slide presentation view powerpoint

View Options in PowerPoint – A Complete Beginner’s Guide!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

There are many different types of presentations view available in PowerPoint including Normal View, Outline View, Presenter View, and Slide Show View to name a few. All these views serve different purposes and it is important to know how to use them appropriately to get the most out of PowerPoint!

In this article, we will talk about what each type of view does in PowerPoint and how to access them so that you can choose the best for your needs! So, let’s get started!

[ A Quick Note Before We Begin – for this article, I will be using one of the presentation templates from Envato Elements . With Envato Elements, you get access to thousands of presentation designs with unlimited downloads so you never run out of options again. Plus, you get free previews so you know exactly what you’re getting before buying! It is also very affordable. Check out their pricing here ]

1. What are the Different Type of View Options Available in PowerPoint?  

Microsoft PowerPoint is equipped with a variety of Slide View options that can be used for different purposes.

These are the different view options available in PowerPoint –

• Normal View
• Slide Sorter View
• Notes Page View
• Reading View
• Outline View
• Slide Show View
• Presenter View
• Slide Master View

2. How to Access the Different View Modes in PowerPoint?

To access the different view modes in PowerPoint, you have to click on the ‘View’ tab in the ribbon. The 2-step process is described below.

Step-1: Click on the ‘View’ tab

At first, select the ‘View’ tab, which is the second to last tab in the ribbon section of your PowerPoint Window.

Step-2: Select your preferred ‘View Mode’

Once you have access to the ‘View’ tab, you can select your preferred view mode such as the Outline View , Slide Sorter view, Slide Master view, etc. from the Presentation View section or the Master View section. (as shown in the image in step 1)

3. What is the Purpose of Various View Modes in PowerPoint?

Each view mode in PowerPoint has its own purpose. Let’s go through the purposes of the different slide view options one by one below –

1. Normal View

The ‘Normal View’ option is the first option in the ‘Presentation Views’ section of the ‘View’ tab. It is the most commonly used viewing option and is also the default slide view for PowerPoint.

The slides appear on the left of the PowerPoint window in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar. Thumbnails of the slide are represented as boxes in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar with its consecutive serial number to the left of it.

The main function of normal view mode in PowerPoint is to navigate through slides in a vertical grid while allowing you to add, design, or edit the slides while getting a preview of the slides on the left.

2. Slide Sorter View

The ‘Slide Sorter’ option gives you an overview of all the slides in your PowerPoint presentation.

The slides are represented as thumbnails as a grid of boxes arranged side by side. The serial number of the slide is given on the bottom left corner of the slide thumbnail.

This option serves the purpose of viewing the slides together in one window making it easier to rearrange and organize them in a quick fashion.

3. Notes Page View

The ‘Notes Page View’ option gives you the view of each slide and its speaker notes in one page.

In this view, the slides appear at the top and the speaker notes are given on the bottom of the two sections. The serial number of the slide is not shown in this view. You can also edit speaker notes from here.

The main purpose of the notes page view in PowerPoint is to preview what each page will look like before you print the slides with speaker notes.

4. Reading View:

The Reading View option allows you to view your PowerPoint presentation without going into Full Screen mode. All the transitions and animations can be seen in this view. The serial number of the slide is given at the bottom right corner of the window.

It is used to preview the slide and review the slides with full focus. This mode also makes other view options easily accessible, which is not the case in ‘Slide Show’ mode where the presentation is shown in the full screen, and the options are not visible on screen.

The reading mode is actually more useful for word documents, as it allows the reader to focus just on the text. In my opinion, it adds little value to a PowerPoint presentation.

5. Outline View:

The ‘Outline View’ shows you the entire outline of your PowerPoint presentation in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar.

In this view, there is no thumbnail of the presentation. Instead, there is an outline of all the data present in that slide. The serial number of the slide is at the left followed by a small white box that represents a slide and then the outline of that slide.

You can also create an entire slide in the pane of this view by copy and pasting data from Microsoft Word. However, you will have to design the slide separately once the data has been added to each slide.

6. Slide Show View:

The Slide Show View is the view that your audiences are going to see. This view shows each slide of your PowerPoint presentation in full screen.

All the transitions, animation, and multimedia files in your PowerPoint presentation are played here. Consecutive slides can be accessed using the direction keys on your keyboard or by clicking once on the slide.

7. Presenter View:

This is the view that you as a presenter are going to see while the audience is seeing the ‘Slide Show’ view.

Although you can give a presentation even in the slide show view, but it is always recommend to deliver the presentation using the “Presenter View” mode in PowerPoint as it provides you with additional features and benefits!

This view mode in PowerPoint will split the screen in multiple windows. The window on the left represents the current slide that is being displayed (the one that is visible to your audience).

The window in the top right section indicates the next slide in the queue. Whereas, the notes section displays the notes or key points made by each slide. Both, the notes section as well as the next slides window are only visible to the presenter and not to the audience!

The purpose of the “ Presenter View ” is to give the presenter all the aids to be prepared for the next slide and highlight the key points to be made on the current slide while delivering the presentation.

8. Slide Master View:

This view gives you a view of all the layouts used on the slides of your PowerPoint presentation.

The ‘ Slide Master View ’ option allows you to edit all the aspects of the layouts in your presentation such as fonts, background, color, and pretty much everything you can think of.

You can edit all the slide layouts of the presentation. Furthermore, you can also edit the header and footer of the presentation using the “ Slide Master View ” in PowerPoint.

4. How to Open the Presenter View in PowerPoint?  

There are 2 different ways you can enter into Presenter View in PowerPoint –

• Using Slide Show View
• Using the short cut key i.e. Alt+F5

If you are using the Office 365 version of PowerPoint , you can actually directly access the “Presenter View” in the View section. Simply click on “View”. Then, click on “Presenter View”

Let’s look at both the methods quickly –

Method 1 – Using the Slide Show View

Step-1: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ button at the bottom right corner of the screen

At first, you have to click on the ‘Slide Show’ button that looks like a projector screen which is located at the bottom right corner of your PowerPoint window. (as indicated in the image above)

Step-2: Right-click and choose “Show Presenter View”

Once you are in the ‘Slide Show’ mode, using your mouse right-click anywhere on the screen. From the menu that appears, choose the “ Show Presenter View ” option

Method 2 – Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Alternatively, you can press ‘ Alt + F5 ’ on your keyboard and that will immediately open the ‘Presenter View’ mode.

The keyboard shortcut to open the “Presenter View” in PowerPoint on Mac is “Option+Enter” key.

5. How to Change PowerPoint Back to Normal View? 

To change your PowerPoint back to ‘Normal View’ from ‘Slide Show’ mode, ‘Presenter View’ option or the ‘Reading View’ option, all you have to do is simply press the ‘ESC’ button on the keyboard of your computer. This will take you back to Normal View.

If you are using any other view apart from these 3 view modes in PowerPoint, you need to do the following –

If you are in a different viewing option, such as ‘Slide Sorter’ option, or the ‘Reading View’ option then you have to select the ‘Normal View’ option from the ‘View’ tab instead of the ‘Slide Sorter’ option or the different slide view option you are currently on.  

More PowerPoint Related Topics

• How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint? [Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial!]
• How to Give a Presentation on Zoom? A Helpful Resource!
• What is a Presentation Clicker? [And How to Use it!]
• How to Convert a PowerPoint to PDF? [A Simple Guide!]
• PowerPoint vs Google Slides: Which is Better? [ULTIMATE Test!]
• How to Change Bullet Style in PowerPoint? A Complete Guide

Credit to Pressahotkey (via Freepik) for the featured image of this article

Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Work with Presenter View in PowerPoint

How to Work with Presenter View in PowerPoint

Not all presenters have excellent memory recall or the ability to speak flawlessly to the audience without any cues. However, many of them are good at hiding it by using Presenter View in PowerPoint. It is a presentation mode that enables the presenter to hide speaker notes and presentation controls from the audience while leveraging the various handy features offered by PowerPoint.

How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

To start using Presenter View, ensure it’s enabled before you begin your slideshow. If you are new to this feature, we recommend using this option to familiarize yourself with the various navigation options for this presentation mode. This might also be helpful if the PowerPoint templates you are accustomed to using might have animations that you might want to preview in this mode to understand when to give the next visual cue.

How to Enable Presenter View in PowerPoint

To enable PowerPoint presenter view, go to the SlideShow tab and make sure the Use Presenter View option is enabled. This will ensure that you can access Presenter View when you switch your slides to SlideShow mode.

Adjust Display Settings

You can swap between the presenter view and slideshow mode or duplicate the slideshow to exit the Presenter View from the Display Settings menu from the top toolbar.

Navigate Slides in Presenter View

Like any standard PowerPoint presentation in SlideShow mode, you can navigate between slides by using the arrow keys or with a presentation remote. Presenter View also provides slide navigation buttons to move the slides back and forth.

View Taskbar in Presenter View

The Show Taskbar option at the top enables viewing the taskbar. This can be helpful if you require using the taskbar, such as to view your battery charge, see the time, enable or disable another app from the taskbar menu, etc.

Reset or Pause the Timer

Once you start your presentation in Presenter View, a timer starts showing how much time you have spent in slideshow mode. This is an excellent way to understand how much time you have consumed for your session and to keep an eye out for good timekeeping. You can also hit Pause or reset the timer anytime.

Change the Size of the Speaker Notes

How to view notes in PowerPoint while presenting? If you have any speaker notes added to your slides, they will appear in Presenter View on your screen. You can increase or reduce the size of the text via the two options at the bottom of the speaker notes pane.

Using Annotation Tools in Presenter View

PowerPoint annotation tools can be accessed from the bottom toolbar in Presenter View. The Pen and Laser Pointer Tools button gives you access to the pen, ink colors, laser pointer, and eraser and also allows you to show or hide the mouse pointer via Arrow Options .

View All Slides in Presenter View

If you need to go back and forth to find a relevant slide for an ongoing discussion or query during your presentation, you can view all slides in Presenter View via the See all slides option.

Zoom Slides using Presenter View

PowerPoint’s Zoom feature lets presenters quickly pick a portion of the slide to zoom into. Presenter View allows you to leverage this feature by instantly selecting a portion of the slide to enlarge it after selecting Zoom into the slide option. To exit the Zoom mode or hit the Esc key.

Black or Unblack SlideShow

Sometimes, you might want to turn the screen blank for a while, such as during a mid-presentation break. The Black or Unblack SlideShow option blanks the slides for your audience while continuing to show you all navigation options via Presenter View.

Toggle Subtitles in Presenter View

One of the most revolutionary features introduced by Microsoft for PowerPoint over the past decade has been Live captions. This feature enables subtitles by converting speech to text as you present. You can toggle Live subtitles on or off while in presenter view to help your audience read what you speak.

Toggle Camera in Presenter View

Like subtitles, you can also toggle the camera on or off in Presenter View.

End Slideshow in Presenter View

There are different ways to end or exit a SlideShow from Presenter View. You can hit the Esc key or click End Slide Show . Similarly, you can click the three dots at the bottom and select End Show .

More Slideshow Options

Other than the various visibility prominent menus available to navigate, annotate, and present your slides, you can also find a few additional options via More slideshow options , which are accessible via the three dots at the bottom toolbar. These include adjusting the position of the subtitles, turning your screen white or black, ending the slideshow, etc.

How to Use Presenter View on a Single Screen

While Presenter View can be enabled to work with dual monitors, you can also use Presenter View on a single monitor with remote meeting apps like Zoom. A simple method for switching to Presenter View on a single monitor is to click the three dots ( More slideshow options ) at the bottom in SlideShow mode and select Show Presenter View .

You can also switch to Presenter View on a single monitor anytime using the ALT+F5 hotkey.

The presenter can easily manage a PPT in presentation mode, with the utility to view speaker notes, annotate or zoom slides, toggle subtitles or camera on or off, and keep your audience engaged via better slideshow management. However, if you’re new to this presentation mode, a bit of practice might help you avoid confusion when presenting before an audience in Presenter View for the first few times.

Like this article? Please share

PowerPoint Tools, Presentation Skills Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials

Related Articles

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • June 7th, 2024

How to Change Theme Fonts in PowerPoint

Customize your presentation slides by changing theme fonts in PowerPoint. Instructions for Slide Master, Design tab, and more.

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • June 3rd, 2024

How to Align Text Boxes in PowerPoint

Organize your presentation slides layout in seconds by mastering how to align text boxes in PowerPoint. Step-by-step instructions with images here.

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • May 31st, 2024

How to See Notes in PowerPoint

Optimize your presentation slides by knowing how to see notes in PowerPoint. Instructions for slide design and Presenter View modes.

Leave a Reply

Understanding Presenter View in PowerPoint: A Deep Dive Guide

Origin and Evolution of Presenter View

Why presenter view is a game-changer for professionals, activating and customizing presenter view in powerpoint, in-depth features of the presenter view, common mistakes and how to avoid them, advanced tips for a power presentation, final tips for enhancing your presentation game, introduction to presenter view.

Have you ever found yourself awkwardly toggling between slides and speaker notes during a presentation? Or wished you could preview the next slide without your audience seeing? Enter Presenter View in PowerPoint, a feature designed to make presenting smoother and more professional.

In essence, Presenter View is a special mode in PowerPoint that allows the presenter to see their speaker notes on one screen, while the audience views the note-free presentation on another screen. This dual-screen setup means you can have your notes, upcoming slides, and timer conveniently on one screen while your audience remains blissfully unaware.

“Presenter View is the unseen ally behind many successful PowerPoint presentations.”

Microsoft’s PowerPoint, with its roots tracing back to the late 1980s, has undergone several metamorphoses. Over the years, as technology improved and presentation dynamics changed, Microsoft introduced new features to make the software more user-friendly and versatile. One such innovation is the Presenter View.

Back in the early days of PowerPoint, presenters had to rely on printouts or separate documents for their speaker notes. The advent of Presenter View in the early 2000s was a game-changer. It allowed presenters to merge their slides and speaker notes into one cohesive presentation experience.

The beauty of Presenter View lies not just in its conception but in its evolution. Over different versions of PowerPoint:

• 2003 : Introduction of a basic Presenter View with slides and notes.
• 2007 : Enhanced screen setup with better dual-monitor support.
• 2010 : Introduction of slide zoom and laser pointer features.
• 2013 & Beyond : Integration with touch features, improved UI, and annotations.

Each version brought refinements, making it more intuitive and packed with features, tailoring to the evolving needs of presenters globally.

Fun Fact : Presenter View wasn’t initially as popular as it is today. It took a few iterations and user feedback loops for Microsoft to perfect the balance between utility and user experience.

The Core Components of Presenter View

Presenter View in PowerPoint is like the cockpit for pilots: it’s where all the essential controls and information are at the presenter’s fingertips. Whether you’re a newbie to PowerPoint or a seasoned professional, understanding these components can transform your presentation experience.

• This provides a glance at your current, previous, and upcoming slides. It ensures you’re always prepared for what’s coming next and can seamlessly transition between points.
• The soul of your presentation, speaker notes, are discreetly placed at the bottom or side, only visible to you. These notes can be elaborate explanations, quick pointers, or even personal reminders. They’re like your secret cheat sheet!
• Ever worried about running over time? This feature shows the elapsed time since you began the presentation and, in some versions, allows you to set a countdown. Stay on track and manage your pace efficiently.
• Interactive features that allow you to draw on slides or use a virtual laser pointer. These are especially helpful when you want to emphasize or explain specific points visually.
• Navigate between slides effortlessly and zoom into specific parts of a slide to draw attention or elaborate on details.

Table: Core Components Overview

Quote : “Presenter View is to a presenter what a dashboard is to a driver. It empowers, directs, and enhances the journey of your narrative.” – Jane Harris, Lead PowerPoint Expert – Powerbacks team

Understanding these components is one thing, but leveraging them effectively during a presentation can make a significant difference. Let’s delve into the ‘why’ behind the significance of Presenter View.

Stepping onto the stage or presenting in a boardroom can often be an overwhelming experience. The constant juggle between capturing the audience’s attention and keeping track of your slides can lead to nervousness. But what if there was a way to have everything you need right in front of you, ensuring smooth sailing through your presentation? Enter Presenter View.

• Having a preview of the upcoming slides and personal notes right in front of you can be a massive boost to confidence. You’re always one step ahead, knowing exactly what’s coming next.
• Instead of turning back to view the screen repeatedly, Presenter View lets you face your audience directly. This creates a more engaging and personal interaction.
• Gone are the days when you’d hold a bunch of cue cards or sheets of paper. With digital speaker notes, you have a cleaner, more organized setup.
• Using the annotation tools and laser pointer, you can make your presentation more interactive, leading to better retention and engagement from your audience.
• There’s no denying that seamlessly transitioning between slides, using interactive tools, and having no physical notes gives a more polished and professional look.

Table: Benefits of Using Presenter View

Quote : “Embracing the Presenter View is not just about leveraging a tool; it’s about amplifying your message and connecting more profoundly with your audience.”

It’s evident that the Presenter View has undeniable advantages for professionals. But how do you activate it and customize it to suit your needs? Let’s walk through the steps.

Starting with PowerPoint 2013, Microsoft enhanced the Presenter View to ensure that it’s both intuitive and user-friendly. Activating it and making it work for you is simple, as outlined in the following steps:

Step-by-Step Guide to Activate Presenter View :

• Start by opening your PowerPoint presentation. This will be the one you intend to deliver.
• At the top, you’ll notice several tabs. Click on the one labeled ‘Slide Show’.
• Within the Slide Show tab, you’ll spot a checkbox labeled ‘Use Presenter View’. Ensure that it’s ticked. If it’s not, simply click on it.
• If you’re using an external projector or display, make sure it’s connected. PowerPoint will automatically detect it and use the Presenter View on your primary display, showing the main presentation on the external one.
• Start your presentation by either pressing F5 on your keyboard or clicking on ‘From Beginning’ in the Slide Show tab.
• Next Slide Preview : Gives a preview of what’s coming next.
• Speaker Notes : Displays your notes for the current slide.
• Slide Navigation : Use this to jump to a specific slide.
• Annotation Tools : Highlight or draw on your slides in real-time.
• Timer : Keeps track of how long you’ve been presenting.
• You can move around the different elements, increase font size of your notes for better readability, or even hide specific components if they’re not required.

Table: Quick Access Tools in Presenter View

Quote : “The beauty of PowerPoint’s Presenter View is the control and flexibility it offers. It’s like having a personal assistant during your presentations.” – Linda Green, Presentation Expert

Now that we know how to activate and customize the Presenter View let’s delve deeper into its features and tools for maximum efficiency during presentations. Shall we proceed?

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is not just a simple “next slide” preview; it’s a hub of tools and functionalities designed to make the presenter’s job easier and the presentation more engaging.

H3: Slide Preview This is arguably the most straightforward feature but also the most helpful. At a glance, you can see what’s coming up, ensuring that you’re always prepared for the next topic or section.

• Smooth Transitions : Eliminates awkward pauses between slides.
• Improved Pacing : Know when to speed up or slow down based on upcoming content.
• Reduced Anxiety : No unpleasant surprises during your presentation.

H3: Speaker Notes For those who don’t rely on pure memory, speaker notes are a lifesaver. They’re your secret weapon, visible only to you, that provides additional context or reminders about what to say.

• Bold the crucial points to ensure they stand out.
• Use concise bullet points for easier and quicker reading.
• Add time cues if you’re aiming to cover specific points within certain timeframes.

H3: Slide Navigation While it’s always best to move sequentially through your slides, there might be instances when you need to skip ahead or return to a previous point. With the slide navigation tool, you can effortlessly hop around your presentation.

• Case Study : During a corporate presentation, John, a sales manager, was posed with a sudden question about Q2 performance. Thanks to slide navigation, he quickly reverted to the relevant slide, addressed the query, and resumed without any hiccups.

H3: Annotation Tools Engage your audience by turning your presentation into an interactive canvas. Whether you’re highlighting an essential statistic or drawing a quick graph, these tools can make a significant impact.

• Use contrasting colors to ensure visibility.
• Don’t overdo it; the aim is to emphasize, not to overwhelm.
• Practice beforehand to ensure you’re comfortable with these tools during the presentation.

H3: Timer It’s easy to lose track of time during a presentation. With Presenter View’s timer, you can keep tabs on the elapsed time, helping you manage the pace and duration of your talk.

• Tip : Always allocate a buffer period. If you’re presenting for 30 minutes, aim to finish in 25. This allows for Q&A or any unexpected delays.

Quote : “PowerPoint’s Presenter View is like a dashboard for presenters. It provides every tool one might need, all within arm’s reach, ensuring a seamless and interactive presentation experience.” – Michael Roberts, Tech Analyst

Understanding the features of the Presenter View is the key to unlocking its potential. With practice and familiarity, it becomes an extension of the presenter, leading to more confident and impactful presentations.

Making the Most of Presenter View

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a presentation Jedi, mastering the Presenter View is your path to the force. But having the tool isn’t enough – it’s about leveraging its features optimally. Here’s a detailed guide on maximizing the benefits of the Presenter View:

H3: Setup and Access Before harnessing its power, you need to ensure you can access Presenter View without hitches.

• Connect your computer to the projector or external display.
• Launch PowerPoint and open your presentation.
• Go to the Slide Show tab and select Set Up Slide Show .
• In the pop-up, ensure Browsed by an individual (window) is selected.
• Start the slide show. Presenter View should appear on your computer, while the audience sees only the slides.

H3: Customize the Display Remember, it’s your dashboard; make it as comfortable and efficient for you as possible.

• Within Presenter View, hover over the bottom to reveal the toolbar.
• Click on the gear icon to adjust settings.
• Reorder tools based on your preference or hide those you don’t need.

H3: Practice, Practice, Practice The tool’s efficiency relies heavily on your familiarity with it. Do dry runs to ensure you know where everything is and how each feature works.

• Pro Tip : Mimic the presentation environment during practice. If you’re presenting in a large hall, practice with the same setup.

H3: Seamlessly Integrate Other Media If your presentation includes videos, animations, or other media, ensure they play seamlessly in Presenter View.

• Deep Dive : Always embed media within the presentation. Relying on external links or files can disrupt the Presenter View experience.

H3: Engage the Audience Use the tools not just to aid your presentation but to engage your audience. Pose questions, use the pen tool to sketch quick diagrams based on audience inputs, and make it interactive.

• Table of Engagement Techniques :

H3: Master the Art of Transitions Smooth transitions are key to maintaining audience attention. With a preview of the next slide, prepare your narrative to flow seamlessly.

Even with the most powerful tools, human error can play a spoilsport. The Presenter View, as intuitive as it may be, has its quirks. Here’s a list of common pitfalls users face and ways to steer clear of them:

H3: Not Checking Hardware Setup Before you even start the presentation, ensure your hardware is correctly set up. This includes checking the display connection, ensuring the projector or external monitor is detected, and setting up the correct display settings.

• Pro Tip : Always keep a spare HDMI or VGA cable. Technical glitches often come from the most unexpected sources.

H3: Overlooking Speaker Notes Having made the effort of adding speaker notes to your slides, it would be a shame not to use them. They serve as a discreet prompt, ensuring you don’t miss any critical points.

• Fact : According to a study, presenters who actively used speaker notes were 25% more consistent in delivering their core messages.

H3: Ignoring the Timer Time management is crucial. If you have a fixed time slot, exceeding it can inconvenience others and may appear unprofessional. Conversely, finishing too early can leave your audience unsatisfied.

• Actionable Advice : Always have a buffer. If your slot is 30 minutes, aim for a 25-minute presentation, leaving room for Q&A or unexpected delays.

H3: Relying Exclusively on Presenter View Despite its usefulness, never be wholly dependent on Presenter View. Technical glitches happen, and the ability to continue smoothly without it showcases professionalism.

• Case Study : At a major tech conference in 2018, a renowned speaker’s Presenter View malfunctioned. Instead of panicking, he smoothly transitioned to the standard view, using his printed notes as a backup. The audience lauded his adaptability, and his message wasn’t overshadowed by the hiccup.

H3: Not Adapting to Audience Feedback The tools in Presenter View, like slide navigation, are meant to enhance adaptability. If you sense your audience resonating more with a particular topic, don’t be afraid to dwell on it a bit longer or even revisit slides.

By sidestepping these common mistakes, you not only harness the full potential of Presenter View but also project confidence and control. Next, we’ll explore some advanced features to elevate your presentation game even further.

Mastering Presenter View basics can tremendously improve your presentation skills. But if you’re looking to elevate your game and leave a lasting impression, dive into these advanced features:

H3: Seamless Transition Between Slides The art of a great presentation lies not just in the content but also in the delivery. A choppy slide transition can disrupt the flow. PowerPoint offers a plethora of transition effects — from subtle fades to dynamic 3D effects.

• Go to the Transitions tab.
• Browse and select your preferred effect.
• Adjust the transition duration if needed.
• Click Apply To All to maintain uniformity.

H3: Use Zoom to Focus on Details Occasionally, you might want to draw attention to specific details on a slide. Instead of making your audience squint, use the in-built Zoom feature.

• Tip : Combine zoom with a laser pointer or pen tool for emphasis.

H3: Ink Annotations Annotating directly on your slides can be beneficial for interactive sessions or workshops. PowerPoint’s “Ink” feature allows you to do just that.

• Did You Know? : Ink annotations made during a presentation can be saved for future reference!

H3: Embed Multimedia for a Rich Experience Modern presentations often go beyond static slides. Consider embedding videos, audio clips, or even live web content to keep your audience engaged.

• Navigate to the Insert tab.
• Choose Video or Audio and select your file.
• Adjust playback settings under the Playback tab.

H3: Custom Slide Show Sometimes, different segments of your audience require varied content. Instead of having multiple PPT files, create a custom slideshow within the same presentation.

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is akin to a secret weapon, waiting in the wings, ready to empower speakers, educators, and presenters globally. Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps into the world of presentations or a seasoned speaker aiming to refine your skills, the Presenter View, along with the myriad features PowerPoint offers, ensures your content shines in the best light.

Remember, a successful presentation doesn’t merely rely on flashy slides or multimedia elements. It’s the seamless blend of content, delivery, and engagement. And with tools like Presenter View, you’re equipped to handle the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – connecting with your audience.

As Bill Gates once said:

“If you think the PowerPoint presentation is there for you as the presenter, you’re wrong. It’s there for the audience.”

So, the next time you’re gearing up for that crucial pitch, workshop, or lecture, take a moment to familiarize yourself with Presenter View. Your audience — and your confidence — will thank you for it.

Happy presenting!

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skill Assessments
• AI Course Builder
• Free Courses
• PowerPoint 2019 Basic

Presenter View in PowerPoint

Start Free Trial

Or log in with:

How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

• You can use thumbnails to select slides out of sequence and create a customized presentation for your audience.
• Preview text shows you what your next click will add to the screen, such as a new slide or the next bullet in a list.
• Speaker’s notes are shown in large, clear type so that you can use them as a script for your presentation.
• You can temporarily black out the screen during a presentation and then resume where you left off. This can come in handy during breaks or question and answer periods.

Start Presenter View

• Click the Options button.

The Presenter view fills the screen. The same presentation tools are available below the slide, and it also shows the current time and a thumbnail of the upcoming slide. At the bottom of the screen, use the arrows to move forward or backward in the presentation.

Command Buttons

At the top of the Presenter view, there are command buttons.

• Show Taskbar : Show or hide the Windows taskbar.
• Display Settings : When projecting, swap which display shows the presenter view or duplicate the slide show on both screens.
• End the Slide Show : Return to Normal view.

The timer is located at the top-left corner of the current slide. It keeps track of how long Presenter view has been running.

• Click the Pause button to temporarily stop the timer.

The Notes pane gives you a large look at any notes added to the slide. In Presenter view, you have the flexibility to change the display size.

End Presenter View

You can close Presenter view without ending the presentation entirely.

• Click the Options menu.

You return to the regular slide show view.

To close Presenter View and end the presentation, just press Esc .

FREE Quick Reference

Free to distribute with our compliments; we hope you will consider our paid training.

• LinkedIn-ready certificate
• Skill assessments
• Bite-sized, interactive lessons
• Saved progress

5 Easy Steps to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

Do you want to learn how to use the Presenter View in Microsoft PowerPoint presentation?

The Presenter View in Microsoft PowerPoint is a game changer for presenters. It will help you focus by showing you all the relevant slides and  speaker notes .

In this blog post, we will walk through the following methods:

How to enable and use presenter view in PowerPoint

Controls of "Presenter View" in PowerPoint

Frequently asked questions on how to use Presenter View in PowerPoint.

How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint Presentations

Before you can access the presenter view of Microsoft PowerPoint, you need to follow these steps:

Open Microsoft PowerPoint and select an existing presentation.

Once the existing presentation opens, go to the Slide show Tab and navigate to the "Monitors" section. Check the box beside the "Use Presenter View."

Select from the "Start Slide Show" section to start your presentation "From the Beginning."

Click the three dots menu on your full-screen slideshow view and select "Show Presenter View."

When your presentation displays "Presenter View," you can scroll and use it for your speech.

The following are the common features you will see whenever you are in presenter mode:

Command buttons

Use the command buttons found at the top of your Presenter view.

Show Taskbar : Reveal or conceal this helpful indicator on your desktop .

Display Settings:  For projecting, switching the display between presenter view or replicating the slide show across both screens.

End the Slide Show : Back to Normal view.

The timer is in the upper-left part of the current slide and is designed to show your presentation's duration. Keep an eye on it and stay ahead of schedule!

For a temporary break, press the  Pause  button to pause the timer.

Select the  Reset  button to start fresh and set the timer back to zero.

The Notes pane lets you view any added speaker notes on the slide in great detail. From Presenter's view, you can easily adjust the size of this display for your convenience.

Select  Increase  or  Decrease Font Size  to alter the size of the annotations that show next to your current slide deck.

Vertical scroll bar in Presenters View

This vertical scroll bar appears at the lower-left corner of the Presenter view. These navigation buttons will help you move from the previous slide to the next slide.

End Presenter View

With the Presenter view, you don't have to finish the presentation if you no longer need it. You can close the window.

Select the  Options  menu.

Click  Hide Presenter View

PowerPoint will re-open the standard slideshow view.

See all slides

This control button will display all the slide panels.

Pen and laser pointer tools

This built-in laser pointer tool can assist you in highlighting and keeping your audience following your topic on certain slides.

Final Thoughts on Using Presenter View in PowerPoint

Presenter View in PowerPoint is a powerful tool to help you create dynamic presentations and engage your audience.

Following the five quick and easy steps above can make your presentation looks professional and compelling. With these tools at your fingertips, you can impact every presentation!

Watch our video tutorials about Google Slides and PowerPoint presentations on our Simple Slides YouTube Channel. If you want to access our 10,000+ customizable templates, slides, and infographics, visit and subscribe now to our premium packages in Simple Slides!

Frequently Asked Questions on How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint:

Why can't i use the presenter view in powerpoint.

To enable the feature, the presentation computer must recognize each monitor as a separate display. To confirm this is the issue, press the "Esc" key while on the presentation screen and see if anything changes.

How do I use the Presenter View in PowerPoint without showing notes?

The presenter view has the option. With this feature, only the slides are displayed, while text wraps below each slide. You can still make changes or add notes that won't appear to your audience; only you can access them.

How can I see my PowerPoint notes while presenting with one monitor?

With the Presenter View PowerPoint feature, viewing all PowerPoint slides and accompanying notes from one computer is possible. You can refer to your notes anytime during your presentation without switching monitors.

Related Articles:

How to Add a YouTube Video to PowerPoint: A Step-By-Step Guide

Microsoft Teams PowerPoint Presenter View

Adding Pop-Up Texts in PowerPoint

Get A Free Sample of Our Award-Winning PowerPoint Templates + University

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team. Don't worry, your information will not be shared.

We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.

Try 100+ Slides & 5 University Lectures for FREE.

Recent Posts

Try  100+ Slides  & 5 University Lectures for FREE.

Get access to 100+ Templates & 5 University Lectures. Just enter your email below.

Join Our Free Trial

Get started today before this once in a lifetime opportunity expires.

Unsupported browser

This site was designed for modern browsers and tested with Internet Explorer version 10 and later.

It may not look or work correctly on your browser.

• Presentations

How to Work With Views in Microsoft PowerPoint

• Bahasa Indonesia

The many views of PowerPoint will help you prepare for your big presentation. 

You're probably accustomed to views like Normal view. But in this tutorial, you'll learn more ways of working with your presentation such as Slide Sorter view, shown here:

Master PowerPoint Views

Here are the most popular views in PowerPoint:

• Normal View . The default PowerPoint workspace, which includes thumbnails for each slide and a larger view of a single slide in the center.
• Outline View . Shows your presentation in an outline style, which is great for reviewing content.
• Slide Sorter View . Perfect for reviewing the order of your slides and re-sequencing them.
• Reading View . An in-window preview of how your presentation will appear, including transitions and animations.

Need Help? Download Our eBook on Making Great Presentations (Free)

We also have a useful compliment to this tutorial. Quickly grab it before you read on. Download our FREE eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It'll help you write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation. 

How to Work With PowerPoint Views (Quick Video Tutorial)

PowerPoint is a great tool for creating presentations. Views allow you to make edits, reorders slides, edit notes, and work efficiently in PowerPoint. Learn how to use PowerPoint Views in this short video: 

Working With Microsoft PowerPoint Views

In the rest of this tutorial, I cover more details about the major views in PowerPoint for mastering your presentation files and how to get the most out of them. I also touch on more views you can use in PowerPoint as well.

The Bravo PowerPoint Template has over 50 unique slides. It has picture placeholders that make adding images to the slide easy. Plus, this template comes with icons and device mockups.

How to Change Views in PowerPoint

To change views, find the  View  button on PowerPoint's ribbon and click on it. Then, find the section on the left labeled  Presentation Views.  This tutorial will walk you through each of these views and how you can use them.

Now that you know how to switch views, let's find out more about the different PowerPoint views and why you should work through them while building a presentation.

 How to Use PowerPoint Normal View

Normal View is typically the default view for working in Microsoft PowerPoint. This is a general purpose, do-it-all view that you're likely accustomed to. You can think of it as the primary editing view in PowerPoint.

On the left side of PowerPoint's Normal View are thumbnails for each of the slides. You can click to switch between slides, and even drag and drop to reorder them right inside of the sidebar.

I use Normal View in PowerPoint as a starting point for my presentations. It's a general view for creating your presentations from. The stage area is used for building and styling your slides, and you can easily move to a different slides from the sidebar.

After I've spent time putting together my content, it might be time to rethink the sequence of the material. That's where Slide Sorter View comes into play.

Normal View is the default view in PowerPoint, but if you're working in another view you can switch back to Normal View in PowerPoint. Click on View in the PowerPoint ribbon. Then Click the Normal icon.

 Using PowerPoint Outline View

The Outline View in PowerPoint shows your presentation in a traditional, easy-to-read outline. This view puts your main points in the sidebar.

When you switch to Outline View , the sidebar changes its focus to the  content  of your slides. The sidebar doesn't show all the text from the slides, just the major points from your presentation. You can even double click in the sidebar on the outline text to update the slide itself.

I like to use Outline View to review the major points that my presentation should make. As I'm working in Outline View , I'm asking myself a few key questions, like: 

• Are my main ideas clear? 
• Do I focus on them, and not the details? 

Outline View is perfect for this purpose, as it leaves only your key points showing in the sidebar.

Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

You've nailed down the content in Normal View , and now it's time to think about the order that you'll present your slides. 

Slide Sorter View is a helpful way to re-order the slides in your PowerPoint presentation. Click on Slide Sorter to enter into this view.

When you switch to Slide Sorter View , all your slides will be represented as thumbnails on the stage. You can even change the size of the slides by pulling the zoom slider and view your slides large enough to read their contents.

The great thing is that you can drag and drop these thumbnails to reorder your presentation. I'm often surprised by how much my presentations benefit from simple reordering of the slides.

There's a presentation principle called BLUF, or "bottom line up front." Basically, lead off with the most important point in your entire presentation. Your audience may not have the patience or attention span to follow multiple slides to a conclusion

When you switch to Slide Sorter View , it's a great time to apply the BLUF principle. Make sure that the bottom line (most important facts) are at the very beginning of the presentation. If you've buried the heart of the presentation deep in the slides, drag and drop the key slides closer to the front.

5.  PowerPoint Notes Page View

Speaker notes are one of my favorite PowerPoint tools. Instead of writing your notes down on notecards, you can add them to each slide. You can add speaker notes from either Normal View , or more easily in Notes Page View .

Best of all, these notes won't be viewable to your audience when presenting. You can either print note pages, or they'll be visible in Presentation View (more on that in a moment.)

When you're working in PowerPoint Notes Page View , you'll see the notes you've added to a slide underneath it. You can also double click in the box and add notes on the fly. This preview is what you'll see when you print your notes pages.

If you'd like to find out more about the power of speaker notes, check out this 60 second tutorial on how to use them to your advantage:

6.  When to Use Reading View

You've nailed the sequence, content, and speaker notes for your presentation. Now, it's time to review what your audience will see with PowerPoint Reading View .

Once you enter Reading View , your PowerPoint presentation will cover the entire window. You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to switch slides. As you progress through the presentation, PowerPoint will play any transitions or animations that you've added to your slides.

Reading View should be your final step while preparing for your presentation in PowerPoint. I always go through each slide in my deck to make sure it appears exactly the way I expect.

To leave Reading View , press the Escape key on your keyboard. There's one more view worth checking out.

7. Presentation View in PowerPoint

Presentation View is what you'll use when sharing your PowerPoint slide deck with an audience. In practice, Presentation View is very similar to what you'll see in Reading View . Use Presentation View when you're ready to share.

One option worth checking out is Use Presenter View , which you can toggle on from the  Slide Show tab. Presenter View is great for dual display options, such as when you're using an external monitor. Your screen will show a preview of the slide, as well as the speaker notes and next slide.

Make Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

We've got the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. 

Download our eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. 

Recap and Keep Learning

Think of the various PowerPoint views in this tutorial as different ways to view your presentation. Here's a possible workflow:

• Build your PowerPoint presentation in Normal View .
• Re-sequence the slides in Slide Sorter .
• Review content in Outline View .
• Preview the presentation in Reading View .

PowerPoint sometimes gets a bad rap as an ineffective tool, but when used correctly, it's great for building visual aids for your presentation. If you want to learn more about PowerPoint, check out the resources below:

• Envato Elements has over 350 templates for PowerPoint available for a flat rate with unlimited download.
• The PowerPoint in 60 Seconds series has a great selection of easy-to-learn skills for PowerPoint.
• If you want to learn more about how to build great-looking slides, check out  How to Get Started With Using SmartArt .

More PowerPoint Templates

As you experiment with PowerPoint views, you may be looking for other PowerPoint templates to work with. Here are some curated lists of templates:

The Top Source for PowerPoint Templates (With Unlimited Use)

Envato Elements is a top source for premium PowerPoint templates . It has more than just PowerPoint templates. It has many digital assets. They include images, audio, font, and more.

A subscription is a good value if you make PowerPoint presentations often. To become a subscriber, you need to pay a low monthly fee and have unlimited access to any digital asset you want.

Using a premium template saves you time because it's already mostly made. All you need to do is add your information and images. But if you’re a creative person and are worried that with a premium template, you won’t get to be creative, then don’t be. A good template is fully customizable. You can change the colors, font, or anything else you need.

Use a Premium PowerPoint Template in Your Next Project Today!

Now that you know more about the different views in PowerPoint. Knowing how to use the different views can help you fully use PowerPoint. If you use PowerPoint, try signing up for Envato Elements.

Editorial Note : This tutorial was originally published in March of 2017. It's been updated for accuracy with help from Sarah Joy.

May 9, 2022

Edit your notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint

Victoria Tran

• Add our blog to your RSS feed reader" href="/rss/blog.xml" data-bi-name="RSS Subscription" data-bi-id="rss_feed" data-bi-bhvr="120" data-bi-socchn="RSSSubscription" title="Microsoft 365 Insider Blog RSS" target="blank" class="d-inline-block">

Hey, Officer Insiders! My name is Victoria Tran, and I’m a Program Manager on the PowerPoint team. I’m thrilled to share that you can now edit notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint for Windows. No more switching to Editor view to type or change your notes, even during a presentation!

Edit notes in Presenter view

Accessing and editing your slide content whenever the need arises is a key part of the PowerPoint workflow. Whether you’re making an important edit to your speaker notes during a presentation rehearsal or jotting down feedback during your presentation, the ability to edit notes in Presenter view increases your productivity and eliminates the need to toggle between views.

We are excited to add this highly requested feature and expand the use of PowerPoint notes. In the future, we’ll continue to add support for editing notes in other views, such as Teleprompter view.

How it works

Ready to edit notes in Presenter view?

NOTE:  You can also press the F6 key to select the Notes pane in Presenter view. When a white outline appears around the pane, press Enter and start typing to make any updates you want.

Known issues

Presenter view currently only allows basic formatting of notes, such as bold, italics, and underlining (via keyboard shortcuts). Formatting such as text color, highlighting, and other options aren’t yet available.

Tips and tricks

• If you are using keyboard commands to navigate through your slides during a presentation, make sure the text insertion point is not showing in the Notes pane. If it is, the arrow keys will move the insertion point around in the pane instead of navigating the slides.
• If you have two monitors, a full-screen slide will show on one monitor and Presenter view on the other monitor, featuring a view of the next slide, your speaker notes, a timer, and more. If you have just one monitor, you can press Alt + F5 to try out Presenter view.

Availability

We will be rolling the edit notes in Presenter view feature out to Office Insiders running Beta Channel Version 2204 (Build 15225.20000) or later.

Don’t have it yet? It’s probably us, not you.

Features are released over some time to ensure things are working smoothly. We highlight features that you may not have because they’re slowly releasing to larger numbers of Insiders. Sometimes we remove elements to further improve them based on your feedback. Though this is rare, we also reserve the option to pull a feature entirely out of the product, even if you, as an Insider, have had the opportunity to try it.

We want to hear from you! Please click Help > Feedback to submit your feedback about this feature.

Learn what  other information you should include in your feedback  to ensure it’s actionable and reaches the right people. We’re excited to hear from you!

Sign up for the Office Insider newsletter  and get the latest information about Insider features in your inbox once a month!

Sorry, JavaScript must be enabled to use this app.

Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Claim Your FREE Training Module and Get Your Time Back!

How to Present a PowerPoint Slideshow (w/ Shortcuts)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Shortcuts & Hacks
• May 11, 2019

There are a variety of ways to start a PowerPoint presention, depending on:

• Where you start your presentation (from beginning or from current)
• Which PowerPoint view you prefer to present in (Slide Show view or Presenter view)
• How comfortable you are with keyboard shortcuts

Why would Microsoft include so many ways to present a presentation? My guess is that everyone learns PowerPoint differently, and has personal presentation styles.  The more options you have, the easier your life will be as there will always be a way to start your presentation the way you want to (or jump back into it when you need to).

See all the options below and find the method that works best for you and let the slide show begin !

NOTE: If you are running two presentations side-by-side, each presentation needs to be started as it’s own slide show. To see how to set up two PowerPoint presentations to run side-by-side like this before you start your slide show, read my guide here .

Table of Contents

Start slide show from beginning.

To start a slideshow from the beginning of your presentation using the ribbon, simply.

• Navigate to the  Slide Show tab
• Select  From Beginning

Selecting  From Beginning  starts your presentation from the very first non-hidden slide in your presentation, regardless of which slide you are currently inside of your deck.

You can also start your slide from the beginning of your presentation by hitting the Slideshow From Beginning keyboard shortcut,  F5 .

Regardless of which method you use, this is the classic way to start your presentation in full screen from your first title slide (regardless of where you are in your slide deck).

Let the slide show begin!

NOTE: To expand your knowledge and learn how to use PowerPoint’s FREE and HIDDEN built-in laser pointer to point things out during your presentation, read my guide here .

Take your PPT skills to the next level

Start slide show from current.

To begin your slide show from the slide you are currently on using the ribbon, simply

• Navigate to the Slide Show tab
• Select  From Current Slide

Selecting From Current Slide starts your slide show from whatever slide you are currently on, even if the slide is hidden.

You can also start your slide from the current slide you are on by hitting the  Shift+F5  keyboard shortcut.

Because it’s often easiest to catch errors when building your slides in this full screen mode, I highly recommend learning the  Shift+F5  shortcut and using it frequently as you build your slides to spot them for errors.

If you don’t want to bother learning the From Current Slide shortcut, you can also start your slideshow by clicking the  Slide Show  icon at the bottom of your screen.

This is a fantastic way to spot check your slides as you are building them. On top of that, it’s a fast and uncomplicated way to re-start your presentation from where you left off after demoing something on screen.

Start a mini-slide show in PowerPoint

You can also use the following hidden PowerPoint shortcut to run a mini slide show over the top of your current deck.

To run a mini slide show, simply:

• Hold down the  Alt key  on your keyboard
• With your mouse, click the  Slide Show  icon

Doing so starts a small slide show of your presentation that you can see below, from the current slide you are on.

Presenter View

The Presenter View is an alternate way to run your presentation in PowerPoint. In this view, your slides are projected on screen, and the details of your presentation are displayed on your computer as pictured below.

The presenter view includes your next (non-hidden) slides that is coming up, your current slide projected on screen, how long you’ve been talking and your speaker notes.

To launch the  Presenter View  from the beginning of your presentation using your Ribbon, simply:

• Navigate to the  Slide Show  tab
• Hold down the  Alt key on  your keyboard
• Click  From Beginning

Holding down the  Alt key  and clicking  From Beginning , the Presenter View will launch from the very first (non-hidden) slide in your presentation.

You can also launch the presenter view from the beginning of your presentation at any time by clicking Alt + F5  on your keyboard.

Start Presenter View in PowerPoint From Current Slide

Did you know that you can access different views in PowerPoint by adding keys as you click commands in the PowerPoint ribbon?

To start the Presenter view from your current slide using your Ribbon, simply:

• Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard
• Click  From Current Slide

Holding the Alt key and clicking From Current Slide launches the Presenter View from your current slide. So, this is another way you can quickly practice your presentation, see your speaker notes and see what’s coming up next.

You can also launch the Presenter View from the beginning of your presentation at any time by hitting Alt+F5 on your keyboard.

Showing and Hiding Presenter View

Regardless of which view you start your PowerPoint slide show; you can switch between the two different slide show views without exiting presentation.

To switch between the two slideshow views (while giving your presentation), simply:

• Right-click your slide in whichever presentation view you are currently in
• Select either Show Presenter View or Hide Presenter View

When would you use a feature like this during a presentation? One example is if you want to view your notes without leaving the slide show mode.

NOTE: The letter r  for both  Show Presenter View  and  Hide Presenter View  is underlined. This means that it is a keyboard shortcut. So, if you want to quickly flip between these two presentation views, you can simply right-click your slide and hit the letter r on your keyboard. Doing so automatically switches the view you are in.

Controlling how your presentation runs

Another way to control how your presentation runs (including the default laser pointer and pen color), is the Set Up Slide Show dialog box.

To open the  Set Up Slide Show  dialog box, simply:

• Select the  Set Up Slide Show  command

Doing so, opens all your PowerPoint slide show settings and options as pictured below.

Inside the slide show settings dialog box, you can select:

• How your presentation runs (full screen, window or in kiosk mode).
• Your default pen and laser pointer color options ( see our laser pointer article here ).
• Which slide you want start from, or which slides you want to show. You can also setup a custom show here.
• How your slides progress (manually or using slide timings).
• Which of your computer monitors (or screens) your slide show runs on.

The  Set Up Slide Show dialog box is also the secret to running multiple presentations at the same time in PowerPoint. To expand your knowledge and learn how to set this up, read our guide here .

Setup Slide Show SECRET Shortcut

To use the SECRET shortcut to open the Set Up Slide Show dialog box, simply:

• Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard
• With your mouse, click the Reading View icon at the bottom of your screen

This is useful when you need to quickly cycle through lots of PowerPoint presentations and change how those presentations run. Instead of wasting time clicking through the Ribbon, simply hold the Shift key and click the  Reading View icon. This is also a friendly conversation starter with a fellow PowerPoint enthusiast at Happy Hour.

NOTE: The color of your Reading View icon might be different than in the picture above, as it is dependent on the Office Theme you selected for PowerPoint.

How to exit a PowerPoint presentation early?

Regardless of how you start your full screen presentation, you can end your presentation at any time by hitting the Esc key on your keyboard.

Hitting  Esc  immediately takes you out of the   PowerPoint presentation mode and back to the normal editing view of your slides, on whatever slide you were last presenting.

Here is how you can use a combination of all the different keyboard shortcuts to spot check and practice your presentation in full screen before you finalize your presentation.

• Hit  F5  on your keyboard to   start your presentation in full screen from the very first slide in your presentation. You can then use your arrow keys to advance, spot checking your slides for errors.
• When you find an error, simply hit  Esc  key to return to the normal PowerPoint editing view to fix your slide.
• When you are done, hit  Shift + F5  to return the full screen presentation mode from the slide you just updated. You can then continue spot checking your presentation (without having to start over from the beginning).

In this way you can quickly work your way through your slides and practice your presentation, fixing and adjusting your content as you go.

Understanding how to run your presentations is CRITICAL to the success of your presentation. Not only in presenting them live, but also in knowing how to spot check your slides as you build them.

I personally find it easiest to spot check your slides and quickly fix errors by running your presentation in slide show mode (or full screen). The last place you want to discover an error is during your presentation.

Using the commands and shortcuts above, you can quickly start, exit and step back into your slide show. Once you have these commands and features down, you will also look like a whiz during your presentations.

If you enjoyed the depth of this article, you will love our other PowerPoint training courses and free resources. To learn more, visit us here .

🔒 Unlock the PowerPoint Shortcuts Trusted by Industry Leaders KKR, American Express, HSBC, and More!

Join over 114,880 professionals from diverse fields including consulting, investment banking, advertising, marketing, sales, and business development who have supercharged their PowerPoint game with our proven methods.

✅ Customize compelling presentations effortlessly.

✅ Master time-saving techniques for faster deck creation.

✅ Boost your career prospects with top-notch PowerPoint skills.

Get FREE access to the Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts module of our premium training course by entering your name and email below.

DISCLAIMER: PC Users Only!

We respect your privacy and will keep your info safe and confidential.

Related Articles

About the author.

Popular Tutorials

• How to Strikethrough Text (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) in Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Make Animated Fireworks in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)
• Strikethrough Shortcut (l̶i̶k̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶) for Word, Excel & PowerPoint
• How to Create a Flash Card Memory Game in PowerPoint (Like Jeopardy)
• Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working: Solved

PowerPoint Tutorial Categories

• Strategies & Opinions
• Presentation Design
• Pictures, Icons, Videos, Etc.
• New Features
• Miscellaneous
• Charts & Data Viz

We help busy professionals save hours and gain peace of mind, with corporate workshops, self-paced courses and tutorials for PowerPoint and Word.

Work With Us

• Corporate Training
• Presentation & Template Design
• Courses & Downloads
• PowerPoint Articles
• Word Articles
• Productivity Resources

Find a Tutorial

• Free Training
• For Businesses

We help busy office workers save hours and gain peace of mind, with tips, training and tutorials for Microsoft PowerPoint and Word.

Master Critical PowerPoint Shortcuts – Secure Your FREE Training Module and Save Valuable Time!

⌛ Master time-saving expert techniques.

🔥 Create powerful presentations.

🚀 Propel your career to new heights.

We value your privacy – we keep your info safe.

Discover PowerPoint Hacks Loved by Industry Giants - KKR, AmEx, HSBC!

Over 114,880 professionals in finance, marketing and sales have revolutionized their PPT skills with our proven methods. 

Gain FREE access to a full module of our premium PowerPoint training program – Get started today!

We hate spam too and promise to keep your information safe.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from Facebook . To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

• All-Access Subscriptions
• Business Licensing
• Lightroom Classic
• Photoshop Elements
• Crystal Reports
• Interview Skills
• Resume Skills
• Excel for Lawyers
• Outlook for Lawyers
• QuickBooks for Lawyers
• Word for Lawyers
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Outlook on the Web
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Teams
• QuickBooks Online
• QuickBooks Pro
• Video Course Options
• SUBSCRIPTIONS
• Photoshop Elements 2024
• Photoshop Elements 2023
• Photoshop Elements 2022
• Photoshop Elements 2021
• Photoshop Elements 2020
• Photoshop Elements 2019
• Photoshop Elements 2018
• Photoshop Elements 15
• Google Classroom for Teachers
• Google Docs
• Google Drive
• Google Forms
• Google Sheets
• Google Slides
• Mac OS Keyboard Shortcuts
• Excel Formulas and Functions
• Excel Keyboard Shortcuts
• Excel Tables PivotTables and Charts
• Access for Microsoft 365
• Excel for Microsoft 365
• Microsoft Office 365
• Outlook for Microsoft 365
• PowerPoint for Microsoft 365
• Publisher for Microsoft 365
• Word for Microsoft 365
• Access 2021
• Microsoft Office 2021
• Outlook 2021
• PowerPoint 2021
• Publisher 2021
• Access 2019
• Microsoft Office 2019
• Outlook 2019
• PowerPoint 2019
• Publisher 2019
• Access 2016
• Microsoft Office 2016
• OneNote 2016
• Outlook 2016
• PowerPoint 2016
• Publisher 2016
• Microsoft Office 2013
• OneNote 2013
• Outlook 2013
• PowerPoint 2013
• Microsoft Office for iPad
• QuickBooks Pro 2024
• QuickBooks Pro 2023
• QuickBooks Pro 2022
• QuickBooks Pro 2021
• QuickBooks Pro 2020
• QuickBooks Pro 2019
• QuickBooks Pro 2018
• QuickBooks Pro 2017
• QuickBooks Pro 2016
• QuickBooks Pro 2015
• QuickBooks Pro 2014
• Sage 50 Accounting
• Windows 11 and 10 Keyboard Shortcuts
• Chrome OS for Chromebooks
• Word and Excel (Mac) 2022
• Word and Excel (PC/Windows) 2021-2016 and 365
• QuickBooks Desktop (PC/Windows) 2024
• QuickBooks Desktop (PC/Windows) 2023
• QuickBooks Desktop (PC/Windows) 2022-2015
• Windows 11 and 10
• Our History
• Customer Service
• Testimonials
• Lost Password
• Register a Product
• Manage My Account
• Member Login

Try the PowerPoint Course for Free!

Slide show view in powerpoint – instructions, how to use slide show view in powerpoint:.

            This video lesson, titled “ Start a Slide Show ,” shows how to use Slide Show view in PowerPoint. This video is from our complete PowerPoint tutorial , titled “ Mastering PowerPoint Made Easy v.2016-2013 .”

Overview of How to Use Slide Show View in PowerPoint:

            Slide Show view in PowerPoint lets you show a presentation on or from your computer. You can view either the entire presentation or just a few slides. This is the best way to view or preview a presentation to ensure it is clear, focused, and impactful in the way you want.

            To run a presentation in Slide Show view in PowerPoint, click the “Slide Show” tab in the Ribbon. To start the slide show from the first slide, then click the “From Beginning” button in the “Start Slide Show” button group. Alternatively, to start the slide show from the currently selected slide, click the “From Current Slide” button in the “Start Slide Show” button group.

            To advance through the slides and animations in a presentation in Slide Show view, click the screen. Alternatively, to advance through the slide show, press “Spacebar” on your keyboard. After viewing the entire presentation, the slide show closes and returns to its previous view. However, to exit the slide show at any time, press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.

            Alternatively, you can select commands in a pop-up menu or click buttons in a toolbar to navigate the presentation and access annotation options. To show a pop-up menu that contains commands for navigating the presentation and adding slide annotations in Slide Show view, right-click the screen. Then select the command to perform. Alternatively, move your mouse onscreen in Slide Show view to see a small semi-transparent toolbar appear in the lower-left corner of the screen. Then click the desired button to perform.

A picture showing the pop-up menu of commands in Slide Show view in PowerPoint.

            To see a listing of the keyboard shortcuts you can use in Slide Show view in PowerPoint, right-click a slide in Slide Show view to show the pop-up menu. Then select the “Help” command in the pop-up menu to open the “Slide Show Help” dialog box. To show commands based on category, select the desired category at the top of the dialog box. The keyboard shortcuts for that category then appear in the dialog box. These can help you minimize onscreen distraction when delivering your presentation. To close the dialog box after examining the shortcuts, click its “OK” button.

Instructions on How to Use Slide Show View in PowerPoint:

• To run a presentation in Slide Show view in PowerPoint , click the “Slide Show” tab in the Ribbon.
• To start the slide show from the first slide , then click the “From Beginning” button in the “Start Slide Show” button group.
• Alternatively, to start the slide show from the currently selected slide , click the “From Current Slide” button in the “Start Slide Show” button group.
• To advance through the slides and animations in a presentation in Slide Show view , click the screen.
• Alternatively, to advance through the slide show , press “Spacebar” on your keyboard.
• After viewing the entire presentation, the slide show closes and returns to its previous view.
• Alternatively, to exit the slide show at any time , press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.
• Alternatively, you can select commands in a pop-up menu or click buttons in a toolbar to navigate the presentation and access annotation options.
• To show a pop-up menu that contains commands for navigating the presentation and adding slide annotations in Slide Show view , right-click the screen.
• Then select the command to perform.
• Alternatively , move your mouse onscreen in Slide Show view to see a small semi-transparent toolbar appear in the lower-left corner of the screen.
• Then click the desired button to perform.
• To see a listing of the keyboard shortcuts you can use in Slide Show view in PowerPoint , right-click a slide in Slide Show view to show the pop-up menu.
• Then select the “Help” command in the pop-up menu to open the “Slide Show Help” dialog box.
• To show commands based on category , select the desired category at the top of the dialog box.
• The keyboard shortcuts for that category then appear in the dialog box.
• When finished, click the “OK” button in the “Slide Show Help” dialog box to close it.

About Joseph Brownell

• Irresistible Tech Gifts for That Special Dad
• Killer Smartphone Deals We Love

How to Use the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

The Slide Sorter view makes grouping and reorganizing slides a breeze

• Brock University

What to Know

• Select View > Slide Sorter or select Slide Sorter on the Task Bar in the bottom right.
• To reorder a slide, drag it into a new location.

This article explains how to use Slide Sorter view to reorder your slides by dragging and dropping them into a different sequence. Instructions apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010.

Use the Slide Sorter in PowerPoint

When you first open your PowerPoint presentation, all the slides are listed as thumbnails on the left side of the PowerPoint window. Drag slides up and down on this list to reorder them. If you have a long PowerPoint presentation , however, it’s easier to use the Slide Sorter to reorder them.

To access the Slide Sorter, select View > Slide Sorter . Or, select Slide Sorter on the Task Bar in the bottom-right corner of the PowerPoint window.

Drag Your Slides to Reorganize Them

In Slide Sorter view, PowerPoint slides display as a series thumbnails. Each slide displays a number under the bottom-left corner to show which order they're in. To reorder a slide, drag it into a new location.

Break a Presentation into Sections

If you have different people creating or presenting different parts of the presentation, or if you have different topics within your presentation, organize your presentation into sections using the Slide Sorter view. Grouping your slides into sections is like using folders to organize your files in File Explorer.

To create a section, right-click between the two slides where you want to split the presentation and select Add Section .

Each section starts on a new line in the Slide Sorter view. You can create as many sections as you like.

Rename a Section

When you create a new section, the Rename Section dialog box opens. In the Section name text box, enter a new name for the section and select Rename .

To change the section name later, right-click the section name in Slide Sorter view and select Rename Section .

In the Rename Section dialog box, enter a name in the Section name box and select Rename .

Move or Remove Sections

To reorder the sections in your presentation, move the sections. To move a section, right-click on the section name and select either Move Section Up or Move Section Down .

If it’s the first section, Move Section Up is grayed out and not available. If you right-click on the last section, Move Section Down is grayed out.

Return to the Normal View

When you’re finished reordering your slides , creating sections, and arranging your sections, select View > Normal .

In Normal view, slides display in the new order in the list of thumbnails on the left side of the PowerPoint window. If you added sections, you’ll see your section headings, as well.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• Different Ways to View Slides in PowerPoint
• How to Hide and Unhide a Slide in PowerPoint
• Add, Delete or Change the Order of PowerPoint Slides
• How to Use Copilot in Powerpoint
• How to Select More Than One Slide in PowerPoint
• How to Use Speaker Notes in PowerPoint
• Outline View in PowerPoint or OpenOffice
• How to Use Google Duet in Slides
• The 10 Most Common PowerPoint Terms
• How to Add Page Numbers in PowerPoint
• Slide Layouts in PowerPoint
• How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation
• How to Print PowerPoint Slides
• How to Use PowerPoint Slide Master Layouts
• How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation
• How to Make a Slideshow on PowerPoint

Free PowerPoint and Google Slides Templates for your Presentations

Free for any use, no registration or download limits

Featured Slide Themes

Editor's Choice

Ready-to-teach Lessons

Father's Day

Family Feud

Social Media

• Professional

Executive Summary

Teaching Resources

Recent slideshow templates.

Dark Minimalist Business Background Slides

Unlock the power of simplicity with our Minimalist Business Slides template, tailored specifically for business professionals seeking to make an ... Read more

Animated Geometric Interactive Digital Marketing Canvas

Get ready to jazz up your next marketing meeting with our colorful, animated risograph shapes PowerPoint and Google Slides template! ... Read more

Hand-drawn Bahasa Indonesia Foreign Language Subject for Middle School

Hey teachers, ready to make learning Bahasa Indonesia a blast for your middle schoolers? Snap up this doodle illustrative slideshow ... Read more

Collage Animated Aesthetic Notes Background Slides

Looking to spice up your school presentations? Our Animated Aesthetic Notes template is just the ticket for students eager to ... Read more

Minimalist Aesthetic Feed – Social Media Planner

Perfect for marketing gurus looking to amp up their social media game, this PowerPoint and Google Slides template is your ... Read more

Taylor Swift Aesthetic Eras Tour

Get ready to shake it off with our colorful slideshow template that’s perfect for any Swiftie or pop culture fan ... Read more

Geometric Interview Tips & Preparation Slides

Elevate your interview game with our modern, geometric-patterned presentation template, perfect for business professionals looking to make a memorable impact. ... Read more

Cute Group Brainstorming Organizer

Get your team’s creative juices flowing with our charming collaboration board template, perfect for anyone looking to spice up their ... Read more

Simple Geometric Pink Brainstorm Slides

Unleash your creativity with our Modern Geometric template, perfect for students eager to brainstorm innovative ideas. With its playful mix ... Read more

Aesthetic Student of the Month Poster

Celebrate your star pupils in style with this eye-catching poster template, perfect for educators looking to shout out their students’ ... Read more

Cute Classroom Calendar

Get your class buzzing with excitement with this adorable planner template! Perfect for teachers who want to add a splash ... Read more

Simple Business Development Manager CV Resume

Crafted for the ambitious business professional aiming to stand out in the competitive job market, this sleek, black and white ... Read more

Classic Family Feud Scoreboard Background

Get ready to bring the fun and excitement of your favorite game show right to your living room with our ... Read more

Vintage Tortured Poets Department Album Aesthetic for Swifties

Ready to give your presentations a makeover that screams minimalist chic with a side of poetic flair? This slideshow template ... Read more

Illustrated Father Daughter Take a Walk Together Day

Step up your game with this vibrant, illustrated PowerPoint and Google Slides template perfect for celebrating those heartwarming father-daughter walks. ... Read more

Cute Marketing Manager CV Resume

Looking to make a stellar first impression? This green gradient resume template is perfect for marketing professionals aiming to showcase ... Read more

Basic Flight Attendant CV Resume

Calling all hospitality professionals! Elevate your job applications with this sleek, minimal blue resume template, perfect for showcasing your skills ... Read more

Minimal Medical Nurse CV Resume

Calling all health professionals! This minimal blue resume is tailored for nurses and medical staff aiming to make a lasting ... Read more

Simple Accountant CV Resume

Perfect for finance professionals, this purple-themed, basic minimal resume template is a game-changer. Tailored for those in accounting and finance, ... Read more

Brutalist Software Engineer CV Resume

Crafted especially for tech-savvy business professionals, this gray, Brutalist-style resume template is your go-to for making a bold impression. Perfect ... Read more

Pastel Real Estate Agent CV Resume

Perfect for aspiring and seasoned real estate professionals, this neutral pink resume template is your ticket to making a lasting ... Read more

Professional Stocks Trading Business Plan

Perfect for finance pros ready to step up their game, this PowerPoint and Google Slides template is your go-to for ... Read more

Clean Minimal Meeting with Animated Icons

Hey business pros! Ready to jazz up your next team meeting or client presentation? This slide deck is your new ... Read more

Minimal Professional Management Consulting Firm Brand Slides

Elevate your business presentations with our Minimal Gradient template, tailored for ambitious business professionals. This sleek, blue-themed PowerPoint and PPT ... Read more

Modern Minimal Company Internal Deck Slides

Elevate your business presentations with our Modern Abstract template, designed exclusively for forward-thinking business professionals. Whether you’re crafting a compelling ... Read more

Gray Real Estate Agent Orientation Slides

Dive into the world of real estate marketing with this elegant and minimal presentation offering. Perfectly designed for corporate webinars, ... Read more

Illustrated Project Status Report Executive Summary Slides

Hey business pros! Keep your team and stakeholders in the loop without skipping a beat with our Project Status Report ... Read more

Modern Minimal Middle East Airline Business Plan

Perfect for professionals in the industrial sectors, this sleek and minimal PowerPoint and Google Slides template is your go-to for ... Read more

Bold Gradient Artificial Intelligence in Finance Pitch Deck

Elevate your business strategy with our futuristic blue presentation template, designed for savvy business professionals. Perfect for showcasing the impact ... Read more

Modern Illustrated Website Pitch Deck

Tailored for business professionals, this modern, blue and yellow presentation template is perfect for pitching your website ideas. Whether you’re ... Read more

Geometric New Medical Devices Pitch Deck

Perfect for business professionals in the healthcare industry, this blue-themed presentation template offers a basic illustrated style, ideal for showcasing ... Read more

Illustrated Social Networking Services Pitch Deck

Perfect for business professionals, this sleek presentation template is designed to make your pitch stand out. With 29 customizable slides, ... Read more

Simple Search Engine Consulting

Boost your business strategy with our Search Engine Consulting presentation template, tailored for business professionals. This sleek, grey-themed template is ... Read more

Green Chalkboard Background Slides

This Doodle-inspired Presentation Template is designed for educators. It’s perfect for a myriad of use-cases from lesson plans to project ... Read more

Watercolor Anti-Bullying Campaign: Stop the Hate!

Get your message across with our vibrant blue and violet watercolor illustrated PowerPoint and Google Slides template, perfect for marketing ... Read more

Vintage Education Pack for Students Slides

Explore the realms of knowledge with our Education Pack for Students template. Ideal for teachers, this Art Nouveau-inspired, brown-themed PowerPoint ... Read more

Cute Self Introduction for First Day of Class Slides

Make a lasting impression on your first day of class with our ‘Self Introduction Template’. Ideal for students, this slideshow ... Read more

Interactive Bulletin Board Slides

Awaken curiosity and engage students of all ages from pre-school to high school, with this creatively designed PowerPoint and Google ... Read more

Illustrated Teacher Resume Slides

Showcase your teaching skills in a vibrant and captivating manner with these green and yellow illustrated templates for Powerpoint and ... Read more

Animated Paper Airplanes Lesson for Kids Infographics

Get ready to wow your audience with our vibrant, green and white animated doodles presentation template, perfect for professionals in ... Read more

Collage Adolf Hitler Biography Slides

Explore the life of Adolf Hitler with this engaging biography slideshow template. Perfect for educators, history buffs, and students, this ... Read more

Illustrated Martin Luther King Jr Biography Slides

Discover the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. with our engaging Brown and Blue Illustrative presentation template. Perfect ... Read more

Cute Illustrated Life Of Abraham Lincoln Biography Slides

Dive into the captivating story of Abraham Lincoln with our cute illustrative slideshow template. Perfect for educators, history buffs, and ... Read more

Golden Cleopatra Biography Slides

Step into the enchanting world of ancient Egypt with our Cleopatra Biography Slides. Perfect for history buffs, educators, and students, ... Read more

Colorful Nelson Mandela Biography Slides

Perfect for history buffs, educators, and students, our Nelson Mandela Biography Slides offer a visually captivating way to explore the ... Read more

Cool Social Media Report with Cycle Diagrams

Hey marketing whizzes, get ready to jazz up your social media reports with our standout slideshow template! Decked out in ... Read more

Scrapbook Go Green Social Media Strategy

Perfect for marketing mavens looking to spruce up their social media game with an eco-friendly twist, this PowerPoint and Google ... Read more

Dark Sales Strategy and Digital Marketing

Hey sales pros! Ready to ramp up your game with a killer strategy? Our animated minimal slideshow template in cool ... Read more

Maximalist Interior Design Catalog Slides

Immerse your audience in a world of artistry and elegance with this Maximalism-inspired PowerPoint and Google Slides template! Ideal for ... Read more

Modern Instagram Style Marketing Campaign

Hey marketing mavens! Ready to jazz up your next campaign with a splash of pink and orange? Our modern minimal ... Read more

Purple Floral Product Launch Slides

Send waves through your community with this new product launch project proposal template. This theme is great for coaches, consultants, ... Read more

Modern Tech Products Catalog

Designed for business professionals, this sleek black-and-white presentation template is perfect for showcasing your tech products. Whether you’re pitching new ... Read more

Modern Minimal Body Care Products Catalog

Perfect for business professionals in the beauty and wellness industry, this vibrant, photo-centric presentation template is your go-to for showcasing ... Read more

3D Morph Marketing Slides

Elevate your marketing pitch with our 3D Morph Marketing Slides, designed for business professionals aiming to make a lasting impression. ... Read more

Illustrated Marketing Executive Summary Slides

Perfect for business professionals, this multicolored, pastel-themed slideshow template is your go-to for crafting engaging marketing executive summaries. Tailored to ... Read more

Simple Blue Cruise Ship Holidays Marketing Campaign

Marketing professionals, elevate your campaigns with our Cruise Ship Holidays Marketing Campaign slideshow template. Ideal for presenting your next big ... Read more

Modern Green Gradient Healthcare Professional Slides

Elevate your healthcare presentations with our Modern Healthcare Presentation Template, designed exclusively for health professionals. This template, featuring a soothing ... Read more

Blue Minimalistic Medical Technology Breakthroughs Slides

Champion good science communication with these medical technology breakthrough slides, easy to use as a Google Slides template, PowerPoint theme ... Read more

Cute Pastel Medical-Surgical Nursing Slides

Introducing our Medical-Surgical Nursing presentation template, designed exclusively for health professionals. With its dominant green color and pastel, cute illustrative ... Read more

Modern 3D Pharmacy Technician Resume Slides

Experience a new dimension in showcasing your pharmacy expertise with our contemporary 3D Powerpoint and Google Slides templates. Designed in ... Read more

Modern Minimal Nursing Slides

Perfect for individuals pursuing a career in nursing or education, this elegant and minimalistic PowerPoint and Google Slides template radiates ... Read more

Cool Futuristic Artificial Neural Networks Conference Slides

Take your audience on a journey into the digital world with this modern, geometric-themed Powerpoint and Google Slides template. Its ... Read more

Modern Minimal Healthcare Executive Summary Slides

Designed for business professionals, this Healthcare Executive Summary slideshow template is perfect for delivering clear and impactful presentations. Whether you’re ... Read more

Simple Hygiene Training Workshop

Get your hospitality team up to snuff with our lively, illustrative blue-themed slideshow template designed specifically for hygiene training. Perfect ... Read more

Modern Minimal Anti-Aging Techniques Breakthrough

Get ready to wow the fashion crowd with our latest slideshow template, perfect for anyone eager to share the newest ... Read more

Simple Health Insurance Plan

Hey health pros, got a meeting or workshop coming up? Nab our sleek slide deck tailored just for you. With ... Read more

Infographic

Modern 3D 3-Item Status Process Infographic

Get your team on the same page with our sleek infographic, designed specifically for business pros. This blue and purple ... Read more

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs White Infographic

Perfect for business pros looking to spice up their presentations, this infographic template takes the classic theory of motivation and ... Read more

White Quarterly Milestones Infographics

Get your team and stakeholders on the same page with our latest PowerPoint and Google Slides template, perfect for business ... Read more

Simple Illustrated Puzzle Infographics

Perfect for educators and corporate trainers, this PowerPoint and Google Slides template turns complex ideas into easy-to-understand visual stories. Whether ... Read more

Simple Team Hierarchy Infographics

Looking to showcase your company’s structure in a sleek, no-nonsense way? Our PowerPoint and Google Slides template, designed with business ... Read more

3D SWOT Analysis

Hey business wizards! Ready to give your strategy meetings a serious upgrade? Our infographic is just what you need to ... Read more

Illustrated Customer Acquisition Infographics

Calling all business professionals! Elevate your next meeting with our Customer Acquisition Infographics slideshow template. Perfect for showcasing strategies and ... Read more

Simple Value Chain Analysis Infographics

Perfect for business professionals, this vibrant yellow PowerPoint and Google Slides template is designed to simplify your workflow. Whether you’re ... Read more

Oil And Gas Value Chain Yellow Slides

This bright yellow, basic illustrated infographics template is perfect for business professionals in the oil and gas sector. Whether you’re ... Read more

Illustrated Agriculture Value Chain Slides

This charming, green-themed PPT template is perfect for business professionals looking to illustrate the agriculture value chain. With adorable illustrations, ... Read more

Illustrated HR Value Chain Slides

Elevate your HR strategies with our HR Value Chain Slides, designed for business professionals seeking clarity and efficiency in their ... Read more

Simple Value Chain Analysis Of McDonalds Slides

Perfect for business professionals, this bold minimal PowerPoint and Google Slides template offers a vibrant yellow design to elevate your ... Read more

Animated Happy Mother’s Day

Celebrate the superhero in your life with our vibrant, animated Mother’s Day slideshow template! Ideal for anyone eager to show ... Read more

Simple Animated Business Slides

Get ready to jazz up your next business meeting with our Animated Business Slides! Perfect for business pros looking to ... Read more

Animated Orange Aesthetic Brainstorm Slides

This presentation template is perfect for students looking to spice up their next brainstorm session. With its clean, modern look ... Read more

Animated Pixel Brainstorm Slides

Unleash your creativity with our cute, animated pixel presentation template in dominant blue, perfect for students. Ideal for brainstorming sessions, ... Read more

Animated Thesis Defense Slides

Immerse your audience in your educational presentation with our fresh, vibrant PowerPoint and Google Slides templates. Perfect for high school ... Read more

Animated 3D Video Channel Web Series Slides

Featuring an array of bright colors and compelling 3D animation, this Graffiti Style Business Pitch Deck will add a dynamic ... Read more

Animated New Employee Training

Onboard your new team members with ease using our vibrant, bold illustrated slideshow template designed for business professionals. This pink-themed ... Read more

Animated Project Kickoff Deck

Take your project launches to the next level with our Project Kickoff Deck, designed specifically for business professionals. This animated ... Read more

Modern Geography Lesson Plan with Morph Transition for Teachers

Transform your teaching with this dynamic blue and white presentation template designed just for educators. Ideal for creating engaging lesson ... Read more

Modern Morph Shape Slides

Perfect for students, the Morph Shape Slides offer a sleek black and white gradient texture that’s sure to impress. Use ... Read more

Modern Minimal Business Plan with Morph Transition

Elevate your next business meeting with this sleek and modern presentation template designed for business professionals. Featuring a striking black ... Read more

Find Free Slide Show Templates that Suit your Needs

Slide templates by topic.

• Real Estate
• Law and Justice
• Engineering

Slide templates by style

Slide templates by color.

Professional designs for your presentations

SlidesCarnival templates have all the elements you need to effectively communicate your message and impress your audience.

Suitable for PowerPoint and Google Slides

Download your presentation as a PowerPoint template or use it online as a Google Slides theme. 100% free, no registration or download limits.

• Google Slides
• Editor’s Choice
• All Templates
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Google Slides Help
• PowerPoint help
• Who makes SlidesCarnival?

Cloud Storage

Custom Business Email

Video and voice conferencing

Shared Calendars

Word Processing

Spreadsheets

Presentation Builder

Survey builder

Google Workspace

An integrated suit of secure, cloud-native collaboration and productivity apps powered by Google AI.

Tell impactful stories, with Google Slides

Create, present, and collaborate on online presentations in real-time and from any device.

• For my personal use
• For work or my business

Jeffery Clark

T h i s   c h a r t   h e l p s   b r i d g i n g   t h e   s t o r y !

E s t i m a t e d   b u d g e t

Make beautiful presentations, together

Stay in sync in your slides, with easy sharing and real-time editing. Use comments and assign action items to build your ideas together.

Present slideshows with confidence

With easy-to-use presenter view, speaker notes, and live captions, Slides makes presenting your ideas a breeze. You can even present to Google Meet video calls directly from Slides.

Seamlessly connect to your other Google apps

Slides is thoughtfully connected to other Google apps you love, saving you time. Embed charts from Google Sheets or reply to comments directly from Gmail. You can even search the web and Google Drive for relevant content and images directly from Slides.

Extend collaboration and intelligence to PowerPoint files

Easily edit Microsoft PowerPoint presentations online without converting them, and layer on Slides’ enhanced collaborative and assistive features like comments, action items, and Smart Compose.

Work on fresh content

With Slides, everyone’s working on the latest version of a presentation. And with edits automatically saved in version history, it’s easy to track or undo changes.

Make slides faster, with built-in intelligence

Assistive features like Smart Compose and autocorrect help you build slides faster with fewer errors.

Stay productive, even offline

You can access, create, and edit Slides even without an internet connection, helping you stay productive from anywhere.

Security, compliance, and privacy

Secure by default

We use industry-leading security measures to keep your data safe, including advanced malware protections. Slides is also cloud-native, eliminating the need for local files and minimizing risk to your devices.

Encryption in transit and at rest

All files uploaded to Google Drive or created in Slides are encrypted in transit and at rest.

Compliance to support regulatory requirements

Our products, including Slides, regularly undergo independent verification of their security, privacy, and compliance controls .

Private by design

Slides adheres to the same robust privacy commitments and data protections as the rest of Google Cloud’s enterprise services .

You control your data.

We never use your slides content for ad purposes., we never sell your personal information to third parties., find the plan that’s right for you, google slides is a part of google workspace.

Every plan includes

Collaborate from anywhere, on any device

Access, create, and edit your presentations wherever you are — from any mobile device, tablet, or computer — even when offline.

Get a head start with templates

Choose from a variety of presentations, reports, and other professionally-designed templates to kick things off quickly..

Photo Album

Book Report

Visit the Slides Template Gallery for more.

Ready to get started?

20+ Self Introduction PowerPoint Templates: Download for free!

Think about the image you want to portray during your presentation pitch. Creativity? Soberness? Reliability? A professional PowerPoint design can help you deliver a powerful introduction to your stakeholders . 

Here, you'll find some creative Self-Introduction PowerPoint Templates that are going to elevate your slides to the next level. Our expert team has designed different layouts that you will surely love and save you a lot of time. 

And if you want to present your company and highlight your team's experience, you'll also find some fantastic Team Presentation Templates . Keep reading to get them all for free!

Introducing Yourself PowerPoint Templates

Introducing yourself is vital to generate a connection with your audience . In fact, it showcases your background and abilities, making sure you are the person they seek. 

That being said, let's have a look at the Self-Introduction PowerPoint Templates that we prepared for you and will optimize your creative process:

1. About Me PowerPoint Template

These self-introduction PowerPoint templates are perfect for anyone trying to convey sobriety and professionalism. 

The pack offers different layouts, which you can use to engage your audience and showcase your work experience. 

2. Personal Resume PowerPoint Template

This template is another great option for introducing yourself through a PowerPoint presentation. 

You'll find different types of diagrams and graphs that will display all your skills and work experience in a more eye-catching way. 

3. Colorful Resume PowerPoint Template

With this colorful template, you'll be able to create more impactful slides and add your desired background. 

It also includes a map that will help you showcase your experience abroad! 

4. Creative Resume PowerPoint Template

If you are not sure of the color palette of your presentation, try this blue template. It's the perfect color to convey professionalism!

This self-introduction PowerPoint template will definitely catch your audience's attention from the beginning. 

5. Personal Branding PowerPoint Template

This template is focused on Personal Branding, but you can use the graphics to organize your "About me" presentation in PowerPoint.

As always, we invite you to customize each element however you like!

6. Women Leadership Powerpoint Template

Want to be concise in your pitch? This template will inspire you!

As you can see in the image, you'll find a minimalist design of pink and purple tones.

7. Timeline Infographic PowerPoint Template

This template package has timelines and graphics that will be useful for organizing your personal information.

If you were looking for a modern and creative self-introduction template, this design may be for you!

8. User Persona PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template was initially designed to present Buyer Personas but can be adapted for an "About Me" section.

9. Photography Portfolio PowerPoint Template

Want to improve your portfolio? We've designed portfolio templates in PowerPoint, too!

This resource was created for photographers, but you can adjust it to your needs.

10. Career Portfolio PowerPoint Template

Here is another portfolio design in PowerPoint! 

When you download this template, you'll find a sober self-introduction design with blue tones.

We're not done yet!

In the following section, you'll discover more PowerPoint templates for introducing your work team to an audience.

Team Introduction PowerPoint Templates

Introducing your team becomes crucial when you want to attract new clients or investors to your business. It will spotlight your team's capabilities, convincing your audience that you can solve their problems. 

As always, all the slides in our templates are easily editable , so you can add any image you like and customize the aesthetics according to your color scheme .

Let's check the Team Introduction PowerPoint Templates we have for you: 

1. Team Slides PowerPoint Template

This team introduction PowerPoint template offers 8 different designs that will impress your audience. 

Pick the layout you like the most and add it to your presentation deck! 

2 . Roles and Responsibilities PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template is all about the roles and responsibilities of each team member.  

If you’re working on a new project, this team intro PowerPoint template will be perfect! 

3. Meet The Team PowerPoint Template

If you're seeking to introduce your company to a potential investor or client, check out these team introduction slides! 

This template pack will help you to present a complete overview of your business and the people involved in it.

4. Project Management PowerPoint Template

Do you have a project running and need to design the final presentation? This template is made for you!

As in the previous designs, you will find a project team slide template and more graphics that will make your presentation dazzle.

5. Strategic Action Plan PowerPoint Template

Here is another of our corporate templates to introduce your work team to an audience.

If you want designs with green and blue tones, this resource is for you!

6. Finance Team PowerPoint Template

This presentation contains animated slides with a fresh design.

When you download this PowerPoint template, you'll find a "mission and vision" section, a description of services, a customer profile, and more!

7. Light Corporate PowerPoint Template

Want to present a creative self-introduction but need more time to think about the design? If so, this template will be perfect for you.

You'll find a "meet the team" section, 3D graphics, infographics, and more. Download it for free now!

8. Creative Business PowerPoint Template

If you prefer a one-page self-introduction, take a look at this template.

It contains icons, timelines, statistical graphs, and more resources. Like the previous designs, the download is completely free!

9. Creative Pitchbook PowerPoint Template

This PowerPoint template and its unique designs will immediately catch your audience's attention.

If you want to convey professionalism and detail-oriented, this template pack is for you.

10. Film Pitch PowerPoint Template

These designs were created for film teams but can be adapted to any field!

We are confident its aesthetics will inspire you.

11. Storyboard Artist PowerPoint Template

Looking for more creative self-introduction slides? You'll love this one! 

Initially, this template is black and white, but you can edit the colors freely.

12. Team Introduction PowerPoint Template

This team introduction PowerPoint template has a unique format.

You'll be able to highlight your team's skills visually. And the best thing is that it's easy to understand at first glance!

13. Science Organization PowerPoint Template

A team introduction is always a great idea, but it's even better when you can showcase the relationship between different members and roles! 

With this template pack, you can make that possible.

Looking for Custom PowerPoint Presentations? We got you! 

If you liked our free template designs, you'll love 24Slides custom presentations ! 

A PowerPoint presentation is a great place to start making an excellent first impression. It will show your audience how committed you are to a project and how much effort you will put into it. 

But making a good PowerPoint presentation takes a lot of time and effort. Why not call upon professionals to handle it efficiently?

24Slides offers a pro-level design service that will elevate all your presentation decks. Our Designers have worked with some of the biggest companies worldwide, so we can offer the expertise you need. 

Still not sure? While working alongside us, you will: 

• Own high-impact presentations aligned with your brand – We help you communicate the message you want to convey!
• Choose between different services: Regular Service , Dedicated Design Teams , and Credit Packages – We adapt to your needs!
• Manage fast turnarounds – Go rest and get your presentation the following morning!
• Enjoy the process since we guarantee the confidentiality of your data – Your information is in good hands!
• Have the option to create a platform for connecting your Internal Team with our Designers – The integration will be seamless!

The best part is that you can try our expertise and style for just $1 . Our Designers will be happy to show you the true potential of your slides!

Found this content interesting? You'll love what's next: 

• Learn How to Start a Sales Presentation
• 36 Fun Icebreakers for Your Next Presentation
• Why is Brand Identity Important in Presentations? Experts answered!  
• The Cost of PowerPoint Presentations: Discover the hidden expenses you might overlook!

Create professional presentations online

Other people also read

The Best Free PowerPoint Presentation Templates You Will Eve...

Blue Ocean Strategy PowerPoint Templates

Our Most Popular Free PowerPoint Templates

Introduction to Web Accessibility

WebAIM Training

PowerPoint Accessibility

You are here: Home > Articles > PowerPoint Accessibility

Introduction

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most popular tools for creating slide show presentations. It is often used to organize thoughts for a meeting or lesson, to present key points in a live presentation, and even to create handouts. This article outlines how to can make PowerPoint files more accessible on the web.

Unless noted, the steps outlined in this article apply to Office 2016 and 365, Windows and Mac. Most screenshots are from the PowerPoint 2016 for Windows.

Templates and Themes

The first step in creating a PowerPoint presentation is choosing a slide theme or template. The Design tab contains many built-in Themes and color Variants that can be used to change the look of a presentation, as well as the ability to create custom themes

Some of these templates have low contrast between slide text and the slide background, and a few may also have busy backgrounds that can make text even more difficult to read. Be sure to choose a theme with good contrast and with simple backgrounds. If the presentation will be viewed on a projector, the contrast and readability may need to be even more pronounced.

In addition to built-in and custom themes, there are thousands of templates available for download. You can search for a template by selecting File > New, and then describing the template in the Search field. Add the word "accessible" to the search for templates that are tagged as "accessible" by the creator. While this doesn't guarantee accessibility, it increases the likelihood of finding a good template. If in doubt, Microsoft has identified several templates that are optimized for accessibility .

Slide Layouts

The most important part of PowerPoint accessibility is the use of slide "layouts." Used correctly, these will ensure information on the slides have the correct heading structure and reading order.

Most slide layouts include a slide "title," usually at the top of the slide. They also typically contain one or more "placeholder" areas where you add content like lists, images, and tables to each slide. The title will be presented as a heading to screen reader users, and will be the first thing read on each slide. If each slide has a descriptive title, this will make it much easier for screen reader users to read and navigate the presentation.

Create a new slide

Although you can change the layout of a slide at any time, it is usually easiest to choose your layout when creating a new slide. You can add a new slide from the Home or Insert tab. If you choose the New Slide icon , PowerPoint will usually create a new slide with the same layout as the currently-selected slide.

You can also select the slide layout while creating a new slide. In Windows, select either the small arrow or the text " New Slide " right below the icon, and a menu will drop down with all the available slide layouts. Select one of these options to create a new slide with this layout.

In Mac, select the small arrow next to the New Slide icon to show a similar dropdown menu.

Change slide layout

To change the layout of an existing slide:

• Select the slide you would like to change.
• On the Home tab, select Layout .
• Choose the desired layout from the dropdown.

This new layout will be applied to the selected slide and PowerPoint will try to move the slide contents to the correct place in the new layout. If you're moving from one pre-built layout to another, this usually works fairly well. But if you apply a layout to a slide that wasn't structured correctly in the first place (e.g., pictures and text boxes added to a blank slide), it may take some work like cutting, pasting, and deleting unnecessary boxes to apply the correct layout.

Slide Master

It is possible to make changes to all slides within a presentation, like changing the text size of all slide titles. You can also make changes to a specific slide layout, or even create new custom layouts. All of these changes are possible in the Slide Master view. This view allows you to create accessible layouts that meet the needs of the presentation while maintaining a proper heading structure and reading order.

To open Slide Master, select the View tab > Slide Master .

The different layouts that are available in the presentation will be displayed in the left-hand sidebar. The first slide in this sidebar is the Master Layout . Changes made to the Master Layout will usually be applied to every slide in the presentation. Below this Master Layout are the different individual layouts. Changes made to one of these will be applied to every slide that uses this layout.

To create a new slide layout, select Insert Layout , and then Rename to give the new layout a descriptive name. You can then insert placeholder objects, change the size and position of objects on the slide, etc.

Once all the changes are complete, select Close Master View on Windows or Close Master on Mac. Changes made within this view will automatically be applied throughout the presentation.

Slide Reading Order

Although it is best to use slide layouts when possible, there may be times when you need to add content to a slide when it would be impractical to create a new slide layout. By default, a screen reader will read the slide title first, followed by other content in elements defined in the slide layout. Then it will read any additional content on the side in the order it was added to the slide. If you add content with this principle in mind, it should be presented to screen reader users in a logical order.

You can check or change this reading order by selecting Home > Arrange > Selection Pane . The Selection Pane will appear in the right-hand sidebar.

The pane will show every object on the slide. Highlighting an object in the pane will also highlight it in the slide. The reading order for the elements in this page is bottom to top . At first this may seem illogical, but it helps to think of these objects as layers on a slide. The first object on the slide will be read first. If another object is added to the page on top of the this first object, it will be read next by a screen reader (and will also cover the first object visually). To reorder an item, simply click and drag . PowerPoint for Windows also has up/down arrow buttons that can be used to reorder items.

The Arrange dropdown menus also includes options to reorder a single object. This will change the visual position on the page as well as the reading order.

If you use these options, be sure to check the Selection Pane to ensure the reading order makes sense.

Alternative Text for Images

PowerPoint presentations usually include images, and these images need equivalent alternative text .

PowerPoint 365 and 2019

The process to add alternative text is straightforward in PowerPoint 365 and 2019:

Right-click on the image and select Edit Alt text , then enter appropriate alternative text in the field that appears in the Alt Text sidebar.

If the image is decorative, leave the field blank and check Mark as decorative .

Do not select the "Generate a description for me" button. The quality of the automatically-generated descriptions is usually very poor, and a description of an image is often not the same as alternative text.

PowerPoint 2016

To add alternative text to an image in PowerPoint 2016:

• Right-click on the image and choose Format Picture .
• In the Format Picture sidebar, Select the Size & Properties icon and choose Alt Text .
• Enter appropriate alternative text in the Description field only (not the Title field).

Unless it is part of the slide background, there is no way to hide a decorative image in PowerPoint 2016 or older. If the presentation is saved to a PDF, decorative images can be hidden in Acrobat Professional .

In HTML, there are ways to identify row and column headers in a data table that make the contents of the table much more accessible to screen reader users. PowerPoint allows you to identify a single row of column headers and a single column of row headers. To identify the headers in a table:

• Click inside the table. The Table Tools options should become visible, and the Design tab (called Table Design on Mac) should be open .
• If the top row of the table contains headers for each column (most tables do), check the make sure the Header Row checkbox is checked.
• If the first column of the table contains headers for each row, check the First Column checkbox.

Most screen readers will not identify table headers in PowerPoint, but we still recommend going through this process. It is important to identify headers visually, and support for table headers in Microsoft Office is improving constantly. Plus, these headers will be identified when saving to PDF in the most up-to-date versions of PowerPoint.

PowerPoint automatically creates a link when a user pastes a full URL onto a slide and presses Enter or Space. Raw URLs may not make sense to screen reader users or others, so make the link text descriptive.

To change the link text right-click the link and select Edit Hyperlink . On Mac, right-click the link and select Hyperlink > Edit Hyperlink . A dialog will appear. Click in the Text to Display field at the top of the dialog and enter descriptive link text.

If you are creating a presentation that is intended to be displayed both electronically and in print, you may want to include the URL and a description in the link text. For example, "WebAIM Introduction to Web Accessibility (webaim.org/intro)."

Check Accessibility

PowerPoint includes a tool that will identify many common accessibility issues. The accessibility checker is basically the same in Windows and Mac, but the steps to start the check are different.

To run the accessibility checker in Windows, select File > Info . Select the Check for Issues button and choose Check Accessibility .

To start the accessibility checker in Mac, select the Review tab, then choose Check Accessibility .

In Windows and Mac, the Accessibility Checker sidebar will appear to the right. The checker presents accessibility errors (e.g., images with no alternative text), warnings (e.g., unclear link text) and tips (e.g., check slide reading order for slides with custom content). Selecting an item in the report will highlight the issue within the slide. Information about the issue, and instructions on how to repair it, will also appear at the bottom of the sidebar.

When the issue is addressed, it will disappear from the report automatically.

Other Accessibility Principles

• Make sure text is not too small, especially if the presentation will be viewed on a projector.
• Do not use color as the only way to convey information.
• Transitions and animations should be simple.
• Complex or automatic transitions and animations can be distracting.
• Use clear and simple language. If you have embedded video, ensure the video is captioned.
• If you have embedded audio, include a transcript.

Convert PowerPoint to PDF

PowerPoint is effective for face-to-face presentations, but it is usually not the best format for content on the web. The file can be large, and users must either have Microsoft Office or a plugin in order to view the file. PDF is often a better format to present PowerPoint presentations electronically. The file size is relatively small, distracting slide transitions are usually removed, and everyone has a PDF reader.

All of the accessibility features outlined in this article will be retained in a PDF file, assuming it is created correctly. (See our article on Creating PDF files from Office documents ). If your presentation has tables or decorative images, and you know how to add accessibility information in Adobe Acrobat, your PDF file could even be made more accessible than the original PowerPoint file.

Make Creative Slides, in WPS Presentation

Wps presentation is a free powerpoint editor for effortless slide creation, editing, saving, and sharing. seamlessly handle powerpoint presentations across multiple platforms with full compatibility with microsoft office. available for pc windows, mac, linux, android, and ios devices..

See How Easy to Do with WPS Presentation

Tell best stories with pro templates, discover an extensive collection of over 100,000 professional & beautiful templates in wps office., empower yourself to deliver compelling presentations that impress and inspire your audience. step onto the stage with confidence and make your message heard.

Friendly UI, Free Alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint

Embark a seamless and intuitive presentation experience with wps presentation's user-friendly interface, carefully designed to resemble powerpoint., discover the comfort and simplicity of navigation, allowing you to effortlessly create, edit, and format your slides with absolute confidence..

Compatible with .PPT, .PPTX Files

Wps presentation is compatible with 20 file formats, including .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .pot, .pptm, .potx, .potm, and more., with wps presentation, effortlessly maintain the integrity of your slides, animations, formatting, charts, and other elements, ensuring seamless preservation throughout your work..

File Management and Sharing, Anywhere

Wps presentation smoothly synchronizes powerpoint files across a range of devices: pc windows, mac, linux, android, iphone, ipad, and multiple cloud platforms., you can share a powerpoint with others and collaborate in real-time, track edits, versions, and contributors for seamless teamwork during your presentations..

Popular Features of WPS Presentation

WPS Office's Presentation Tools offer batch font settings, custom text formats, and easy insertion of pictures to multiple slides. Create stunning and engaging presentations effortlessly with these powerful features

See What Our Users Have to Say

Rated as Leader

Editor's Rating: Excellent

Google Play

Editor's Choice&Top Developer

WPS Presentation works seamlessly! It just as fine as Microsoft Powerpoint, with changes in the document getting reflected quickly.

WPS Office is a solid office productivity suite that provides a good alternative to Microsoft Office at zero cost!

I prepare my presentations the way I want, easily convert them into pdf. I also suggest my students to use WPS and every user seems very happy using WPS.

Free All-in-One Office Suite

Wps office offers more than just the presentation feature for free powerpoint slides editing. it also provides powerful tools for word documents, excel spreadsheets, and pdf documents, allowing you to handle a wide range of file formats seamlessly on pc windows, mac, linux, android and ios devices..

What Else You May Want to Know

• Yes, you can use WPS Presentation for free. The free version of WPS Presentation covers most features and provides free templates suitable for daily presentation needs.
• However, for access to premium templates and advanced features like OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and premium templates, a premium subscription is required. The premium subscription offers additional functionality and tools to elevate your presentation creation experience.
• Yes, WPS Presentation is designed to be user-friendly and easy to adapt to. Its interface closely resembles Microsoft PowerPoint, allowing you to effortlessly edit existing presentations or create new ones. With its intuitive tools and familiar layout, WPS Presentation ensures a smooth and straightforward user experience.
• Yes, you can save your presentations and other files from WPS Presentation directly to Google Drive. WPS Presentation offers seamless integration with Google Drive, enabling you to effortlessly save and sync your files to the cloud storage service. This feature allows you to access your presentations from any device and collaborate with others efficiently.
• The primary distinctions between WPS Presentation and Microsoft PowerPoint are the cost and accessibility. WPS Presentation is available for free, while Microsoft PowerPoint often requires a costly subscription or purchase.
• WPS Presentation offers seamless cloud integration with services like Google Drive, facilitating convenient presentation storage, synchronization and collaboration.
• Additionally, WPS Presentation not only supports PC Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices like Microsoft PowerPoint, but also extends its compatibility to Linux, an option not covered by Microsoft PowerPoint.
• Hot Topics:

Get start with WPS Presentation to edit PowerPoint slides for free!

• Search Search Search …

Free Simple PowerPoint templates or Google Slides themes for presentations.

If you are looking for a simple template to deliver your message, browse this collection of free simple Google Slides themes and PowerPoint templates and you’ll surely find one that perfectly fits your needs.

Pastel Notebook for group projects, free for PowerPoint and Google Slides. Upgrade your group project presentation from basic to breezy! This free digital notebook template gives your slides a fresh, approachable look. Forget stuffy templates – the pastel colors add a pop of personality without being too formal. This versatile […]

Pastel Notebook free presentation ppt template and Google Slides theme.

Formal B&W free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme Ever feel like you just need a clean slate to get your ideas down?  This simple black and white presentation template is perfect for those times.  With its classic look, it won’t distract from your content,  allowing you to focus on structuring your thoughts […]

Simple and Formal Black & White free presentation template.

Spruce up your next presentation with Minimal Social, a free downloadable template for Google Slides and PowerPoint. Craving a presentation that’s both stylish and versatile? Look no further than the Minimal Social template! This free downloadable theme boasts a clean, minimalist design with muted tones and a touch of social media […]

Minimal Social free multipurpose presentation template.

Launching a new business is exciting! But crafting the perfect introduction to potential customers can take time. This pre-designed template can help you quickly showcase your new venture.  This template is easy to customize with your information, logos and images, allowing you to create a professional brochure in no time. […]

Business Brochure / School Newsletter free template for Google Slides and PPT.

Geometric shapes and vibrant colors. The perfect backdrop for your ideas. Packed with geometric shapes and a vibrant color palette, this theme is guaranteed to grab attention and leave a lasting impression. Compatible with both PowerPoint and Google Slides, it allows you to tailor the design to your specific needs. […]

Geometric colorful shapes free marketing presentation template.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Customizable yearly planner template for teachers. I enjoyed so much creating the first two planners (Katie and the School Planner) that I decided to create a new one. By popular demand, this time, I started the week view on Monday, and even though […]

Teacher Digital Planner – July 2024 to July 2025 version.

Make a lasting impression on your audience with this free and professional PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. This template has a clean and modern design and features a peach color accent that you can modify easily to match your brand colors or preferences. Whether you’re preparing for a captivating […]

Formal peach free ppt template and Google Slides theme.

Nail your next business pitch without the design fuss! Grab attention with this sleek, minimalist theme for PowerPoint and Google Slides. Let your content shine with clean layouts and minimal distractions. With this free template you can focus on the message: Highlight key points, data, and visuals without overwhelming your audience. A […]

Pitch with Confidence: Free minimalist theme for a powerful business presentation.

Free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme. Customizable yearly planner template for teachers. I adapted the Edu Planner (July to July) for one of my virtual friends, so in case someone wanted to use it from January to December, or for those in the southern hemisphere, here it is. To […]

Teacher Digital Planner – 2024 January to December version.

Vega is a free and versatile PowerPoint and Google Slides template that helps you create visually appealing and effective presentations. With its clean design, this template provides a harmonious backdrop for your ideas, ensuring that your audience’s attention remains focused on your message. Whether you’re creating a business presentation, an educational presentation, […]

Vega, free multipurpose PPT and Google Slides template.

A free PowerPoint and Google Slides template with retro lines and a grunge background.  Rigel is a simple yet versatile PowerPoint and Google Slides template that is perfect for your next professional presentation. The template features a modern blue and green color scheme that can be easily customized to match […]

Rigel, retro lines free template.

Simple and Professional free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme This simple and professional template is the definition of minimalism. If what you are looking for is simplicity and just a touch of color, this is the perfect presentation template whether if you are a PowerPoint user or a Google […]

Simple & Professional free powerpoint and google slides template.

Yellow OS interface free multipurpose PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme + Certificate + Agenda slide. Are you looking for your next professional development presentation template? Look no further! This theme is perfect if you are looking for a simple template where you can just add your content and be […]

Multipurpose Yellow OS interface free presentation template.

Simple interface with file folders free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme This free PowerPoint template and Google Slides theme features an OS interface with file folders with beautiful colors. It includes a simple certificate layout and an agenda slide for teachers. You can use this template for a techie […]

Simple interface with file folders free slides presentation template.

Dotted Background free PowerPoint Template and Google Slides Theme with agenda and certificate layout. I was asked for a presentation theme matching the “Meet the teacher colorful template with dotted background” and here it is! Now you have a portrait and a landscape version. I’ve also included a certificate layout […]

Dotted Background free presentation template.

Introducing generative ai presentation software for the workplace

It's beautiful what you can do with a little ai ., ready to transform your presentations, beautiful.ai jumpstarts your presentations..

Start your presentation inspired. Look, we made it easy. Smart templates give your team a blueprint for making presentations. The modern ones that customers love. We filled Beautiful.ai with tons of smart slide templates for you to choose from, so it's easy to start, finish, and impress in no time.

And puts slide formatting on autopilot.

Ready for a game changer? Beautiful.ai’s presentation software applies the rules of great design in real-time. Just add content and your slides adapt like magic. No more 2 a.m. nights resizing text and images. Every choice you make saves you time and leads to great design. See how it works >

And makes your team look brilliant.

Imagine if every department had a deck designer. Our new Team Plan makes it easy for anyone to create stunning team presentations remotely, consistently, and all under one account. This is how modern teams are syncing up and signing off faster, from anywhere.

Shared Slides

Create a slide once for your company to use infinitely.

Universal Updates

The moment new content comes in, push it to multiple decks.

Total Brand Control

Every control needed to tell a single brand story.

And keeps every  slide body  on brand.

Nobody likes frankendecks. Least of all your customers. Use the right colors, font, and logo every time with beautifully foolproof features. Plus when you sign up, this online presentation software unlocks millions of modern images and icons that reflect your brand guidelines. Now every slide is consistent—and consistently creative. With Beautiful.ai’s Team Plan , you can control your brand from one account and scale productivity across your organization.

And surprises your customers. And yourself.

Simply the best presentation maker for business.

Part deck designer. Part productivity expert. Beautiful.ai helps you create meaningful pitches and reports without putting other work on hold. It removes outdated steps that kill efficiency, so you can organize ideas quickly, sync with teams instantly, and engage your clients like never before.

Customer Stories

SkySpecs Innovates Presentation Process with Beautiful.ai

Since 2014 SkySpecs has earned a leading position in the North American and European wind energy markets. As SkySpecs scales their business, they had to find a way to innovate their presentation process. Beautiful.ai has helped them communicate better, and more beautifully.

The secret weapon of teams like:

A really simple way to make killer presentations

Beautiful.ai has made creating presentations so simple and saved a ton of our team's time

Beautiful.ai is amazing in every sense of the word. I am able to easily create the best, most professional presentations.

It's so much more helpful, fast, and design-oriented than anything else I've tried

With absolutely no design background -- I'm creating beautiful - and powerful presentations

It’s like working side-by-side with a designer

Beautiful.ai helps me cut down time and focus on my content for a great presentation!

See how good your idea looks.

Every choice saves you time and leads to great design. See what it’s like when all your ideas look brilliant.

Set your work up to win. This is all done in minutes.

• Use Presenter View Video
• Add speaker notes​ Video
• Practice and time your presentation​ Video
• Record a presentation Video
• Print a presentation Video

Use Presenter View

PowerPoint Presenter View shows you the current slide, the next slide, and your speaker notes, to help you focus while presenting and connect with your audience. 

Select the Slide Show tab.

Select the Use Presenter View checkbox.

Select which monitor to display Presenter View on.

In Presenter View , you can:

See your current slide, next slide, and speaker notes.

Select the arrows next to the slide number to go between slides.

Select the pause button or reset button to pause or reset the slide timer in the upper left.

See the current time to help you pace your presentation.

Select the font icons to make the speaker notes larger or smaller.

Select the annotations pen icon to draw on the screen in real time, or select a laser pointer.

Select the thumbnail icon to see all the slides in your presentation and quickly jump to another slide.

Select the magnifying glass icon to zoom in on a particular part of a slide.

The screen icon let's you make the screen temporarily black to focus the attention on you.

Select END SLIDESHOW when you're done presenting.

Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view

Need more help?

Want more options.

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Microsoft 365 subscription benefits

Microsoft 365 training

Microsoft security

Accessibility center

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.

Ask the Microsoft Community

Microsoft Tech Community

Windows Insiders

Microsoft 365 Insiders

Was this information helpful?

Thank you for your feedback.

ChatGPT will create an entire PowerPoint presentation for you — here's how

The future of AI is wild

Could you imagine not needing to lift a finger after commanding an AI to make an entire PowerPoint slide for you? Well, no need to daydream any longer. Microsoft's AI Future of Work kicked off today, and we're blown away by what the Redmond-based tech giant has in store regarding the future of Microsoft 365 .

As we've seen with the launch of Microsoft's AI-powered Bing, the company is moving full force ahead with rolling out ChatGPT -flavored services to the masses — and this AI event solidified Microsoft's AI-driven ambitions (h/t DigitalTrends ).

ChatGPT will facilitate PowerPoint and other Microsoft apps

Microsoft is poised to introduce Copilot to Microsoft 365 apps. Let's break down what this means. Firstly, as it stands now, many developers currently use GitHub Copilot, a tool from OpenAI — the mastermind company that launched ChatGPT — that utilizes the power of AI to help them write code. 

Microsoft plans to harness Copilot's smarts for Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel , PowerPoint, Teams, and more, allowing users to unleash a level of productivity that could never be done before.

As such, in the future, you can simply dictate your ideas to Copilot, and as a result, it can transform your simple prompts into an entire presentation. You can even use Copilot to help you consolidate lengthy slides onto a one-slide summary. The possibilities are endless!

Check out the following use cases below to see how Copilot will power other Microsoft 365 apps.

• Microsoft Word - Get rid of "writer's block" by using the integrated Copilot tool, which can create first drafts for you. You can even ask Copilot which tone you should use (e.g., professional or casual?) to strike the best note with your target audience.
• Excel - Got a massive Excel sheet of data? Ask Copilot to give you a summary about the data in an easy-to-digest manner. It can even go as far as proposing "What if?" scenarios based on the data you feed it.
• Outlook - Went on vacation for a week? Ask Copilot to give you a summary of all the emails you missed while you were out. Plus, you can also rely on Copilot to draft invites, replies, and more on your behalf.
• Teams - With Copilot, you can create meeting agendas based on your Teams' chat history. If you missed a meeting, you can have Copilot summarize the points that were made.

Since Microsoft announced its investment in OpenAI in January, the AI firm suddenly made explosive moves that rattled the tech industry.

Stay in the know with Laptop Mag

Get our in-depth reviews, helpful tips, great deals, and the biggest news stories delivered to your inbox.

Not too long ago, we wrote about GPT-4's launch and how it's better than the last iteration ChatGPT . Now, we're already hearing that a ChatGPT-esque engine will be powering Microsoft 365 apps in the future — all of this AI stuff is coming at us fast!

Kimberly Gedeon, holding a Master's degree in International Journalism, launched her career as a journalist for MadameNoire's business beat in 2013. She loved translating stuffy stories about the economy, personal finance and investing into digestible, easy-to-understand, entertaining stories for young women of color. During her time on the business beat, she discovered her passion for tech as she dove into articles about tech entrepreneurship, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and the latest tablets. After eight years of freelancing, dabbling in a myriad of beats, she's finally found a home at Laptop Mag that accepts her as the crypto-addicted, virtual reality-loving, investing-focused, tech-fascinated nerd she is. Woot!

Apple warns against cloud-AI data collection, leans into on-device AI

Google Chrome is crowned the fastest of all web browsers. Here's how.

Siri may leapfrog Google Assistant with new ChatGPT integration — here's how

Most Popular

• 2 Prime Day laptop deals 2024: What to expect, early discounts
• 3 Amazon Father's Day sale 2024: 9 deals I recommend for the techie dad
• 4 Apple warns against cloud-AI data collection, leans into on-device AI
• 5 5 sizzling hot Logitech summer deals — for you or for dad