What This Change Means for Businesses
Have you noticed that some updates do not always feel like improvements?
Microsoft has confirmed that the Reuse Slides feature in PowerPoint is being retired, a feature many businesses relied on to build presentations quickly and consistently. For teams that create slides on a regular basis, this change has had a noticeable impact on day to day workflows.
While Microsoft positions this update as part of a broader simplification effort, the removal of Reuse Slides has changed how many people work inside PowerPoint.
What Reuse Slides Did in PowerPoint
Before PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides, the feature acted as a quiet productivity tool in the background.
It allowed users to open a panel within PowerPoint, browse another presentation, and select specific slides to reuse. Users could also decide whether to keep the original formatting or apply the current design theme.
This level of control made it easy to maintain brand consistency. Logos, colours, layouts, and fonts stayed aligned across presentations, which is essential for professional client facing documents.
Why Businesses Valued Reuse Slides
When PowerPoint’s Reuse Slides feature is taken off of the app, the loss is felt most by organisations that produce presentations frequently.
Sales teams reused proposal slides, marketing teams maintained consistent branding, and trainers updated learning materials without starting from scratch. As a result, teams saved time while keeping presentation quality high.
Therefore, the retirement of this feature has introduced extra steps into what was once a simple process.
Why PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides
Microsoft has explained that PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides in order to reduce overlapping functionality within the application.
Although there are still ways to reuse slides, Microsoft no longer sees the need to maintain multiple features that perform similar tasks. From a product management perspective, this decision creates a more streamlined platform.
However, for users who appreciated the simplicity and precision of Reuse Slides, this explanation offers limited reassurance.
How to Reuse Slides Now That PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides
Even though PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides, it is still possible to reuse content using alternative methods.
Drag and Drop Between Presentations
One practical option is to open both PowerPoint files at the same time and drag slides from one deck into another.
In most cases, this preserves formatting, animations, and media. However, it may occasionally introduce small layout inconsistencies that need correcting.
Using the New Window Feature
Another useful method is to select View and then choose New Window. This opens a duplicate of the current presentation.
This approach is helpful when creating a revised version while keeping the original file intact. It allows teams to copy content safely without overwriting existing slides.
The Downsides of These Alternatives
Although these methods work, they lack the precision that Reuse Slides offered.
When PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides, users lose a feature designed specifically for selecting individual slides from large decks. Drag and drop can feel less controlled and may require additional clean up afterwards.
Over time, this can add unnecessary friction to presentation creation.
What Businesses Should Do Next
Since PowerPoint Retires Reuse Slides, businesses should take steps to reduce disruption.
Make sure your team understands the new ways to reuse slides and when to use each method. Clear guidance now can prevent wasted time and frustration later.
If PowerPoint plays a key role in client presentations, sales decks, or internal training, adapting quickly will help maintain efficiency and consistency.
Need Help Adapting to Microsoft Changes
At Amshire, we support businesses as Microsoft tools evolve.
If PowerPoint Retiring Reuse Slides has affected your workflows, or if you need help navigating other Microsoft updates, get in touch with our team. We are here to help you stay productive and confident as technology changes.