How to Make Digital Menu Boards with PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide
To make digital menu boards with PowerPoint, there is a step-by-step method that is one of the most accessible and cost-effective solutions for small businesses. According to the research global digital signage market is projected to reach $49.4 billion by 2034. Without needing expensive graphic design tools or specialized software, you can produce professional, dynamic menus that captivate your customers.
In this guide, you’ll learn a simple, step-by-step method to build and customize a high-quality digital menu board using PowerPoint. Whether you’re a cafe owner, food truck operator, or restaurant manager, this method lets you showcase your offerings with style and efficiency.
Why Use PowerPoint to Design Digital Menu Boards?
Using PowerPoint to design digital menu boards offers unmatched ease of use and flexibility for creating digital menu boards. Since most users are already familiar with the software, there’s virtually no learning curve.
It’s easy to set up, adjust, and maintain, making it perfect for businesses without full-time design staff, and it can also complement tools used by the best digital menu board software companies for pizza shops when creating quick visuals or menu drafts.
PowerPoint also gives you complete creative control. You can add branded colors, custom fonts, images, videos, and even animations, all at minimal cost.
According to Microsoft, PowerPoint is used by over 500 million users worldwide, with 30 million presentations created each day.
How to Make Digital Menu Boards with PowerPoint in 15 Steps
Here is the step-by-step guide to make a digital menu board with PowerPoint. The process emphasizes the need for understanding Excel and PowerPoint. We all know that data-driven presentations are vital for menu boards.
A report by Wyzowl found that 91% of businesses see more engagement when using visual content, and digital menu boards designed with PowerPoint can leverage this trend effectively.
Here are the steps to creating a professional-looking digital menu board with PowerPoint
Step 1: Choose a New Slide Show to Create Digital Menu Boards
Choose a new slide show to create digital menu boards by opening PowerPoint and starting a new presentation using a blank template.
Add a new slide. To create a blank slide, right-click anywhere on the slide and select “Layout,” followed by “Blank.”
Step 2: Set the Background for Your Digital Menu Board
Set the background for your digital menu board by accessing the “Design” tab in the top menu.
Click on “Format Background” and choose between a solid fill or a gradient fill.
- Now, choose between using a solid fill or a gradient fill.
- In the menu, navigate to the ” Color ” option and select a color from the sub-menu.
- To use Gradient fill, choose a color for each Gradient stop. Click on a stop to select it.
Step 3: Add Digital Menu Boxes
Add digital menu boxes by enabling grid settings and aligning shapes precisely.
- From the top menus displayed, click View, then in the Show group, click on the small object on the right side of the box.
- To snap objects to the grid, please mark the checkbox.
- Click OK.
Now, you need to add the boxes for the menu boards to the grid.
- To proceed, go to the menu at the top of the screen and choose the option labeled “Insert”.
- To generate a rectangle shape, click on the ” Shapes ” icon.
- To create a rectangle, click on it and drag it to the desired location.
- Please insert the desired number of rectangles needed.
Step 4: Customize the Menu Boxes with Color
Customize the menu boxes with color by right-clicking the shape and selecting “Format.” Here’s how to change rectangle colors:
- To customize the formatting options for a rectangle, right-click on it and click on “Format.”
- This will open a menu on the right side of the screen displaying several options.
- Choose the color you desire as requested.
How to make a rectangle transparent:
To change the format of a rectangle, right-click on it and select “Format Shape.”
Under the Shape Options tab in the right menu, locate the Transparency slider and adjust it to 100%
Step 5: Add Images to Your Digital Menu Boards
Add images to your digital menu board here’s how to insert an image:
- To insert a picture, go to the top menu, select the “Insert” tab, and finally click on the icon that looks like a picture.
- Find the picture, and click Insert.
Hold down the CTRL key and click and drag the image.
Refer to the digital menu boards’ central database connection instructions to update images and other data in multiple locations.
Step 6: Add Text to Digital Menu Boards
To add text to digital menu boards:
- Go to the top menu and select the Insert tab.
- Click on the Text Box icon.
- Click and drag the cursor to place the text box where you want it.
- Repeat these data-driven presentations’ steps to add additional text boxes if needed.
To change text size and color:
- Select the text you want to modify.
- Right-click on the selected text.
- Choose the option for Font Size.
- Select the desired font size from the available options.
- Right-click on the selected text again.
- Choose the option for Font Color.
- Select the desired font color from the available options
Step 7: Add Video to Your Digital Menu Boards
To add the video to your digital menu boards, here ae the following steps:
- To access the Insert tab, go to the top menu.
- To proceed, click on the Video icon and then select either Online Video or Video on My PC.
- To move the video to a desired location, press the click button while dragging it.
Step 8: Connect to a Data Source for Dynamic Content
Connect to a data source for dynamic content using the DataPoint™ PowerPoint plugin. This allows real-time updates of menu items by linking to a data file. AIScreen.io’s signage player software is ideal for managing content across locations.
Step 9: Create a Data Source
Create the data source. The user data source can be held in:
- Excel Spreadsheet
- Microsoft Access database
- XML file
- RSS feed
- Oracle
- MySQL
- and many more
We used an Excel spreadsheet as a data source for our digital menu.
The data spreadsheet only contains the items’ names, descriptions, prices, and a link to the pictures we intend to use.
To add a data connection, click the DataPoint icon and then the List icon.
Step 10: Add the Data Connection
Add the data connection by choosing Excel as the data source, here’s how:
- Select the Excel option as the type of connection.
- To add a connection, click on the “Add Connection” option.
- Click on OK after locating the data file created by the user.
Step 11: Add Queries to Fetch Data
- To view the spreadsheet’s data, click “Add Query.”
- If the first row contains field names, please check the box.
- Determine the frequency at which the data should be updated on the menu board according to the user’s preference.
Step 12: Review the Data Preview
To review the data preview, click “OK” to display the data from the spreadsheet.
Step 13: Connect Text Boxes to Data
Connect text boxes to data by selecting a text box and going to DataPoint > Text Box. This enables the text box to pull live content from your data source. You’ll be able to assign each text box a unique data field.
Step 14: Choose the Data for Each Text Box
Choose the data for each text box by selecting the row and column to connect. Preview the content before clicking OK to confirm your selection. Once saved, your text box will dynamically update from the data source.
Step 15: Connect Images to Data for Dynamic Updates
Connect images to data for dynamic updates using the same method as text boxes. Link the image placeholder to the appropriate column in your spreadsheet. Now, updating the file will instantly reflect on your digital menu board.
Make Stunning Digital Menu Boards with AIScreen’s Easy-to-Use Solution!
While PowerPoint provides a fantastic starting point, upgrading to a specialized solution like AIScreen can elevate your digital menu board experience even further.
AIScreen’s easy-to-use platform simplifies content management, dynamic updates, and screen scheduling, letting you create and deploy stunning, professional digital menus in minutes, not hours. Start today the 14-day free trial with AIScreen and unlock the next level of digital signage efficiency!
FAQs
Can you add animations or videos to my PowerPoint digital menu?
Yes, you can add animations or videos to your PowerPoint digital menu. Use the Animations tab to apply entrance, emphasis, or exit effects to text or images. To embed promotional videos, simply go to Insert > Video and choose your media file.
How do you ensure your digital menu is readable from a distance?
To ensure your digital menu is readable from a distance, use large, bold fonts and clear, high-contrast colors. Avoid clutter and keep the layout simple for maximum visibility. Highlight key items like prices or featured dishes to grab attention quickly.
What are the best file formats to save my PowerPoint digital menu in?
The best file formats to save your PowerPoint digital menu are PPTX for editing and MP4 or PPSX for presentation. Saving as a video ensures smooth, full-screen playback without opening PowerPoint. Use PPSX for kiosk-like autoplay features.
How do you make your digital menu board look professional without using advanced design software?
You can make your digital menu board look professional by keeping the layout clean and using brand-aligned colors and fonts. Include high-resolution images and limit text to essentials. Use PowerPoint’s built-in Design Ideas tool for instant layout polish.
Can you update your menu remotely using PowerPoint?
You can update your menu remotely using PowerPoint if paired with cloud storage and linked data sources like Excel Online. However, real-time syncing and multi-location updates are limited. AIScreen offers a seamless way to manage and update digital content across locations.
