Apply and edit slide layouts in Keynote on Apple Vision Pro

The slide templates used in each Keynote theme are based on slide layouts. To quickly change the look of a slide, you can apply a different slide layout to it. If you make changes to a slide format (like moving a text or image placeholder) and later want to use the original formatting, you can reapply the slide layout. Reapplying the slide layout won’t delete your content.

If you add new images, text, and other objects to a slide layout, these objects become part of the slide background and aren’t editable in your presentation. If you want text, shapes, or images on a slide layout to be editable in your presentation, you must add them to the layout as placeholders.

You can make the same kinds of changes to a slide layout that you make to a regular slide—for example, modify the appearance of text, change the slide background, and change the size of the images. The changes appear on every slide in the presentation that’s based on that layout.

Apply a different slide layout

Tap to select a slide on the left, tap it again, tap in the format bar that appears, then tap Layout to choose a new layout, or tap Reapply Slide layout.

Create a new slide layout

Tap to select a slide on the left, tap in the navigation bar at the top of the window, tap Style, then tap Edit Slide Layout.
Tap at the bottom of the slide navigator, then tap to select an existing slide layout that looks similar to what you want.
Type a name for the new slide layout, then tap OK.
Modify the slide layout however you like by adding text, images, shapes, placeholders, and other objects. See Add text and media placeholders.
When you’re done editing, tap Done.

Add text and media placeholders

Tap to select a slide on the left, tap in the navigation bar at the top of the window, tap Style, then tap Edit Slide Layout.
Tap to select the slide layout you want to edit.
Do one of the following:
- Create a text placeholder: Add a text box or add a shape.
- Create a media placeholder: Add an image or add a video.
Change the item’s appearance however you like and pinch and drag it where you want it on the slide.
Tap to select the object you added, tap , then tap Style.
Scroll down, then turn on Define as Text Placeholder or Define as Media Placeholder.
If you want slides based on this layout to allow objects to be layered under slide layout objects, tap the background of the slide (so that nothing is selected), tap , then turn on Allow Layering.
To learn more about layers, see Layer, group, and lock objects in Keynote on Apple Vision Pro.
When you’re done editing, tap Done.

Placeholders are automatically tagged according to type. The tags “tell” the content where to go when you apply a different layout to a slide. For example, an image that’s in a placeholder with the tag “Media” is automatically added to a placeholder from the new layout that also has the tag “Media.”

To change a tag, select the placeholder, tap , tap Style, then tap Tag. Delete the existing tag, then type your own.

Change a slide layout’s placeholder text

You can change the placeholder text on a slide layout for the title, subtitle, and more. This is especially useful if you want to create a theme to share with others.

If you change the placeholder text on a slide layout, it applies to all slides in your presentation that use that layout.

Tap to select a slide on the left, tap in the navigation bar at the top of the window, tap Style, then tap Edit Slide Layout.
Tap to select the slide layout you want to edit, tap the placeholder text you want to replace, then tap .
Tap Display, then type what you want the display text to say.
For example, if you’re creating a theme for financial presentations, you might change “Presentation Subtitle” to “Quarter.”
You can also add one or more tags.
When you’re done editing, tap Done.

You can also create additional text placeholders with custom display text. See Replace placeholder text.

Add an object placeholder for a table, chart, or image gallery

A placeholder you can add a table, chart, or image gallery to is called an object placeholder. You can add only one object placeholder to a slide layout.

Tap to select a slide on the left, tap in the navigation bar at the top of the window, tap Style, then tap Edit Slide Layout.
Tap to select the slide layout you want to edit.
Tap , then turn on Object Placeholder.
Resize the placeholder and position it where you want.
The first table, chart, or image gallery you add to any slide based on this slide layout assumes the placeholder’s size and position.
If you want slides based on this layout to allow objects to be layered under slide layout objects, tap the background of the slide (so that nothing is selected), tap , then turn on Allow Layering.
When you’re done editing, tap Done.

Delete a slide layout

Tap to select a slide on the left, then tap Edit Slide Layout.
Tap to select the slide layout you want to delete, tap it again, tap in the format bar that appears, then tap .
If slides in the presentation use this slide layout, choose a new one for those slides in the dialog that appears, then tap Choose.
Tap Done.

Helpful?

Apple Vision Pro User Guide