PowerPoint’s New Explainer Tool Makes Dense Slides Actually Understandable

PowerPoint’s New Explainer Tool Makes Dense Slides Actually Understandable

PowerPoint’s new Explainer feature uses Microsoft 365 Copilot to translate dense, jargon-heavy slides into clear, quick explanations. If you regularly sit through baffling decks, this might be the quiet little button that saves your next meeting.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

December 22, 2025

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You know that moment in a meeting when a slide full of acronyms and chart junk hits the screen and everyone politely nods while silently thinking, “What does this even mean?” 

Now imagine being able to right-click that mess and get a clear, one-paragraph explanation that speaks human.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Explainer in Microsoft PowerPoint.

Powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot, PowerPoint Explainer quietly sits in your right-click menu, ready to summarize dense content so you spend less time re-reading and more time actually understanding the point.

Feature Explanation

Explainer is a Copilot-powered feature in PowerPoint that generates instant summaries and explanations for complex content inside your slides. 

You select a text box, table, slide, or a chunk of text, choose Explain, and Copilot produces a concise explanation in the side pane.

How It Works 

Explainer looks at the specific content you selected on the slide and generates a contextual explanation rather than a generic summary. 

That explanation appears in the Copilot side pane, so your core slide stays clean while you read the breakdown next to it.

Why It Matters 

Instead of derailing your attention with web searches or multiple re-reads, Explainer gives you an in-place translation of complex language into something approachable. 

It is especially useful for decks loaded with domain-specific jargon, internal acronyms, or detailed tables that you need to digest fast.

What You’ll Gain

• Faster comprehension: Turn dense paragraphs or tables into quick summaries you can grasp in seconds.
• Fewer interruptions: Stay in PowerPoint instead of bouncing out to search the web or ping a colleague.
• Inclusive meetings: Help non-experts follow specialist content without slowing the presenter down.
• Better self-study: Use Explainer to decode training decks, financials, and technical roadmaps at your own pace.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Microsoft PowerPoint (Desktop)

Explainer is currently available in PowerPoint for Windows and Mac for users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license, starting with Windows Version 2510 and Mac Version 16.103.

1. In PowerPoint, open a deck that contains dense text, jargon, or complex tables.
2. Select the content you want explained.
3. Either click a text box or table, or highlight a specific sentence or paragraph.
4. Right-click and choose Explain (or Explain This).
5. Read the explanation in the Copilot pane.
6. Use thumbs up or thumbs down in the Copilot pane to rate the explanation and help improve results.
7. If needed, reselect a smaller or more focused portion of the slide and run Explainer again.

fig. 1 - Use Explain in PowerPoint

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Context-aware summaries: Explanations are grounded in the specific slide content, not generic boilerplate, which makes them more trustworthy in context.
• Zero workflow disruption: Right-click access means you do not have to change how you navigate a deck to use it.
• Cleaner canvas: All explanations live in the Copilot side pane, so the slide itself never fills up with sticky notes or helper text.
• Great for cross-functional teams: A finance slide suddenly becomes understandable for marketing, HR, or operations without slowing the meeting down.

Cons

• Requires Microsoft 365 Copilot license: Organizations that have not adopted Copilot will not see this option at all.
• Desktop-first availability: Only available for Windows and Mac clients which limits mobile-heavy workflows.
• AI quality may vary: You still need human judgment. Some explanations might oversimplify or miss nuance, especially in highly specialized domains.

Feature Access

Explainer is available to PowerPoint users with a Microsoft 365 Copilot license on:

• Windows: Version 2510 (Build 19328.20072) or later.
• Mac: Version 16.103 (Build 25110343) or later.

If you have the right license and build but still do not see Explainer, you are likely waiting on the staged rollout schedule.

Score

Criterion  | Score (0–10)  |  Justification

Value 9

Dramatically improves comprehension for anyone consuming complex decks, especially cross-functional teams.

Usability 8

Simple right-click entry point and side pane output make it easy to adopt without training.

Wow Factor 8

The first time a painful slide turns into a readable paragraph on demand feels quietly impressive.

Total: 25/30 🌟 Excellent 

Explainer in PowerPoint is a high-impact, low-friction Copilot feature that rivals classic “Summarize” tools but wins on its tight integration into real-world slide reading.

Key Takeaways

Explainer uses Copilot to turn confusing slide content into clear, contextual explanations without leaving PowerPoint. 

It is ideal for anyone who reads more decks than they create and needs to decode jargon at speed. 

As it rolls out more broadly, expect it to become a quiet staple of how teams and users use presentations.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Explainer in PowerPoint
• Platform(s): PowerPoint for Windows and Mac (Microsoft 365, Copilot-enabled)
• Quick Benefit: Instantly explain complex slide content so meetings and self-study sessions make more sense.
• Access Type (Free, Subscription, Beta): Subscription (Microsoft 365 with Copilot).

Try It Yourself

Right-click the most confusing slide in your next PowerPoint deck and try Explain to see how much faster you understand the story.

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📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

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Give Your Google Docs a Visual Makeover with Cover Images

Give Your Google Docs a Visual Makeover with Cover Images

Learn how to instantly upgrade the look of your documents by adding full-width cover images.  This Cool Tip walks you through the simple steps to turn boring text files into engaging, professional wikis and reports that elevate your corporate branding and impress clients.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor

December 15, 2025

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Have you ever opened a Google Doc and felt immediately bored by the endless wall of white background and black text? 

We have all been there. 

While tools like Notion and Coda have long allowed users to beautify their workspaces with splashy header images, Google Docs often felt strictly utilitarian. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use the Cover Image feature in Google Docs.

Google has introduced a native Cover Image feature that allows you to add a splash of personality, branding, or visual context right at the top of your document. 

It is a small change that makes a massive difference in how your work is perceived.

Feature Explanation

The Cover Image feature allows users to place a large, edge-to-edge image at the very top of a Google Doc. 

This is distinct from simply inserting an image into the body of the text. 

A cover image sits above the title, acting as a visual header similar to a blog post or a social media profile banner.

However, it also functions in standard paginated mode, adding a defined visual block at the top of the first page. 

It transforms a standard document into something that looks like a published article or a polished internal wiki.

For business professionals, this feature transforms standard documentation into branded assets. 

It allows teams to align client-facing proposals with corporate identity or visually distinguish internal project hubs for better team navigation.

What You’ll Gain

• Instant Polish: Make internal memos and project specs look like professionally designed assets.
• Visual Context: Use images to immediately signal the topic (e.g., a code snippet image for technical documentation).
• Brand Consistency: Apply company branding or colors to client-facing documents without complex formatting.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

Web / Desktop (Chrome, Edge, Safari)

1. Launch Google Docs and open the file you wish to edit.
2. Go to File > Page setup and select Pageless for the best visual effect.
3. Click on Insert in the top menu bar.
4. Click Cover image from the dropdown list.
5. A sidebar appears:
• Select Generate an Image (AI, requires subscription).
• Select a file from your computer.
• Choose from your Google Photos library.
• Select from a curated gallery of high-quality stock photos provided by Google.
6. Once the image loads, hover over it and click the Reposition button (icon with arrows) to drag the image up or down for the perfect crop.

fig. 1 - Google Docs Cover Image

iOS & Android

• You cannot currently add a cover image from the mobile app. You must use a computer to insert the image.
• Once added via desktop, the cover image is visible on your mobile device when you open the document in the Google Docs app (iPhone / Android).

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Aesthetics: Instantly makes documents feel modern and engaging.
• Ease of Use: No need to mess with margins or header settings; it just works.
• Stock Library: The included gallery provides high-quality, royalty-free options so you do not have to hunt for images.

Cons

• Screen Real Estate: On smaller laptop screens, a large cover image pushes the actual content "below the fold."
• Printing: In paginated mode, cover images can sometimes use a lot of ink or create awkward page breaks if not sized correctly.
• Mobile: You cannot currently insert or reposition cover images using the iOS or Android apps; these actions are restricted to the desktop version.

Feature Access

This feature is widely available to all Google Workspace customers, Google Workspace Individual subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. 

It has rolled out globally to all regions.

Score

Criterion | Score (0–10) | Justification

Value 8

It does not change the data, but it drastically improves the consumption experience of the data.

Usability 9

Extremely intuitive; the "Reposition" tool makes it nearly foolproof to get a good look.

Wow Factor 7

It catches Google Docs up to competitors like Notion, finally shedding the "boring office suite" vibe.

Total: 24/30 👍 Good

A welcome visual update that brings Google Docs into the modern era of document creation. While functionally simple, it allows users to create work that feels polished and web-native.

Key Takeaways

Cover images transform Google Docs from static text files into engaging, visual workspaces. 

They work in Pageless mode for a modern, app-like feel. 

This feature is free and available to everyone, making it an easy win for your next report.

Cool Tip Snapshot

• Feature Name: Google Docs Cover Images.
• Platform(s): Web, iOS, Android.
• Quick Benefit: Adds a professional, full-width header image to documents.
• Access Type: Free.

Try It Yourself

Open a Google Doc you use frequently, switch it to "Pageless" view, and add a cover image from the stock gallery today to see how much more inviting your work can look. 

Tell us in the comments if this changes how you use Docs, and please subscribe to the One Cool Tip newsletter!

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📬 Subscribe: Get the FREE OneCoolTip Newsletter delivered straight to your inbox.

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Explore More

YouTube: One Cool Tip Channel

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Have a great tip or tech question?

📧 Email: onecooltip.com@gmail.com

Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.

One Cool Tip

http://www.onecooltip.com

Cool Tech Tips for a Cooler Life!

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How to Add Automatic Alt Text to Microsoft Word Images

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Adding images to a Word document is easy, but making them accessible is just as important. Microsoft Word’s Automatic Alt Text feature instantly generates descriptions for your pictures, helping business and home users save time while ensuring inclusivity.

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 

December 8, 2025

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Accessibility is not just a compliance checkbox, it’s a way to make your work usable by everyone. 

Here's a Cool Tip:  Use Word's Automatic Alt Text feature.

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Each pack shows what’s possible and helps you produce results more quickly.

The Prompt Packs are available through OpenAI Academy. 

Instead of trying to figure out how to phrase your request, you can start from prompts that already work.

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