how to edit ppt during presentation

How to Edit PowerPoint While Presenting Without Closing Slide

When you realized there’s a mistake or small typo on the presentation slide, you will probably close the slide show and fixing the error while audiences waiting.

Luckily, you can edit your PowerPoint slide without closing the slide show. So, the audience won’t notice if there’s something you just add or fix within the presentation slide.

How to edit PowerPoint slide while presenting at the same time

1. Connect your computer with a projector or another monitor. Press  CTRL+P  on your computer, and select  Extend . This would make the projector act as the second display of the computer.

4. Now, enable  Slide Show  (F5).

7. The change will be shown in real-time. Pretty cool, right?

This method gives you total control on the PowerPoint window and the slide show simultaneously. You can still jump into a specific slide while at the same time make some changes without audiences noticing.

Note that slide with an animation may be blank when you edit a part of it. But don’t worry, you can revive the slide using the pointer click. I hope that helps! Thank you for visiting 🙂

Can I edit a slide while presenting in PowerPoint?

How do you change slides in powerpoint while presenting, how do you live edit a powerpoint.

Live editing a PowerPoint presentation is possible with the “Keep Slides Updated” feature. This feature, available on the Slide Show tab, allows changes to be synchronized automatically or manually during the presentation. 

How do you edit PowerPoint slides at the same time?

About the author, related posts, powerpoint 2000: moving from slide to slide and spell check, powerpoint 2016: buying office 2016, how to crop a shape in powerpoint, how to add music to a powerpoint presentation.

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How can I edit a presentation while in presentation mode?

I'm looking for a way to present to a live audience and incorporate their input into my presentation. With a "static" presentation, you have to keep taking down, editing, and then re-presenting the slide deck. I'm looking for a way to incorporate and save changes directly into the live presentation.

I use Keynote and PowerPoint, so a method to accomplish this with either would be ideal. But I am open to a solution that requires something else.

• microsoft-powerpoint
• presentations
• iwork-keynote

• I would gladly take a hack for PowerPoint or Keynote. That would be the preferred method –  Max Phillips Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 21:46
• Would a PDF with fillable forms meet your requirements? It's not clear what sort of input you want to accept. If it's just text, then running a PDF reader in full-screen mode might do what you want. –  AFH Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 22:19
• There is no hack. This behavior has been "normal" in Powerpoint at least for quite a while. 99% of people present by duplicating their screen (same thing on projector and their computer) but if you extend your display to the projector Powerpoint by default uses a different mode that has a special view on the computer display an the full-screen slide on the projecting display. And... you can edit in real time, while presenting, with live updates to the slides. –  music2myear Commented Jan 10, 2017 at 23:00

3 Answers 3

For Windows:

PowerPoint has had this capability for quite some time. The key is to NOT duplicate your computer screen with the presenting screen ( TV, projector, other screen, etc. I'll use "projector" in this how-to for simplicity purposes. ) The only requirement is that you have some screen besides the projector.

With a Windows computer, when you connect to a projector use the Win + P command and choose the Extend the display. This means that your computer screen and the projector will show different things. You can also do this in Display Settings if you're more familiar with that.

PowerPoint has some intelligence to determine which screen is a projector and which is not, but if you need more control over which screen the presentation is on and which one will be your control screen, in the Slide Show tab you'll find Set Up Slide Show, which includes settings for this.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Presenter View (also an option in the Slide Show tab) can make things a little more difficult, but not much. When using Presenter Mode, the default behavior is for the Presenter Mode window to go full-screen, and you cannot edit in Presenter Mode. However, resizing the Presenter Mode window should allow you to easily bring up the main PowerPoint window, which is where the magic will happen.

So, all that aside, the meat of the solution:

Just edit the darn thing. That's all it takes.

With the presentation running happily away on the projector and the main PowerPoint window up on your computer screen, you can edit as much as you please and your edits will be reflected in real-time in the presentation itself ( Note: I've known about the Presenter Mode and running presentations on multiple monitors for years, but am only testing the specifics of editing in PowerPoint 2016. I do not know how the behavior is different in previous versions. ).

I don't know. I could not find specific documentation of this ability/feature for either Keynote or PowerPoint for Mac. While in Windows the Presenter view can be resized, some suggest this is not an option in Office for Mac.

One work around would be to use the Freeze capability of most projectors to freeze the current image on the screen, then exit the presentation on the computer, edit the slideshow, begin it at that slide again, and then unfreeze the projector image.

• I'm pretty familiar with extended desktop. It's what I work in most of the time. Is this procedure the same on Mac? And what version of PowerPoint are you using? –  Max Phillips Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 16:26
• Macs an Keynote have generally encouraged people to use the extended desktop, so I'm not surprised you're more familiar with that mode. Unfortunately, I do not have the ability to test on an Apple computer. I tested this while writing the answer on Office 2016, which is the same version available for Mac. –  music2myear Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 16:38
• I just can't figure out how to resize the Presenter Mode window. If I play the show without presenter view it takes over the PowerPoint module, there is no window behind it. –  Max Phillips Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 16:44
• Interesting. I know the feature isn't new (or limited) to 2016 because of the answers to this question from 3 years ago: superuser.com/questions/681019/… –  music2myear Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 17:04
• I'm trying to find documentation on the Mac versions. –  music2myear Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 17:04

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)"

You can now edit and add slides on the fly in the window that remains on your main desktop without interrupting the presentation. You can even edit the slide that you are currently showing on the screen and it will update automatically as you change it.

• TIL. Sweet. I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Feel free to mark this as the answer, but I'd also recommend modifying your original question to indicate you're talking about Mac OS, which would help clarify why my answer was not the best. –  music2myear Commented Jan 11, 2017 at 23:11
• I want to give credit it where it's deserved. I wasn't trying to steal it. Just wanted to make sure that it was out there for people to find. –  Max Phillips Commented Jan 12, 2017 at 4:43
• No worries. We're about the best answers, and sometimes details such as the OS you're limited to help make sure answers that sound like they may have multiple possible answers can be narrowed down to the right one. –  music2myear Commented Jan 15, 2017 at 19:23

Windows 7 x64 using PowerPoint 2016

When using two screens make sure to uncheck "Use Presenter View" and start your slideshow

On Screen 1 you will be able to edit text on the fly and even add slides.

On Screen 2 you will see updates in real-time. If a slide is added in Screen 1 then you will need to activate Screen 2 and press the left or right arrows respectively.

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• Powerpoint add text to a slide during a presentation

PowerPoint: Add Text To A Slide During A Presentation

• User by Fatima Wahab
• Calendar Mar 8, 2018
• Comment 9 Comments

A presentation can have all types of audiences. There’s no rule that limits presentations to classrooms or meetings and boardrooms. A presentation is often a great and concise way to deliver information and it’s a useful tool in almost all professional settings. Presentations also don’t have to be one-sided lectures. You may be giving a presentation but your audience may give their input as well and sometimes, you might need to make a note of what’s being said. You can scribble it down on a bit of paper but if it’s for everyone’s benefit, you should add text to a slide so everyone can see. Instead of editing the slide though, you can add text during the presentation, in presentation mode.

Add Text To A Slide

Adding text to a slide when you have it open for editing is a no-brainer. It’s ridiculously easy but you can also add text to a slide while you’re in presentation mode. You will need to set this up once on the system you plan to use to before the presentation begins and you will then need to add the text box to each slide as this isn’t a tool you can invoke on the fly when/if you need it.

Open your PowerPoint presentation. Go to File>Options. On the Options window, go to the Customize Ribbon tab. Enable the Developer tab on the ribbon.

Return to the presentation and go to the Developer tab. Here, click on the text box button, and draw out a text box. Take care that it doesn’t obstruct the  text or media on your presentation.

Right-click the text box and select Property Sheet from the context menu.

In the Properties window, look for two properties;

• EnterKeyBehaviour

Set the value of both to True from the dropdown next to them.

That’s about it. In presentation mode, you will be able to enter text in the text box that you added. This text box will not appear on all your slides. It will only appear on the slides you add it to. If you want to add it to multiple slides, you can copy and paste it to all the slides you need it on.

You will not have to enable the developer tab again but you will definitely need to add the text box, and change its properties for every presentation you add it to. It’s a good idea to add text boxes like this one to slides that have an interactive exercise or a poll . Similarly, for any slide that might result in a discussion, the text box is a good way to keep track of what’s being discussed and the various view points that come up.

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

Thank you very much for the clear, concise and step by step explanation.

Do you happen to know how to change the size of the font? and thank you so much it is a very helpful tip!

A big thanks to the article and to the author. This is a game changer!

Never mind. I finally figured it out! 🙂

Hi! I made my presentation, but when I went to save it, it told me I had to save it in a macro-enable format. Do you know how to do that?

I created the interactive text boxes but now in presentation mode, the text boxes duplicate and are showing up above on top of the slide. How do I fix this?

Hi, I used this is a recent presentation I was doing in work but now I would like to extract the feedback I gathered…how can I go about doing that?

Thanks in advance!

I was searching all over for a way to do this. The above solution was the best I found, but it isn’t quite what I wanted. But, I found out that if you have two monitors available (one for your presentation and another for your “presenter view”), you can right-click on the “presenter view” screen(or the presentation view) and select “Hide Presenter View”. That will replace the “presenter view” with the regular slideshow design screen (the screen that is shown when you open PowerPoint for the first time). Except that the changes you make in the design screen show up on the “presentation” screen. So you can very easily create a text box as you normally would. You can move it around, change the size, type what you want, and your audience will see it as you type it. And the content will be available afterward.

Genius! Thanks Fatima.

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How to Edit a PowerPoint Slide: Expert Tips for Smooth Presentations

Editing a PowerPoint slide can feel like an art form. Over the years, I’ve discovered that small tweaks can lead to major transformations in a presentation’s impact. The Slide Master is your hidden gem for consistent and polished slides. By using this tool, you can adjust themes, layouts, and templates across all slides in one fell swoop, ensuring uniformity without the tedium of manual adjustments.

Think about your favorite movie scenes—how the director painstakingly chooses the perfect shots. In a similar vein, editing a PowerPoint slide involves a careful selection of content and design elements. From altering text boxes and images to modifying layout and templates, the process is both creative and meticulous. For those who are new to this, starting with predefined templates can make the journey smoother and more enjoyable.

Imagine you’re crafting a story. Each slide is a chapter, and the themes are the narrative thread. Whether you’re reformatting an existing slide or crafting a new one from scratch, the aim is to keep your audience engaged. The trick is to keep it simple yet powerful—often a minimalist approach with thoughtful use of visuals and concise text works wonders.

• 1.1 Adding and Formatting Text
• 1.2 Working with Placeholders and Slide Layouts
• 1.3 Using Slide Master for Consistent Styles
• 2.1 Downloading and Renaming Presentations
• 2.2 Customizing PowerPoint Templates
• 2.3 Secure and Convert Presentation Files
• 3.1 Adding Images, Charts, and Tables
• 3.2 Customizing Backgrounds and Colors
• 3.3 Incorporating Multimedia and Effects
• 4.1 Navigating Different PowerPoint Views
• 4.2 Utilizing Slide Masters and Layouts Effectively

Creating and Editing Slides

Editing PowerPoint slides involves adding and formatting text, using placeholders, and maintaining consistent styles with Slide Master. Each task is crucial for creating professional and engaging presentations.

Adding and Formatting Text

To add text to a slide, simply select the text box and start typing. There are various formatting options available to personalize your text. These include changing fonts , adjusting size and colors , and making text bold or italic .

For instance, if I want my headings to stand out, I might opt for a larger font size and a contrasting color. I often find that using bullet points helps organize information clearly.

Don’t forget to use formatting options like:

• Font style and size
• Text alignment

Formatting text correctly ensures that my content is not only readable but also visually appealing.

Working with Placeholders and Slide Layouts

Placeholders are the predefined areas for text, images, and other objects on a slide. These make it easy to maintain a consistent look across the presentation. To edit placeholders, select the slide layout and make necessary adjustments.

In PowerPoint, I can add, modify, or remove placeholders to fit my content. For instance, I may resize a text placeholder to better fit a lengthy title or add an image placeholder for visual elements.

Slide layouts are predesigned formats that determine the arrangement of placeholders. By right-clicking a layout and selecting “Rename” , I can customize and rename it to describe the new layout.

Using Slide Master for Consistent Styles

Slide Master is a powerful tool for applying consistent styles across all slides. It allows me to make universal changes to fonts, colors, and other elements without having to edit each slide individually.

To access Slide Master, I go to the View tab and click on Slide Master . This opens a panel where I can make adjustments that affect every slide. For instance, I might change the title font or alter the color scheme.

This tool is invaluable for maintaining a professional and cohesive look throughout the presentation.

Managing PowerPoint Files and Templates

Navigating the world of PowerPoint files and templates involves several critical steps. From downloading and renaming presentations to customizing templates and securing your files, understanding these processes will enhance your efficiency.

Downloading and Renaming Presentations

When I download a PowerPoint presentation, I always ensure to save it to a designated folder. Using PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 , PowerPoint 2021 , or even older versions like PowerPoint 2019 and 2016 , I follow a routine. After downloading, I often need to rename my files for better organization.

To rename a presentation, simply right-click on the file name and select “Rename.” I usually give my files names that reflect the content or intended use, such as “Team_Meeting_June_2024.pptx”. This makes it easier to locate and avoid confusion. Staying organized is key, especially if you are constantly dealing with multiple files.

Customizing PowerPoint Templates

Customizing templates is where I can really make a presentation my own. Opening PowerPoint , I navigate to the Slide Master view which allows me to alter the entire template.

Steps I follow include:

• Adding Common Elements: I often add logos, background images, or specific color themes.
• Editing Placeholders: Adjusting placeholders for text, images, and other content ensures consistency.
• Saving the Template: After I finish the customization, I save it as a new template file (*.potx) for future use.

Customizing these elements means my presentations are more uniform and tailored to my needs.

Secure and Convert Presentation Files

Security is crucial; I’m always cautious with my presentation files. Securing them involves several steps. First, I enable password protection. Opening the file, I navigate to the “File” tab, select “Info”, and choose “Protect Presentation”. Here, I set a password to restrict who can open or edit the file.

For sharing or archiving, I frequently convert my PowerPoint files to PDF. This ensures the formatting remains consistent, and unauthorized users can’t easily alter the content. Both Microsoft PowerPoint itself and online converters like Adobe Acrobat can help you do this.

Quick Tips:

• Backup Files: Regularly save backups to avoid data loss.
• Choose Secure Devices: Store your files on devices with up-to-date security software.
• Delete Irrelevant Files: Remove outdated files to minimize clutter and potential breaches.

Staying vigilant and methodical about file security and conversion helps me maintain the integrity and accessibility of my presentations.

Pro Tip: Use strong passwords and keep your security software updated.

Enhancing Visual Elements

Creating visually appealing PowerPoint slides involves adding various elements like images, charts, and tables; customizing backgrounds and colors; and incorporating multimedia and effects. These enhancements ensure your presentation grabs attention while effectively conveying information.

Adding Images, Charts, and Tables

Images, charts, and tables can significantly improve your slides. To add images , go to the Insert tab, click on Pictures , and select your desired image. For charts, select Chart from the Insert tab, pick a chart type, and input your data. Similarly, you can add tables by selecting Table from the Insert tab and choosing the desired size and style.

Pro Tip: Use high-quality, royalty-free images to avoid pixelation and copyright issues. Don’t overload your slides with too many images or data points, as it can overwhelm the audience. Instead, focus on clear, concise visuals that support your message.

Customizing Backgrounds and Colors

Customizing the background and colors of your slides can make a huge difference in the overall appearance and readability. To change the background, right-click on the slide and choose Format Background . Here, you can select a solid color, gradient, picture, or texture. Using the Slide Master View allows for consistent background changes across all slides.

Choose a color scheme that complements your content and doesn’t strain the eyes. Light backgrounds with dark text, or the inverse, are typically the best for readability. Avoid overly bright or clashing colors that can distract from your message.

Incorporating Multimedia and Effects

Incorporating multimedia elements such as videos, audio clips, and transitions can add another layer of engagement to your presentation. Under the Insert tab, select Video or Audio to include these elements directly from your computer or online sources.

Use effects like animations and transitions sparingly to keep the audience focused. For instance, subtle fade-ins for text boxes or images can make the presentation dynamic without being distracting. The key is to enhance the content without overshadowing it.

From my experience, adding these multimedia elements correctly transforms a bland presentation into a compelling visual journey. By balancing all these visual components, you ensure your audience remains engaged and retains the information.

Mastering PowerPoint Tools and Views

In mastering PowerPoint, knowing how to navigate different views and effectively utilize slide masters and layouts is crucial. These tools enhance your design capabilities and streamline the creation process.

Navigating Different PowerPoint Views

In PowerPoint, views let you toggle between different presentation workflows. Normal View is where you typically design slides. It provides a holistic look at your presentation, making it easy to edit individual elements.

Slide Sorter View shows all slides in a thumbnail array. It’s fantastic for reordering or organizing your slides. I’ve found it handy when needing to get a bird’s-eye view of the presentation flow.

Reading View allows you to see the presentation as a finished product, without interruptions from menus or tools. Lastly, Master View is where the magic of slide masters happens – centralizing control over layouts and formatting across slides.

Utilizing Slide Masters and Layouts Effectively

Slide masters let you set formatting and design standards for the whole presentation. In Slide Master View , you can customize backgrounds, fonts, and placeholders. This ensures every slide follows a consistent style.

To edit a slide master, go to the View tab , select Slide Master , then choose the master slide at the top. From here, adjust the master layout, add or remove elements, and modify styles.

Using Insert Layout , you can create custom slide layouts tailored to specific needs. Save time with Duplicate for similar slides, Apply to All to maintain consistency, and Close Master View once done. These steps significantly enhance productivity and presentation quality.

Related posts:

• How to Save PowerPoint as Video: Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
• How to Add Notes to PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide for Enhanced Presentations
• How to Edit Background Graphics in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide for Effective Presentations
• How to Track Changes in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Create Master Slides in PowerPoint: Easy Guide for Professionals
• How to Compress Media in PowerPoint: Enhancing Performance and Quality
• How to Make a Shape Transparent in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Change Footer in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Save a Template in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Add Multiple Animations to One Object in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide
• What Is Microsoft PowerPoint Used For? Discover Its Essential Applications
• How to Lock Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Microsoft office vs. google docs, sheets, slides: which is best, 7 android security features you should be using.

If you’re wanting to reuse a PowerPoint presentation but would like to clear the slideshow's formatting, there’s no need to do it slide by slide---you can do it all at once. Here’s how.

First, open the PowerPoint presentation with the formatting you want to edit. To illustrate the before and after, here’s what we’ll be working with in this example.

Looking even closer, here are the formats our current slideshow is using:

• Colors: Gallery
• Headings: Gill Sans MT
• Body: Gill Sans MT
• Effects: Gallery
• Background Style: Style 10
• Background Graphics: Wooden Flooring

Once you’re ready to reformat, select the “ Slide Master ” option in the “Master Views” group of the “View” tab.

The first child slide is selected by default. Be sure to choose the parent slide above it, or the changes won’t take place for every slide.

If you want to assign a new theme to the presentation, you can do that here. Select “Themes” from the “Edit Theme” group and choose your desired theme from the drop-down menu.

Each theme comes with its own unique set of fonts, colors, effects, and so on---and there's certainly no shortage of items to choose from. If you want to stick with your current theme but change some of the individual formatting options, you can do so with the options available in the “Background” group.

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 selected theme.
• Hide Background Graphics: Hide (or unhide) background graphics that come with a theme. This can only be used on each slide type in the Master view.

To make changes, select the option from the menu and choose your desired change from the menu that opens. For example, if we wanted to change our colors from “Gallery” to “Green Yellow,” we’d select “Colors” from the “Background Group” and then choose “Green Yellow” from the drop-down menu.

Related: How to Change the Default Font in PowerPoint

Repeat these steps for whichever options you’d like to change. We’ll make the following changes to our slideshow in this example:

• Colors: Green Yellow
• Headings: Calibri
• Body: Calibri
• Effects: Glossy
• Background Styles: Style 10
• Hide Background Graphics: Title Slide only

Once you’ve made the desired changes, select the “Close Master View” button in the “Close” group.

Related: How to Create a Custom Template in PowerPoint

You’ll now see the changes applied throughout the entire presentation.

And a closer look shows all the finer details.

That’s all there is to it!

• Microsoft Office
• Office 2016

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.

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.  

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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10 Keyboard Shortcuts to Use When Presenting PowerPoint Slideshows

In business meetings, you can use Microsoft PowerPoint slideshows to highlight important information and capture audiences’ attention. During a slideshow , clicking through various options with the mouse can throw off your timing. Plus, the audience can see you perform these actions.

A better approach is to use keyboard shortcuts . Besides being faster, you will look like a more experienced presenter. Here are 10 keyboard shortcuts that you can use when presenting slideshows using PowerPoint 2016, 2013, 2010, or 2007. You can also Google some other keyboard shortcuts!

Keyboard Shortcuts For PowerPoint

Pressing the F5 key begins the slideshow from the first slide.

2. Shift+F5

To begin the slideshow from the current slide , press Shift+F5. In other words, press the Shift and F5 keys at the same time.

3. Spacebar, N, or Right Arrow

When you are ready to advance to the next slide or perform the next animation, you can press any of the following: the Spacebar , the N key, or the right arrow key.

4. Backspace, P, or Left Arrow

If you need to backtrack , press the Backspace, P, or left arrow key to go back to the previous slide or animation.

Pressing Ctrl+P changes the mouse pointer from an arrow to a pen. You can then use the pen to add a note to a slide or call attention to an item.

6. W or Comma

During a presentation , you might want to pause the slideshow so that you can discuss a certain point. Pressing the W or comma key pauses it and displays a white screen. Pressing the W or comma key again resumes the slideshow. When the slideshow is paused, you can use the pen to write on the white screen. If you do not already have the pen activated, though, you will need to do so with the mouse (Pressing Ctrl+P to activate the pen does not work – it simply prompts the slideshow to resume.) Anything you write on the white screen will not be saved when you resume the slideshow .

7. B or Period

Pressing the B key or period key pauses the slideshow and displays a black screen, which you can write on. Press the B or period key again to resume the slideshow.

8. Ctrl+E or E

If you need to erase a mark you made with a pen on a slide, you can change the pointer to an eraser by pressing Ctrl+E. You can erase all the marks you made to a slide at once by pressing the E key. (The pointer will not change in the latter case.) You cannot use Ctrl+E or E to erase marks on a white or black screen created when pausing a slideshow.

Pressing Ctrl+A changes the pointer to the default arrow.

Another way to change the pointer to the default arrow is pressing the Esc key. If the pointer is already an arrow, pressing Esc exits the slideshow.

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How to use Microsoft PowerPoint

Creating a successful slideshow is no small task. So, if you’re new to Microsoft PowerPoint, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the features and tools you need to build a presentation.

How to create a slideshow

How to add a slide, how to insert slide elements, how to use different views, how to add speaker notes, how to start and end a presentation.

We’ll guide you through the process of creating a PowerPoint slideshow by adding slides and elements as well as how to present the show when you finish. These basics are just what you need as a beginner and should get you off to a terrific start with PowerPoint.

Note : The information in this tutorial applies to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows. While you may see variations in features or menus, most PowerPoint versions have the same basic options.

When you open the application, you can create a new blank slideshow or use a built-in PowerPoint template . To best familiarize yourself with the application and the items we’ll walk through here, select a Blank slideshow on the Home screen and follow along.

Next, you’ll want to name and save your presentation file. Select File > Save or Save As name the file on the right, choose a location for it, and select Save .

Be sure to continue saving your slideshow regularly as you work on it by selecting Save in the Quick Access Toolbar.

A Blank presentation in PowerPoint starts you off with a main slide. You’ll notice a text box at the top for the title and one beneath for the subtitle. Simply click inside these boxes to enter your text.

While it’s good to get in the habit of using title slides like these to begin future presentations, you’ll also need to know how to insert the additional slides.

Go to either the Home or Insert tab and open the New Slide menu in the ribbon.

Choose the layout you want to use for the new slide. You’ll see several options that include placeholders, which is handy for popping in what you need like text, lists, or images.

Once the slide appears, click inside a placeholder to add the necessary elements.

Continue to insert as many slides as you want the same way.

Along with using the placeholders on the slides, you can add your own items. This is helpful if a slide doesn’t contain the number or type of placeholders you need.

Add a text box

One popular slide element to add is a text box, which is just like the title and subtitle boxes on the title slide. With it, you can insert and format text as you wish.

Go to the Insert tab and select Text box in the Text group.

You can use your cursor to draw the size of the box you want or simply click the slide and begin typing inside the box.

To format the text in the box, select it and go to the Home tab. Use the options in the Font section of the ribbon to adjust the style, size, color, or emphasis.

Specific to PowerPoint on Windows, you’ll also see a floating toolbar appear near the text that you select. This toolbar contains the same features as on the Home tab along with additional options.

Add images, shapes, and icons

Because a slideshow is a visual tool, you’ll likely want to add photos, illustrations, shapes, or icons to slides.

Go to the Insert tab and open the Pictures , Shapes , or Icons menu.

• Pictures : Pick an image from your device, one of the stock images, or an online picture and select Insert .
• Shapes : Pick a shape from the menu and use your cursor to draw it on the slide.
• Icons : Search or use the categories to find the icon, select it, and click Insert .

Once you insert one of the above on your slide, you’ll see the corresponding tab appear to format the object. For pictures, you have a Picture Format tab, for shapes, you have a Shape Format tab, and for icons, you have a Graphics Format tab.

You can use the tools in the ribbon to do things like change the color, add a border, align or rotate the object, and resize it.

Add audio or video

Another useful object to add to your slides is an audio file or video. You can then play the sound or video clip during your presentation.

Go to the Insert tab and open the Audio or Video menu.

• Audio : Pick an audio file on your device or record audio on the spot.
• Video : Pick a video from your device, one of the stock videos, or an online video and select Insert .

Like with images and shapes, you’ll see tabs appear to format the file you insert. For audio, you have an Audio Format tab, for video, you have a Video Format tab, and for both types of files, you have a Playback tab.

Use the Format tabs to adjust the color, add a border, or apply an effect and the Playback tab to set a fade in or out effect, loop the playback, or play it in the background.

You can take advantage of different views in PowerPoint for accomplishing various tasks. This is helpful for seeing all of your slides in a grid, viewing a notes page, or working with an outline.

Go to the View tab and you’ll see the options in the Presentation Views group.

• Normal : Use this to create and edit your slides.
• Outline View : Use this to work with an outline of your presentation. Each slide is numbered with a hierarchy of slide elements.
• Slide Sorter : Use this to see your slides in a grid format for an overall slideshow view.
• Notes Page : Use this to view your presentation with notes if you decide to print it .
• Reading View : Use this to play your slideshow in the same window without entering full-screen mode.

Use the tools in the Show section of the View tab to display a Ruler , Gridlines , or Guides . These items can help you line up your slide elements.

You can also select the Zoom and Fit to Window options in the Zoom section of the ribbon to get a better view of slide items or the overall slide.

Presenting a slideshow is similar to giving a speech where you may want to use speaker notes. Like note cards, you can add notes to each slide in your presentation. When you present the slideshow, only you can view your notes; your audience cannot see them.

Select Notes in the Status Bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window or go to View > Notes .

Add your notes in the section that appears below the slide.

You can use the options in the Font section of the Home tab to add emphasis or create a list.

For more detail, check out our how-to for adding notes in PowerPoint .

When you’re ready to present your PowerPoint slideshow or to see it as your audience will, you can start the presentation anytime.

Go to the Slide Show tab.

To display your speaker notes and a dashboard of controls while you present, check the box for Use Presenter View in the Monitors section. Then, select the monitors for the slideshow display and presenter view using the Monitor drop-down menu.

On the left side of the ribbon, pick From Beginning or From Current Slide per your preference.

When the slideshow starts, you’ll see what your audience sees on one monitor with Presenter View on the other. This is a super helpful way to present your slideshow because the Presenter View window provides you with controls.

If you’re unable to use more than one monitor, you’ll also see controls on the bottom left of the slides.

In the Presenter View window, you’ll see the current slide on the left with the controls beneath and the next slide on the right along with your speaker notes.

To use a control, hover your cursor over each button for a brief description.

From left to right, you can choose a laser pointer or pen, see all slides in a grid, zoom in on the slide, display a black screen, turn the subtitles or camera on or off, and view additional options like changing the subtitle settings or ending the presentation.

To stop presentation mode, press your Esc key, select End Slide Show at the top, or use the three dots to choose End Show .

While this beginner’s guide to using PowerPoint should get you off to a great start creating and presenting your first slideshow, there’s plenty more to learn. Check out how to use Presenter Coach for rehearsing your presentation and best practices for making awesome PowerPoint slides for tips and suggestions.

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• Presentations

How to Learn PowerPoint Quickly (Complete 2024 Beginner's Guide + Video)

Trying to figure out how to use PowerPoint? This PowerPoint tutorial for beginners will help get you started. Learn basic tools as well as how to use PowerPoint templates in this PowerPoint beginner's guide. 

In this PowerPoint tutorial for beginners, I'll help you get up and running in Microsoft PowerPoint. Ever wanted to know how to use PowerPoint templates? You'll learn how to use PowerPoint to build a presentation in less time than you ever thought possible. We'll also cover some PowerPoint best practices to make sure you're doing things the easy way.

Remember to check out Envato Elements. One low price gets you unlimited access to thousands of professional PowerPoint presentations —as well as fonts, stock photos, audio, and much more! It's the ultimate resource for fast, simple, and professional assets.

Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

Before you read on, be sure to grab our free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It'll help you master the presentation process, from initial idea through to writing, design, and delivering with impact.

How to Learn PowerPoint Quickly (Beginner Tutorial With Tips Video) 

Are you ready to start learning PowerPoint? Watch this quick screencast to learn all about what PowerPoint is and how to use it . It's a perfect PowerPoint tutorial for beginners. 

Or study the complete written tutorial below.

Jump to content in this section:

What Is PowerPoint?

How to use powerpoint's ribbon, the steps to create a powerpoint presentation for beginners, how to power up powerpoint, how to customize a premium ppt template quickly (in 5 simple steps), powerpoint tools to learn (for presenters), 5 tips and tricks for a successful powerpoint presentation, more beginner powerpoint tutorials (free to learn online).

Microsoft PowerPoint is undoubtedly the most popular app used to give presentations. You're likely to see PowerPoint presentations being used for everything from presentations at the world's largest companies to grade schoolteachers sharing lessons.

PowerPoint is often the butt of the joke. Many decry PowerPoint as boring and a crutch for poorly prepared speakers.

Only a bad carpenter blames the tools. And like any tool, PowerPoint is incredibly useful when used properly. Use it as an aid on your speaking engagements to build comfort and drive points visually with your audience.

In this tutorial, we're going to focus on working inside of PowerPoint to build a presentation. This PowerPoint guide has everything you need to get comfortable in the app. To master the app, we'll talk about and cover the most common steps a rookie PowerPoint user needs to know.

Here are the key actions you'll need to take to build a PowerPoint presentation:

• You'll need to add  slides,  the individual pages in the presentation.
• You'll add  content  to the slides, such as text boxes, images, charts and graphs.
• Change themes and styles  to make your presentation look professional and fit the occasion at hand.
• Prepare presentation aids like  Speaker Notes  and Presenter View to help you feel comfortable with presenting.

We'll cover each of these in this PowerPoint tutorial so that you can get up and running quickly. 

To get up to speed with PowerPoint, it helps to understand the layout of the app. Let's walk through the key menu options so that you can learn PowerPoint quickly. If you understand the way that the app is laid out, you're likely to find any feature you need quickly.

This part of the PowerPoint guide will focus on the interface. Note that these previews are in Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac OS, but the same will apply for PC.

1. The Ribbon

The ribbon menu is found across many of Microsoft's apps, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. It lives above the main area of the application. In this example, "Home" is the selected tab in the Ribbon.

The ribbon contains a series of tabs that you can switch between. Each of these have a unique set of tools to work with your presentation differently. When you switch tabs on the ribbon, you'll see new buttons and options to change your presentation:

• Home . A general-purpose collection of the most common tools that you'll use in PowerPoint.
• Insert . An all-in-one tool to add every imagine-able type of content, such as tables, pictures, charts, video, and more.
• Draw. Use this tab to draw elements in your presentation.
• Design . Controls the look and feel of your presentation with theme and style settings.
• Transitions . Add animations when you switch slides.
• Animations . Controls the order and style that objects will enter or exit your slide with.
• Slide Show . Control settings related to the way your presentation appears when sharing it with an audience.
• Review. Check spelling, check accessibility, and leave comments on your presentation here.
• View. You can choose multiple ways to view your work from this tab. 
• Record. Record video, audio, or take a screenshot here.
• Acrobat. You can create PDF files using Adobe Acrobat from this tab.
• Tell Me. Click this to ask a question—it's an easy access help space.

Now that you understand the layout, you've got a better idea of how you can jump to the feature you need. Let's dive a bit deeper into how you can use several of these key tabs.

2. The Home Tab

Use it for: a general selection of the most popular tools in PowerPoint.

I usually stay on the Home tab when I'm working in PowerPoint. The reason is because it's got practically every tool you need. From adding a new slide to changing text and paragraph settings, the Home tab is the default for most users.

3. The Insert Tab

When you're working on adding content to a slide, the  Insert  tab has every possible tool to add new content to a slide. Choose one of these types of objects to add it to the slide.

PowerPoint has a variety of views that are simply different ways to work with the same presentation. Change the view to get a different perspective on your content.

Use views for a different way to edit and build your PowerPoint presentation.

In the screenshot below, you can see the difference between the default  Normal  view and  Slide Sorter  view. Normal view shows each slide front and center. Slide Sorter view creates thumbnails that you can drag and drop to reorder the presentation. 

Normal View in Microsoft PowerPoint

Slide Sorter View in Microsoft PowerPoint

5. The Design Tab

An attractive presentation can really grab your audience's attention. We use themes and styles in PowerPoint to add visual appeal to the presentation, and the  Design  tab really controls these settings.

On the Design tab, click one of the themes to restyle the presentation. Or try out a different Style thumbnail to overhaul the color theme.

We've tackled the interface of PowerPoint, so you should be feeling comfortable with how to get around the app. Now, let's talk about the actions you'll find yourself using repeatedly and how you can do that in PowerPoint. Whether you want to know how to use PowerPoint templates or how to build a presentation from scratch, these will be handy.

1. How to Add Slides

Think of  slides  as the individual units in your presentation that you can fill with content. To insert a new slide, go to the  Insert  tab on PowerPoint's ribbon. Then, click on the  New Slide  button to add a new slide to your presentation.

Each of the thumbnails that you'll see on the sidebar represents a slide. Then, you'll add content to each slide.

There's no practical limit to the number of slides that your PowerPoint file can contain. But you should consider how many slides it actually takes to make your point. It's often the 

2. How to Add Content

Content is what defines each slide. PowerPoint accommodates a wide range of content like text, graphs, tables, charts, and more.

The easiest way to add content is to start off by choosing a  Layout,  which you can choose from the  Home  tab. This PowerPoint template comes with premade layouts we can choose from too.

These layouts have content boxes that are easy to add your own content to. Simply choose a layout, and then start adding your content.

3. How to Choose a Theme and Style

After you build out your presentation's content, it's a great idea to think about adding visual style. For this, you'll jump over to the  Design  tab, and click on one of the thumbnails for a theme. Choosing a new theme in this PowerPoint template made it easy to switch from an orange to a green theme. Check it out. 

Using a PowerPoint theme is the preferred alternative to adding backgrounds, color and type styles to each slide. Changing the theme typically will adjust the entire presentation simultaneously. This greatly reduces the time involved with building a presentation.

With just these three steps, you've got the repeatable sequence of actions needed to build a presentation. 

With every creative app I've ever learned, there are always those insider tricks of the trade that you learn many months later. They make you wish that you had known them all along and think about the many hours you wasted on the learning curve.

PowerPoint is no exception to this rule. It's especially important that you can cut to the chase when you're rushing to prepare for your presentation.

The best way to save time on your presentation is to start with a pre-built PowerPoint theme .  And you can find those on Envato Elements, which is an unlimited download service for creatives.

Discover  simple PowerPoint template designs with powerful features on Envato Elements. The right premium PPT template  will help you make a great presentation quickly. 

Browse through these  simple professional presentation designs  that you can use today:  

Now, most of the files that you'll grab from the Elements PPTX themes will appear to be finished presentations. You might be wondering how to use these pre-built presentations for your own needs.

Curious about how to use PowerPoint templates? To use Elements themes, it's really all about cutting it down to the slide designs that you'll use. A premium theme is really about the ideas  that are included as part of it. Simply use these ideas as starting points that you can add your own content to.

Again, the value of Elements is that you can download as many files as you want while you're a subscriber. And if you stop subscribing, you'll still have the right to use the creative assets you grabbed. It's much faster than building every slide from scratch.

When you contemplate how to use PowerPoint, don’t imagine building slide decks from scratch. That’s where premium PPT templates come in. They take the hard work out of using PowerPoint. 

You can take advantage of designer styles in a simple format. That’s the ultimate PowerPoint lesson to take to heart. Let’s look at just how easy it is to customize premium PPT templates in this quick PowerPoint training tutorial!

If you want to follow along, download the beautiful Agio PowerPoint template from Envato Elements.

Let's get started:

1. Choose Slides for Your Presentation

Premium PowerPoint PPT templates often include hundreds of handcrafted slides. For you, it’s best to select only a handful to build a slide deck. In PowerPoint, find Slide Sorter on the View tab. 

In Slide Sorter view, click and drag on the slide thumbnails to reorder them. Hold down Shift , click, and press Delete to remove unwanted slides. Jump back and start working by clicking Normal on the View tab.

2. Add Your Own Text

The PowerPoint basics include text and images. Adding custom text is one of the easiest and most common edits to make. 

Pre-built layouts include text boxes already arranged on the slide. To add your own words, highlight the contents of any text box. Then, simply start typing. Repeat throughout the presentation. 

3. Add Images

Wondering how to add PowerPoint presentation images? The easiest way is to turn to premium templates with image placeholders. Identify them by finding the image icons on a given slide. Jump to where images are stored on your computer. 

Then, simply drag and drop them onto the placeholder. Not only will all your photos import automatically, they’ll also size and scale to fit perfectly!

4. Change Object Colors

Changing theme colors is a fast way to adjust the visual look of your slides. For example, change object colors to add a bit of contrast. 

To get started, click on any object, like a shape, to select it. Choose Format at the top menu, to view your formatting options. Try Format Object to open the Format Pane .

In the Format Pane, you can choose things like a new Fill Color for this shape. 

5. Customize Fonts

No Microsoft PowerPoint tutorial would be complete without customizing fonts. Sometimes, it’s easy to overlook text as a design element, but with a few quick edits you can make your words really stand out. 

Highlight a block of text, then go up to the Font section of the Home tab. You’ll see drop downs to change the font style, size, and color. After that, add quick effects like bold letters, italics, and more!

The content and design will vary greatly from one presentation next. But, no matter what the goal of your presentation is, there are common tools that every presenter can benefit from using. We've developed PowerPoint lessons for those tools.

Let's focus on the most valuable tools for speakers in this PowerPoint tutorial. I always mention these tools as a way to build confidence and comfort for presenters.

1. Speaker Notes

Forget writing out note cards or keeping a printed outline nearby. Speaker notes are a way to add the things you need to say to each slide.

Speaker notes are added to each individual slide, and the best way to add them is from  Normal  view. Click on  Notes  below the presentation area and type your slide-specific notes.

Speaker notes will show up in printed copies of your presentation. So, it's easier to build them into PowerPoint instead of scribbling note cards you may lose.

2. Presenter View

Another feature that's a must-use is Presenter View , which is perfect for two screen setups while presenting. While your audience will see the presentation you've built on the projector or LCD screen, you'll have your own private view with speaker notes, upcoming slides, and more.

Turn on Presenter View from the slideshow tab by clicking  Use Presenter View.

Check out a full guide below on getting the most from Presenter View:

3. Spelling and Grammar Check

There's nothing worse than missing a key typo before you give your presentation. To avoid this problem, it's a great help to run a spelling and grammar check before you give your presentation.

To check for common spelling issues, simply jump to the  Review  tab and click Spelling . PowerPoint will check for the most common issues and allow you to correct them as needed.

4. Insert Multimedia

You can use multimedia in your PowerPoint presentations, and they can really enhance the experiences. Remember, you can find these tools in the Ribbon, via Insert . For example, how about inserting a short audio clip of a quote or maybe a short video relevant to your topic? If you'd like to make these additions, Insert makes it very easy to do.

Want to learn more about adding Multimedia to your PowerPoint presentations? Check out these free tutorials to learn more:

5. Add Bullet Points 

How you organize your content can make a huge difference—both for your audience and for you, as the presenter. Presenting a long passage of text can be difficult and even boring for the viewer. Consider breaking your content up into easy to read and easy to digest bullet points. 

PowerPoint makes this easy. When you edit your text, select Home in the Ribbon. There, again, you'll see your text options. Need some extra help with bullet points? Check out this easy-to-follow walkthrough:

6. Transitions and Animations

PowerPoint has so many different options, when it comes to transitions and animations. You can have specific transitions from slide to slide. You can animate specific elements in your presentations.

Looking the PowerPoint Ribbon, remember to turn to the Animations section. There, you can find a host of options that you can apply to your presentation.

Never used these tools before? Check out these walkthroughs. They'll show you how it's done.

In this PowerPoint tutorial for beginners, you’ve learned how to use PowerPoint presentation templates. We walked through a quick PowerPoint lesson to customize them. But you may be wondering: is that enough to deliver a winning PowerPoint presentation? 

Part of PowerPoint training comes from adopting the tips and tricks used by the best presenters. Follow these, and you’ll have a happy (and engaged) audience every time!

1. Have a Clear Objective

Let’s face it: we’ve all endured lengthy, boring PowerPoint presentations that seem to drift without a clear purpose. When you build your own PowerPoint, start with a goal in mind. Typically, that goal will be to inform or persuade an audience. It pays to outline that goal in advance and work towards your objective with a series of clear and concise slides.

It may sound daunting, but you can learn the technique in moments with our full PowerPoint training to help build persuasive slide decks:

2. Illustrate Concepts With Infographics

A key PowerPoint lesson for beginners is this: never get bogged down trying to talk through concepts. Visual aids are essential, and audiences demand them today. Infographics are a successful presenter’s best friend. Infographics combine information and graphics to create stunning visuals. 

Learn to build them yourself. Or sample from the very best pre-built PPT templates today in our infographic-centric set of PowerPoint instructions:

3. Be Subtle Animations and Transitions

Animations and transitions: fundamental elements of any deck, they should be used sparingly. When carefully applied, they create beautiful segues between slides. They can also help introduce new ideas in exact sequence. But use too many, and they become obnoxious distractions guaranteed to annoy an audience. 

Moderation is the name of the game here. Read our full Microsoft PowerPoint tutorial on animations to use them with confidence:

4. Be Interactive to Engage the Audience

No matter how compelling your narrative, you can’t simply talk to an audience and expect full participation. Instead, you need to engage your audience. A quick and fun way is with a quiz slide. They get the audience involved and help your slide deck stay focused. 

Even better: pre-built templates make it a breeze. They're PowerPoint instructions inside a PPTX file. Get started building interactive quizzes in PPT today with our guide on how to create PowerPoint quizzes:

5. Close Strong for an Enduring Message

The very best PowerPoint presentations make a great first impression. But equally (and perhaps even more) important is the winning last impression. It’s critical to conclude with a strong close. Leave on a memorable anecdote, recap your key points, or make a big “ask.” All these techniques and more help to ensure a strong close.

Don’t go it alone. We’ve created expert PowerPoint training on building a strong close. Check it out here:

This PowerPoint tutorial helped you get off the ground with using Microsoft PowerPoint. You learned the steps for creating slides and the shortcut to a better presentation with pre-built themes.

At Tuts+, we've been building out a series of PowerPoint tutorials that can help you build your presentation skills. Check out all these PowerPoint tutorials for free. One ideal place to start is the PowerPoint Ultimate Tutorial Guide that we've developed. If you're feeling nervous about giving a presentation for your job or freelance practice, try out more of these tutorials like the ones below.

Need Help? Grab Our Making Great Presentations eBook (Free)

You can find more information in our eBook on making great presentations . Download this PDF eBook now for FREE with your subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

It'll help you master the presentation process, from: initial creative ideas, through to writing, design, and delivering with impact.

Get Started Using PowerPoint Today

Presentations can be daunting to take on, but a bit of knowledge about Microsoft PowerPoint can ease the process. We've got tutorials that show you how to create a PowerPoint presentation, for beginners. Jump to the following links to speed up your learning process and spend less time in PowerPoint:

• Envato Elements is the best place to grab premium PowerPoint templates  that save you hours of design work and leave you with a finished presentation that you'll feel confident in.
• Courses included with Envato Elements are complete walkthroughs of how to build a presentation. They're perfect PowerPoint tutorials for beginners.
• The PowerPoint Ultimate Tutorial Guide  is a complete learning resource with the top tutorials to take you from beginner to expert. 

Editorial Note : This post was originally published in 2017. It's been comprehensively revised to make it current, accurate, and up to date by our staff—with special help from Andrew Childress and Daisy Ein .

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If you'd like to sign up for the waitlist for our native PowerPoint add-in, send us a note .

Can I use Plus AI to format my existing PowerPoint slides?

Yes, Plus AI is compatible with your existing presentations. Additionally, you can use the "Remix" feature in Plus to reformat or convert PowerPoint slides into new formats and layouts using Plus AI.

Can I use ChatGPT to create a PPT?

Yes, here are instructions on how to use ChatGPT to create a PPT , although it may be easier to use a tool like Plus AI, which is directly integrated with PowerPoint.

How does Plus AI compare to Copilot for PowerPoint?

Plus AI is custom-built for professionals who need slides for work or school, while Copilot is a general-purpose chatbot with limited functionality in PowerPoint.

We suggest trying both and seeing which one creates better content for you. You can also see example outputs in this article, or read our articles on how to use Copilot and the differences between the two tools .

What is the best free AI PowerPoint maker?

We think Plus is the best AI PowerPoint maker for users who want to build professional presentations. Tools like Copilot produce very basic presentations that are not ready to use at work.

You can see how Plus compares to other AI presentation tools in this roundup.

Is there an AI PowerPoint Maker?

Yes, there are several AI presentation makers which can help make presentations using AI. While many of these tools are not compatible with PowerPoint, Plus AI can create new PowerPoint presentations directly inside of PowerPoint.

Can I use Plus AI with my team?

Yes! When you invite your team to Plus AI, you can share themes and custom instructions to ensure your team creates presentations with a consistent look and feel.

Can I use a custom PowerPoint template with Plus AI?

Yes, we can implement AI for custom PowerPoint templates for our Enterprise customers. Get in touch if you're interested in using Plus AI with your existing PowerPoint template.

Is Plus AI a text to PowerPoint AI?

Yes, you can use Text-to-Presentation mode in Plus AI to create presentations from text or documents. All you have to do is copy and paste the text or upload a document to convert blog posts, articles, and PDFs into presentations.

Can I convert my PDF into a PowerPoint?

Yes, Plus AI makes it easy to upload a PDF and convert it into a PowerPoint file. Here is a short guide on how to convert your PDF into a PowerPoint .

How does security work for Plus AI?

We follow enterprise-grade security practices and have achieved SOC 2 Type II compliance. You can read more about our security policies and procedures on our security page .

Edit a presentation in PowerPoint for the web

PowerPoint for the web can open files stored on OneDrive, SharePoint, or Dropbox. 

Upload a file to OneDrive

If your file is saved on a computer hard disk, a flash drive, or a USB stick, the first thing to do is upload it to OneDrive.

Sign in to OneDrive with your Microsoft account (hotmail.com, outlook.com, live.com, or msn.com)

or Sign in to your Microsoft 365 work or school account (.com, .org, .edu) and go to OneDrive.

Navigate to the destination folder.

Select Upload to save the files to OneDrive.

Upload a file to SharePoint

Sign in to your Microsoft 365 work or school account (.com, .org, .edu) and go to SharePoint.

Navigate to the destination folder. 

Select Upload to save the files to SharePoint.

Edit a file with a Microsoft account

In some cases, when you open a presentation from OneDrive directly or through a shared link with a Microsoft account, PowerPoint for the web displays the file in Reading view.

To edit such a file:

In your web browser, navigate to the file in OneDrive.

Click the file name once to open the file in PowerPoint for the web.

select Edit Presentation , and then select Edit in PowerPoint for the web .

The file switches from Reading view to Editing view, where you can:

Add or change content

Share the file and collaborate with others

View the presentation in Slide Show

Edit a file with a Microsoft 365 work or school account

When you open a presentation from OneDrive for work or school or SharePoint directly or through a shared link with a Microsoft work or school account, PowerPoint for the web displays the file in Editing  view by default. 

Editing an .odp or .pptx file in PowerPoint for the web

Using Office Online in OneDrive

Create more with PowerPoint templates

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More From Forbes

From satire to satire: how gen z is revamping the legacy of “death by powerpoint”.

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Fourteen years ago, Don McMillan, a Silicon Valley electrical engineer, recorded a YouTube video called “Life after Death by PowerPoint,” in which—as the title clearly states—he satirized the excesses and abuses of business presentation slides. In a key scene, McMillan says, “Here are the common PowerPoint® mistakes. Number One: People tend to put every word they are going to say on their PowerPoint® slides. Although this eliminates the need to memorize your talk, ultimately this makes your slide crowded, wordy, and boring. You will lose your audience’s attention before you even reach the bottom of your uh—first slide.”

What makes the scene funny is that every word McMillan speaks is on his slide, and that he reads them verbatim with his eyes glued to the screen and his back turned to his audience.

The video has amassed more than four million views and launched McMillan into a successful career as a professional comedian performing at corporate events.

Over the years, McMillan’s satirical campaign against the abuses and excesses of PowerPoint was picked up by New Yorker Magazine cartoons. One of the best, by Alex Gregory , shows the Devil interviewing an assistant and saying, “I need someone well-versed in the art of torture—do you know PowerPoint?”

Flash forward to last week when the Wall Street Journal ran a front page story titled, “Nothing Says ‘Party!’ to Gen Z Quite Like a 50-Deck PowerPoint and a Remote Clicker,” that describes a new trend in which the young generation uses the software to create presentations about frivolous—and therefore humorous—subjects. The authors of the story, WSJ Reporting Interns Sanvi Bangalore and Milla Surjadi, Gen Zers themselves, report that many of their peers “are amused by the irony of using professional technology to present NSFW content.” Bangalore and Surjadi call the trend “comedic ammo” because it used parody as criticism, just as McMillan did.

The reason that these abuses and excesses have persisted for so long can be traced back to the days before PowerPoint (as well as Google Slides and Keynote) and even before 35mm slides when presentations were done on flip charts. Those large cumbersome sheets mounted on rickety easels became the center of attention as a large surface that all the participants could see and share; but it also served to document the ideas that could later be copied and distributed to others who did not attend the session. In their earliest incarnation then, the flip chart served two purposes: as a display during the meeting and as a record capable of duplication and distribution after the meeting.

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Thus, was born the “Twofer”—a mismatched conflation of a display and a document— composed of overloaded slides and inadequate documents. The dysfunctional practice persists despite years of “Death by PowerPoint” jokes and satire. Old habits die hard. Clearly the solution is to separate the functions by creating two entities: a simple headline for display in PowerPoint (or other slide software) and separate documents to record and distribute done with Word (or other word processing software).

The Gen Zers, who became fluent with PowerPoint during their childhoods, are now entering the workforce and creating slides for more senior people to present. Let’s hope that their skills, their satire, and their parties can break the mold.

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