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

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Use Presenter View

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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.

The Slide Show tab in PowerPoint has a check box to control whether Presenter View is used when you show a presentation to others.

Select which monitor to display Presenter View on.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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

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How to Use the Presentation Modes and the Screen Recording Features in PowerPoint

How to Use the Presentation Modes and the Screen Recording Features in PowerPoint | Quick Tips & Tutorial for your presentations

After designing all the slides for your presentation, the next and last step is presenting in front of your audience. In this new Slidesgo School tutorial, you’ll see how the presenter view works and how you can record your presentation .

Presentation Modes

Presentation modes — set up slide show, presentation modes — record slide show.

  • There are different presentation modes in PowerPoint, besides the one you can find at the bottom of the screen.
  • To access the presentation modes, go to the Slide Show tab.
  • The first two options allow you to start the presentation from the beginning or from the currently selected slide.

Start Slide Show group

  • If you choose Present Online, an URL will be generated, which you can then share with your potential online viewers. After clicking this button, a new window will open, displaying info about the Microsoft Office online presentation service and a checkbox to enable remote download for your online audience. To enjoy this service, you need an Office 365 account. When you’re ready, click Connect to generate the URL.
  • If you choose Custom Slide Show, you can select which slides to display in your presentation.  First, create a new custom slide show and select the slides that you want to display. Then, click Add, enter the name of the presentation and click OK. This new custom presentation will appear on the list. Select it and click Show to begin the presentation.
  • In the Set Up group you’ll find options to set up the presentation, hide slides, rehearse your presentation and even record it.
  • Click Set Up Slide Show to adjust several settings regarding your presentation. You’ll find more information in the next section of this tutorial .
  • If you click Hide Slide, the selected slide won’t show up during your presentation. Hidden slides will appear faded out on the list and their numbers will be crossed out.
  • If you click Record Slide Show, you’ll be able to record your presentation from the beginning or from the current slide. We’ll go into detail in the last section of this tutorial.
  • There are several checkboxes regarding whether to play narrations, use timings and show media controls.

Checkboxes in Set Up group

  • In the Monitors group you can choose which screen to display your presentation.
  • The last group, Captions & Subtitles, is only available in Office 365. You’ll find options to enable subtitles, which will be generated out of your speech (so you’ll need to have a mic). There are settings to change the language and the position of the subtitles.
  • Open your presentation in PowerPoint.
  • Go to the Slide Show tab.
  • In the Set Up group, click Set Up Slide Show. A new window will open, where you’ll find several options.
  • In the top-left corner, under “Show type”, you can choose whether the presentation will be in fullscreen with speaker notes, windowed, or in fullscreen without speaker notes or the menu bar.

Options under Show type

  • Under “Show options” you can choose whether to show the presentation without narration or animations, or disable the hardware graphics acceleration (for better performance). You can also set the pen and laser pointer color.

Option under Show options

  • Under “Show slides”, you can choose which slides to show in your presentation. You can select all of them, a specific range or a custom slideshow.
  • There are other settings to determine how to advance slides (manually or using timings), what the resolution will be and whether to use the presenter view.
  • Click Record Slide Show. From the drop-down menu, select From the Current Slide or From the Beginning.
  • A new window will open, along with the presentation in fullscreen mode. At the top-left you’ll find a button to start recording.

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How To Get Into Presentation Mode In PowerPoint

Are you looking to take your PowerPoint presentations to the next level?

Presentation Mode in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that can help you create engaging and professional presentations.

We will discuss why you should use Presentation Mode, how to enter it, its key features, and how to navigate through your slides.

Explore the ins and outs of Presentation Mode in PowerPoint, brought to you by teacher Regina Griffin from Oregon, US. Enhance your presentation skills!

Key Takeaways:

  • Presentation mode in PowerPoint allows for a more engaging and organized presentation, resulting in a better experience for both the presenter and the audience.
  • To enter presentation mode, simply click on the “Slide Show” tab and select “From Beginning” or “From Current Slide”.
  • Presentation mode offers features such as a full-screen display, laser pointer/pen tool, and presenter view with notes and slide previews, making it easier to navigate through slides and deliver a professional presentation.

What Is Presentation Mode in PowerPoint?

Presentation Mode in PowerPoint refers to a feature that allows presenters to display their slides in a full-screen view, enhancing the visual impact of their presentation.

This mode is particularly useful during formal presentations, as it eliminates distractions and ensures that the audience’s focus remains on the content being discussed. In Presentation Mode , presenters can navigate through their slides smoothly, interact with their content, and make annotations in real time. One notable advantage of this mode is the Presenter view , where speakers can see upcoming slides, and speaker notes, and even manage time effectively without disrupting the flow of the presentation.

Why Use Presentation Mode in PowerPoint?

Using Presentation Mode in PowerPoint offers numerous advantages, such as creating a more engaging and professional presentation experience for both the presenter and the audience.

When in Presentation Mode, your PowerPoint transforms into a seamless slide show that eliminates distractions and focuses solely on your content. This feature optimizes the screen view for your audience, ensuring they stay engrossed in your message.

Presentation Mode allows the presenter to navigate slides effortlessly, maintaining a smooth flow of information that keeps the audience’s attention intact. The ability to preview slides on a separate monitor while presenting ensures that the speaker remains in control of the presentation pace and content delivery.

Allows for a more engaging and professional presentation

One of the key reasons to use Presentation Mode in PowerPoint is that it allows presenters to deliver a more engaging and professional presentation by providing advanced control over their slides, including features like a laser pointer .

With Presentation Mode, presenters can seamlessly navigate through their slides, controlling the flow of information and keeping the audience’s attention focused. The ability to access advanced controls such as animations, transitions, and speaker notes enhances the overall delivery quality.

The built-in laser pointer feature enables presenters to highlight specific points on the slides, emphasizing crucial information and guiding the audience’s focus. This interactive element adds a dynamic touch to the presentation, making it more engaging and memorable.

Helps the presenter stay on track and organized

Presentation Mode in PowerPoint aids presenters in maintaining focus, organization, and efficiency throughout their presentation by offering tools like Presenter View, where notes and slide previews can be accessed.

This feature is particularly useful as it allows presenters to keep an eye on upcoming slides while also referring to their speaking notes discreetly, enhancing the flow of the presentation. The ability to adjust display settings such as screen mirroring or extending desktops simplifies the setup process, ensuring that the presentation runs smoothly. The note-taking capabilities within Presentation Mode enable presenters to jot down important points or reminders directly within the application, eliminating the need for external notes and promoting a more organized approach to presenting.

Provides a better experience for the audience

Engaging Presentation Mode in PowerPoint not only benefits the presenter but also enhances the audience’s experience by ensuring a seamless and visually appealing display of the content.

When toggling to Presentation Mode, the display settings undergo a transformation that optimizes the presentation for viewer interaction. The ability to seamlessly swap displays allows the presenter to effortlessly navigate through slides, ensuring a smooth transition between different sections of the presentation. This elegant integration of features not only captivates the audience but also enables a more fluid and engaging delivery of the content. The visual appeal of the slides is enhanced, making it easier for viewers to follow along and grasp the key points being presented.

How to Enter Presentation Mode in PowerPoint?

To enter Presentation Mode in PowerPoint, follow these simple steps: open your presentation, click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab in the menu bar, and select ‘From Beginning’ or ‘From Current Slide’ to start your presentation.

If you want to ensure a seamless transition into Presentation Mode, it’s essential to set the right display options. First, check your display settings by going to the ‘Slide Show’ tab and clicking on ‘Set Up Slide Show.’ Here, you can choose whether to present your slides on the primary monitor, a secondary monitor, or in a window. Make sure to select the appropriate display mode based on your setup to guarantee a professional and effective presentation.

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation

The first step to enter Presentation Mode in PowerPoint is to ensure that your presentation file is open and ready for display.

To do so, open PowerPoint and locate the file containing your presentation. Click on the file to open it. Review that the slides are arranged in the correct order and that any speaker notes or animations are set up as desired. Check the slide sorter view to confirm the flow of your presentation. Ensure that the current slide is the one you want to begin with when Presentation Mode is activated. This initial setup is crucial for a seamless transition into your presentation.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab in the top menu bar

Once your presentation is open, navigate to the ‘Slide Show’ tab located in the top menu bar of PowerPoint to access presentation controls and features like zooming into specific slides.

Once you’re on the ‘Slide Show’ tab, you’ll find a variety of essential controls that aid in delivering a seamless presentation experience. Here, you can click on ‘From Beginning’ to start the slide show from the very first slide. You can choose ‘From Current Slide’ to begin from the slide you’re currently on.

You’ll notice the ‘Slide Show’ tab offers options to toggle various functionalities like accessing presenter view or setting up custom slide shows. This tab is a hub of useful tools that elevate your presentation delivery.

Step 3: Select ‘From Beginning’ or ‘From Current Slide’ to start the presentation

After accessing the ‘Slide Show’ tab, choose between the ‘From Beginning’ or ‘From Current Slide’ options to initiate your presentation in Presentation Mode, ensuring the desired display settings and presenter view are selected.

When you opt for ‘From Beginning,’ your presentation will start from the very first slide, whereas selecting ‘From Current Slide’ allows you to start your presentation from the slide you are currently on. This choice depends on whether you want to begin at the start of the presentation or jump in at a specific point.

It is crucial to carefully review and adjust the display settings to ensure that your content appears as intended on the screen during the presentation. Make sure to enable the presenter view option for a more dynamic and organized delivery of your content, offering you control over what the audience sees and what you see on your screen.

What Are the Features of Presentation Mode in PowerPoint?

The features of Presentation Mode in PowerPoint are designed to enhance the presenter’s experience and engage the audience, offering functionalities such as Presenter view with notes, laser pointer integration, and slide previews.

Presenter view with notes allows speakers to refer to their talking points discreetly, ensuring a seamless delivery. The incorporated laser pointer feature permits highlighting key areas on slides, directing the audience’s focus effectively. Slide previews provide a comprehensive overview of the presentation flow, aiding in smoother transitions between topics. The option to hide or reveal slides as needed enhances the element of surprise and control during the presentation, captivating the audience’s attention. These combined features transform the presenter’s performance into a dynamic and engaging experience for all participants.

Full-screen display of slides

Presentation Mode in PowerPoint offers a full-screen display of slides, ensuring that the audience can focus solely on the content being presented.

This feature eliminates distractions and directs attention to the key points of the presentation. By seamlessly transitioning between slides, the flow of information is maintained, keeping the audience engaged throughout the talk. The full-screen view enhances the visibility of multimedia elements, such as images and videos, making them more impactful.

Ability to use a laser pointer or pen tool

Presentation Mode enables presenters to use a laser pointer or a pen tool to highlight key points on slides, enhancing the clarity and impact of their presentation.

The laser pointer, a staple in traditional presentations, offers a precise way to direct attention to specific details, aiding in engaging the audience. On the other hand, the pen tool, usually found in digital platforms like smartphone apps or presentation software, allows for more creativity and flexibility in drawing emphasis without the need for physical devices like remote controls. This versatility caters to different presenter preferences and presentation styles, ensuring a dynamic and interactive delivery of content.

Presenter view with notes and slide previews

Presenter view in PowerPoint provides presenters with a comprehensive overview of their slides, including notes and slide previews, facilitating better organization and seamless delivery.

When utilizing the Presenter view, presenters gain the advantage of accessing notes discretely without them being displayed to the audience, allowing for a more professional and polished delivery. In addition, having a live preview of the upcoming slides enables the presenter to seamlessly transition between points, enhancing the flow of the presentation. Through system preferences or the displays app, customization options such as adjusting the layout to suit individual preferences or toggling between speaker notes and slide previews can be easily configured, providing a tailored experience for each presenter.

Option to hide the presentation controls

One convenient feature of Presentation Mode is the ability to hide presentation controls , providing a cleaner and more immersive viewing experience for both the presenter and the audience.

By opting to hide presentation controls, presenters can focus on delivering their content without any distractions or overlays obstructing their view. This is especially beneficial when engaging in live demonstrations, showcasing visual content, or utilizing mirror displays for a seamless and professional presentation.

In scenarios where presenters are utilizing a two-monitor setup for advanced display configurations, such as showing notes on one screen while presenting on the other, hiding presentation controls on the main display ensures that only the essential content is visible to the audience, maintaining a neat and streamlined appearance.

How to Navigate Through Slides in Presentation Mode?

Navigating through slides in Presentation Mode can be done efficiently using keyboard shortcuts, mouse controls, or specific commands within PowerPoint.

One handy method to quickly move to the next slide during a presentation is by pressing the Spacebar or Enter key on your keyboard. Conversely, to go back to the previous slide, you can use the Backspace key. You can effortlessly jump to a specific slide by entering the slide number followed by pressing the Enter key. For a more visual approach, you can click on the slide thumbnails on the left sidebar or use the scroll wheel to navigate through the slides.

Use the arrow keys on your keyboard

Utilize the arrow keys on your keyboard to seamlessly advance through slides in Presentation Mode, ensuring a smooth and controlled flow of your presentation.

With the simple and intuitive collaboration of the arrow keys, you can effortlessly navigate through your slides, enabling precision in delivering your content. The arrow keys allow you to move forward or backward with ease, keeping the focus on your message during the presentation. This feature is especially useful in Presenter View, where you can see upcoming slides and speaker notes, maintaining a seamless delivery. When you record a slide show, the arrow keys help you pace your narration perfectly, ensuring synchronization between your speech and slide transitions.

Click on the arrows in the bottom left corner of the screen

For a more interactive navigation experience, users can click on the directional arrows located in the bottom left corner of the screen to progress through their presentation while having access to speaker notes and animations.

Users can enhance their presentation experience by utilizing the fullscreen mode . By entering fullscreen, viewers can keep the focus solely on the presentation content, removing any distractions from the surrounding interface elements. This feature is particularly useful when showcasing detailed slides or when presenting to a larger audience, allowing for a more immersive and engaging delivery.

Use the scroll wheel on your mouse

Another seamless way to navigate through slides in Presentation Mode is by utilizing the scroll wheel on your mouse, providing smooth and intuitive control over slide transitions and content progression.

The scroll wheel allows users to effortlessly advance slides without the need to click buttons or use keyboard shortcuts, enhancing the overall presentation experience.

With its responsive nature, the scroll wheel ensures quick and precise movements, enabling presenters to fluidly transition between slides with the utmost ease.

This feature is particularly handy when presenting slides with high resolution , allowing for a seamless display of detailed content in a visually appealing manner.

How to Exit Presentation Mode in PowerPoint?

Exiting Presentation Mode in PowerPoint is a simple process that involves pressing the ‘Esc’ key on your keyboard, clicking on the ‘End Show’ button, or selecting ‘End Show’ from the drop-down menu to return to the normal viewing mode.

To exit Fullscreen mode in PowerPoint, you can simply press the ‘Esc’ key, the keyboard shortcut that is universally used to escape full-screen views across various applications. This action will promptly take you out of the immersive mode and back to the regular interface.

Another convenient way to exit the Presentation Mode is by navigating to the bottom left corner of the screen and clicking on the ‘End Show’ button. This button serves as a quick exit route from the full-screen display, offering an immediate transition back to the standard PowerPoint screen.

Step 1: Press the Esc key on your keyboard

The first step to exit Presentation Mode is to press the ‘Esc’ key on your keyboard, which will promptly exit the full-screen display and return you to the standard PowerPoint interface.

Exiting Presentation Mode using the ‘Esc’ key is a simple maneuver that can swiftly transition you back to your familiar workspace. Once you press the ‘Esc’ key, the fullscreen effect will dissolve, and any Speaker Notes you might have been glancing over will no longer dominate your screen, ensuring a seamless flow as you exit the presentation. This action provides an effortless way to shift the focus back to the general view of your PowerPoint, facilitating a smooth continuation of your usual workflow.

Step 2: Click on the ‘End Show’ button on the top left corner of the screen

To exit Presentation Mode, users can also click on the ‘End Show’ button located in the top left corner of the screen, providing a direct and visible method to conclude the presentation.

Once you are ready to end your presentation and exit the immersive Presentation Mode, simply direct your attention to the top left corner of the screen where the ‘End Show’ button awaits your command. By clicking on this button, you seamlessly transition back to the regular view, enabling you to navigate your presentation’s content, check additional details, or record the slide show for future reference. This function provides an effortless way to not only conclude your speech but also to review or amend content from the current slide onward, ensuring a smooth transition and accessibility for your audience.

Step 3: Select ‘End Show’ from the drop-down menu

For a more detailed exit process, users can select ‘ End Show ‘ from the drop-down menu within PowerPoint, ensuring a controlled and comprehensive conclusion to their presentation.

Once ‘End Show’ is chosen, users can seamlessly transition back to PowerPoint’s standard interface, bidding farewell to the presenter view. Exiting this mode allows presenters to access additional options to end their presentation smoothly and efficiently.

Upon choosing ‘End Show’, users can review their content, make final adjustments, and conclude their presentation with confidence, maintaining professionalism throughout the process. This method ensures a polished and professional exit from Presentation Mode, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i enter presentation mode in powerpoint.

To enter presentation mode in PowerPoint, click on the Slideshow tab in the top menu and then select “From Beginning” or “From Current Slide” depending on where you want to start your presentation.

Can I customize the way I enter presentation mode in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can customize the way you enter presentation mode by going to the Slideshow tab and selecting “Set Up Slide Show.” From there, you can choose options such as looping, presenter view, and more.

Is there a shortcut to enter presentation mode in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can press the F5 key on your keyboard to enter presentation mode in PowerPoint. You can also press Shift+F5 to start from the current slide.

Can I use a different display for presentation mode in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can use a different display for presentation mode by going to the Slideshow tab and selecting “Set Up Slide Show.” From there, you can choose to present on a secondary monitor or projector.

How do I exit presentation mode in PowerPoint?

To exit presentation mode in PowerPoint, press the Escape key on your keyboard or right-click and select “End Show.” You can also press the B key to go back to the previous slide.

Can I add speaker notes while in presentation mode in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can add speaker notes while in presentation mode by clicking on the Notes section at the bottom of the screen. This will allow you to add notes that only you can see while presenting.

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

How to Work with Presenter View in PowerPoint

Cover for 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.

Enable Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Adjusting display settings in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Navigating slides in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Show taskbar in Presenter View PowerPoint

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.

Reset and pause timer in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Change the size of speaker notes in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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 .

Use Annotation Tools in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

View all slides in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Zoom into slides in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Black or Unblack slideshow in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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 subtitles in Presenter View in PowerPoint

Toggle Camera in Presenter View

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

Toggle camera in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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 .

End slideshow in Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

Locating more slideshow options in PowerPoint's Presenter View

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 .

Accessing Show Presenter View in PowerPoint

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

Shortcut to access Presenter View in PowerPoint

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.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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How to Insert an Equation in PowerPoint

Learn how to create easy-to-understand science slides by mastering how to insert an equation in PowerPoint. Step-by-step guide.

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how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

How to Change the Powerpoint Default Presentation Screen

Is there a particular view in Powerpoint that you like to use, and you’re tired of having to switch to it anytime you open a presentation or create a new one? If so, then knowing how to change the Powerpoint default presentation screen is something that could improve the way you use Microsoft’s presentation software.

Fortunately, Powerpoint for Office 365 has a setting that lets you specify which view should be used whenever you open a presentation in the program.

Our article below will show you where to find this setting so that you can select your preferred view from a handful of options. This includes options like various Normal view configurations, Outline, Slide Sorter, and more. This is a really handy setting for people that don’t like the default view and want to use one of the many other possibilities within Powerpoint.

How to Change the Default Display Setting in Powerpoint for Office 365

  • Launch Powerpoint.
  • Click File .
  • Select Options .
  • Choose Advanced .
  • Click Open all documents using this view , then select one.

Our guide continues below with additional information on changing the display settings for your slide show in the Powerpoint window, including pictures of these steps.

How to Set a Default View in Powerpoint for Office 365 (guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed in Microsoft Powerpoint for Office 365. By adjusting this setting you will be affecting a default setting within the application. Once you make this change, all future existing and new slideshows will open using the view that you have specified.

Step 1: Open Powerpoint.

Step 2: choose the file tab at the top-left of the window..

click file at the top left

Step 3: Click the Options button at the bottom-left of the window.

open powerpoint options

Step 4: Select the Advanced tab.

open the advanced menu

Step 5: Scroll down and click the dropdown menu to the right of Open all documents using this view , select the desired view, then click the OK button.

how to change the defualt view in powerpoint

Our tutorial continues below with additional discussion about the Microsoft Powerpoint change default presentation screen process.

More Information on the Powerpoint – Change Default Monitor Steps

The options available for the default view selection are:

  • The view saved in the file
  • Normal – outline, notes and slide
  • Normal – thumbnails, notes and slide
  • Normal – outline and slide
  • Normal – thumbnails and slide
  • Normal – notes and slide
  • Normal – slide only
  • Outline Only
  • Slide Sorter

Now if you close the current presentation and open another one, it will open with the view that you specified.

If you change this setting a few times and ultimately determine that you would rather go back to the original setting, then simply change the selection in step 5 above to The view saved in the file option.

If you are looking to learn how to change the Powerpoint default presentation screen because your computer has multiple monitors, then that is going to require a different set of steps that we discuss further below.

Note that the Slide Show tab has a number of other options concerning the display of your current theme.

  • If you have multiple monitors connected to your computer, such as if you use two monitors normally and use one monitor for one application for one task and a second screen for something else, then you might want to specify that. If you click the drop down menu to the right of Monitor you can select screen options by either choosing Automatic, or one of the listed monitors.
  • Under the monitor selection is a check box for Use Presenter View. If you enable that setting then you are going to enter a full screen mode for your presentation where you see the current slide, any speaker notes that you added, as well as a small preview of the next slide. if you turn off Presenter View then you are only going to see your presentations the same way that your audience sees them.

When you click the Design tab at the top of the window you are able to see a list of the available themes. if you click on one of those themes you can apply it to the current presentation.

However, by right-clicking on one of those themes you will see some additional options, including one to Set as Default Theme. Choosing that option will apply the selected theme as the default option for new slides that you create the next time you create a new presentation.

Would you like to disable all of the animations in a slideshow that you are working on? Find out where to make this change so that you can present and edit without any of the animations that exist in the presentation.

Kermit Matthews Live2Tech

Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.

He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.

Read his full bio here .

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Mar 4, 2021

Switch between editing and viewing in PowerPoint for web

Robin Miller

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Hi, Office Insiders! I’m Robin Miller, a Program Manager on the PowerPoint team. I’m happy to announce that we have made it even easier to switch between editing and viewing presentations in PowerPoint for the web.

Editing and viewing in PowerPoint

As you are reviewing and getting familiar with the content of a presentation, use the Viewing mode, and don’t worry about accidentally moving things around or making unintended changes. When you’re ready to provide feedback and make updates, switch to the Editing mode.

We’ve updated PowerPoint for the web so you can now quickly change between both modes with a couple of clicks.

editing and viewing in PowerPoint

How it works  

As long as  you have  Edit  permissions  for a given pres entation, you  can choose to be in Editing or Viewing mode.   

  • To switch between the modes, click  Editing   in the ribbon  and  then  choose  Viewing .   To switch back, choose  Editing .  

Requirements  

  • You must have Editing permissions. Users with View-only  permissions   won’t  be able to switch into Editing mode.  

editing and viewing in PowerPoint

Tips and tricks  

  • The option to  Open in Desktop   can   also now be found in this menu.  If   you are running PowerPoint in Teams,  the  Open in Desktop  button remains outside the mode menu  for now.   

Known  issues    

The mode menu options are disabled and difficult to see when in Slide Sorter View while also using High Contrast Mode.  

Availability   

This feature is  rolling  out  to  PowerPoint for the web users. We are working on bringing the  feature  to PowerPoint for Windows and Mac in the future. 

Feedback  

If you have any feedback or suggestions, you can  send  them by clicking  Help > Feedback .  

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!

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How to change your Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow orientation to portrait mode

  • To change your PowerPoint slideshow orientation, you must access the "Slide Size" feature under the "Design" tab. 
  • You can then adjust your PowerPoint slideshow from the horizontal landscape to portrait mode through the "Orientation" option. 
  • The process looks about the same on both the PowerPoint app and the web browser version, though the menu options will be labeled differently.
  • Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

While we're all used to seeing PowerPoint slideshows in landscape orientation, every so often, a presentation may need to be in portrait format.

The process to change your slide orientation looks about the same on both the PowerPoint app and the web browser versions. However, the menus will differ slightly due to spacing, as will the labels. 

For example, when adjusting slide content to fit the new orientation, the app version will ask if you want to scale items up or down, while the online version will ask if you want to maximize items or ensure fit. Despite using different language, the options mean the same thing.

If you want to change your PowerPoint presentation from landscape to portrait, here's how to adjust slide orientation.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft office (from $149.99 at best buy), apple macbook pro (from $1,299.00 at apple), acer chromebook 15 (from $179.99 at walmart), how to change portrait orientation in the powerpoint app.

1. Open PowerPoint on your Mac or PC. You can open a presentation you already started or create a new one.

2. Navigate to the "Design" tab.

3. Click the "Slide Size" icon toward the right side of the toolbar. This will immediately open a drop-down menu highlighting your current selection. 

4. Click "Page Setup…" to open a pop-up menu.

5 . Under the "Orientation" section, select the upward-facing portrait option. You'll notice arrows showing which way the text is facing. 

6. Click "OK" when you're done.

7. This will immediately prompt another, smaller pop-up. If there are already items — such as text, charts, or photos — on your slide, you'll be asked if you want to scale content up or down to fit the new slide shape. 

8. Your choice should immediately return you to the slide screen. You'll notice it's been flipped. You may need to adjust content if it's no longer centered or sized to your liking.

How to change portrait orientation in PowerPoint online

1. Launch your PowerPoint presentation. 

2. Click the "Design" tab.

3. Select "Slide Size."

4 . Choose "Custom Slide Size…" next to the gear icon.

5. Select "Portrait." You'll also have the option to change the slide size.

6. Click "OK."

7. Choose how you'd like to scale your content to fit the new slide size: maximize or ensure fit. 

8. Your choice will take you back to your slideshow. You may have to adjust any text or shapes that no longer fit on screen.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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How to update a PowerPoint slide while presenting

I need to find a way to update a powerpoint slide mid-presentation with images based on audience feedback (ie. audience votes for an image and then that image gets put on a slide later).

I'm concerned about the risk of editing in presentation mode and the editor inadvertently exiting the slideshow in the middle of the presentation.

Are there any add-ons etc. that can be used in PowerPoint to edit/modify a slide during mid presentation while preventing the risk of messing up the live presentation if possible?

Ideas thus far:

  • Using the LiveWeb plugin and an FTP site/Dropbox to point to an image and overwrite the image on the LiveWeb slide based on audience feedback (too complicated for the editors that will be doing this live)
  • Update presentation remotely while on a shared network (not sure if PPT will update this live.).
  • Update: As long as the presentation is using "Presenter View" and an extended monitor, you can navigate through the entire computer and edit any slide on the PowerPoint. Edited slides will show the updated content/images in the live presentation. Doing this, however, pauses the live presentation. So if the person presenting needs to go to the next slide or activate an animation while you are editing, it won't happen until the presentation is resumed. This seems like it will work as long as the presenter doesn't try to move to the next slide before the editor is done editing. Any add-ins that allow for simultaneos editing AND navigation of the presentation?

Has anyone ever done something like this before? What did you do to make it work in a live presentation?

  • microsoft-powerpoint
  • microsoft-powerpoint-2010

Ian's user avatar

  • Good luck. Even if there was some magic software that could do this, you'd have the problem where you'd basically be trying to work in a file that's already open. Unless somehow you could get it to link to some other file, I dunno. Somebody prove me wrong? –  MDT Guy Nov 26, 2013 at 22:21

6 Answers 6

In PowerPoint 2013, it is really very simple:

In Presenter View, click on Show Taskbar (upper left corner)

When taskbar opens at bottom of screen, click on PowerPoint tab,

In three views that are shown (Editor, Presenter and SlideShow), click on the Editor view.

If you want audience to see your changes as you make them, have same slide showing in all 3 views.

If you don't want audience to see changes until you are done, click the Black screen icon in Presenter View (Monitor with diagonal line across), before you start your change, OR change to a different slide in Presenter view.

Slideshow will show your changed slide on the big screen, when you go to it.

Happy PowerPointing!

Ashok Pai's user avatar

  • The question is about ver 2010. Do you know whether this will work in that version? –  fixer1234 Aug 28, 2015 at 20:21
  • Yes it will work –  Firee May 22, 2017 at 10:18

MDT is closer than he might think; I used to brief a stack of presentations some of which were being edited during the show. The key is to create the master presentation as a smooth interface to a collection of presentations. I used to get this done in Office 97; I'm sure it can be done now. If that suits your needs, static link to a volatile presentation (but with a stable filename) might be the thing.

  • How did you go about editing the other slides(presentations) while giving the presentation? Was someone in the room updating files on a shared network drive? –  Ian Dec 12, 2013 at 16:19
  • @Ian, Yes, that's exactly it. For extra smoothness, I would open all of the child presentations first, then open the one that linked to them. That was not necessary however, it just avoided some wait time for opening things when the link was clicked. If you can accept that slight wait, then you can have somebody roll emergent changes into a separate linked presentation while the meeting is in session. Caution -- the other file MUST be closed and saved by the other user by the time you want to use it. Also, I believe SharePoint has some awesome magic for this sort of thing. But I don't know. –  user268926 Dec 13, 2013 at 6:59
  • It canbe done in Office 2013 by the way... –  gparyani Dec 13, 2013 at 16:32

This is really quite simple, especially since you say you want to change a slide that's not currently in view (which can get tricky due to bugs in some PPT versions).

Add this to a VBA module in your presentation. You'll have to save the presentation as PPTM or PPSM rather than PPTX/PPTX.

Follow the instrux included as comments:

phuclv's user avatar

  • I'll give this a shot. So essentially, this code would use a shape as a placeholder and look for an image in a file directory, correct? –  Ian Dec 12, 2013 at 16:18
  • In this case, it just adds the picture directly, no placeholder as such. It wouldn't be hard to extend it a bit to name the picture once it's inserted, then before adding a new picture, delete the old. I'll pop a little aircode for that into a new answer. –  Steve Rindsberg Dec 13, 2013 at 16:06

Have you ever thought about custom shows? Create a single PPT file with all the different combinations possible. As you click through the slides and select a picture hyperlink to a custom show that includes the correct picture. With a little thought and a tree to track all possible combinations, you can do what you want.

wbeard52's user avatar

This is very old, but as someone who needed to be able to update future slides without interrupting the current show, I found that Powershow worked exactly how I needed it to work. The changes in 2013 are great, however, it does not allow the user to edit the show without affecting what the audience sees.

The dance school I work for uses slides and sometimes movies during our recital. There were a few times where I clicked a different slide and cut off the sound for the video displaying because it cut off the show. I did some research and found Powershow. It took a little getting used to, but is exactly what I needed.

I can do whatever I want, including update and rearrange, as well as delete upcoming slides, while the show displays in a different session in powerpoint.

Janet's user avatar

  • Hello and welcome to SU! You could include a link to the above mentioned software in your answer. –  pulsejet Mar 15, 2017 at 14:47

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged microsoft-powerpoint microsoft-powerpoint-2010 ..

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how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

How-To Geek

6 ways to create more interactive powerpoint presentations.

Engage your audience with cool, actionable features.

Quick Links

  • Add a QR code
  • Embed Microsoft Forms (Education or Business Only)
  • Embed a Live Web Page
  • Add Links and Menus
  • Add Clickable Images to Give More Info
  • Add a Countdown Timer

We've all been to a presentation where the speaker bores you to death with a mundane PowerPoint presentation. Actually, the speaker could have kept you much more engaged by adding some interactive features to their slideshow. Let's look into some of these options.

1. Add a QR code

Adding a QR code can be particularly useful if you want to direct your audience to an online form, website, or video.

Some websites have in-built ways to create a QR code. For example, on Microsoft Forms , when you click "Collect Responses," you'll see the QR code option via the icon highlighted in the screenshot below. You can either right-click the QR code to copy and paste it into your presentation, or click "Download" to add it to your device gallery to insert the QR code as a picture.

In fact, you can easily add a QR code to take your viewer to any website. On Microsoft Edge, right-click anywhere on a web page where there isn't already a link, and left-click "Create QR Code For This Page."

You can also create QR codes in other browsers, such as Chrome.

You can then copy or download the QR code to use wherever you like in your presentation.

2. Embed Microsoft Forms (Education or Business Only)

If you plan to send your PPT presentation to others—for example, if you're a trainer sending step-by-step instruction presentation, a teacher sending an independent learning task to your students, or a campaigner for your local councilor sending a persuasive PPT to constituents—you might want to embed a quiz, questionnaire, pole, or feedback survey in your presentation.

In PowerPoint, open the "Insert" tab on the ribbon, and in the Forms group, click "Forms". If you cannot see this option, you can add new buttons to the ribbon .

As at April 2024, this feature is only available for those using their work or school account. We're using a Microsoft 365 Personal account in the screenshot below, which is why the Forms icon is grayed out.

Then, a sidebar will appear on the right-hand side of your screen, where you can either choose a form you have already created or opt to craft a new form.

Now, you can share your PPT presentation with others , who can click the fields and submit their responses when they view the presentation.

3. Embed a Live Web Page

You could always screenshot a web page and paste that into your PPT, but that's not a very interactive addition to your presentation. Instead, you can embed a live web page into your PPT so that people with access to your presentation can interact actively with its contents.

To do this, we will need to add an add-in to our PPT account .

Add-ins are not always reliable or secure. Before installing an add-in to your Microsoft account, check that the author is a reputable company, and type the add-in's name into a search engine to read reviews and other users' experiences.

To embed a web page, add the Web Viewer add-in ( this is an add-in created by Microsoft ).

Go to the relevant slide and open the Web Viewer add-in. Then, copy and paste the secure URL into the field box, and remove https:// from the start of the address. In our example, we will add a selector wheel to our slide. Click "Preview" to see a sample of the web page's appearance in your presentation.

This is how ours will look.

When you or someone with access to your presentation views the slideshow, this web page will be live and interactive.

4. Add Links and Menus

As well as moving from one slide to the next through a keyboard action or mouse click, you can create links within your presentation to direct the audience to specific locations.

To create a link, right-click the outline of the clickable object, and click "Link."

In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box, click "Place In This Document," choose the landing destination, and click "OK."

What's more, to make it clear that an object is clickable, you can use action buttons. Open the "Insert" tab on the ribbon, click "Shape," and then choose an appropriate action button. Usefully, PPT will automatically prompt you to add a link to these shapes.

You might also want a menu that displays on every slide. Once you have created the menu, add the links using the method outlined above. Then, select all the items, press Ctrl+C (copy), and then use Ctrl+V to paste them in your other slides.

5. Add Clickable Images to Give More Info

Through PowerPoint's animations, you can give your viewer the power to choose what they see and when they see it. This works nicely whether you're planning to send your presentation to others to run through independently or whether you're presenting in front of a group and want your audience to decide which action they want to take.

Start by creating the objects that will be clickable (trigger) and the items that will appear (pop-up).

Then, select all the pop-ups together. When you click "Animations" on the ribbon and choose an appropriate animation for the effect you want to achieve, this will be applied to all objects you have selected.

The next step is to rename the triggers in your presentation. To do this, open the "Home" tab, and in the Editing group, click "Select", and then "Selection Pane."

With the Selection Pane open, select each trigger on your slide individually, and rename them in the Selection Pane, so that they can be easily linked to in the next step.

Finally, go back to the first pop-up. Open the "Animations" tab, and in the Advanced Animation group, click the "Trigger" drop-down arrow. Then, you can set the item to appear when a trigger is clicked in your presentation.

If you want your item to disappear when the trigger is clicked again, select the pop-up, click "Add Animation" in the Advanced Animation group, choose an Exit animation, and follow the same step to link that animation to the trigger button.

6. Add a Countdown Timer

A great way to get your audience to engage with your PPT presentation is to keep them on edge by adding a countdown timer. Whether you're leading a presentation and want to let your audience stop to discuss a topic, or running an online quiz with time-limit questions, having a countdown timer means your audience will keep their eye on your slide throughout.

To do this, you need to animate text boxes or shapes containing your countdown numbers. Choose and format a shape and type the highest number that your countdown clock will need. In our case, we're creating a 10-second timer.

Now, with your shape selected, open the "Animations" tab on the ribbon and click the animation drop-down arrow. Then, in the Exit menu, click "Disappear."

Open the Animation Pane, and click the drop-down arrow next to the animation you've just added. From there, choose "Timing."

Make sure "On Click" is selected in the Start menu, and change the Delay option to "1 second," before clicking "OK."

Then, with this shape still selected, press Ctrl+C (copy), and then Ctrl+V (paste). In the second box, type 9 . With the Animation Pane still open and this second shape selected, click the drop-down arrow and choose "Timing" again. Change the Start option to "After Previous," and make sure the Delay option is 1 second. Then, click "OK."

We can now use this second shape as our template, as when we copy and paste it again, the animations will also duplicate. With this second shape selected, press Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, type 8 into the box, and continue to do the same until you get to 0 .

Next, remove the animations from the "0" box, as you don't want this to disappear. To do this, click the shape, and in the Animation Pane drop-down, click "Remove."

You now need to layer them in order. Right-click the box containing number 1, and click "Bring To Front." You will now see that box on the top. Do the same with the other numbers in ascending order.

Finally, you need to align the objects together. Click anywhere on your slide and press Ctrl+A. Then, in the Home tab on the ribbon, click "Arrange." First click "Align Center," and then bring the menu up again, so that you can click "Align Middle."

Press Ctrl+A again to select your timer, and you can then move your timer or copy and paste it elsewhere.

Press F5 to see the presentation in action, and when you get to the slide containing the timer, click anywhere on the slide to see your countdown timer in action!

Now that your PPT presentation is more interactive, make sure you've avoided these eight common presentational mistakes before you present your slides.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

A simple guide to slideshows

Learn what slideshows are, how they’re used, common features, and how to choose a slideshow maker. Get started creating your own slideshows today with Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is a slideshow?

What are slideshows used for.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Meetings and presentations

Slideshows are most frequently used to create professional presentations for business meetings, conferences, and educational purposes. A  slideshow program  allows people to organize content, include visuals, and enhance the overall impact of their message.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Visual storytelling

Because slideshows sequentially display engaging visuals, text, and other multimedia, they’re a strong way to tell a cohesive and compelling narrative from start to finish.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Content creation

Slideshows give content creators a versatile and efficient way to organize information, increase visual appeal, and communicate effectively across different contexts.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Photo and video sharing

Slideshow makers are popular for creating photo and video presentations, especially for events like weddings, birthdays, and vacations. People can add transitions, music, and captions to fully bring the photo-sharing experience to life.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Training and tutorials

Slideshows help break down complex information into digestible chunks with the support of visuals and text, making them ideal for instructional materials, tutorials, and training modules.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

Collaborative projects

In collaborative settings, teams use slideshow makers to create joint presentations or reports. The best slideshow makers enable multiple contributors to add their content simultaneously, which helps ensure a cohesive and unified presentation.

What are the features of a slideshow creator?

Slideshow creators vary in what they offer but ideally include:

A library of templates, themes, and images.

If you’re not a designer, this feature is huge. Simply browse the options available in your slideshow maker library to create a polished, professionally designed presentation in a flash. Be sure to confirm that access to the library is free and the images are approved for unrestricted usage.

Audio and video compatibility.

Keeping your audience engaged is key to any successful slideshow presentation. To mix things up, being able to add a multimedia element—like a song or a video clip—will help people stay focused and interested.

Presentation tools.

Handy presenter tools go a long way toward making your slideshow experience seamless. For example, straightforward slide navigation, slideshow keyboard shortcuts, pen and highlighter markup, and adjustable resolution settings.

AI assistance.

With AI revolutionizing content creation, using a slideshow maker that has AI capabilities will enhance efficiency and innovation. Depending on the slideshow app you have, creating an entire slideshow could be as easy as a quick prompt, like “Make a presentation about the benefits of sustainable fashion that has 15 slides.” 

Animations.

Like audio and video, animations give your audience a bit of sensory surprise that can capture their attention. 

Slide transitions.

Add some pizzazz to how you change slides with visual effects like fading, wiping, and zooming. 

Screen recording.

Being able to record your screen in a slideshow maker is helpful when giving an instructional talk, software demonstration, and other types of presentations that require visual aids.

A place to put speaker notes.

Having somewhere to jot a few notes down will help remind you of everything you want to cover as you present.

Different viewing options.

Looking at different views—for example, a presenter view, an audience view, and a high-level view of slide order—is useful when organizing your slideshow’s structure and understanding and preparing for what you’ll see versus what your audience will see.

How do I choose the right slideshow maker?

When choosing a slideshow maker, keep the following questions in mind to make sure you get the most for your money:

Is it scalable with your business?

As your organization grows and changes, it’s important to have flexible technology that adapts to new needs. Having certain features—such as cloud-based collaboration, compatibility with other work apps, and a mobile app—will help ensure that no matter how your business changes, the slideshow maker is up to the task. This also applies to pricing plans. Consider choosing a slideshow app that has a subscription plan (so the software is always up to date), volume-based pricing, or enterprise-level pricing.

Does it have a variety of visual elements?

It’s pretty much a given that a slideshow maker will allow you to add images, but think outside the JPEG box—what other visual elements are available to you? Features like preset themes, free templates, SmartArt, a built-in clip art library, shape tools, background styles, 3D models, and charts and graphs provide diverse ways to switch up how a slideshow looks without relying solely on adding your own images.

Is it easy to use?

You could have the most feature-rich slideshow maker on the market, but if it isn’t easy to use, you probably won’t use it. Or you will, but you’ll be frustrated, waste valuable time, and have difficulty convincing people you work with to use it. As you research slideshow makers, look for videos that show the apps’ interfaces in action to help you decide if they’re intuitive and will have a shorter learning curve.

Does it have collaboration and sharing options?

Because making a slideshow is often a collaborative effort, it’s worthwhile to find a slideshow creator that was designed with this in mind. Pick one that offers editing controls and commenting, as well as the ability to work on a slideshow at the same time as someone else. Having a cloud-based slideshow maker will be key here. You’ll not only save yourself time but also keep things simple by not having multiple versions of the same slideshow.

Explore more about slideshows and slideshow makers

Copilot in powerpoint.

Transform how you make slideshows with the versatile AI in Copilot for PowerPoint.

Improve your presenting skills

Practice presenting with an AI speaker coach to get feedback on body language, repetition, and pronunciation.  

Six slideshow tips and tricks

Read up on tips about how to finesse your slideshows to give your most confident presentations.

Get free PowerPoint templates

Show your style with PowerPoint templates in more than 40 categories.

How to make a branded slideshow

Create a cohesive visual identity for your brand that goes beyond adding a logo to every slide.

Try a photo album template

Relive your favorite memories with photo album templates designed for all your unforgettable moments.

The benefits of visual aids in slideshows

Discover why using visual aids helps communicate ideas and messaging more effectively.

Slideshows that reach all learners

Explore the different ways that people learn and how to include all learning styles in your presentations.

Frequently asked questions

How do i make a good slideshow.

Making a good slideshow in PowerPoint is easy:

Plan what you’d like to include in your slideshow.

Launch your slideshow creator.

Choose the theme you’d like.

Import media.

Add text, music, and transitions.

Record, save, and share your slideshow.

Learn more about how to make a slideshow .

How do I add music to a slideshow?

To add music to a slideshow, first make sure that you’re using a slideshow maker with music compatibility. In PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add music.

Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu.

Click on the Audio button and select Audio on My PC.

Browse to the folder on your computer where the audio file is located and select it.

Click on the Insert button.

How do I record a slideshow?

The steps for recording a slideshow in PowerPoint will vary depending on the version that you own. Get help with slideshow recording based on your version. 

What types of files can I add to a slideshow?

File compatibility in PowerPoint includes the use of JPEGs, PNGs, TIFFs, GIFs, PDFs, MP3s, WAVs, MIDIs, MPEG-4 Videos, and Windows Media Videos.  

How do I share my slideshow?

To share your PowerPoint slideshow, follow these steps:

Open your presentation and click Share at the top right of your screen.

If your presentation isn't already stored on OneDrive, select where to save your presentation to the cloud.

Choose a permission level, like Anyone with a link , or maybe just people in your company. You can also control if people can edit or just view the doc. 

Select Apply.

Enter names and a message.

Select Send.

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Why does my powerpoint presentation change when I submit it on blackboard? I saved it and submitted through one drive. The design elements turned to simple text boxes.

how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

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Replies (1) 

Mia Zhao MSFT

  • Microsoft Agent |

Dear respected,

Good day! Welcome to Microsoft Community.

We went through your post carefully and your screenshots show the scenario very clearly. As we noticed your thread is post in iPhone/iPad category, may I double confirm if the original presentation(from Screenshot 1) is created and edited in the PowerPoint app on your iPad device? And if the screenshot 2 is attached from a desktop version of PowerPoint? Kindly correct me if I made any misunderstanding.

If so, could you please check the uploaded version s igning in OneDrive Online via browser(on iPad or PC) and see what the texts look like in PowerPoint Online platform.

Appreciate your understanding that sometimes the initial reply may not resolve the situation very soon. However, we can work together to narrow down and resolve the situation. Please kindly post back and provide the more information, then we can focus on your specific scenario and provide specific suggestions.

1. If create a same design element in a new presentation will reproduce a same behavior?

2. If the design elements has changed to simple text box when checking in OneDrive online?

We'll be here for you to wait for your updates. I appreciate your time and effort on checking these above and thank you for your patience and cooperation. I hope that you are keeping safe and well!

Mia | Microsoft Community Moderator

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Question Info

  • For education
  • iPhone or iPad
  • Norsk Bokmål
  • Ελληνικά
  • Русский
  • עברית
  • العربية
  • ไทย
  • 한국어
  • 中文(简体)
  • 中文(繁體)
  • 日本語

IMAGES

  1. Presenter view in PowerPoint: Setting up and using the Presentation

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

  2. How to Put Powerpoint in Presentation Mode?

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

  3. How to Change the Powerpoint Default Presentation Screen

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

  4. In powerpoint, what is the easiest way to go back to the first slide in

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

  5. How to EDIT a PowerPoint While in PRESENTATION MODE (Easy!)

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

  6. View Options in PowerPoint

    how to change presentation mode in powerpoint

VIDEO

  1. The Ultimate Guide to Presentation Styles

  2. How to change presentation theme colors in PowerPoint

  3. How to apply tight reflection touching in PowerPoint

  4. How to insert reflection to text in PowerPoint

  5. How To Use Microsoft PowerPoint's Presentation Mode

  6. How to Put PowerPoint in Presentation Mode Quickly

COMMENTS

  1. Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

    Select the Use Presenter View checkbox. Select which monitor to display Presenter View on. Select From Beginning or press F5. 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 ...

  2. How to Use the Presentation Modes and the Screen Recording ...

    First, create a new custom slide show and select the slides that you want to display. Then, click Add, enter the name of the presentation and click OK. This new custom presentation will appear on the list. Select it and click Show to begin the presentation. Defining a custom slide show.

  3. Present a PowerPoint Slideshow With Presenter View (+ Video

    Keep reading to find out more about using Presenter View in PowerPoint and the best features to try out.. Turn On PowerPoint Presenter View. In PowerPoint for macOS, simply click on Presenter View on the Slide Show tab to kick off the presentation in Presenter view. Turn on Presenter View by clicking on Presenter View on the Slide Show tab.. You'll see the Presenter View interface on one screen.

  4. How To Get Into Presentation Mode In PowerPoint

    Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation. The first step to enter Presentation Mode in PowerPoint is to ensure that your presentation file is open and ready for display. To do so, open PowerPoint and locate the file containing your presentation. Click on the file to open it. Review that the slides are arranged in the correct order and that any ...

  5. How to Work with Presenter View in PowerPoint

    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 ...

  6. 5 Easy Steps to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

    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.

  7. How to Change the Powerpoint Default Presentation Screen

    Launch Powerpoint. Click File. Select Options. Choose Advanced. Click Open all documents using this view, then select one. Click OK. Our guide continues below with additional information on changing the display settings for your slide show in the Powerpoint window, including pictures of these steps.

  8. Best way to quickly switch between PowerPoint in Presenter View and

    So I often have to switch out of PowerPoint to demo other programs - IE, Word, Excel etc. a fair bit and then quickly switch back to my slides to provide additional info etc. I used to skip in and out of presentations easily on a regular basis by using the Alt+ Tab keys. However, when I try Alt+Tab when using Presenter View, I can only switch ...

  9. How can I edit a presentation while in presentation mode?

    5. For Mac using PowerPoint 16: Open the presentation you want to show. On the Mac menu bar go to window and click New Window. This will pop out a duplicate PowerPoint presentation. Drag one of them to the second monitor and run it under setup option: "Browsed by an individual (window)"

  10. Edit your notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint

    To open Presenter view in PowerPoint, click the Slide Show tab and select the Use Presenter View check box. 2. Start your slide show. 3. Click the Notes pane in the lower right corner of the PowerPoint window, then start typing. NOTE: You can also press the F6 key to select the Notes pane in Presenter view. When a white outline appears around ...

  11. Switch between editing and viewing in PowerPoint for web

    If you are running PowerPoint in Teams, the Open in Desktop button remains outside the mode menu for now. Known issues . The mode menu options are disabled and difficult to see when in Slide Sorter View while also using High Contrast Mode. Availability . This feature is rolling out to PowerPoint for the web users.

  12. How to Change Your PowerPoint Orientation to Portrait

    How to change portrait orientation in the PowerPoint app. 1. Open PowerPoint on your Mac or PC. You can open a presentation you already started or create a new one. 2. Navigate to the "Design" tab ...

  13. How to Change Language in Microsoft PowerPoint

    To start, open PowerPoint and select File > Options. In the "PowerPoint Options" window, select "Language" on the left. On the right, choose a new language in the "Office Display Language" section and press the "Set As Preferred" option. This will determine the language used for menus and buttons. Next, choose a new proofing language in the ...

  14. How to update a PowerPoint slide while presenting

    When taskbar opens at bottom of screen, click on PowerPoint tab, In three views that are shown (Editor, Presenter and SlideShow), click on the Editor view. If you want audience to see your changes as you make them, have same slide showing in all 3 views. If you don't want audience to see changes until you are done, click the Black screen icon ...

  15. Powerpoint

    With everybody on Teams now, Powerpoint presentations is a mayor painpoint at work. I have showed people how to go to "Set up slide show" and click the strangely worded "Browsed by an individual (windowed)". But you have to do this for every presentation. Is there a way to set this windowed presentation mode as default in Powerpoint?

  16. How to Change an Entire Presentation's Formatting in PowerPoint

    Here are the different options available for reformatting: Colors: Changes all the colors used in your presentation, as well as the color options available in the color picker. Fonts: Changes all the headings and body fonts used in the presentation. Effects: Changes the appearance (shading, border, etc.) of objects in your presentation. Background Styles: Choose the background style for the ...

  17. 6 Ways to Create More Interactive PowerPoint Presentations

    2. Embed Microsoft Forms (Education or Business Only) If you plan to send your PPT presentation to others—for example, if you're a trainer sending step-by-step instruction presentation, a teacher sending an independent learning task to your students, or a campaigner for your local councilor sending a persuasive PPT to constituents—you might want to embed a quiz, questionnaire, pole, or ...

  18. Slideshow Maker Software Guide

    To add music to a slideshow, first make sure that you're using a slideshow maker with music compatibility. In PowerPoint, follow these steps: Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to add music. Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon menu. Click on the Audio button and select Audio on My PC.

  19. Why does my powerpoint presentation change when I submit it on

    1. If create a same design element in a new presentation will reproduce a same behavior? 2. If the design elements has changed to simple text box when checking in OneDrive online? We'll be here for you to wait for your updates. I appreciate your time and effort on checking these above and thank you for your patience and cooperation. I hope that ...