> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://overleaf-pro.ayaka.space/latex/presentations/02-powerdot.md).
# Powerdot
**Powerdot** is a powerful presentation class for LaTeX. It provides several features that make easier for the presenter to create professional-looking slides in a short amount of time. This article explains how to use `powerdot`.
## Introduction
In **powerdot**, to create a new slide the corresponding text and images must be enclosed in a special environment. See the example below.
```latex
\documentclass[paper=smartboard]{powerdot}
\title{Powerdot Presentation}
\author{Overleaf}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\begin{slide}{Slide Title}
\begin{itemize}
\item This is an item
\item Second item
\item Third item
\end{itemize}
\end{slide}
\end{document}
```
[Open this basic `powerdot` example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=latex_dvipdf\&snip_name=Minimal+Powerdot+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5Bpaper%3Dsmartboard%5D%7Bpowerdot%7D%0A%5Ctitle%7BPowerdot+Presentation%7D%0A%5Cauthor%7BOverleaf%7D%0A%5Cdate%7B%5Ctoday%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%0A%5Cmaketitle%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Bslide%7D%7BSlide+Title%7D%0A++%5Cbegin%7Bitemize%7D%0A++%5Citem+This+is+an+item%0A++%5Citem+Second+item%0A++%5Citem+Third+item%0A++%5Cend%7Bitemize%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bslide%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
Opening the above example will create a project which produces these two slides:
The first command in a `powerdot` document must be to load the `powerdot` class; for example:
```latex
\documentclass[paper=smartboard]{powerdot}
```
where `[paper=smartboard]` sets the size of the presentation slides. See the [`powerdot` documentation](http://mirrors.ctan.org/macros/latex/contrib/powerdot/doc/powerdot.pdf) for additional `paper` option values. After that, the usual data (author, title and date) can be included in the preamble. Within the document, the commands `\maketitle` and `\section` will create a new slide to display the corresponding information.
In between the tags `\begin{slide}` and `\end{slide}` the contents of a new slide must be typed. A title for the slide can be set as an optional parameter inside braces right after the opening command. In the example, the title is "Slide Title".
**Note**: To compile a `powerdot` document (e.g., on Overleaf) you need use the `latex` compiler instead of `pdflatex` or `xelatex`.
## Basic usage
Some extra parameters can be added to the class declaration command.
```latex
\documentclass[
mode=print,
paper=smartboard,
orient=landscape
]{powerdot}
% Presentation metadata
\title{Powerdot Presentation}
\author{Overleaf}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
% section: title takes up full slide
\section{First section}
\begin{slide}{Slide Title}
\begin{itemize}
\item This is an item
\item Second item
\item Third item
\end{itemize}
\end{slide}
\begin{slide}{Slide N 2}
This is the content of slide 2.
Math $x=2\pi r$.
\end{slide}
\end{document}
```
[Open this `powerdot` document in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=latex_dvipdf\&snip_name=Powerdot+document+example\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5B%0A++++mode%3Dprint%2C%0A++++paper%3Dsmartboard%2C%0A++++orient%3Dlandscape%0A%5D%7Bpowerdot%7D%0A%0A%25+Presentation+metadata%0A%5Ctitle%7BPowerdot+Presentation%7D%0A%5Cauthor%7BOverleaf%7D%0A%5Cdate%7B%5Ctoday%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cmaketitle%0A+++++%0A%25+section%3A+title+takes+up+full+slide%0A%5Csection%7BFirst+section%7D%0A+++++++++++%0A%5Cbegin%7Bslide%7D%7BSlide+Title%7D%0A++++%5Cbegin%7Bitemize%7D%0A++++%5Citem+This+is+an+item%0A++++%5Citem+Second+item%0A++++%5Citem+Third+item%0A++++%5Cend%7Bitemize%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bslide%7D%0A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++%0A%5Cbegin%7Bslide%7D%7BSlide+N+2%7D%0A++++This+is+the+content+of+slide+2.%0A++++Math+%24x%3D2%5Cpi+r%24.%0A%5Cend%7Bslide%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
In this example several options are set inside brackets in the command `\documentclass[...]{powerdot}`:
**mode=print**
This mode can be used to print the slides, it deletes the overlays and transition effects. Other modes are present, which is the default mode for presentations; and handout which produces a black and white overview of the slides, printing two slides per page.
**paper=smartboard**
This is the paper size to use in a presentation on a smartboard or a wide screen. Other paper sizes are screen (4/3 ratio), a4paper and letterpaper.
**orient=landscape**
Document orientation. Possible values are landscape and portrait
**Note**: If want to explore a more complete example, open the following project in Overleaf:
[Open a larger `powerdot` example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Adding notes
In `powerdot` it's possible to add notes to the slides as an aid to the presenter.
```latex
\documentclass[
display=notes,
mode=print,
paper=smartboard,
orient=landscape
]{powerdot}
% Presentation metadata
\title{Powerdot Presentation}
\author{Overleaf}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
% section: title takes up full slide
\section{First section}
\begin{slide}{Slide Title}
\begin{itemize}
\item This is an item
\item Second item
\item Third item
\end{itemize}
\end{slide}
\begin{note}{About items}
Mention that lists of items can be customised.
\end{note}
\end{document}
```
[Open this `powerdot` example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=latex_dvipdf\&snip_name=Powerdot+example+with+notes\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5B%0A++++display%3Dnotes%2C%0A++++mode%3Dprint%2C%0A++++paper%3Dsmartboard%2C%0A++++orient%3Dlandscape%0A%5D%7Bpowerdot%7D%0A%0A%25+Presentation+metadata%0A%5Ctitle%7BPowerdot+Presentation%7D%0A%5Cauthor%7BOverleaf%7D%0A%5Cdate%7B%5Ctoday%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cmaketitle%0A+++++%0A%25+section%3A+title+takes+up+full+slide%0A%5Csection%7BFirst+section%7D%0A+++++++++++%0A%5Cbegin%7Bslide%7D%7BSlide+Title%7D%0A++++%5Cbegin%7Bitemize%7D%0A++++%5Citem+This+is+an+item%0A++++%5Citem+Second+item%0A++++%5Citem+Third+item%0A++++%5Cend%7Bitemize%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bslide%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bnote%7D%7BAbout+items%7D%0A++++Mention+that+lists+of+items+can+be+customised.%0A%5Cend%7Bnote%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
To create a note the environment `note` must be used right below the corresponding slide. The syntax is the same as in the `slide` environment, you can also set a title for the note.
To render only the notes the option `display=notes` is passed to the document class command. Other values for this parameter are : `slidesnotes` that print the notes and the slides, and `slides` that prints only the slides.
**Note**: If want to explore a more complete example, open the following project in Overleaf:
[Open a larger `powerdot` example in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Styles and palettes
The appearance of a powerdot presentation can be changed by means of styles and palettes. The styles change the overall look of the presentation while the palettes determine the set of colours used in a style.
```latex
\documentclass[
style=sailor,
paper=smartboard
]{powerdot}
\pdsetup{palette=Chocolate}
...
```
Some extra option can be passed to the `\documentclass` in the previous example that change the appearance of the slides:
**style=sailor**
Set the sailor style.
Other options such as `palette` can be included in `\pdsetup{...}`.
**\pdsetup{palette=Chocolate}**
Set the chocolate colour palette.
See the [reference guide](#reference-guide) for a list of available styles and palettes.
[Open an example of the powerdot package in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Transitions
Transition effects can be added to a powerdot presentation to make it more visually attractive.
```latex
\documentclass[
style=sailor,
display=slides,
paper=smartboard,
orient=landscape,
]{powerdot}
\pdsetup{trans=Split}
...
```
In this example, a transition effect called `Split` is added to the presentation by the command
```latex
\pdsetup{trans=Split}
```
It shows the new slide by splitting it and animating each half to appear on the screen. These effects depend on the PDF viewer and are supported by the most popular options, in full screen mode.
Other possible transition effects are
* `Blinds`
* `Box`
* `Wipe`
* `Dissolve`
* `Glitter`
* `Replace`
* `Fly`
* `Push`
* `Cover`
* `Uncover`
* `Fade`
[Open an example of the powerdot package in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Overlays
Special commands can be used to unveil only some elements of the slide instead of the entire content. There are two ways to achieve this.
| | |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| `latex
\begin{slide}{Slide Title}
You can see a list of items below. \pause \\
There are commands to make them appear sequentially
\begin{itemize}[type=1]
\item<2> This is an item
\item<3> Second item
\item<4> Third item
\end{itemize}
\end{slide}
` |  |
The two overlay-related commands are:
* `\pause` which will show the text after the command till the next overlay,
* `\begin{itemize}[type=1]` the extra parameter enables overlays in `itemize` and `enumerate` environments. It's possible to use the `\pause` command here or, as in the example, pass an extra parameter to each `item`. This extra parameter determines which overlies will display the current item. For instance, the first item appears only on the second overly.
Examples of other possible syntax for the extra parameters in the `\item` command are:
* `\item<-2>`. This item will show up in all overlies except the second one.
* `\item<2->`. This item will appear in all overlies from the second.
* `\item<2-5>`. This item is printed from overly two to overly five.
[Open an example of the powerdot package in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Verbatim on slides
Some content in a `powerdot` presentation requires special commands. For instance, to add verbatim text to a slide an additional parameter must be added to the `slide` environment.
```latex
\documentclass[
style=sailor,
display=slides,
paper=smartboard,
orient=landscape,
]{powerdot}
\usepackage{listings}
\lstnewenvironment{code}{%
\lstset{frame=single,escapeinside=`',
backgroundcolor=\color{yellow!20},
basicstyle=\footnotesize \ttfamily}
}{}
\begin{document}
\begin{slide}[method=direct]{Slide 2}
Steps 1 and 2:
\begin{code}
compute a;
compute b;
\end{code}
\end{slide}
\end{document}
```
[Open this `powerdot` document in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/docs?engine=latex_dvipdf\&snip_name=Verbatim+code+in+Powerdot\&snip=%5Cdocumentclass%5B%0A++++style%3Dsailor%2C%0A++++display%3Dslides%2C%0A++++paper%3Dsmartboard%2C%0A++++orient%3Dlandscape%2C%0A%5D%7Bpowerdot%7D%0A%0A%5Cusepackage%7Blistings%7D%0A%5Clstnewenvironment%7Bcode%7D%7B%25%0A%5Clstset%7Bframe%3Dsingle%2Cescapeinside%3D%60%27%2C%0A++backgroundcolor%3D%5Ccolor%7Byellow%2120%7D%2C%0A++basicstyle%3D%5Cfootnotesize+%5Cttfamily%7D%0A%7D%7B%7D%0A%0A%5Cbegin%7Bdocument%7D%0A%5Cbegin%7Bslide%7D%5Bmethod%3Ddirect%5D%7BSlide+2%7D%0A+Steps+1+and+2%3A%0A+%5Cbegin%7Bcode%7D%0A++++compute+a%3B%0A%0A++++compute+b%3B%0A+%5Cend%7Bcode%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bslide%7D%0A%5Cend%7Bdocument%7D)
The parameter inside brackets, `method=direct` is mandatory to add verbatim text to a slide, but don't allow overlays. Another option is to use `method=file` that allows verbatim text and overlays, but could be slow if many slides use this method.
[Open an example of the powerdot package in Overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com/project/new/template/19031?id=63931899\&templateName=Powerdot+Presentation+Example\&latexEngine=latex_dvipdf\&texImage=texlive-full%3A2020.1\&mainFile=main.tex)
## Reference guide
Below all official **powerdot** styles and all available palettes for the corresponding styles are listed.
| | main page | inner page | palettes |
| --------- | --------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| simple |  |  | |
| tycja |  |  | |
| ikeda |  |  | |
| fyma |  |  | blue, green, gray, brown, orange |
| ciment |  |  | |
| elcolors |  |  | |
| aggie |  |  | |
| husky |  |  | |
| sailor |  |  | River, Wine, Chocolate, Cocktail |
| upen |  |  | |
| bframe |  |  | |
| horatio |  |  | |
| paintings |  |  | Syndics, Skater, GoldenGate, Moitessier, PearlEarring, Lamentation, HolyWood, Europa, MayThird, Charon |
| klope |  |  | Spring, PastelFlower, BlueWater, BlackWhite |
| jefka |  |  | brown, seagreen, blue, white |
| pazik |  |  | red, brown |
## Further reading
For more information see the
* [Beamer](/latex/presentations/01-beamer.md)
* [Posters](/latex/presentations/03-posters.md)
* [Bold, italics and underlining](/latex/latex-basics/03-bold-italics-and-underlining.md)
* [Font sizes, families, and styles](/latex/fonts/01-font-sizes-families-and-styles.md)
* [Text alignment](/latex/formatting/06-text-alignment.md)
* [Font typefaces](/latex/fonts/02-font-typefaces.md)
* [Inserting Images](/latex/more-topics/27-inserting-images.md)
* [Using colours in LaTeX](/latex/formatting/13-using-colors-in-latex.md)
* [Lengths in LaTeX](/latex/formatting/01-lengths-in-latex.md)
* [International language support](/latex/languages/03-international-language-support.md)
* [The **powerdot** documentation](ftp://bay.uchicago.edu/tex-archive/macros/latex/contrib/powerdot/doc/powerdot.pdf)
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