Presenting Your PowerPoint Slide Show

Presenting Your PowerPoint Slide Show

Once your slide show is ready, it’s time to present it. PowerPoint gives you easy tools to help make your presentation smooth and professional. Here’s how to use them.

Download Practice Presentation

Starting Your Slide Show

You can start your slide show in three simple ways:

  • Click Start From Beginning on the Quick Access Toolbar.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint
  • Press F5 on your keyboard.
  • Click the Slide Show icon in the bottom-right corner to begin from the current slide.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

Need more options? Use the Slide Show tab on the Ribbon to start from any slide.

Moving Through Slides

To move forward:

  • Click your mouse.
  • Press the spacebar or right arrow key.
    Advance Slide

To move back:

  • Press the left arrow key.

You can also hover over the lower-left corner and click the arrow buttons.

Ending the Slide Show

To stop:

  • Press Esc.
  • Or click the Slide Show Options button in the bottom-left and select End Show.
    End Slide Show

The show also ends when you reach the final slide. Click again to return to Normal view.

Using Presentation Tools

  • Access the taskbar: Click the Slide Options button → Screen → Show Taskbar.
  • Jump to another slide: Click the See All Slides button and choose a slide.
  • Use a pen or highlighter: Click Pen Tools in the bottom-left corner and select Pen or Highlighter. Press Ctrl+P to activate the pen.
    Pen Tools

To erase markings, choose Eraser or Erase All Ink on Slide.

Using the Laser Pointer

  • Select it from Pen Tools.
    Laser Pointer
  • Or press and hold Ctrl and the left mouse button.

This pointer doesn’t leave marks on your slides.

Keeping or Discarding Annotations

When the show ends, PowerPoint asks if you want to keep or discard ink marks. If you keep them, they become part of the slide in Normal view.

Using Presenter View

  • Press Alt+F5, or
  • Click Slide Options → Presenter View.
    Presenter View

This shows your speaker notes, a preview of the next slide, and timer controls—just for you. The audience sees only the slides.

Setting Up Slide Show Options

  • Go to the Slide Show tab.
  • Click Set Up Slide Show.
    Set Up Slide Show
  • Choose your preferred settings, like loop continuously or show at a kiosk.

Automating Slide Timings

  • Go to the Transitions tab.
    Transitions Tab
  • Set the timing for each slide.
    Slide Timings

This is helpful for trade shows, unattended kiosks, or auto-play videos.

Final Tip: Practice your delivery. Know where your tools are. And be ready to adapt to any situation.

Presenting a great slide show isn’t just about the slides—it’s how well you use them. PowerPoint gives you the tools. Now it’s your turn to use them right.

How do I start my PowerPoint slide show?

You can start from the beginning using Quick Access Toolbar, press F5, or click the Slide Show icon.

How do I use pen, highlighter, or laser pointer?

Click Pen Tools to select Pen or Highlighter, or press Ctrl + left mouse button to use the Laser Pointer. To erase, use Eraser or Erase All Ink on Slide.

How to set up automated slide timings?

Go to the Transitions tab, set timings for each slide, and slides will auto-advance for self-running presentations.

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