to create a new presentation choose shortcut key

The 48 best PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts for making great presentations quickly and easily

• There are many PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts that you can use to work faster and more efficiently on the platform.
• You can use a long list of keyboard shortcuts for common tasks, along with PowerPoint's Access Key shortcuts.
• Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

Microsoft PowerPoint is a complex program with a vast number of features, so it's worth your time to learn all its secrets. Some of these secrets include keyboard shortcuts, which can seriously speed up your workflow.

Not only can keyboard shortcuts save you a lot of time, but knowing important shortcuts when delivering a presentation can help everything run more smoothly. 

Here's a guide to the most useful keyboard shortcuts in the Windows 10 version of Microsoft PowerPoint .

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The ribbon at the top of PowerPoint gives you access to virtually all the program's countless features, and you don't need to use your mouse to use it – every ribbon command has its own keyboard shortcut. 

To use the ribbon entirely using your keyboard, do this:

1. Press and release Alt. You should see an overlay called Access Keys appear. 

2. Press the Access Key indicated to switch to the Ribbon tab you want to use.  

3. Press the Access Key for the command you want to use. Some Access Keys are more than one key press – just press the keys in sequence. If there is yet another layer of choices, continue to press the appropriate keys. For example, if you wanted to rehearse the timing of a presentation, you would press Alt and release it, then press S, and then press T. 

Every PowerPoint keyboard shortcut you need to know

You can use the ribbon shortcuts to perform virtually any task in PowerPoint, but you might often find the more traditional keyboard shortcuts more convenient to use. 

Here are the most important keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint.

Delivering a presentation

Start a presentation from the beginning: Press F5 to start playing a presentation from the first slide. 

Start a presentation from the current slide: Press Shift + F5 to start playing a presentation from whatever slide is currently on screen.

Start a presentation in Presenter View: Press Alt + F5 to start a presentation in Presenter View, which lets you see your notes on the main computer screen while the audience sees only the slides on a separate screen. 

Go to the next slide or start the next animation: To advance to the next slide, you have several options. You can press any of these keys: N, Enter, Spacebar, Right Arrow, or Down Arrow.

Go back to the previous slide or animation: To go back to the previous slide, you also have several options. You can press any of these keys: P, Page Up, Left Arrow, or Up Arrow.

Go to the first slide: Press Home to restart the presentation at the first slide.

Go to the last slide: Press End to go directly to the final slide. 

Stop or start an automatic presentation: Press S to toggle an automatic, timed presentation between start and stop. 

Go to a specific slide: To go to a specific slide within the presentation, enter the slide number followed by Enter, such as 15 + Enter to go to slide number 15. 

Open the All Slides dialog box: To see a list of all the slides in your presentation, press Ctrl + S.

End a presentation: Press Esc to exit a presentation. 

Toggle between presentation and a blank screen: To temporarily display a blank screen in the middle of a presentation, press B to see a black screen or W to see a white screen. 

Start the laser pointer: Press Ctrl + L to change the pointer into a virtual laser dot. 

Draw on the presentation with a pen: Press Ctrl + P to change the pointer into a pen that you can use to annotate the screen. 

Hide the pointer and navigation controls: Press Ctrl + H to hide the pointer (or laser dot or pen) and the navigation controls. 

Erase annotations: Press E to erase any annotations you've made with the pen.

Creating a presentation

Open a presentation: Press Ctrl + O to open an existing PowerPoint presentation. 

Create a new presentation: Press Ctrl + N to create a new presentation. 

Add a new slide: Press Ctrl + M to add a new slide to a presentation in progress. 

Save the presentation: Press Ctrl + S to immediately save a presentation with its current file name. 

Save a presentation with a new filename: Press F12 to open the Save As dialog box and save your presentation. 

Close a presentation: Press Ctrl + W to close the current presentation. If it hasn't been saved, PowerPoint will give you the opportunity to save it first. 

Editing slides

Copy a slide, text, or other object: Press Ctrl + C to copy the selected item, which can be text, a graphic, or even an entire slide. 

Cut a slide, text, or other object: Press Ctrl + X to cut the selected item, which can be text, a graphic, or even an entire slide. 

Paste a slide, text, or other object: Press Ctrl + V to paste the content of the clipboard at the cursor location. 

Delete a selected slide, text, or other object: Select the item you want to remove and then press Delete.

Insert a hyperlink: Select text or object in a slide and then press Ctrl + K to open the Insert Hyperlink dialog box to turn it into a link. If you press Ctrl + K without selecting anything first, then you will need to specify the link text as well. 

Go to the next or previous slide: Press Page Down to advance to the next slide; press Page Up to go back to the previous slide. 

Change the order of a slide: Press Ctrl + Up Arrow to move the selected slide one position earlier in the presentation; press Ctrl + Down Arrow to move it one later in the presentation. 

Move a slide to the start of the presentation: Press Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow to move the selected slide to the start of the presentation. 

Move a slide to the end of the presentation: Press Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow to move the selected slide to the end of the presentation.

Editing text

Bold: Press Ctrl + B to bold the selected text.

Italics: Press Ctrl + I to italics the selected text.

Underline: Press Ctrl + U to underline the selected text.

Make the font bigger: Press Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow to increase the size of the selected text a little at a time. 

Make the font smaller: Press Ctrl  + Shift + Left Arrow to decrease the size of the selected text a little at a time.

Center text: Press Ctrl + E to center the selected paragraph.

Left align text: Press Ctrl + L to left-align the selected paragraph.

Right align text: Press Ctrl + R to right-align the selected paragraph.

Justify text: Press Ctrl + J to justify the selected paragraph. This causes the text to auto-fit to the left and right margins of the slide. 

Superscript: Press Ctrl and the Plus sign to turn the selected text into superscript.

Subscript: Press Ctrl + = to turn the selected text into subscript. 

Check spelling: Press F7 to run PowerPoint's built-in spell checker.

General tasks

Search within a presentation: Press Ctrl + F to open the Find dialog box, where you can search for specific text within the presentation. You can also search and replace text using this dialog box. 

Undo: Press Ctrl + Z to undo your last action. 

Redo: Press Ctrl + Y to redo the last action, if possible. If it's not possible for PowerPoint to redo the action, nothing will happen. 

Help: Press F1 to open the Help and Support pane. 

Cancel: Press Esc to abort any task you don't want to complete. In some cases, you may also need to click "Cancel."

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

How to do a voiceover on a powerpoint presentation and add pre-recorded audio to your slides, how to add a border to slides in powerpoint, and give your slideshow a sleek design, how to change and format the background of your powerpoint slides to custom designs, how to change your language settings in microsoft powerpoint in 3 different ways, how to copy or duplicate a powerpoint slide and put it anywhere in your slideshow.

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Watch: Here's how to use Apple's time-saving app that will make your life easier

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Microsoft Office PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Cheat Sheet

Save your time and Boost Your Productivity

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most popular tools for creating and delivering presentations, but a lot of people are still unaware of how to use it as quickly and efficiently as possible.

If you’re a frequent user of Microsoft Office PowerPoint, you know that there are a lot of different features and functions to master. One way to make your workflow more efficient is by using keyboard shortcuts.

Here are some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint:

Ctrl + N: Create a new presentation.\ Ctrl + O: Open an existing presentation.\ Ctrl + S: Save your presentation.\ Ctrl + P: Print your presentation.\ Ctrl + Z: Undo your last action.\ Ctrl + Y: Redo your last action.\ Ctrl + C: Copy selected text or object.\ Ctrl + X: Cut selected text or object.\ Ctrl + V: Paste copied or cut text or object.\ Ctrl + A: Select all objects on a slide.\ Ctrl + F: Find and replace text.\ Ctrl + B: Apply or remove bold formatting.\ Ctrl + I: Apply or remove italic formatting.\ Ctrl + U: Apply or remove underline formatting.\ Ctrl + E: Center align text.\ Ctrl + L: Left align text.\ Ctrl + R: Right align text.\ Ctrl + M: Insert a new slide.\ Ctrl + D: Duplicate currently selected slide.\ Ctrl + H: Show or hide the Ribbon.

These shortcuts can save you a lot of time and effort, especially if you’re working on a large presentation. To view a full list of keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint, you can access the “Keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint” help article on the Microsoft website. In addition to keyboard shortcuts, you can also create your own custom shortcuts by assigning a keyboard shortcut to a specific command or function. To do this, select “Options” from the “File” tab, then select “Customize Ribbon” and “Keyboard Shortcuts.” From there, you can select the command you want to assign a shortcut to and create your custom shortcut.

By utilizing keyboard shortcuts and custom shortcuts, you can streamline your PowerPoint workflow and become a more efficient presenter.

Microsoft Office PowerPoint – Keyboard Shortcuts and Cheat Sheet

Shortcuts are a quick and easy way to elevate your design skills and improve your overall presentation. Take the time to memorize them I promise it’s worth it.

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Ppt Keyboard Shortcuts & Hotkeys (List)

In today’s fast-paced work environment, efficiency is key. When it comes to creating dynamic and professional presentations, knowing the most popular keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint can save you valuable time and streamline your workflow.

By mastering these shortcuts, you can navigate through your presentation, format text and images, and customize slides with ease.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive list of the most popular keyboard shortcuts for PowerPoint, so you can take your presentation skills to the next level and impress your audience.

What Is Ppt

PPT stands for PowerPoint, which is a presentation software developed by Microsoft. It is used to create slideshows and presentations, and allows users to add text, images, graphic elements, and multimedia content to their slides.

PowerPoint is commonly used in business, education, and other professional settings for presenting information in a visual and organized manner.

Ppt Keyboard Shortcuts & Hotkeys

The popular keyboard shortcuts of Microsoft PowerPoint are:

1. Ctrl + N – Create a new presentation 2. Ctrl + O – Open an existing presentation 3. Ctrl + S – Save the presentation 4. Ctrl + C – Copy the selected text or object 5. Ctrl + X – Cut the selected text or object 6. Ctrl + V – Paste the copied or cut text or object 7. Ctrl + Z – Undo the last action 8. Ctrl + Y – Redo the last undone action 9. Ctrl + P – Print the presentation 10. Ctrl + F – Find and replace text in the presentation

You can enter this information into your HTML page as follows:

• Ctrl + N – Create a new presentation
• Ctrl + O – Open an existing presentation
• Ctrl + S – Save the presentation
• Ctrl + C – Copy the selected text or object
• Ctrl + X – Cut the selected text or object
• Ctrl + V – Paste the copied or cut text or object
• Ctrl + Z – Undo the last action
• Ctrl + Y – Redo the last undone action
• Ctrl + P – Print the presentation
• Ctrl + F – Find and replace text in the presentation

In conclusion, mastering the keyword shortcuts of PowerPoint can significantly improve efficiency and productivity for users. By utilizing these time-saving techniques, individuals can streamline their workflow, create presentations more effectively, and ultimately enhance their overall presentation experience.

Whether it’s navigating slides, formatting text, or organizing shapes, understanding and implementing these shortcuts can help users become more proficient and confident in their use of PowerPoint. So, take the time to learn and practice these shortcuts, and enjoy a smoother and more efficient PowerPoint experience.

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Handy PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Whether you’re creating a presentation or giving one, you can do it more efficiently with the help of keyboard shortcuts in the microsoft powerpoint desktop app for windows or macos..

PowerPoint’s Ribbon interface is great for finding everything you might ever want to do in the presentation package — particularly things you don’t do frequently, like using the rehearse timing feature.

But if you’re looking to do common tasks fast, you’ll find keyboard shortcuts far more useful. Why bother to lift your hands from the keyboard if you want to open or close a presentation, apply formatting, or start a presentation?

There are keyboard shortcuts to accomplish a vast array of tasks in the PowerPoint desktop client, in both the Windows and Mac versions. (Fewer shortcuts are available for the Mac, but you can create your own custom keyboard shortcuts if you like.)

We’ve listed the shortcuts we’ve found the most useful below. Most work whether you’re using a subscription (Microsoft 365/Office 365) or non-subscription version of PowerPoint. For even more shortcuts, see Microsoft’s Office site, which lists shortcuts for creating and delivering a presentation.

Note: On Macs, the ⌘ key is the same as the Command or Cmd key.

Useful PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts

Looking for more help with PowerPoint for Windows? If you have Microsoft 365 or Office 365 subscription, see “ PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 cheat sheet .” If you have a non-subscription version of Office, see “ PowerPoint 2016 and 2019 cheat sheet .” We’ve also got cheat sheets for an array of other Microsoft products , including older versions of Office.

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Powerpoint Assist

Tips for Powerpoint by Regina Griffin

How To Open A Presentation In PowerPoint Shortcut Keys

Are you tired of wasting time navigating through menus in PowerPoint to open your presentations? Shortcut keys are here to save the day!

We discuss what shortcut keys are, how they work in PowerPoint, and why you should use them. We also guide you through the steps to open a presentation using shortcut keys and share some common shortcuts to make your workflow more efficient.

Stay tuned for tips and additional resources to help you master PowerPoint shortcut keys.

Key Takeaways:

• Shortcut keys in PowerPoint allow for a quicker and more efficient way to open presentations.
• Some common shortcut keys for opening presentations include Ctrl+O, Ctrl+F12, Alt+F4, Ctrl+Shift+O, and Ctrl+Shift+S.
• By using shortcut keys, presenters can save time and focus on delivering a seamless presentation.

What Are Shortcut Keys?

Shortcut keys , also known as keyboard shortcuts, are combinations of one or more keys that provide quick access to specific functions or commands in PowerPoint or other software applications.

These shortcut keys play a crucial role in increasing efficiency and productivity during presentations. By memorizing and utilizing these key combinations, users can perform various tasks without the need to navigate through menus or toolbars. For example, pressing Ctrl+S to save a presentation quickly or Ctrl+C to copy selected content can significantly speed up the workflow. These shortcuts are designed to simplify complex processes and reduce the time it takes to execute commands, ultimately aiding in the smooth running of a presentation.

How Do Shortcut Keys Work in PowerPoint?

In PowerPoint, shortcut keys work by allowing users to control various aspects of their presentations, such as moving objects, selecting text, changing views, and executing commands with speed and precision.

For instance, pressing Ctrl+C enables users to copy selected objects or text , while Ctrl + V pastes them to the desired location . Ctrl + D duplicates the selected object swiftly . Shortcuts like Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y provide immediate undo and redo capabilities, respectively, enhancing user control and productivity. Additionally, Shift+F5 initiates a presentation from the current slide, saving time during rehearsal. Whether adjusting alignment, font size, or color, mastering these shortcut keys in PowerPoint significantly streamlines the creation process.”

Why Should You Use Shortcut Keys in PowerPoint?

Utilizing shortcut keys in PowerPoint offers numerous benefits, including streamlining tasks, enhancing animation control, formatting efficiency, and facilitating seamless navigation through slides.

By incorporating shortcut keys into your PowerPoint workflow, you can significantly increase your efficiency and productivity. These keystrokes allow you to quickly execute commands without the need to manually navigate through various menus, saving you valuable time during presentations.

In addition, shortcut keys give you greater control over animations, enabling you to fine-tune the timing and effects with precision. This not only enhances the visual appeal of your slides but also helps you deliver a more polished and engaging presentation to your audience.

Utilizing shortcut keys can streamline the process of formatting your slides, making it easier to achieve a consistent and professional look throughout your presentation. Whether you need to adjust the font size, align objects, or apply styling options, these shortcuts allow you to make changes swiftly and seamlessly.

Shortcut keys simplify slide navigation by providing quick access to different sections of your presentation. Whether you need to jump to a specific slide, hide a slide temporarily, or switch between different views, these keystrokes enable you to navigate through your presentation effortlessly, keeping your audience focused on the content.

How to Open a Presentation in PowerPoint Using Shortcut Keys

Opening a presentation in PowerPoint using shortcut keys involves a series of commands that enable users to swiftly access their slides, transition between current, next, and previous slides, and commence the presentation seamlessly.

To initiate a PowerPoint presentation through shortcut keys, first ensure that the PowerPoint application is opened on your computer. Press Alt + F to access the file menu, followed by O to open a presentation file. You can navigate through slides by using the Up and Down Arrow keys . To begin the slideshow, press F5 . During the presentation, use the Space or Enter keys to advance to the next slide , or the Backspace key to go back to the previous one. Utilize Esc to exit the slideshow at any point .

Step 1: Open PowerPoint

To begin opening a presentation in PowerPoint using shortcut keys, launch the PowerPoint application on your device to access the software’s interface.

Once you have located the PowerPoint application, simply double-click on its icon or press the ‘Enter’ key to open the program. This action will prompt the PowerPoint window to appear on your screen, providing you with a blank canvas ready for your presentation creation journey.

If you prefer using keyboard shortcuts, you can also opt to press the ‘Windows key + S’ and type ‘PowerPoint’ to search and launch the application quickly. Familiarizing yourself with these efficient shortcuts can significantly enhance your workflow and save valuable time.

Step 2: Create a New Presentation

After opening PowerPoint, proceed to create a new presentation by selecting the appropriate options to begin crafting your slides and content.

In the ‘File’ menu, click on ‘New’ to open up a selection of templates or choose a blank presentation to start from scratch. You can then customize the layout and design based on your preferences.

Next, add slides by going to the ‘Home’ tab and selecting ‘New Slide’. Here, you can choose from different layouts for your content, such as title slides, bullet points, or images. Organizing your content effectively at this stage will make it easier to navigate and apply shortcut keys in the future.

Step 3: Save Your Presentation

Upon completing your presentation, remember to save your work by utilizing the save function in PowerPoint to preserve your content and changes.

When saving your PowerPoint presentation, it is crucial to select an appropriate file name that reflects the content and version, ensuring easy identification in the future.

Consider saving your work to multiple locations, such as your local drive, external storage devices, or cloud storage platforms, to safeguard against any unexpected technical issues or hardware failures that could lead to data loss.

Creating a regular backup routine, either manually or through automated tools, can provide an added layer of protection for your valuable presentation materials.

Remember, data backup is key to maintaining the integrity and accessibility of your files. Take the necessary steps to secure your work and enjoy peace of mind knowing that your efforts are safely stored and protected.

Step 4: Use Shortcut Keys to Open a Presentation

To access and open your saved presentation swiftly, employ the designated shortcut keys in PowerPoint to launch the slideshow and navigate through the slides with ease.

One of the most convenient ways to start your presentation quickly is by hitting the F5 key on your keyboard, which instantly launches the slideshow mode. Once in the presentation, use the arrow keys to move forward (Right arrow) or backward (Left arrow) through the slides effortlessly.

By mastering these shortcut keys, you can showcase your content seamlessly, focus on delivering a polished presentation, and engage your audience effectively without any interruptions. Utilizing these keyboard commands not only enhances your efficiency but also saves valuable time during your presentation, enabling you to make a lasting impact on your viewers.

Common Shortcut Keys for Opening Presentations in PowerPoint

Several common shortcut keys exist in PowerPoint for swiftly opening presentations, enabling users to access their slides, transition between slides, and control presentation settings efficiently.

One of the most frequently used shortcut keys in PowerPoint is Ctrl+O , used to quickly open a new presentation. This command saves time by allowing users to immediately start working on a new project without going through the conventional menu options.

Another essential shortcut key is F5, which initiates the slideshow view, enabling presenters to preview their slides in full screen before an audience.

To swiftly navigate between slides during a presentation, users can press Page Up to go to the previous slide or Page Down to move to the next one.

Pressing Ctrl + O in PowerPoint allows users to quickly open a new or existing presentation file, providing instant access to their slides and content.

When using the Ctrl+O shortcut, users can easily navigate to the location where their presentation files are stored either on their local device or a network drive. This command eliminates the need to go through multiple menus or options to locate and open a specific file, saving valuable time and effort. Users have the flexibility to select multiple files simultaneously through this shortcut, streamlining the process of opening multiple presentations at once.

The Ctrl+F12 shortcut key combination in PowerPoint is another option for opening presentation files swiftly, offering users an alternative method to access their slides and content.

By pressing Ctrl+F12 in PowerPoint, users can directly open a presentation file without having to navigate through multiple menus or windows. This shortcut key is designed to enhance efficiency and streamline the process of accessing and presenting slides. It proves particularly handy when you need to quickly refer to or work on a specific presentation without wasting time on unnecessary steps.

To employ this command effectively, simply hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and press F12 simultaneously. This action triggers the software to open up the designated presentation, saving you valuable time and effort in the process.

Using Alt+F4 in PowerPoint allows users to close the active window or presentation quickly, providing a convenient shortcut for managing multiple windows or slides.

Alt+F4 is a handy command that can help streamline your workflow by enabling you to exit out of PowerPoint efficiently. When working on a presentation, instead of manually clicking through menus to close the program or individual windows, simply pressing Alt+F4 can achieve the same result swiftly.

This shortcut is especially useful when you have several windows open simultaneously and need to close them promptly. By pressing Alt+F4, you can efficiently navigate between different slides or windows without unnecessary delays. Remember to save your work before using this shortcut to avoid losing any unsaved changes.

Ctrl+Shift+O

Ctrl+Shift+O in PowerPoint is a shortcut key that opens the outline pane in your presentation, providing a quick view of the slide structure and content organization.

When you activate this shortcut, the outline pane appears on the left side of your PowerPoint interface, displaying a concise list of all the slides in your deck along with their titles and hierarchies. This feature allows users to navigate through their presentation swiftly, making it easier to rearrange or edit content without constantly switching between slides. By clicking on a specific slide in the outline pane, you can quickly jump to that particular section within your presentation, enhancing both efficiency and productivity while working on your slides.

Ctrl+Shift+S

Ctrl+Shift+S is a shortcut key in PowerPoint used for saving a presentation with a new filename or location, offering users a quick method to create duplicate copies or save files in different formats.

When you press Ctrl+Shift+S in PowerPoint, you trigger the ‘Save As’ function, which allows you to specify a new file name, save location, or file format for your presentation. This feature is particularly handy when you want to keep the original file unchanged while creating a modified version. By using ‘Save As,’ you can easily manage multiple versions of your presentation without overwriting the existing one.

Tips for Using Shortcut Keys in PowerPoint

To maximize the effectiveness of shortcut keys in PowerPoint, consider customizing shortcuts, practicing frequently used commands, and exploring advanced shortcuts for enhanced control over objects and text.

Customizing shortcuts can significantly boost your efficiency by tailoring commands to your workflow and preferences. Practice commonly used commands to cement them into your muscle memory, allowing for quicker execution during presentations. Delve into the world of advanced shortcuts to streamline intricate tasks and achieve a seamless flow while navigating your slides.

Additional Resources for Learning PowerPoint Shortcut Keys

For individuals seeking to expand their knowledge of PowerPoint shortcut keys, various online resources, tutorials, and guides are available to facilitate learning and mastery of keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint.

These resources provide step-by-step instructions, tips, and practice exercises to help users become more efficient and productive in creating presentations.

• Online tutorials by platforms such as Microsoft Office support the development of essential skills, including navigating the interface, customizing shortcuts, and improving workflow.
• Specialized guides dedicated to PowerPoint shortcuts can offer comprehensive insights into advanced key combinations and efficient ways to accomplish tasks.
• Users can also explore interactive tools and applications designed to reinforce shortcut proficiency through practical exercises and virtual simulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what are the shortcut keys to open a presentation in powerpoint.

The shortcut keys to open a presentation in PowerPoint are Ctrl+O (Windows) or Command+O (Mac).

2. Can I customize the shortcut keys for opening a presentation in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can customize the shortcut keys by going to File > Options > Customize Ribbon. From there, click on “Customize…” next to “Keyboard shortcuts” and assign a new shortcut for opening a presentation.

3. Are there any other ways to open a presentation in PowerPoint besides using shortcut keys?

Yes, you can also open a presentation by double-clicking on the file in your file explorer or by going to File > Open in PowerPoint.

4. How do I know if a presentation is already open in PowerPoint?

If a presentation is already open in PowerPoint, you will see its name in the title bar at the top of the program. You can also check by going to the “Recent” tab in the File menu to see if the presentation is listed there.

5. Can I use the Ctrl+O shortcut to open multiple presentations at once?

Yes, you can use the Ctrl+O shortcut to open multiple presentations at once. Simply hold down the Ctrl key and click on the presentations you want to open, then click “Open”.

6. What do I do if the Ctrl+O shortcut is not working to open a presentation in PowerPoint?

If the shortcut is not working, you can try restarting Powerpoint or using a different shortcut key combination. You can also check your keyboard settings to make sure the shortcut is not disabled.

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Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed up PowerPoint Presentations

Help to put together a slideshow quickly

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In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Using a Keyboard Shortcut

General Keyboard Shortcuts

• Using the CTRL Key
• Quick Navigation
• Using the Arrow Keys
• Using the Shift Key
• Using Function Keys
• While Running a Slideshow

When you want to quickly create a PowerPoint presentation and minimize the amount of time you spend with your mouse, learn to use keyboard shortcuts to speed up PowerPoint presentations and make your job easier.

These instructions apply to PowerPoint versions 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

How to Use the Keyboard Shortcut List

When the instructions show the keystroke combination Ctrl + C , for example, it means to hold down the Ctrl key and then press the letter C , holding both at the same time. The plus sign (+) indicates that you need both of these two keys. You do not press the + key on the keyboard.

Certain key combinations are specific to PowerPoint, such as the F5 key to play a slide show. Many other shortcut combinations, such as Ctrl + C and Ctrl + Z, are common to a number of programs. Once you know these common ones, you will be surprised at how often you can use them.

Keyboard Shortcuts Using the CTRL Key

Here is an alphabetical list of all the letter keys that can be used with the Ctrl key as a keyboard shortcut to common tasks in PowerPoint as well as some other shortcuts using the Ctrl key.

• Ctrl + A : Selects all items on the page or the active text box.
• Ctrl + B : Applies bold formatting to the selected text.
• Ctrl + C : Copies the selected text or object to the Clipboard .
• Ctrl + D : Duplicates the selected object.
• Ctrl + F : Opens the Find dialog box.
• Ctrl + G : Opens the Grids and Guides dialog box.
• Ctrl + H : Opens the Replace dialog box.
• Ctrl + I : Applies italic formatting to the selected text.
• Ctrl + M : Inserts a new slide .
• Ctrl + N : Opens a new blank presentation.
• Ctrl + O : Displays the Open dialog box.
• Ctrl + P : Opens the Print dialog box.
• Ctrl + S : Saves the presentation.
• Ctrl + T : Opens the Font dialog box.
• Ctrl + U : Underlines the selected text.
• Ctrl + V : Pastes text and objects from the Clipboard into the presentation.
• Ctrl + W : Closes the presentation.
• Ctrl + X : Deletes the text or object from the presentation and places it in the Clipboard.
• Ctrl + Y : Repeats the last command entered.
• Ctrl + Z : Undoes the last change.
• Ctrl + F6 : Switches from one open PowerPoint presentation to another.
• Ctrl + Delete : Removes the word to the right of the cursor.
• Ctrl + Backspace : Removes the word to the left of the cursor.
• Ctrl + Home : Moves cursor to the beginning of the presentation.
• Ctrl + End : Moves cursor to the end of the presentation.
• Ctrl + Arrow keys: Move from word to word or from object to object on a slide.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Quick Navigation

To quickly navigate around your presentation use these single keyboard shortcuts or shortcut key combinations. Using the mouse can slow you down. These shortcut keys are located to the left of the number keypad on your keyboard.

• Home : Moves cursor to the beginning of the current line of text.
• End : Moves cursor to the end of the current line of text.
• Ctrl + Home : Moves cursor to the beginning of the presentation.
• Ctrl + End : Moves cursor to the end of the presentation.
• Page Up : Moves to the previous slide.
• Page Down : Moves to the next slide.

Keyboard Shortcuts Using the Arrow Keys

Keyboard shortcuts often use the arrow keys on the keyboard. Using the Ctrl key with the four arrow keys makes it easy to move to the beginning or end of a word or paragraph. These arrow keys are located to the left of the number keypad on your keyboard.

• Ctrl + left arrow : Moves cursor to the beginning of the previous word.
• Ctrl + right arrow : Moves cursor to the beginning of the next word.
• Ctrl + up arrow : Moves cursor to start of the previous paragraph.
• Ctrl + down arrow : Moves cursor to start of the next paragraph.

Keyboard Shortcuts Using Shift Key

• Shift + Enter : Creates a soft return to force a line break inside a paragraph. In a bulleted list, this creates a new line without a bullet.
• Shift + another key: Selects a single letter, a whole word, or a line of text.
• Ctrl + Shift + Home or Ctrl + Shift + End : Selects text from the cursor to the beginning or end of the document.
• Shift + F5 : Starts a slideshow that begins with the current slide.
• Shift + left arrow : Selects the previous letter.
• Shift + right arrow : Selects the next letter.
• Shift + Home : Selects text from the cursor to start of the current line.
• Shift + End : Selects text from the cursor to the end of the current line.
• Shift + Ctrl + Home : Selects all text from the cursor to the beginning of the active text box.
• Shift + Ctrl + End : Selects all text from the cursor to the end of the active text box.

Using Function Keys as Keyboard Shortcuts

The function keys or F keys as they are more commonly known are located above the number keys on the regular keyboard.

• F1 : Opens the Help pane.
• F5 : Starts the slideshow at the first slide and displays it in full-screen mode.
• Shift + F5 : Starts the slideshow at the current slide.
• F7 : Runs spellcheck.
• F12 : Opens the Save As dialog box.

Keyboard Shortcuts While Running a Slideshow

While the slideshow is running, you may need to pause to answer questions from the audience, and it is helpful to insert a simple black or white slide while you are talking. This gives you the complete attention of the audience.

Here is a list of several useful keyboard shortcuts to use during a slideshow. As an alternative choice to keyboard shortcuts, simply right-clicking on the screen will show a shortcut menu of options.

Spacebar or click the mouse: Move to next slide or next animation

Number+ Enter : Goes to the slide of that number (for example 6 + Enter goes to slide 6).

B (for black): Pauses the slideshow and displays a black screen. Press B again to resume the show.

W (for white): Pauses the show and displays a white screen. Press W again to resume the show.

N : Moves to the next slide or next animation.

P : Moves to previous slide or animation.

S : Stops the show. Press S again to restart the show.

Esc : Ends the slideshow.

Tab : Goes to the next hyperlink in a slideshow.

Shift + Tab : Goes to the previous hyperlink in a slideshow.

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How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation (Step-by-Step)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Presentation Design
• January 22, 2024

In this beginner’s guide, you will learn step-by-step how to make a PowerPoint presentation from scratch.

While PowerPoint is designed to be intuitive and accessible, it can be overwhelming if you’ve never gotten any training on it before. As you progress through this guide, you’ll will learn how to move from blank slides to PowerPoint slides that look like these.

Table of Contents

Additionally, as you create your presentation, you’ll also learn tricks for working more efficiently in PowerPoint, including how to:

• Change the slide order
• Reset your layout
• Change the slide dimensions
• Use PowerPoint Designer
• Format text
• Format objects
• Play a presentation (slide show)

With this knowledge under your belt, you’ll be ready to start creating PowerPoint presentations. Moreover, you’ll have taken your skills from beginner to proficient in no time at all. I will also include links to more advanced PowerPoint topics.

Ready to start learning how to make a PowerPoint presentation?

Take your PPT skills to the next level

Start with a blank presentation.

Note: Before you open PowerPoint and start creating your presentation, make sure you’ve collected your thoughts. If you’re going to make your slides compelling, you need to spend some time brainstorming.

For help with this, see our article with tips for nailing your business presentation  here .

The first thing you’ll need to do is to open PowerPoint. When you do, you are shown the Start Menu , with the Home tab open.

This is where you can choose either a blank theme (1) or a pre-built theme (2). You can also choose to open an existing presentation (3).

For now, go ahead and click on the  Blank Presentation (1)  thumbnail.

Doing so launches a brand new and blank presentation for you to work with. Before you start adding content to your presentation, let’s first familiarize ourselves with the PowerPoint interface.

The PowerPoint interface

Here is how the program is laid out:

• The Application Header
• The Ribbon (including the Ribbon tabs)
• The Quick Access Toolbar (either above or below the Ribbon)
• The Slides Pane (slide thumbnails)

The Slide Area

The notes pane.

• The Status Bar (including the View Buttons)

Each one of these areas has options for viewing certain parts of the PowerPoint environment and formatting your presentation.

Below are the important things to know about certain elements of the PowerPoint interface.

The PowerPoint Ribbon

The Ribbon is contextual. That means that it will adapt to what you’re doing in the program.

For example, the Font, Paragraph and Drawing options are greyed out until you select something that has text in it, as in the example below (A).

Furthermore, if you start manipulating certain objects, the Ribbon will display additional tabs, as seen above (B), with more commands and features to help you work with those objects. The following objects have their own additional tabs in the Ribbon which are hidden until you select them:

• Online Pictures
• Screenshots
• Screen Recording

The Slides Pane

This is where you can preview and rearrange all the slides in your presentation.

Right-clicking on a slide  in the pane gives you additional options on the slide level that you won’t find on the Ribbon, such as  Duplicate Slide ,  Delete Slide , and  Hide Slide .

In addition, you can add sections to your presentation by  right-clicking anywhere in this Pane  and selecting  Add Section . Sections are extremely helpful in large presentations, as they allow you to organize your slides into chunks that you can then rearrange, print or display differently from other slides.

The Slide Area (A) is where you will build out your slides. Anything within the bounds of this area will be visible when you present or print your presentation.

Anything outside of this area (B) will be hidden from view. This means that you can place things here, such as instructions for each slide, without worrying about them being shown to your audience.

The  Notes Pane  is the space beneath the Slide Area where you can type in the speaker notes for each slide. It’s designed as a fast way to add and edit your slides’ talking points.

To expand your knowledge and learn more about adding, printing, and exporting your PowerPoint speaker notes, read our guide here .

Your speaker notes are visible when you print your slides using the Notes Pages option and when you use the Presenter View . To expand your knowledge and learn the ins and outs of using the Presenter View , read our guide here .

You can resize the  Notes Pane  by clicking on its edge and dragging it up or down (A). You can also minimize or reopen it by clicking on the Notes button in the Status Bar (B).

Note:  Not all text formatting displays in the Notes Pane, even though it will show up when printing your speaker notes. To learn more about printing PowerPoint with notes, read our guide here .

Now that you have a basic grasp of the PowerPoint interface at your disposal, it’s time to make your presentation.

Adding Content to Your PowerPoint Presentation

Notice that in the Slide Area , there are two rectangles with dotted outlines. These are called  Placeholders  and they’re set on the template in the Slide Master View .

To expand your knowledge and learn how to create a PowerPoint template of your own (which is no small task), read our guide here .

As the prompt text suggests, you can click into each placeholder and start typing text. These types of placeholder prompts are customizable too. That means that if you are using a company template, it might say something different, but the functionality is the same.

Note:  For the purposes of this example, I will create a presentation based on the content in the Starbucks 2018 Global Social Impact Report, which is available to the public on their website.

If you type in more text than there is room for, PowerPoint will automatically reduce its font size. You can stop this behavior by clicking on the  Autofit Options  icon to the left of the placeholder and selecting  Stop Fitting Text to this Placeholder .

Next, you can make formatting adjustments to your text by selecting the commands in the Font area and the  Paragraph area  of the  Home  tab of the Ribbon.

The Reset Command:  If you make any changes to your title and decide you want to go back to how it was originally, you can use the Reset button up in the Home tab .

Insert More Slides into Your Presentation

Now that you have your title slide filled in, it’s time to add more slides. To do that, simply go up to the  Home tab  and click on  New Slide . This inserts a new slide in your presentation right after the one you were on.

You can alternatively hit Ctrl+M on your keyboard to insert a new blank slide in PowerPoint. To learn more about this shortcut, see my guide on using Ctrl+M in PowerPoint .

Instead of clicking the New Slide command, you can also open the New Slide dropdown to see all the slide layouts in your PowerPoint template. Depending on who created your template, your layouts in this dropdown can be radically different.

If you insert a layout and later want to change it to a different layout, you can use the Layout dropdown instead of the New Slide dropdown.

After inserting a few different slide layouts, your presentation might look like the following picture. Don’t worry that it looks blank, next we will start adding content to your presentation.

If you want to follow along exactly with me, your five slides should be as follows:

• Title Slide
• Title and Content
• Section Header
• Two Content
• Picture with Caption

Adding Content to Your Slides

Now let’s go into each slide and start adding our content. You’ll notice some new types of placeholders.

On slide 2 we have a  Content Placeholder , which allows you to add any kind of content. That includes:

• A SmartArt graphic,
• A 3D object,
• A picture from the web,
• Or an icon.

To insert text, simply type it in or hit  Ctrl+C to Copy  and Ctrl+V to Paste  from elsewhere. To insert any of the other objects, click on the appropriate icon and follow the steps to insert it.

For my example, I’ll simply type in some text as you can see in the picture below.

Slides 3 and 4 only have text placeholders, so I’ll go ahead and add in my text into each one.

On slide 5 we have a Picture Placeholder . That means that the only elements that can go into it are:

• A picture from the web

To insert a picture into the picture placeholder, simply:

• Click on the  Picture  icon
• Find  a picture on your computer and select it
• Click on  Insert

Alternatively, if you already have a picture open somewhere else, you can select the placeholder and paste in (shortcut: Ctrl+V ) the picture. You can also drag the picture in from a file explorer window.

If you do not like the background of the picture you inserted onto your slide, you can remove the background here in PowerPoint. To see how to do this, read my guide here .

Placeholders aren’t the only way to add content to your slides. At any point, you can use the Insert tab to add elements to your slides.

You can use either the Title Only  or the  Blank  slide layout to create slides for content that’s different. For example, a three-layout content slide, or a single picture divider slide, as shown below.

In the first example above, I’ve inserted 6 text boxes, 3 icons, and 3 circles to create this layout. In the second example, I’ve inserted a full-sized picture and then 2 shapes and 2 text boxes.

The Reset Command:  Because these slides are built with shapes and text boxes (and not placeholders), hitting the  Reset button up in the  Home tab  won’t do anything.

That is a good thing if you don’t want your layouts to adjust. However, it does mean that it falls on you to make sure everything is aligned and positioned correctly.

For more on how to add and manipulate the different objects in PowerPoint, check out our step-by-step articles here:

• Using graphics in PowerPoint
• Inserting icons onto slides
• Adding pictures to your PowerPoint
• How to embed a video in PowerPoint
• How to add music to your presentation

Using Designer to generate more layouts ideas

If you have Office 365, your version of PowerPoint comes with a new feature called Designer (or Design Ideas). This is a feature that generates slide layout ideas for you. The coolest thing about this feature is that it uses the content you already have.

To use Designer , simply navigate to the  Design tab  in your Ribbon, and click on  Design Ideas .

NOTE: If the PowerPoint Designer is not working for you (it is grey out), see my troubleshooting guide for Designer .

Change the Overall Design (optional)

When you make a PowerPoint presentation, you’ll want to think about the overall design. Now that you have some content in your presentation, you can use the Design tab to change the look and feel of your slides.

For additional help thinking through the design of your presentation,  read my guide here .

A. Picking your PowerPoint slide size

If you have PowerPoint 2013 or later, when you create a blank document in PowerPoint, you automatically start with a widescreen layout with a 16:9 ratio. These dimensions are suitable for most presentations as they match the screens of most computers and projectors.

However, you do have the option to change the dimensions.

For example, your presentation might not be presented, but instead converted into a PDF or printed and distributed. In that case, you can easily switch to the standard dimensions with a 4:3 ratio by selecting from the dropdown (A).

You can also choose a custom slide size or change the slide orientation from landscape to portrait in the Custom Slide Size dialog box (B).

To learn all about the different PowerPoint slide sizes, and some of the issues you will face when changing the slide size of a non-blank presentation,  read my guide here .

 B. Selecting a PowerPoint theme

The next thing you can do is change the theme of your presentation to a pre-built one. For a detailed explanation of what a PowerPoint theme is, and how to best use it,  read my article here .

In the beginning of this tutorial, we started with a blank presentation, which uses the default Office theme as you can see in the picture below.

That gives you the most flexibility because it has a blank background and quite simple layouts that work for most presentations. However, it also means that it’s your responsibility to enhance the design.

If you’re comfortable with this, you can stay with the default theme or create your own custom theme ( read my guide here ). But if you would rather not have to think about design, then you can choose a pre-designed theme.

Microsoft provides 46 other pre-built themes, which include slide layouts, color variants and palettes, and fonts. Each one varies quite significantly, so make sure you look through them carefully.

To select a different theme, go to the  Design tab  in the Ribbon, and click on the  dropdown arrow  in the  Themes section .

For this tutorial, let’s select the  Frame  theme and then choose the third Variant in the theme. Doing so changes the layout, colors, and fonts of your presentation.

Note: The theme dropdown area is also where you can import or save custom themes. To see my favorite places to find professional PowerPoint templates and themes (and recommendations for why I like them), read my guide here .

C. How to change a slide background in PowerPoint

The next thing to decide is how you want your background to look for the entire presentation. In the  Variants area, you can see four background options.

For this example, we want our presentation to have a dark background, so let’s select Style 3. When you do so, you’ll notice that:

• The background color automatically changes across all slides
• The color of the text on most of the slides automatically changes to white so that it’s visible on the dark background
• The colors of the objects on slides #6 and #7 also adjust, in a way we may not want (we’ll likely have to make some manual adjustments to these slides)

Note: If you want to change the slide background for just that one slide, don’t left-click the style. Instead, right-click it and select Apply to Selected Slides .

After you change the background for your entire presentation, you can easily adjust the background for an individual slide.

Inside the Format Background pane, you can see you have the following options:

• Gradient fill
• Picture or texture fill
• Pattern fill
• Hide background

You can explore these options to find the PowerPoint background that best fits your presentation.

D. How to change your color palette in PowerPoint

Another thing you may want to adjust in your presentation, is the color scheme. In the picture below you can see the Theme Colors we are currently using for this presentation.

Each PowerPoint theme comes with its own color palette. By default, the Office theme includes the Office color palette. This affects the colors you are presented with when you format any element within your presentation (text, shapes, SmartArt, etc.).

The good news is that the colors here are easy to change. To switch color palettes, simply:

• Go to the  Design tab in the Ribbon
• In the Variants area, click on the  dropdown arrow  and select  Colors
• Select  the color palette (or theme colors) you want

You can choose among the pre-built color palettes from Office, or you can customize them to create your own.

As you build your presentation, make sure you use the colors from your theme to format objects. That way, changing the color palette adjusts all the colors in your presentation automatically.

E. How to change your fonts in PowerPoint

Just as we changed the color palette, you can do the same for the fonts.

Each PowerPoint theme comes with its own font combination. By default, the Office theme includes the Office font pairing. This affects the fonts that are automatically assigned to all text in your presentation.

The good news is that the font pairings are easy to change. To switch your Theme Fonts, simply:

• Go to the  Design tab  in the Ribbon
• Click on the  dropdown arrow  in the  Variants  area
• Select  Fonts
• Select  the font pairing you want

You can choose among the pre-built fonts from Office, or you can customize them to create your own.

If you are working with PowerPoint presentations on both Mac and PC computers, make sure you choose a safe PowerPoint font. To see a list of the safest PowerPoint fonts, read our guide here .

If you receive a PowerPoint presentation and the wrong fonts were used, you can use the Replace Fonts dialog box to change the fonts across your entire presentation. For details, read our guide here .

Adding Animations & Transitions (optional)

The final step to make a PowerPoint presentation compelling, is to consider using animations and transitions. These are by no means necessary to a good presentation, but they may be helpful in your situation.

A. Adding PowerPoint animations

PowerPoint has an incredibly robust animations engine designed to power your creativity. That being said, it’s also easy to get started with basic animations.

Animations are movements that you can apply to individual objects on your slide.

To add a PowerPoint animation to an element of your slide, simply:

• Select the  element
• Go to the  Animations tab in the Ribbon
• Click on the  dropdown arrow  to view your options
• Select the  animation  you want

You can add animations to multiple objects at one time by selecting them all first and then applying the animation.

B. How to preview a PowerPoint animation

There are three ways to preview a PowerPoint animation:

• Click on the Preview button in the Animations tab
• Click on the little star  next to the slide
• Play the slide in Slide Show Mode

To learn other ways to run your slide show, see our guide on presenting a PowerPoint slide show with shortcuts .

To adjust the settings of your animations, explore the options in the  Effect Options ,  Advanced Animation  and the  Timing  areas of the  Animation tab .

Note:  To see how to make objects appear and disappear in your slides by clicking a button,  read our guide here .

C. How to manage your animations in PowerPoint

The best way to manage lots of animations on your slide is with the Animation Pane . To open it, simply:

• Navigate to the  Animations tab
• Select the  Animation Pane

Inside the Animation Pane, you’ll see all of the different animations that have been applied to objects on your slide, with their numbers marked as pictured above.

Note: To see examples of PowerPoint animations that can use in PowerPoint, see our list of PowerPoint animation tutorials here .

D. How to add transitions to your PowerPoint presentation

PowerPoint has an incredibly robust transition engine so that you can dictate how your slides change from one to the other. It is also extremely easy to add transitions to your slides.

In PowerPoint, transitions are the movements (or effects) you see as you move between two slides.

To add a transition to a PowerPoint slide, simply:

• Select the  slide
• Go to the  Transitions tab in the Ribbon
• In the Transitions to This Slide area, click on the  dropdown arrow  to view your options
• Select the  transition  you want

To adjust the settings of the transition, explore the options in the  Timing  area of the Transitions tab.

You can also add the same transition to multiple slides. To do that, select them in the  Slides Pane  and apply the transition.

E. How to preview a transition in PowerPoint

There are three ways to preview your PowerPoint transitions (just like your animations):

• Click on the Preview  button in the Transitions tab
• Click on the little star  beneath the slide number in the thumbnail view

Note:  In 2016, PowerPoint added a cool new transition, called Morph. It operates a bit differently from other transitions. For a detailed tutorial on how to use the cool Morph transition,  see our step-by-step article here .

Save Your PowerPoint Presentation

After you’ve built your presentation and made all the adjustments to your slides, you’ll want to save your presentation. YOu can do this several different ways.

To save a PowerPoint presentation using your Ribbon, simply:

• Navigate to the  File tab
•  Select  Save As  on the left
• Choose  where you want to save your presentation
• Name  your presentation and/or adjust your file type settings
• Click  Save

You can alternatively use the  Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut to save your presentation. I recommend using this shortcut frequently as you build your presentation to make sure you don’t lose any of your work.

This is the standard way to save a presentation. However, there may be a situation where you want to save your presentation as a different file type.

To learn how to save your presentation as a PDF, see our guide on converting PowerPoint to a PDF .

How to save your PowerPoint presentation as a template

Once you’ve created a presentation that you like, you may want to turn it into a template. The easiest – but not technically correct – way, is to simply create a copy of your current presentation and then change the content.

But be careful! A PowerPoint template is a special type of document and it has its own parameters and behaviors.

If you’re interested in learning about how to create your own PowerPoint template from scratch, see our guide on how to create a PowerPoint template .

Printing Your PowerPoint Presentation

After finishing your PowerPoint presentation, you may want to print it out on paper. Printing your slides is relatively easy.

To open the Print dialog box, you can either:

• Hit Ctrl+P on your keyboard
• Or go to the Ribbon and click on File and then Print

Inside the Print dialog box, you can choose from the various printing settings:

• Printer: Select a printer to use (or print to PDF or OneNote)
• Slides: Choose which slides you want to print
• Layout: Determine how many slides you want per page (this is where you can print the notes, outline, and handouts)
• Collated or uncollated (learn what collated printing means here )
• Color: Choose to print in color, grayscale or black & white

There are many more options for printing your PowerPoint presentations. Here are links to more in-depth articles:

• How to print multiple slides per page
• How to print your speaker notes in PowerPoint
• How to save PowerPoint as a picture presentation

So that’s how to create a PowerPoint presentation if you are brand new to it. We’ve also included a ton of links to helpful resources to boost your PowerPoint skills further.

When you are creating your presentation, it is critical to first focus on the content (what you are trying to say) before getting lost inserting and playing with elements. The clearer you are on what you want to present, the easier it will be to build it out in PowerPoint.

If you enjoyed this article, you can learn more about our PowerPoint training courses and other presentation resources by  visiting us here .

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Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 365 for Windows

Explore keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint 365 for Windows. PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts allow you to quickly complete tasks.

Author: Geetesh Bajaj

Product/Version: PowerPoint 365 for Windows

OS: Microsoft Windows 10 and higher

Date Created: October 18, 2019 Last Updated: July 28, 2021

Learn PowerPoint

Learn how you can convert text boxes to placeholders in PowerPoint.

The shortcuts listed on this page use the US English keyboard layout. If you are using a non-US or non-English keyboard layout, then the keyboard shortcuts may not correspond exactly in some cases. You can learn about this issue and other reasons why some shortcuts may not work in our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts Not Working page.

Also, explore our Keyboard Sequences in PowerPoint tutorial page.

For links to keyboard shortcuts in other versions of PowerPoint, scroll down this page a little .

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts: 365 for Windows

Ctrl shortcuts.

Ctrl Modifier with the spin wheel on your mouse to zoom in or out from 400% to 10%

Ctrl + A Select all slide objects ( Normal view) Select all slides ( Slides tab and Slide Sorter view) Select all text (in Outline view) Change the pointer to an arrow ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + B Bold selected text

Ctrl + C Copy

Ctrl + Shift + C Copy object attributes

Ctrl + D Duplicate slide objects ( Normal view) Duplicate slides ( Slide Sorter view, and in Slides pane within Normal view) Duplicate selected Layout or selected Slide Master ( Slide Master view)

Ctrl + Shift + D Duplicate active slide

Ctrl + E Center Align selected text ( Normal view) Change Pointer to Eraser (works only if there are annotations in Slide Show view)

Ctrl + F Opens Find dialog box ( Normal and Slide Sorter views)

Ctrl + Shift + F Ctrl + Shift + P Opens Font dialog box, when text is selected

Ctrl + G Group selected slide objects

Ctrl + Shift + G Ungroup selected group

Ctrl + H Opens Replace dialog box ( Normal and Slide Sorter views) Hides Pointer (cursor) and Navigation buttons ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + Shift + H Show/Hide Notes pane

Ctrl + I Italicize selected text ( Normal view) Activate the highlighter ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + J Justify selected text

Ctrl + Shift + J Regroup previously grouped objects

Ctrl + K Opens Insert hyperlink dialog box

Ctrl + L Left align selected text ( Normal view) Activate the laser pointer ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + M Insert New Slide ( Normal and Slide Sorter views) Insert New Master ( Slide Master view) Hide or unhide all ink or annotations ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + N Create a new presentation

Ctrl + Shift + N Duplicates active presentation

Ctrl + O Open presentation in Backstage view

Ctrl + P Ctrl + F2 Ctrl + Shift + F12 Opens the Print pane in Backstage view for the active presentation Changes Pointer to Pen ( Slide Show view — Ctrl + P only)

Ctrl + Q Exit PowerPoint

Ctrl + R Right align selected text

Ctrl + S Save (for presentations saved at least once) Save As (for presentations never saved) Opens  All Slides dialog box ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + T Opens Font dialog box (select the text or text container first) Display the Microsoft Windows taskbar ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + U Underline selected text Hide the pointer and navigation button ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + V Paste

Ctrl + Shift + V Paste object attributes

Ctrl + Alt + V Opens Paste Special dialog box

Ctrl + W Close active presentation

Ctrl + X Cut

Ctrl + Y F4 Repeat or redo

Ctrl + Z Undo

Ctrl + 1 Access formatting options for a selected chart element

Ctrl + F1 Hide or unhide Ribbon. Ribbon tabs are visible

Ctrl + Shift + F1 Hide or unhide Ribbon with tabs, Title Bar, Quick Access Toolbar, and Status Bar

Ctrl + F4 Close active presentation

Ctrl + F5 Opens Present Online dialog box (deprecated)

Ctrl + F6 Switch between open PowerPoint presentations. Recently opened ones after previously opened ones

Ctrl + Shift + F6 Switch between open PowerPoint presentations. Previously opened ones after recently opened ones

Ctrl + Shift + F9 Turn off/on Snap to Grid

Ctrl + Shift + F10 Arrange all open presentations. Minimized presentations are not arranged

Ctrl + F12 Open presentation using the Open dialog box

Ctrl + Shift + [ Reorder selected slide object one layer below

Ctrl + Shift + ] Reorder selected slide object one layer above

Ctrl + Tab Switch between open PowerPoint presentations Add a tab stop, if you are editing a table or a text container

Ctrl + Shift + Tab Switch between Normal and Outline views

Ctrl + Space Remove all formatting from selected text, or entire text container; resets text to the theme font ( Normal view) Reset all text formatting to default (select all text in Outline view, and use this shortcut key)

Ctrl + Backspace Delete the entire word before the insertion point. If the insertion point is in the middle of a word, delete characters before the insertion point

Ctrl + Delete Delete the entire word after the insertion point. If the insertion point is in the middle of a word, delete characters after the insertion point

Ctrl + Home Cursor goes to the beginning of the first word in a text container while editing. If nothing on your slide is selected, goes to the first slide Selects first slide ( Slide Sorter view)

Ctrl + Shift + Home Select or deselect all text from the cursor to the start of the paragraph (click within text container to establish the cursor location first)

Ctrl + End Cursor goes to the end of the last word in a text container while editing. If nothing on your slide is selected, goes to the last slide Selects last slide ( Slide Sorter view)

Ctrl + Shift + End Select or deselect all text from the cursor to the end of the paragraph (click within text container to establish the cursor location first)

Ctrl + Enter Switch to the next text placeholder in the presentation Add new slide if no more text placeholders exist

Ctrl + Left Arrow Cursor goes to the beginning of the previous word Nudge selected slide object leftwards, in smaller increments if the Snap to Grid option is enabled

Ctrl + Shift + Left Arrow Select or cancel selection for one word to the left (for text) Size selected object(s) thinner in smaller increments than Shift + Left Arrow

Ctrl + Right Arrow Move cursor to beginning of next word Nudge selected slide object rightwards, in smaller increments if the Snap to Grid option is enabled

Ctrl + Shift + Right Arrow Select or cancel selection for one word to the right (for text) Size selected object(s) thicker in smaller increments than Shift + Right Arrow

Ctrl + Up Arrow Move cursor, to start of existing paragraph, or start of previous paragraph Nudge selected slide object upwards, in smaller increments if the Snap to Grid option is enabled Scroll Notes upwards in Presenter view Move selected slide up within the Slides pane

Ctrl + Shift + Up Arrow Select or cancel selection for one paragraph above (for text) Size selected object(s) taller in smaller increments than Shift + Up Arrow Move selected slide to the first slide position within the Slides pane

Ctrl + Down Arrow Move cursor to start of next paragraph Nudge selected slide object downwards, in smaller increments if the Snap to Grid option is enabled Scroll Notes downwards in Presenter view Move selected slide down within the Slides pane

Ctrl + Shift + Down Arrow Select or cancel selection for one paragraph below (for text) Size selected object(s) shorter in smaller increments than Shift + Down Arrow Move selected slide to the last slide position within the Slides pane

Ctrl + click; then arrow Keys: Left , Right , Up , or Down Move/nudge chart in a direction

Ctrl + Page Up Scroll Notes one screenful upwards in Presenter view

Ctrl + Page Down Scroll Notes one screenful downwards in Presenter view

Ctrl + ] Ctrl + Shift + > Increase font size

Ctrl + [ Ctrl + Shift + < Decrease font size

Ctrl + < Adds new section

Ctrl + - (minus), Just – (minus) G Zoom out of a slide, or See all slides ( Slide Show view)

G Show all slides ( Slide Show view) Show all slides with active slide unaffected ( Presenter view)

Ctrl + + (plus), Just + (plus) Zoom in a Slide ( Slide Show view)

Ctrl + = Subscript selected text, or change subscripted text to normal text

Ctrl + Shift + = Superscript selected text, or change superscripted text to normal text

Ctrl + Shift + Alt + > Superscript selected text. Press multiple times to offset existing superscript or subscript higher

Ctrl + Shift + Alt + < Subscript selected text. Press multiple times to offset existing superscript or subscript lower

Function Key Shortcuts

F1 Open PowerPoint Help Window (all views except Slide Show view) Opens a list of Slide Show shortcut keys ( Slide Show view)

F2 Activate text editing in a text object such as a placeholder, box, or shape. Press F2 again to deactivate text editing and select the entire text object Rename Section (when a Section is selected in the Slides pane or in Slide Sorter view) Rename Slide Object (when a slide object is selected in the Selection Task Pane)

F5 View the Slide Show from first slide

Shift + F5 View Slide Show from the current slide onwards

F6 Moves among various panes, the QAT, and the Ribbon ( Normal view) Cycles between the Minimize button, the Pause button, and the Change text size button in the Notes pane (Presenter view)

F7 Spellcheck

Shift + F7 Thesaurus (opens when some text is selected on slide)

F12 Opens Save as dialog box

Shift + F12 Save (for presentations saved at least once) Opens Save as dialog box (for presentations never saved)

Alt Shortcuts

Alt Activate Access Keys on the Ribbon

Alt + A Access Animations tab of the Ribbon Read the next line in the Notes pane ( Presenter view)

Alt + F Alt + Shift + F Open Backstage view

Alt + G Access Design tab of the Ribbon

Alt + H Access Home tab of the Ribbon

Alt + J Access Contextual tabs of the Ribbon. The resultant tab depends on the type of slide object selected

Alt + K Access Transitions tab of the Ribbon

Alt + L Access Developer tab of the Ribbon ( if enabled )

Alt + M Access Slide Master tab of the Ribbon ( Slide Master view)

Alt + N Access Insert tab of the Ribbon

Alt + P Toggle between Play and Pause buttons for media (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Q Access the Tell Me help option ( Normal view) Stops media playback (works in Normal and Slide Show views) Read the next step, such as the next slide, the next animation, or the end of slide show ( Presenter view)

Alt + R Access Review tab of the Ribbon

Alt + S Access Slide Show tab of the Ribbon

Alt + U Mute (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + W Access View tab of the Ribbon ( Normal view) Read the elapsed time. The timer starts running as soon as you launch this view ( Presenter view)

Alt + Z Read the previous line in the Notes pane ( Presenter view)

Alt + Esc Switches to the next open application

Alt + F2 Opens Save As dialog box

Alt + F4 Close PowerPoint

Alt + F5 Opens Presenter view

Alt + F8 Show Macro dialog box

Alt + F9 Show/Hide Guides

Alt + Shift + F9 Show/Hide Rulers

Alt + F10 Show or Hide Selection Task Pane

Alt + F11 Access Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications environment

Alt + Shift + A Show all text or Headings ( Outline view)

Alt + Shift + C Pick up Animation attributes (activates the Animation Painter ). You can then click on any slide object to paste the copied Animation attributes.

Alt + Shift + D Show Header and Footer dialog box

Alt + Tab Switch to the next application. This is essentially a Microsoft Windows shortcut key

Alt + Shift + Tab Switch to the previous application. This is essentially a Microsoft Windows shortcut key

Alt + Shift + Left Arrow Promote, for selected text on the slide or in the Outline view. You can also place the cursor before the text Rewind active media clip (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Shift + Right Arrow Demote, for selected text on the slide or in the Outline view. You can also place the cursor before the text Fast forward active media clip (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Shift + Up Arrow Move up selected bulleted item or paragraph, on the slide, or in the Outline pane

Alt + Shift + Down Arrow Move down selected bulleted item or paragraph, on the slide, or in the Outline pane

Alt + Shift + 1 Hide everything except titles within the Outline view Collapse all groups within the Selection Task Pane (first, press F6 to move focus through major interface elements, until it is on the Selection Pane)

Alt + Shift + 9 Show all content within Outline view Expand all groups within the Selection Task Pane (first, press F6 to move focus through major interface elements, until it is on the Selection Pane)

Alt + Shift + + Expand text for selected slide title within Outline view

Alt + Shift + - Collapse text for selected slide title within Outline view

Alt + Shift + Page Down Seek media ahead; like a Forward button (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Shift + Page Up Seek media backwards; like a Rewind button (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + End Go to the next Bookmark for active media clip (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Home Go to the previous Bookmark for active media clip (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Up Arrow Keep both keys pressed to increase the volume for selected or playing media (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Down Arrow Keep both keys pressed to decrease the volume for selected or playing media (works in Normal and Slide Show views)

Alt + Left Arrow Rotate slide object counter-clockwise by 15 degrees

Alt + Right Arrow Rotate slide object clockwise by 15 degrees

Alt + - Bring up Windows restore, view, move, and close options. This is essentially a Microsoft Windows shortcut key

Alt + = Insert an equation if you are in text-editing mode (works in Normal view)

Shift Shortcuts

Shift Modifier with the Rectangle or Oval shape tools to draw a square or a circle Modifier with the Line tool to draw a straight line in 45 degree increments

Tab Move to the subsequent cell within a Table Activate the next option or option group within Dialog box Select next slide object on Slide (when one object is selected) Go to next hyperlink in Slide Show view (if hyperlinks exist) Cycle through tools within a region ( Presenter View) Promote, for selected text on the slide or in the Outline view. You can also place the cursor before the text

Shift + Tab Move to the preceding cell within a Table Activate the previous option or option group within Dialog box Select previous slide object on Slide (when one object is selected) Go to previous hyperlink in Slide Show view (if hyperlinks exist) Demote, for selected text on the slide or in the Outline view. You can also place the cursor before the text

Shift + Space Add a new line without extra paragraph spacing in a text box or any text container

Shift + F3 Cycle case of selected text (Sentence, Lowercase, and Uppercase). Won’t work for text set to All Caps in the Font dialog box; to bring up the Font dialog box, press the Ctrl + T shortcut key)

Shift + F4 Repeat last Find action, after the Find dialog box is closed

Shift + F6 Move to a pane from another pane in the program window (works counter-clockwise)

Shift + F9 Show or hide the grid

Shift + F10 Display the right-click contextual menu for the selected object

Shift + Left Arrow Select or deselect one character to the left (for text) Size selected object(s) thinner

Shift + Right Arrow Select or deselect one character to the right (for text) Size selected object(s) thicker

Shift + Up Arrow Select or deselect text one line up (for text) Size selected object(s) taller

Shift + Down Arrow Select or deselect text one line down (for text) Size selected object(s) shorter

Shift + Home Select or deselect text to the beginning of the line

Shift + End Select or deselect text to the end of the line

Other Shortcuts

Home Move cursor to beginning of current line of text Select first slide ( Slide Sorter view) Go to the first slide ( Slide Show view)

End Move cursor to end of current line of text Select last slide ( Slide Sorter view) Go to the last slide ( Slide Show view)

Page Up Move to previous slide ( Normal and Slide Show views)

Page Down Move to next slide ( Normal and Slide Show views)

Backspace Delete one character to the left (when text within a text box, placeholder, or shape is active)

Backspace , P , or Left Arrow Move to previous slide or previous animation ( Slide Show view)

Spacebar , N , or Right Arrow Move to next slide or next animation ( Slide Show view)

Delete Delete one character to the right (when text within a text box, placeholder, or shape is active)

<Number> + Enter Goes to the slide of that number ( Slide Show view)

B Pause the slide show and display a black screen. Press B again to resume the show ( Slide Show view)

E Erase on-screen annotations ( Slide Show view)

G Go to See All Slides or toggle back to previous view ( Slide Show view)

H Go to next hidden slide ( Slide Show view)

J Start Subtitles or toggle to not show subtitles ( Slide Show view)

M Use mouse-click to advance while rehearsing ( Slide Show view)

O Use original timings while rehearsing ( Slide Show view)

S or Pause Stop the show, and freeze the screen. Press S again to restart the show ( Slide Show view)

T Set new timings while rehearsing ( Slide Show view)

W Pause the show and display a white screen. Press W again to resume the show (in Slide Show view)

= Zoom in the slide (in Slide Show view)

- Zoom out of the slide (in Slide Show view)

Esc Cancel a menu or dialog box action End the slide show ( Slide Show view) Close the view ( Presenter view)

Enter Add text within selected object such as a shape or placeholder ( Normal view) Add a new, blank slide or a new, empty paragraph ( Outline view)

Left Arrow Move insertion point leftwards within text boxes and placeholders ( Normal view) Move insertion point leftwards, or to the immediate cell on the left in tables ( Normal view) Nudge selected slide object leftwards, in normal increments even if the Snap to Grid option is enabled ( Normal view) Select previous slide ( Slide Sorter view)

Right Arrow Move insertion point rightwards within text boxes and placeholders ( Normal view) Move insertion point rightwards, or to the immediate cell on the right in tables ( Normal view) Nudge selected slide object rightwards, in normal increments even if the Snap to Grid option is enabled ( Normal view) Select next slide ( Slide Sorter view)

Up Arrow Move insertion point upwards within text boxes and placeholders ( Normal view) Move insertion point upwards, or to the immediate cell above in tables ( Normal view) Nudge selected slide object upwards, in normal increments even if the Snap to Grid option is enabled ( Normal view) Select slide above ( Slide Sorter view)

Down Arrow Move insertion point downwards within text boxes and placeholders ( Normal view) Move insertion point downwards, or to the immediate cell below in tables ( Normal view) Nudge selected slide object downwards, in normal increments even if the Snap to Grid option is enabled ( Normal view) Select slide below ( Slide Sorter view)

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences Ebook

PowerPoint 365, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2011, 2010, 2007 and 2003 for Windows

PowerPoint 365, 2019, 2016 and 2011 for Mac

PowerPoint for the Web on Windows and Mac

Have you ever used keyboard shortcuts and sequences in PowerPoint? Or are you a complete keyboard aficionado? Do you want to learn about some new shortcuts? Or do you want to know if your favorite keyboard shortcuts are documented?

Go and get a copy of our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences ebook.

People Also Ask:

How do i use keyboard shortcuts in powerpoint.

Typically, all keyboard shortcuts use 2 or more keys that need to be pressed together. However, there are some single key shortcuts such as those used in PowerPoint's Slide Show view.

How do I create a keyboard shortcut in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint does not allow creation of keyboard shortcuts like you can in some other Microsoft Office programs.

Can I get a downloadable sheet of all keyboard shortcuts?

Yes, you can. We have an ebook version available.

02 01 01 - Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences: Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint (Glossary Page)

Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 365 for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2019 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2019 for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2016 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2016 for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2013 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2011 for Mac Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2010 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2007 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint 2003 for Windows Keyboard Shortcuts on Windows using PowerPoint for the Web Keyboard Shortcuts on Mac using PowerPoint for the Web

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How to Add a New Slide to PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a new slide to your PowerPoint presentation is easier than you think. If you’ve got your content ready and need to know how to insert a new slide, you’re in the right place. After reading this quick overview, you’ll be able to add a slide to your presentation like a pro!

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Add a New Slide to PowerPoint

Before diving into the details, let’s clarify what we’re about to achieve. Adding a new slide to your PowerPoint presentation helps you expand on your ideas and organize your content effectively. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

Open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to add a new slide.

Once you’ve opened your presentation, make sure you’re on the slide after which you want to insert the new one. This is important for keeping your presentation’s flow logical and seamless.

Step 2: Go to the Home Tab

Click on the “Home” tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.

The “Home” tab contains the most commonly used PowerPoint features, including the option to add a new slide. It’s like your trusty toolbox for all things PowerPoint.

Step 3: Click on “New Slide”

In the “Slides” group, click on “New Slide.”

You’ll see a dropdown menu with different slide layout options. Choose the layout that best fits the content you’ll be adding.

Step 4: Choose a Slide Layout

Select your desired slide layout from the dropdown menu.

Each layout has placeholders for various types of content, such as text, images, or charts. Consider what type of information you’ll be presenting when selecting your layout.

After completing these steps, you’ll see your brand new slide inserted into your presentation, ready for you to add your content.

Tips for Adding a New Slide to PowerPoint

• Use keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + M) to quickly add a blank new slide with the same layout as the previous one.
• Right-click between two slides in the slide sorter view to add a new slide in that specific location.
• Customize your new slide by adding background colors or images for a more visually appealing presentation.
• Use the slide master to create custom layouts that you can reuse throughout your presentation.
• Keep your slides consistent by using the same font styles and sizes across all slides.

Frequently Asked Questions About Adding a New Slide to PowerPoint

What is the quickest way to add a new slide.

The quickest way is to use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + M, which will add a new slide immediately after the selected one.

Can I add a new slide at the end of my presentation?

Yes, you can add a new slide at the end by clicking on “New Slide” when the last slide is selected.

How do I change the layout of a new slide?

After adding a new slide, right-click on it and select “Layout” to choose a different layout.

Can I duplicate an existing slide instead of adding a new one?

Absolutely! Right-click on the slide you want to duplicate and select “Duplicate Slide.”

How do I add multiple new slides at once?

You can’t add multiple slides at once, but you can duplicate an existing slide multiple times and then modify them as needed.

Summary of How to Add a New Slide to PowerPoint

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the “Home” tab.
• Click on “New Slide.”
• Choose a slide layout.

There you have it! Adding a new slide to your PowerPoint presentation is a simple task that can make a huge difference in how you convey your message. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effortlessly insert new slides wherever needed, ensuring your presentation is organized and engaging. Remember, the key is to keep your audience captivated, and a well-structured presentation is a crucial step in achieving that.

Additionally, the tips provided can help you enhance your PowerPoint skills, making your presentations stand out. Whether it’s through keyboard shortcuts or custom slide layouts, these little tweaks can save you time and add a professional touch.

Keep in mind the frequently asked questions as well, as they cover common concerns that arise when adding new slides. And, if you ever find yourself stuck, refer back to the summary for a quick reminder of the steps to take.

Creating a compelling PowerPoint presentation is an art, and like any artist, you need the right tools and techniques. Adding a new slide is just one of those essential skills that you now have up your sleeve. So, go ahead, give your presentations the structure and flair they deserve, and watch as your ideas come to life on the screen. Happy presenting!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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5 PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Start a Slide Show

Try These Useful PowerPoint Shortcuts to Start a Slide Show

by Avantix Learning Team | October 16, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can start a slide show in PowerPoint using several keyboard shortcuts. In this article, we'll review shortcuts to start a show using function keys or by using key tips.

Recommended article: How to Strikethrough or Cross Out Text in PowerPoint (4 Ways with Shortcuts)

If the function key shortcuts don't work, you may need to press the Fn key on your keyboard at the same time.

Typically, you would start a slide show from Normal View or Slide Sorter View. To exit a slide show, press ESC.

If Presenter View is selected on the Slide Show tab in the Ribbon, the show will start in Presenter View. If you have two monitors and Automatic is selected as the Monitor setting on the Slide Show tab, the show will display as a standard slide show on the second monitor and will display Presenter View on the presenter's screen by default.

1. Start a presentation from the beginning using a function key

2. start a presentation from the current slide using a function key.

Press Shift+F5.

3. Start the presentation in Presenter View using a function key

Press Alt + F5.

4. Start a presentation from the beginning using key tips

Press Alt > S > B (press Alt, then S, then B).

5. Start a presentation from the current slide using key tips

Press Alt > S > C (Alt, then S, then C).

There are many shortcuts you can use during a PowerPoint slide show as well. Check out the article PowerPoint Slide Show Shortcuts (50+ Keyboard Shortcuts).

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How to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint (4 Ways)

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How to Lock an Image, Shape or Other Object in PowerPoint

You can now lock an image, shape or other object in PowerPoint. Objects can be locked in Normal View or Slide Master View. Only PowerPoint 365 users can lock objects to prevent moving and resizing. This is helpful if you want to select and move other objects on the slide or prevent others from moving or resizing an object. You can lock items using the context menu or the Selection Pane.

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PowerPoint presentation shortcut keys

Use keyboard shortcuts to deliver PowerPoint presentations for good audience experience

Pranab Bala • March 14, 2020

Preparing good PowerPoint slides is the first thing for delivering an excellent presentation. Keyboard shortcuts comes very handy while delivering Presentations without stumbling or worrying about whats next. This article will cover the Keyboard Shortcuts to make presenter's life at ease. These are very easy to memorize if you practice once or twice. You may bookmark the page and use for quick reference before you start a new presentation

You may wish to Jump to:

Start presentation from current slide, start presentation from beginning, exit presentation mode, go to the first slide, go to the last slide, go to a specific slide, view all slides dialog showing list of titles, show context menu to choose action from, hide pointers, laser pointer, change pointer to arrow, change pointer to pen for annotation or freehand, hide annotation markup, change pointer to annotation eraser, delete or clear all on-screen annotation, display a blank black slide and back.

• Display a blank white slide and back
• Summary of Curated list of PowerPoint Keyboard shortcuts

Switch between Presentation and Normal Mode

Normal mode is the where we do all the editing. Sometime, we may need to come out of the presentation mode, quickly update it and jump back to the presentation mode.

Shift + F5 - If you are in editing mode (Normal Mode), you can start presenting right from that slide by pressing Shift and F5 key together. You may need to switch between the modes during preparation of the slides or to make some adjustment while presenting

F5 - Irrespective of what slide you are currently in, pressing F5 will start the presentation from the beginning

Esc - Anytime during presentation, pressing Esc key will stop presentation and take you to the Normal mode. It will show the slide that you were just before Esc. If you are using previous versions of PowerPoint, please try hyphen ( - )

Moving between slides while presenting

While presenting the slides, sometime, we need to jump around slides instead of sequences. This section covers most of the keyboard shortcuts used in navigation in slide show mode

Home - While presenting, if you need to start-over, pressing Home Button takes you to the very first slide

End - pressing End button anytime during the presentation, takes you to the last slide of the PowerPoint, while in presentation mode

Type the number and Press Enter - Sometimes you need to navigate to backup slides or appendixes. If you remember the slide number, you just need to type that number and press enter. You will not see the numbers on screen, while you type. But the trick will happen when you press enter. To come back to the current slide, you need to type the current slide number and press Enter or you can use Ctrl +S to see "Last Slide Viewed" as mentioned in View All Slides Dialog showing list of titles

Ctrl + S - While in presentation mode if you want to jump forward or backward and do not know the slide number then simply press Ctrl and S . This will show a list of slides that you can choose from. Alternatively, you can select a slide and click on Go To. Remembering this shortcut will save you in difficult times, when you forget any other shortcuts.

Shift+F10 - All actions on slides can be done using mouse after you see the context menu using this keyboard shortcut. This one is my favorite keyboard shortcut . When you forget all the shortcuts, remembering this one will stop you from failing. Though the pop-up on the screen might feel little less intuitive. But, it helps you to get back to your previous slide, start annotating on screen or make it blank

Annotations and pointers (arrow, Pen or Laser)

Pointers play an important role in presentation to glue audiences to the section of the slide where you need their attention. There various option to suit your need. You can also hide any pointers

Ctrl + H - This will hide pointer from the slide show. To bring back pointer you can use Ctrl + A or any of the keyboard shortcuts mentioned in the following sections

Ctrl + L - Pressing Ctrl and L change the pointer to Laser.

This is how it looks.

This tiny little Laser is the right pointer to draw attention of the audiences to particular part of screen

💡 Remember L for L aser

Ctrl + A - Arrow is the default pointer. Anytime, you want to change it back to Arrow use Ctrl + A

💡 Remember A for Arrow

Ctrl + P - This change the pointer to Pen with default color. You can start annotating or write on top of the presentation. When you stop presenting, you will get a popup on whether you want to save your scribble in the PPT. It saves the annotation as image objects and can be adjusted or deleted afterwards

💡 Remember P for P en

If you want to change pen color one option is to hover your mouse at the bottom left corner of the screen and you will notice very light panel floating. Click on the pen sign and it will pop-up the color panel. You can change color from there.

Sometimes, you might prefer a blank screen to draw or illustrate, rather than on the present slide. You can make your screen blank

You may Jump to the section for Black or white for annotation

Ctrl +M - This keyboard shortcut simply hide the the annotation that you have made. but do not delete those. anytime during presentation you can un-hide them again by pressing same Ctrl + M for the same slide

Ctrl + E - Pressing this keyboard shortcut sequences changes the pointer to Eraser. Please note that the eraser erases annotation when you press on top of the annotation one at a time.

💡 Remember E for E raser

E - Pressing E erases all annotations. This is irreversible. You cannot get back the annotation that you have erased

💡 Remember E for E rasing

Making screen Blank for Annotation

Sometimes, during presentation, you might need audience's attention and do not want them to look at the screen or you want to do annotation on a white or Black board. you can blank your screen

B - Pressing B in presentation mode makes the screen Black.

. or Period can be used to get back your slide on screen

💡 B for B lack slide

Display a blank White slide and back

W - Pressing W in presentation mode makes the screen Black.

, or comma can be used to return to the presentation from a blank white slide.

💡 W for W hite slide

Summary of Curated list of PowerPoint Keyboard shortcuts for presentation

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How to Create Custom Shortcuts for Microsoft Office PowerPoint

There are too many tools in Microsoft Products, and PowerPoint doesn’t fall short of it. If you often create presentations, you need to memorize the shortcuts for each or create your own shortcuts. This post will share two methods that will help you create custom shortcuts for Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

Why is Keyboard Shortcuts important?

Quickly accessing frequently used keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint is an excellent way to save time and increase productivity for many users. These shortcuts, which are usually built into your computer, toolbar, or program and can be hidden (or not), can be handy and time-saving.

Setting up custom keyboard shortcuts takes it one step ahead. You can work faster than what is usually offered and also change the pre-assigned shortcuts.

You can either use the built-in tool and or a third-party tool to customize it further.

• Microsoft Office Built-in Tool
• Shortcut Manager (Supports Macros)

Remember, Office already offers keyboard shortcuts that would get highlighted as soon as you press the ALT key.

1] Microsoft Office Built-in Tool

You can customize keyboard shortcuts (or shortcut keys) by assigning them to a command, macro, font, style, or frequently used symbol. You can also remove keyboard shortcuts. You can assign or remove keyboard shortcuts by using a mouse or just the keyboard.

Open Microsoft Office, and click on the Options menu, and then select Customize Ribbon (ALT+F+T)

At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts pane, select Customize.

In the Customize Keyboard window, Select an item in Categories, then one under Commands. Once you do that, the Current keys section will display all assigned keyboard shortcuts. Assign a new one, press the Ctrl key or a function key, and add additional alphabets to make it unique. Lastly, click on the Assign button, and save the changes.

2] Shortcut Manager (Supports Macros)

Shortcut Manager is an add-on for Microsoft Office Powerpoint, which lets you create Shortcut menu items and already recorded Macros.  Shortcut for Macros is handy as PowerPoint does not allow you to launch it directly, including the password-protected macros.

One of the annoyances of the PowerPoint Slide show is the escape key. Any slideshow when receives an Escape key input stops, and then you will have to launch and start from again manually. PowerPoint Shortcut Manager can block ESC Key and lets you replace it with a custom key combination to stop the slideshow.

How to create a shortcut using Shortcut Manager

Once installed, the software will be available in the Home Tab. When clicked, it will open a window with all possible menus in PowerPoint. They are organized similarly as it is available in PowerPoint.

Please select any of them, and then add your preferred keyboard shortcut. You can also set to catch the Escape key, which can exit the slideshow.

Here are some examples:

• F3 to let you start the slide show from the present slide
• Ctrl+Q to close all slide show windows
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+P to pause all slide shows
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+R to resume all slide shows
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T to toggle pause/running state of all slide shows
• Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left to go back through your presentation (restart animations)
• Ctrl+Alt+Left to view the last viewed slide in the same presentation
• Ctrl+R to restart the current slide (restart animations)

Download Shortcut Manager for PowerPoint .

Hi, Thanks for sharing this. However, I do not have customize button as you told in your article (“At the bottom of the Customize the Ribbon and keyboard shortcuts pane, select Customize.”). I have office 16 with office 365 subscription.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Content creation

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

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.

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.

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

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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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Create an Effective Slide Deck

A great presentation depends on more than the high-quality information you’re sharing. Here are some essential principles to help you create a memorable slide deck. Choose the right fonts. Use sans serif fonts like Helvetica or Arial for a minimal look and better readability. Stick to two font styles throughout your presentation—one for headings and another […]

A great presentation depends on more than the high-quality information you’re sharing. Here are some essential principles to help you create a memorable slide deck.

Source: This tip is adapted from “How to Make a ‘Good’ Presentation ‘Great’” by Guy Kawasaki

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Keyboard shortcuts in Windows

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. If you are trying to take a screenshot or screengrab, see How to take and annotate screenshots .

Click an option below, and it'll open to display a table of related shortcuts:

Copilot keyboard shortcuts

Copy, paste, and other general keyboard shortcuts, windows logo key keyboard shortcuts, command prompt keyboard shortcuts, dialog box keyboard shortcuts, file explorer keyboard shortcuts, virtual desktops keyboard shortcuts, taskbar keyboard shortcuts, settings keyboard shortcuts, additional keyboard shortcuts.

Keyboard shortcuts in apps

Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility

Keyboard shortcuts are keys or combinations of keys that provide an alternative way to do something that you’d typically do with a mouse. Click an option below, and it'll open to display a table of related shortcuts:

Keyboard shortcuts in Continuum for phones

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