Lecture on Microsoft Sway

Introduction

• Presenter: Kevin, a Microsoft employee.
• Topic: How to get and use Microsoft Sway.
• Purpose: Create visually stunning documents, presentations, newsletters, and communications quickly.

What is Microsoft Sway?

• A tool for creating beautiful, interactive documents.
• Requires no design skills.
• Entirely free to use.

Versions of Sway

• Web Version: Accessible via browser.
• Windows App: Serves as a container for the web version.

Getting Started with Sway

Accessing Sway

• Website: Visit office.com.
• Sign In: Use an existing Microsoft account or create a new one for free.
• Office.com Benefits: Access to tools like Outlook, OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote.

Navigating to Sway

• Method 1: Click on "All Apps" and select Sway.
• Method 2: Use the app launcher or waffle menu, select "All Apps," and find Sway.

Sway Homepage Features

• Create New Sway: Start with a blank canvas.
• Start from a Topic: Pulls data from Wikipedia based on topic.
• Start from a Document: Upload Word, PowerPoint, or PDF.
• My Sways: View created, viewed, and analytics of Sways.
• Templates: Use pre-made templates like newsletters, resumes, or business presentations.
• Featured Sways: Examples to inspire design and content.

Creating a New Sway

Layout and Design

• Storyline View: Organize content order.
• Design View: Adjust look and feel.

Adding Content

• Cards: Basic units to add content.
  • Text: Add and format text.
  • Images: Add via browser upload or drag/drop.
  • Media: Include videos, audio, or links.
• Focus Points: Ensure key parts of an image are visible on all devices.

Organizing Content

• Headings: Structure content into sections and chapters.
• Emphasis: Adjust text and media prominence.
• Groups: Insert and manage grouped content.

Customizing Design

• Styles: Choose vertical, horizontal, or slide layouts.
• Customization: Set colors, fonts, animations, and text sizes.
• Remix Feature: Allows Sway to automatically adjust styles.

Viewing and Sharing Sway

• Playing a Sway: Preview animations and view design.
• Sharing Options: Copy links, allow edits, share on social media, embed in websites.

Additional Features

• Responsive Design: Sway adjusts to different screen sizes.
• Integration with Word: Transform Word documents into Sway pages.
• Automatic Saving: All changes saved in the cloud.

Conclusion

• Sway is a powerful tool for creating interactive digital content.
• Easy to use and provides a variety of design options.
• Encouraged to explore more features and share feedback.