MY usability test for PowerPoint and Google Slides

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Comparison of Slideshow
Creators
A Usability Test of Google Slides and Microsoft
Powerpoint
April 2018
Orion Cardenas

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Table of Contents
Introduction​................................................................................................................​3
Methodology​..............................................................................................................​3
Equipment/Environment…………………………………………………………….​3
Tasks……………………………………………………………………………………​3
Metrics………………………………………………………………………………….​4
Likert Scale…………………………………………………………………………….​4
Results​………………………………………………………………………………………..​5
Task 1…………………………………………………………………………………...​5
Task 2…………………………………………………………………………………...​6
Task 3…………………………………………………………………………………...​7
Task 4…………………………………………………………………………………..​.9
Task 5……………………………………………………………………………..…..​10
Task 6…………………………………....……………………………………………​12
Task 7………………………………………………………………………………….​14
Task 8………………………………………………………………………………….​16
Task 9………………………………………………………………………………….​16
Task 10………………………………………………………………………………..​17
Conclusions………………………………………………………………….19
Bibliography………………………………………………………………….20
Appendix-Raw Data…………………………………………………………21

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Introduction
Two programs, Microsoft Powerpoint and Google Slides, are common, popular
slideshow creators used often in personal, education and business settings. A
usability test was conducted to show the accessibility of features and reality of
performing tasks between the two programs. The tasks performed are simple, yet
demanding for users with little to no prior experience in creating a slideshow.
Each task performed was evaluated based on five metrics and then scored by a
Likert scale.
Methodology
Equipment/Environment
This usability test was conducted on an HP Pavilion x360 13.3” 2017 model.
Microsoft Powerpoint 2016 was downloaded and installed onto the computer’s
drive where it could then be accessed. Google Slides was accessed online using
the Google Chrome web browser.
The environment simulated for this usability test mocked the stereotypical office
setting which consisted of low noise level and minimal distractions. This
environment was deemed best due to the fact that a user wanting to create a
proficient slideshow would most recommend a workspace that allowed for
maximum focus.
Tasks
The ten tasks performed on each program consisted of:
1. Create a presentation
2. Apply a Layout

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3. Apply a Theme
4. Images
5. Animation
6. Add Custom Background
7. Align Objects
8. Transitions
9. Create a Chart or Graph
10. Help/Search
Metrics
Each task was evaluated in these five metrics:
● Effective: The task was completed.
● Efficient: Task was completed with minimal difficulty and
expected outcome was achieved in a timely manner.
● Engaging: The tool used for the task was helpful and
engaging.
● Error Tolerant: Mistakes were easily fixable and program
assisted in those corrections.
● Easy To Learn: The task was easy to learn and tool was
easy to use.
Likert Scale

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Each metric was scored using a Likert Scale ranging from 4 to 1
starting with Strongly Agree, Agree, Disagree and Strongly Disagree.
Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly
Disagree
4 3 2 1
Results
Task 1
Create a presentation
Image 1.
Before I could create a presentation in Google Slides, I had to access it. I started
by searching “Google Slides” on the Google Chrome Web Browser. I located the
Google Slides page and was then prompted to click “ Go to Google Slides”, in
which I was then taken to another page. On this page, a row of options appeared
which are shown in Image 1. These options allowed me to start a new
presentation with pre-made templates or layouts. I was also given the option to
create a blank presentation which let me customize my slideshow from scratch.
On the top right of Image 1., there is a tab titled “Template Gallery”. By clicking
this, the pre made template options expand and more are available for use.
For Microsoft Powerpoint, I had the program pre-installed and was able to access
it offline. I opened the application and was given similar options. In Image 2., you
can see I had the option to choose from pre-made templates/layouts or create a
blank presentation. The major difference between the two programs was that
Microsoft Powerpoint offered more pre-made templates and had the option to

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search for templates based on a keyword (Ex. If I were to search the word
“Business”, the program would find templates relevant to business.)
Image 2.
Task 2
Apply Layout
Applying a layout in Google Slides was a fairly simple task. Located near the top
of the page is a toolbar. On the toolbar, there is a tab titled “Layout”. By clicking
on this tab, a drop down menu appears with an array of options. From here, you
can set up the page to best fit your needs. For example, if you want to create a
title page, a layout option is available that contains two text boxes and each gives
direction on where your text should be placed. On the title page layout, the top
text box reads “Click to add title” and the text box below reads “Click to add
subtitle”. This is very convenient and easy for any user to navigate. Below, Image
3 shows what the toolbar and drop down menu look like.

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Image 3.
For Microsoft Powerpoint, the process is nearly identical. Image 4 shows how
templates can be found on Microsoft Powerpoint.
Image 4.

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Task 3
Apply a Theme
To apply a theme in Google Slides, I had to navigate to the tool bar near the top of
the page and click “Theme…”, which is show in Image 5. From here, a list popped
up to the right of the slideshow and contained several theme options. The list was
minimal, but I still had a variety of choices that could enhance the aesthetic of my
slideshow. Below the theme options was an “Import Theme” button. When I
clicked this button, a small window opened and allowed me to utilize a theme
from other slideshows I had made or upload a theme from my desktop. I thought
this option was very useful as you are given the opportunity to use themes from
different sources.
Image 5.
In Microsoft Powerpoint, the tool used to apply a theme was a bit harder to
navigate. It took me several tries until I clicked on the “Design” tab located on the
toolbar. From here, the themes became instantly visible. I clicked on a small
arrow located on the Theme tab and a drop down menu appeared. The drop down
menu had a large amount of themes ready for instant use. The drop down menu
can be seen in Image 6., as well as the options to “Browse for Themes” and
“Save Current Theme”, which are located towards the bottom of the menu. Unlike
Google Slides, Microsoft Powerpoint does not allow you to access more online
themes. You can only upload themes saved to your computer. This may be

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difficult for someone unfamiliar with the process of downloading and uploading a
theme.
Image 6.
Task 4
Images
For this task, I wanted to see how I could insert an image into my slideshow and
what options I was given when choosing an image. In Google Slides, I clicked on
the “Insert” tab located on the top toolbar. In the drop down menu, the “Image”
tab appeared. After hovering over the “Image” tab, another menu appeared
showing the sources in which I could obtain an image. Each option was easy to
use and gave me a wide range of images to choose from. I did believe this could
come of great use when creating a slideshow.
Image 7.

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For Google Slides, I had to open different drop down menus to access the
sources that I could obtain an image from. On Microsoft Powerpoint, the options
were similar, but instead broken into different categories. I clicked on the “Insert”
tab and my options were displayed instantly. In Image 8., you can see the four
sources. These sources were made apparent and were easily visible. Once I
clicked on each source, a window was opened with more options. I believe this
task was simple to do on both programs, but Google Slides had more options.
Image 8.
Task 5
Animation
To apply an animation in Google Slides, I started by clicking the “Insert” tab and
the “Animation” option in the drop down menu which are shown in Image 9.
Another menu opened to the right of the slideshow which showed several
features. I was given the option to choose what it was I wanted to animate
including the slide, text boxes, images, etc. With each animation, I could choose
how the animation would operate. In Image 10,it shows how I could change the
speed at which each animation occurred as well as types of animations such as
fading in, disappearing, zooming out, spinning and more. These options allowed
for a lot of customization in my slideshow and made it engaging.

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Image 9. Image 10.
For Microsoft Powerpoint, accessing Animations was extremely simple, mostly
because it was one of the tabs on the toolbar. Once I clicked the tab, my options
became available and are shown in Image 11. The icons give a visual of how the
animation would work if you were to choose it. I could also preview each
animation with ease by clicking the “Preview” button in the top left corner which
showed me how it would look in real time. In Image 11, Advanced Animations can
be seen located to the far right. There was much more I could do the animations
using this section, but I did not explore all of them because they were fairly
advanced.
Image 11.

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Task 6
Add Custom Background
Adding a custom background in Google Slides could be done several ways. The
first option is right-clicking the mouse which opens a dropdown menu and shows
the “Change background…” option. The second option is clicking the
“Background…” tab located on the toolbar. Both of these options bring up a
menu which is shown in Image 12. From here, I was able to choose a preset color
to insert, an image or a custom color. It was a simple task and was
straightforward during the whole process.
Image 12.
In Microsoft Powerpoint, changing the background was not as obvious. I looked
in the “Design” tab and was able to find the “Format Background” option, but it
did take me some time. By clicking this tab, a menu appeared with simple and
advanced options which are in Image 13. I was offered choices similar to those
found in Google Slides. The option that was different was the ability to
manipulate the backgrounds and add specific effects. This was advanced, but I
was able to see how it enhanced the slideshow.

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Image 13.
Task 7
Arrange Objects
It is important that a user can organize and arrange the components on each
slide. By locating the “Arrange” tab on Google Slides, I could do just that. Image
14 shows what it looks like when arranging the components of a slide. I was able
to center, align, arrange order, group, rotate and distribute objects on my slides.
It was easy to locate and use the entire time.

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Image 14.
On Microsoft Powerpoint, I attempted the same task, but it was slightly more
difficult. I had trouble locating the arrange option. The “Arrange” tab was an
option under the “Home” tab on the toolbar. It wasn’t very apparent, but I did
locate it after some time. It offered similar options and some more advanced
options to rearrange the components of each slide which are shown in Image 15.
Google Docs was easier to access, but PowerPoint had better options.
Image 15.

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Task 8
Transitions
Customizing the transitions each slide made was easy to navigate on Google
Slides. There is a “Transitions…” tab on the toolbar making it easily visible and
accessible. I clicked that tab and the program brought up the same menu I used
for Animations. Transition and Animation options are combined into one menu.
This made it easier for me to use, but limited what transitions I could do with my
slides. Image 16 shows the same menu shown in the Animations section.
Image 16.
Microsoft PowerPoint had a tab dedicated to transitions as well which made it
easy to find. I clicked on the tab and the transition options appeared as large
icons that were easily visible. These can be seen in Image 17. I was able to scroll
through a large variety of types of transitions. There were also other useful
options such as timing and adding sounds with each transition.

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Image 17.
Task 9
Creating a Graph or Chart
Graphs and charts are important when displaying data as a visual. I tried
performing this task in Google Slides and was confused by the outcome. I started
by clicking the “Insert” tab and then the “Chart” tab. By doing so, a graph popped
up, but I was not able to edit the data. If I wanted to edit the data, I would have to
transfer over to Google Sheets. This was very inconvenient because I had to
navigate back and forth between the two programs to enter my data and see the
graph.
I tried performing the same task on Microsoft PowerPoint and can say it was
more successful. To create a chart in PowerPoint, the same steps were taken as
in Google Slides. After the chart was visible, a small Microsoft Excel window
appeared within Microsoft Powerpoint. From there, I was able to input data and
create a graph that met what I wanted. Image 17 shows the chart and the data that
was entered into the Microsoft Excel sub window.
Image 17.

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Task 10
Help/Search
Throughout this test, I assumed I would run into some problems. I decided to test
each programs support or help system because a new user will most likely have
questions or trouble finding where something may be. On Google Slides, I was
able to locate the “Help” tab which was easily visible on the top toolbar. I clicked
the tab and it opened a small window with a search bar as shown in Image 18. I
searched multiple questions and each answer gave a detailed description on how
to perform a task or fix a problem. It was very useful and simple to use.
Image 18.

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Microsoft PowerPoint resulted in more problems when I tried locating a help or
support system. On the top toolbar, there is a tab that has a lightbulb and reads
“Tell me what you want to do”. I clicked on the tab and a search bar appeared
where I could ask questions. The answers that I received were narrowed down
and less detailed then what I had saw in Google Slides. It was also more difficult
because, if I wanted help, I had to navigate to a webpage by clicking a separate
tab. In Image 19, you can see the search system is less detailed and doesn’t
reveal much.
Image 19.

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Conclusions/Discussion
Each program had its ups and downs, but both completed each task fairly well.
As some of the most common programs being used nationwide, it is expected
they perform at a high level, especially with the tasks I chose. After this usability
test, I personally recommend Microsoft PowerPoint over Google Slides for
several reasons. Microsoft PowerPoint was a lot more user friendly as the more
basic task tools were highly visible and easily accessible. I can admit the more
detailed tasks were complicated to locate on Microsoft PowerPoint, but, once I
did locate them, they usually worked very well. Google Slides was easy to use,
but lacked efficiency. If I were to create a slideshow, I would want to use the
program that will enhance my slideshow to the fullest. PowerPoint offered
features that would allow me to do so, while Slides stuck to more simple, basic
features. Overall, I think both programs are great and can be extremely useful for
users with any type of experience.

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Bibliography
https://www.google.com/slides/about/
https://office.live.com/start/PowerPoint.aspx

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Appendix-Raw Data

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