Tech White Paper Final

Comparing PowerPoint and
Google Slides
Austin Crofoot | English 317 | November 5, 2019
1
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………..………………………………………………………3
Methodology………………………………….……………………………………………………………..3
Tests
Test Environment
Evaluating Testing
Results………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………4
Screenshots……………………………………………………………………………………………………4
Tasks……………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Creating a New Slideshow Presentation
Choosing a theme/template
Adding a new slide
Inserting an Image
Changing color of text or images
Editing Font details
Adding Audio
Adding Slide Transitions
Switching to a presentation mode
Getting Help
Results Description…………………………………………………………………..……………………7
Conclusion and Recommendation……………………………………………………………….8
Bibliography……………………………………………………..……………………………………………9
Appendix/Raw data…………………………….………………………………………………….10-19
2
Introduction
PowerPoint and Google Slides are two very popular slideshow presentation
programs. This white paper will show the results of a usability test comparing the
two programs based off five standards that accurately represent usability.
Methodology
Tasks
The two slideshow presentation programs were compared based off the following
ten tasks:
1. Creating a New Slideshow Presentation
2. Choosing a Theme/Template
3. Adding a New Slide
4. Inserting an Image
5. Changing Color of Text or Image
6. Editing Font Details
7. Adding Audio
8. Adding Slide Transitions
9. Switching to a Presentation Mode
10. Getting Help
Testing Environment
All the tests were completed on my HP Pavilion Laptop using PowerPoint 2018 and
Google Slides (19). I completed all these tests in an open quiet room alone with
comfortable seating and lots of lighting.
Testing Evaluation
The tests were all graded quantitatively using a 5-point Likert Scale. I used this
scale to grade each task based off the following five standards.
Effective: The requirements of the task were able to be met.
Efficiency: The time and work required to complete the task
Engaging: There was enjoyment and satisfaction in the process of the task
3
Error Tolerable: The lack of need for perfection to complete task and
program’s ability to assist you through task
Easy to Learn: The simplicity of learning and completing the task
Results
Screenshots
The following are the screenshots taken during my completion of the tasks. With
the PowerPoint screenshots on the left and the Google Slides screenshots on the
right.
Task #1
Task #2
4
Task #3
Task #4
Task #5
Task #6
5
Task #7
Task #8
Task #9
Task #10
6
Results Description
Task 1: Creating a new slideshow presentation was very simple on both programs,
both have basic very generic slideshow options centered on the screen for you as
soon as you open the program.
Task 2: Choosing a theme/template for your slideshow was very simple both
programs had options available for you to choose from along the sides of the
screen and previews of what the themes would look like.
Task 3: Adding a new slide to the slideshow was simpler on PowerPoint. On both
programs you had to choose a tab along the top to access the new slide option but
on PowerPoint the option to create a new slide is much larger and stands out
compared to the option on Google Slides which is on a dropdown with many other
options.
Task 4: Inserting pictures/images into the slideshow was simple on both. Once
again PowerPoint has a lot visually easier to find section dedicated to it compared
to Google Slides where it is also found in a dropdown with other options.
Task 5: Editing font and images colors was very straight forward on both programs.
In PowerPoint when you highlight text or click on an image various options on how
to edit the font/image pop up and show you your options. Google Slides has a very
similar process as editing options pop up along the top tab when you select the
font/image.
Task 6: Choosing the style and size of font is easily done on both as each program
has the main portion of the screen you always see dedicated to font editing
options.
Task 7: Adding audio to the slideshow was much easier on PowerPoint as I was
unable to figure out how to do it on Google Slides. There was a nice microphone
image on PowerPoint which directed me, and I was unable to find the add audio on
Google Slides even using the help feature.
Task 8:
Adding slide transitions was a simple task on both programs, took slightly longer to
find then some other editing options but both programs had an option for it in one
the tabs along the top of the screen.
7
Task 9: Starting a presentation of your created slideshow was one of the easiest
options to find as both programs always have a button for it at the top of the
screen.
Task 10: The final task was using the help center for both programs and
PowerPoint was significantly better. PowerPoint directed straight to the where I
needed to go, it popped up instantly. Google Slides was unable to even point me
remotely in the right direction when I searched for editing tools, I was unable to
locate.
Conclusion and Recommendation

In Conclusion, both programs work very well but PowerPoint is more efficient and
is a lot easier to find what you’re looking for. The main standout comparison
between the two for me is that PowerPoint’s help center was very beneficial to me
and helped me when I needed it but Google Slides’ was unable to help me at all
when I needed it and going forward with learning a program like these getting help
to understand it is very important. With these results from my usability testing I
recommend PowerPoint over Google Slides.
8
Bibliography
Google.com/slides
Microsoftoffice.com/Microsoft/powerpoint
9
Appendix/ Raw Data
Task 1 PowerPoint Google Slides
Effective The requirements of the task were able to be met. The requirements of the task were able to be met.
Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly Strongly Somewhat Neutral Somewhat Strongly
Disagree Agree Disagree Agree
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Efficient The time and work required to complete the task The time and work required to complete the task
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Engaging There was enjoyment and satisfaction in the process There was enjoyment and satisfaction in the process
of the task of the task
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Error The lack of need for perfection to complete task and The lack of need for perfection to complete task and
Tolerant program’s ability to assist you through task program’s ability to assist you through task
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Easy to The simplicity of learning and completing the task The simplicity of learning and completing the task
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes 25/25 25/25
10
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes 25/25 25/25
11
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes 23/25
25/25
12
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
25/25 24/25
13
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
14
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
25/25 25/25
15
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
25/25 5/25
16
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
25/25 25/25
17
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes
25/25 25/25
18
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Learn
1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Additional
Notes 5/25
24/25
19

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