases per year: February, June, October
In addition, there are monthly minor updates, which are mostly security updates and feature fixes/updates
The Sept 22 release, which is a new version release, is actually the October cycle release (I guess we can look at it as being released early!)

What is New in PowerPoint 2016:

To be honest – not much, at least from a design and feature perspective. So far to me, this release is about adding new back-end features and functionality. Check out this list from the Microsoft site that highlights the big Office initiatives, here.
For PowerPoint design specifically, I like the improved Dark theme, the new chart styles are welcome and the ability to export a presentation at full 1080p is great! End of list for me…

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T08:56:42-07:00September 22nd, 2015|PowerPoint|

Office (PowerPoint) and Windows 10

With the move to Windows 10, I have been concerned with what would, and would not, work in PowerPoint. Being that both Windows and Office are Microsoft products, I expected few issues, and my assumption has been correct. Microsoft recently posted a list of all known issues between Windows 10 and Office which you can read here.

Win10Issues

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T08:57:11-07:00September 16th, 2015|Resource/Misc|

Windows 10 Desktop & Mobile, PowerPoint Desktop, Universal & Web Explained

Many thanks to Peter at Microsoft for helping clear up the confusion I was having on what the various editions of Windows and Office options and versions are now apart of the ecosystem. Here is my recap:

Win10-Office-Explained

Windows 10:

– Windows 10 is available in 2 editions; Desktop and Mobile (and really several other versions for Hololens, IoT devices, etc. – but we are only concerned with the 2 that can run Office apps).

– Windows 10 desktop is for Intel-based computers and can run Office Win32 apps and the new Universal apps.

– Windows 10 Mobile is for ARM-based mobile devices (phones and tablets) and can only run Universal apps.

Office Desktop:

– Desktop apps are the traditional “full” application and only run on full power (Intel) computer devices.

– Desktop apps are available in 32-bit and 64-bit versions.

– Desktop apps can install 3rd party add-ins.

– Desktop apps can run in a window of any size (or multiple side-by-side).

– Desktop apps are named just the app name; PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.

Office Universal:

– Universal apps are a new build option.

– Universal apps can be installed on both the Windows 10 Desktop and Windows Mobile operating systems.

– Universal apps are available through the Windows Store, as individual apps (there is no single install that includes all Office apps).

– Universal apps run in full screen mode only (eg. the application fills the entire screen, so no task bar or other apps until it is minimized or closed).

– Universal apps (this is a confusing point) are named different depending on where they are installed:

On Windows 10 Desktop, they have “mobile” in the app name; PowerPoint Mobile, Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, etc.
On Windows 10 Mobile they have just the app name; PowerPoint, Word, Excel, etc.

Office Web:

– Web apps are separate from Desktop and Universal apps.

– Web apps do not require installation, which allows them to work on both desktop and mobile devices.

– Web apps use HTML/CSS/JavaScript browser-based coding hosted on Microsoft servers.

The main recap is that today there are a lot more options available than in the past. The good news is, virtually every computing device and platform is covered for Office/PowerPoint. The bad news is that every option has slightly different capabilities and limitations. Things are filled with different frustrations today, and tomorrow we will have different frustrations – but solving those frustrations for our wonderful clients is what keeps us busy!

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T08:58:55-07:00August 31st, 2015|Resource/Misc|

PowerPoint 2016 (for Windows)

office2016

Microsoft has a lot of new versions of apps released or in beta. The new Office 2016 (for Windows, not to be confused with the recently released Mac version) is getting close. The PowerPoint team at Microsoft has put together a blog post that lists off most of the updates to the 2016 version.

Take a look at what is coming our soon here.

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T08:59:38-07:00August 26th, 2015|Resource/Misc|

Introducing Office UserVoice!

UserVoice-1

Microsoft is (finally) taking the input of its user more seriously, and not just their large enterprise customers (where the lead IS contact was the input person) and the MVP teams. This is for their entire user base! Microsoft has partnered with an external company to “engage with customers about new features and ideas.” UserVoice is something I am very excited about.
UserVoice-2

Covers all platforms: Windows (Desktop & Mobile), Mac, iOS, Android, and the Web
Separate pages for each Office app: PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook, OneNote, Sway
Goal is to gather end user input (that’s you and me!) on features we see as needed in an Office app. Microsoft, from what I have been told, is going to have this data be a factor in determining what they need to focus on.
Vote for the ideas you like. This is a big part of the data that Microsoft will be receiving – “how many people agree with this being a needed feature?” NOTE: Each user only gets 10 votes!
UserVoice is not a forum for tech support. Its purpose is hearing what people want to see. This is great for me to see as Microsoft continues to move toward a constant app evolution and roll out of new and improved features vs. new version every 2+ years.

UserVoice-3

Bookmark and make entries when you have a great idea (or major frustration in the middle of project about what would make life better!). Here are links to each app:

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– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T09:01:38-07:00July 30th, 2015|Resource/Misc|

Office 2016 for Mac – Available!

Office for Mac 2011, the current version, has been in existence for 4.5 years. That is a very long time between upgrades. But Microsoft has (finally) released Office 2016 for Mac – and it is a very good upgrade.

O2016

If you are an Office 365 subscriber, Office 2016 for Mac is part of the subscription and an easy upgrade. If you are a retail or corporate licensing client, you may have a few months until Microsoft has it available to you.

I have been fortunate to be running the beta version for the past few months and have found Office 2016 has good parity with Office 2013 for Windows (not perfect, but much, much better). The interface uses the Ribbon styling (although not all buttons and options are in the same place or available) and the functionality is near identical. The ability to move presentations between platforms has never been better (again, not perfect, but a huge step forward). This is a major undertaking by the Microsoft Mac Office team (completely coding a new version of Office) and I expect Office 365 subscribers to have a steady stream of refinements rolled out (which is great!).

– Troy @ TLC

By TLC Creative Services, Inc.|2016-08-10T09:04:24-07:00July 14th, 2015|Software/Add-Ins|