The 7 line rule is a guideline for creating effective and readable PowerPoint slides. It states that slides should have no more than 7 lines of text. This helps keep slides simple, focused, and easy to understand during a presentation.
Why is the 7 line rule important?
There are several reasons why limiting slides to 7 lines maximizes the effectiveness of PowerPoint presentations:
- Prevents information overload – Too much text on a slide overwhelms the audience and makes it hard to determine the key points.
- Improves readability – Large blocks of text are difficult to read on slides. 7 lines help focus the most important information.
- Enhances visual impact – More white space on a slide makes titles, images, and graphics stand out.
- Keeps presentations concise – The 7 line rule forces presenters to stick to the most essential information and cut out unnecessary content.
- Holds audience attention – Slides with concise text are easier for audiences to digest without getting bored or distracted.
In summary, sticking to no more than 7 lines of text per slide improves the quality and effectiveness of a presentation by keeping slides clean, readable, and impactful.
What counts as a line of text?
When counting lines of text for the 7 line rule, the following guidelines apply:
- Titles – The slide title counts as one line, no matter how long it is.
- Body text – Each line of text in paragraphs and bullet points counts as one line.
- Tables – Each row in a table, including column headers, counts as one line.
- Graphs – Text embedded in graphs and charts counts toward the 7 lines.
- Quotes – Quotations included on a slide count as body text lines.
- Image captions – Any text under images or photos counts as a line.
Blank lines, graphics without text, logos, and icons do not count as lines on a slide. Only text that is part of sentences, bullet points, tables, quotes, etc. applies to the 7 line recommendation.
How to apply the 7 line rule
Here are some tips for designing PowerPoint slides that follow the 7 line rule:
- Use concise titles and headings – Long headings take up valuable space. Make titles short and descriptive.
- Cut out unnecessary words – Remove extra adjectives, adverbs, and filler words to pare down text.
- Use bullet points – Outline key points in short bullet points instead of full sentences.
- Limit paragraph text – Blocks of text should be 3-4 lines max. Break content into more slides if needed.
- Use visuals – Replace text with relevant photos, charts, icons, and illustrations when possible.
- Size matters – Use a large, readable font between 28 – 34 pt. for body text.
- Find alternatives for tables – When tables exceed 7 lines, consider graphs, charts, or splitting into another slide.
It takes careful editing, but following the 7 line rule results in simple, uncluttered slides. The limited text focuses the presentation and highlights visuals for maximum effectiveness.
Examples of 7 line slides
Here are two examples of effective PowerPoint slides adhering to the 7 line recommendation:
Sales Results Q3
- – Revenue increased 12% over Q2
- – Unit sales were up 20% from projections
- – New market penetration grew by 15%
This simple slide uses the slide title, three concise bullet points, and plenty of white space. The limited text is easy to digest and the points are clear.
Project Plan & Timeline
Phase 1 | Research |
Phase 2 | Design |
Phase 3 | Development |
Phase 4 | Testing |
Phase 5 | Launch |
This slide contains a simple timeline table with 5 rows of text. The bold headers help scan the information quickly.
When to make exceptions
In some cases, it may make sense to exceed the 7 line limit on PowerPoint slides:
- Citations – Quotes, research data, and source credits may require more than 7 lines.
- Examples – Detailed examples to illustrate a concept may need additional text.
- Complex data – Some data-heavy slides like financial reports may far exceed 7 lines.
- Titles – In rare cases, a long title is needed to accurately describe content.
The goal should always be to keep text minimal, but sometimes exceptions are warranted. Use discretion for slides that benefit from more lines to effectively convey intricate details and data.
7 line alternatives
When the 7 line rule is too restrictive for a slide, consider these alternative options:
- Split content – Divide longer text over two slides for better flow.
- More visuals – Add charts, graphs, illustrations to represent data rather than text.
- Build gradually – Introduce text piece-by-piece to control pacing and information flow.
- Include handouts – Put additional text and data in printed handouts or presentation notes.
- Summarize – Condense main points in bullet points and elaborate in speech, not text.
With creative alternatives, presenters can still deliver technical or data-heavy content without overloading slides with long blocks of text that break the 7 line rule.
Benefits of following the 7 line rule
Abiding by the 7 line recommendation for PowerPoint slides provides many advantages:
- Clarity – The limited text identifies the core message and supporting points.
- Focus – Less information helps the audience focus on what matters most.
- Visual impact – Important graphics, images, and designs stand out.
- Consistency – A uniform slide design looks polished and cohesive.
- Engagement – Concise text encourages audiences to listen to the full presentation.
- Legibility – Less text in a larger font is easier to see from a distance.
- Memorability – Audiences better remember key points from simpler slides.
Overall, slides that follow the 7 line rule help ensure audiences absorb the core message and are not distracted by lengthy text. This leads to more impactful and memorable presentations.
Conclusion
The 7 line rule is an established best practice for improving the quality of PowerPoint presentations. By limiting slides to 7 lines of concise text, designers can boost engagement, comprehension, and memorability for audiences while showcasing visuals. While exceptions can apply for citations, examples, and complex data, following the rule for most slides results in a clean, simple presentation focused on core information. With its emphasis on minimalism, whitespace, and clarity, the 7 line rule remains a hallmark of effective slide design.