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.

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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.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

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.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

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

Using Presentation Tools

During your presentation, you can:

  • Access the taskbar: Click the Slide Options button → Screen → Show Taskbar. You can then open a browser or any other program.
  • 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.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

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

Using the Laser Pointer

For quick attention, use the Laser Pointer:

  • Select it from Pen Tools.


  • 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

If you're using a second screen, turn on Presenter View:

  • Press Alt+F5, or
  • Click Slide Options → Presenter View.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

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

Want to loop your slides or set up a self-running show?

  • Go to the Slide Show tab.
  • Click Set Up Slide Show.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

  • Choose your preferred settings, like loop continuously or show at a kiosk.

Automating Slide Timings

To auto-advance slides:

  • Go to the Transitions tab.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

  • Set the timing for each slide.
    Presenting Your Slide Show in PowerPoint

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.