Here’s a complete, actionable framework for creating a professional board presentation in Microsoft Word. Since Word isn’t slide-based like PowerPoint, this template is designed as a narrative board pack document (the standard format for most formal boards).

Board Presentation Template Structure

Copy this outline directly into Word and use the formatting instructions below:

Step-by-Step Word Formatting Guide

1. Set Up Professional Styles

File > Styles > Create/Modify:

• Title: Calibri 16pt, Bold, All Caps, Centered (Color: Dark Blue)
• Heading 1: Calibri 14pt, Bold, Dark Blue (Page break before: ON)
• Heading 2: Calibri 12pt, Bold, Black
• Body Text: Calibri 11pt, 1.15 line spacing, Justified
• "Decision Box" Style: Light gray shading, 10pt italic, Left border 3pt blue

2. Master Layout Settings

• Margins: Narrow (0.5") to fit more content
• Header: "[Company] Board Pack | [Date] | Page X of Y" (Right aligned)
• Footer: "CONFIDENTIAL - Board Use Only" (Center, Red, 9pt)
• Page Numbering: Bottom right, start after cover page

3. Visual Elements That Work in Word

Since you can’t use slides, use these Word-native features:

• Tables for data: Use Table Design > Grid Table 4 (professional blue theme)
• Text boxes for callouts: Insert > Text Box > "Decision Required" boxes in colored shading
• Charts: Paste from Excel as "Linked Picture" (updates automatically)
• Hyperlinks: Link each section number to the Table of Contents for digital distribution

4. The "One-Page" Rule

Board members skim. Use this formatting trick:

• Keep Executive Summary to 1 page (use 0.5" margins and two columns if needed)
• Each major section (1-5) should start on a new page
• Use the "Decision Box" style for anything requiring a vote (makes it easy to find)

Content Writing Tips for Boards

Do This:

• Lead with the ask: "We need approval to…" in the first paragraph
• Use the "Traffic Light" system: 🟢 On Track | 🟡 At Risk | 🔴 Off Track/Blocked
• Include "So What?" explanations: Not just "revenue dropped 5%" but "this delays our Series B timeline by one quarter due to…"

Avoid This:

• Operational minutiae (save for appendices)
• Jargon without explanation
• Surprises (if it’s bad news, call the Chair beforehand)

Quick-Start Checklist

Before sending:

• Document is password-protected (Review > Protect Document)
• File size under 10MB (compress images: Picture Format > Compress)
• All hyperlinks to appendix items work
• Spell-checked for "Board" (formal tone)
• Page count under 15 pages (excluding appendix)

Need me to expand on any specific section? For example:

• Are you presenting financials (need help with variance analysis format)?
• Is this a startup board (need SAFE note/option pool approval sections)?
• Do you need help with the risk register format?
• Are you converting this to PDF for digital board portals (like Diligent or Boardable)?

Let me know your board type (corporate, non-profit, startup, or advisory) and I can customize the decision-making sections specifically for your governance structure.

While many people use PowerPoint for board meetings, Microsoft Word is the standard for "Board Books" or "Board Memos." A Word-based report allows for more detail, nuance, and better preparation for the board members to read ahead of time.

Follow this step-by-step guide to create a professional, actionable board presentation document.

Phase 1: Document Setup

Before typing, set up the structure to ensure the document looks professional and is easy to navigate.

1. Margins & Layout: Go to Layout > Margins > Normal (1 inch all around).
2. Typography: Use a clean, readable font like Arial, Calibri, or Georgia at 11pt or 12pt.
3. Page Numbers: Go to Insert > Page Number > Bottom of Page. Board members will often reference "Page 14" during discussion.
4. Styles: Use Word’s built-in Styles (Heading 1, Heading 2) for all section titles. This allows you to generate a Table of Contents automatically.

Phase 2: The Template Structure

Copy and paste this outline into your Word document to serve as your skeleton.

1. Cover Page

• Title: [Quarter/Month] Board Report
• Organization Name: [Your Company Name]
• Date of Meeting: [Date]
• Presenters: [Names and Titles]

2. Table of Contents

• Action: Go to References > Table of Contents > Automatic Table 1. (Update this last).

3. Executive Summary (1 Page Max)

• Top-level Summary: A 3-sentence overview of the current state of the company.
• Key Highlights: 3–5 bullet points of major wins since the last meeting.
• Primary Challenges: 2–3 areas requiring board attention or strategic pivot.
• The "Ask": Explicitly state if you are seeking approval for a budget, a hire, or a strategic shift.

4. Financial Performance

• Actual vs. Budget: Use a simple Word table to show Revenue, Expenses, and EBITDA.
• Cash Runway: State exactly how much runway remains (if applicable).
• Key Metrics (KPIs): List the 3–5 numbers that define your success (e.g., CAC, LTV, Churn).

5. Departmental/Strategic Updates

• Operations: Efficiency gains or bottlenecks.
• Product/Service: New launches or roadmap changes.
• Sales/Marketing: Pipeline growth and conversion rates.

6. Risk & Mitigation

• Identify the top 3 risks (Market, Financial, Operational).
• State the plan to address each.

7. Resolutions & Approvals

• Clearly list any items that require a formal vote.
• Example: "Resolution 2023-04: Approval of the Q3 Marketing Budget of $100,000."

8. Appendix

• Detailed charts, full financial statements, or legal documents.

Phase 3: Actionable Tips for Success

• Use Tables for Data: Don't just list numbers in paragraphs. Go to Insert > Table. Format the header row in a light gray to make it readable.
• Insert "Page Breaks": Press Ctrl + Enter to start each major section (e.g., Financials, Operations) on a new page. This keeps the report organized.
• Hyperlink your Sources: If you reference an external report or a specific spreadsheet, highlight the text, right-click, and select Link to embed the URL.
• Save as PDF: Never send a Board Report as a .docx file. Always go to File > Export > Create PDF/XPS. This ensures the formatting remains identical on all devices (Tablets, Laptops, Phones).

Get Started Now:

To help me refine this template for your specific needs, please answer a few questions:

1. What is the primary goal of this meeting? (e.g., Annual budget approval, a regular quarterly update, or a crisis management session?)
2. Who is the audience? (e.g., Investors, a non-profit board, or internal executive leadership?)
3. Do you need help drafting a specific section, such as the Executive Summary or the Financial table?