start powerpoint presentation full screen

How To Full Screen In PowerPoint

In this tutorial by Regina Griffin, a teacher from Oregon, US, we will explore what full screen mode is, how it enhances presentations, and the simple steps to enter and exit full-screen mode.

Dive in and take your PowerPoint skills to the next level!

Key Takeaways:

What is full screen in powerpoint.

Full Screen in PowerPoint refers to the display mode where the presentation covers the entire screen, maximizing visibility for the audience.

Utilizing the Full-Screen view in PowerPoint can significantly elevate the impact of your presentation. By eliminating any distractions and focusing solely on the content, you ensure that your message is delivered clearly and effectively. This mode is particularly helpful in large auditoriums or online settings, where every pixel counts in engaging your viewers.

How Does Full-Screen Mode Help in Presentations?

Full-screen mode in PowerPoint aids presentations by eliminating distractions, focusing attention on the content, and providing a seamless viewing experience for the audience.

When presented in Full Screen Mode , the entire screen is utilized, ensuring that all eyes in the room are fixed on your slides and that your message is delivered clearly without any interference. By immersing the audience in the presentation, you create a more engaging atmosphere that captivates their interest and enhances information retention. The elimination of external elements like toolbars and taskbars allows the content to take center stage, emphasizing key points and graphics for better comprehension.

How to Enter Full-Screen Mode in PowerPoint?

To begin, open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the Slide Show tab located in the top menu bar. From there, click on the Set Up Slide Show option to access the various display settings. Within the Set Up Show dialog box, under the Show type section, select the Presented by a speaker(full screen) option to ensure the presentation fills the entire screen.

Step 1: Open the PowerPoint Presentation

To begin entering Full-Screen Mode in PowerPoint, open the desired presentation file on your device.

Once you have launched the PowerPoint software and accessed the file containing your slides, you are ready to move forward in presenting your work effectively. This initial step paves the way for a seamless transition into Full Screen Mode, optimizing your viewing experience and engaging your audience. By following these simple instructions, you are setting the stage for a polished and professional presentation that captivates your viewers. Remember, meticulous preparation and mastery of PowerPoint’s features are key to delivering impactful slideshows.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ Tab

Step 3: select ‘from beginning’ or ‘from current slide’.

Choose whether to start the presentation from the beginning of the current slide by selecting the appropriate option to proceed with Full Screen Mode in PowerPoint.

This decision can significantly impact the flow of your presentation, determining how smoothly the transitions between slides occur and how the timing is managed throughout your PowerPoint presentation.

How to Exit Full-Screen Mode in PowerPoint?

Alternatively, for those who prefer a visual cue, the ‘Exit’ button provides an on-screen control that can be easily accessed. By simply clicking on this button located strategically in the bottom right corner, users can smoothly exit Full-Screen Mode with minimal interruption to the flow of their presentation.

Option 1: Press the ‘Esc’ Key

To exit Full-Screen Mode in PowerPoint quickly, press the ‘Esc’ key on your keyboard to return to the regular view.

Option 2: Click on the ‘Exit’ Button in the Bottom Right Corner

Alternatively, to exit Full-Screen Mode, locate and click on the ‘Exit’ button positioned in the bottom right corner of the screen to transition back to the standard PowerPoint view.

What are the Keyboard Shortcuts for Full Screen in PowerPoint?

When presenting a PowerPoint slideshow, quick access to Full Screen Mode enhances the overall audience experience and minimizes distractions for the presenter. Plus ‘F5’ and ‘Esc’, other essential shortcuts include pressing ‘Ctrl+F’ to toggle Full-Screen Mode and using ‘Ctrl+S’ for Speaker Notes view. These shortcuts not only improve efficiency but also allow presenters to control the flow of their presentations effortlessly. By mastering these shortcuts, presenters can focus more on delivering engaging content rather than navigating through the software interface.

Enter Full-Screen Mode: F5

The ‘F5’ key not only maximizes your slides but also activates interactive features like animations, transitions, and embedded media to showcase your presentation dynamically. It serves as a fundamental tool for presenters looking to enhance the visual impact and overall professionalism of their slides.

Exit Full-Screen Mode: Esc

How to use the ‘presenter view’ in full screen mode.

Leveraging the Presenter View feature in Full Screen Mode enhances the presenter’s experience by providing additional tools, notes, and control options on a separate monitor for improved presentation management.

Step 1: Connect a Second Monitor

To enable Presenter View functionality in Full Screen Mode, connect a secondary monitor or projector to the device to access the extended display for presenter tools and notes.

Upon reaching the ‘Slide Show’ tab, look for the ‘Monitors’ group where you will spot the ‘Presenter View’ button. Click on it to initiate this feature, designed to offer presenters a comprehensive view of their presentation layout, tools, and speaker notes. Presenter View allows you to project slides for the audience while keeping notes and upcoming slides visible to the speaker. This ensures a smooth flow of the presentation, aiding in better timing and engagement with the audience.

Step 3: Select ‘Presenter View’ Option

Mastering Full-Screen Mode  in PowerPoint enables presenters to deliver engaging and visually immersive presentations that captivate audiences and convey information effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i fully screen a powerpoint presentation, to full-screen your powerpoint presentation, simply press the f5 key on your keyboard or click the “slide show” tab at the top of the screen and select “from beginning” or “from current slide.”, 2. can i fully screen a powerpoint presentation on a mac, yes, on a mac, you can full-screen a powerpoint presentation by pressing the command+enter keys on your keyboard or by clicking the green “full screen” button in the top left corner of the screen., 3. what if i want to exit full-screen mode during a powerpoint presentation, to exit full-screen mode during a powerpoint presentation, simply press the esc key on your keyboard or right-click on the slide and select “end show.”, 4. how do i control the slides while in full-screen mode, to control the slides while in full-screen mode, use the arrow keys on your keyboard or click the left and right arrows at the bottom of the screen., 5. can i use presenter view while in full-screen mode, yes, you can use presenter view while in full-screen mode. press the alt+f5 keys on your keyboard or click the “slide show” tab and select “presenter view.”, 6. what if my slides are not filling up the entire screen in full-screen mode, if your slides are not filling up the entire screen in full-screen mode, click the “slide show” tab and select “set up slide show.” then, under “multiple monitors,” select “all” and click “ok.” this should fill your slides to the entire screen during full-screen mode., similar posts, how to insert a row into a table in powerpoint, how to make a picture transparent in powerpoint, how to embed kahoot in powerpoint, how to wrap text around an image in powerpoint, how to create jigsaw puzzle in powerpoint, how to blur image in powerpoint.

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PowerPoint presentations in a window not full screen

PowerPoint presentations don’t have to be full-screen, that’s the default and normal way to show a deck, but a window option is also there.  A windowed presentation lets you display the slides in other software like virtual cameras or desktop capture.

Go to Slide Show | Setup Slide show and choose ‘Browsed by an individual (window)’.

The options are the same in PowerPoint for Windows or Mac.

Start the slide show (Slide Show | From Beginning or From Current Slide) as usual except now it appears in a resizable window.

Windowed presentation controls

There are back and forward slide buttons on the bottom status bar (see above).

Click on the icon between those two buttons to see some more options.

The same options appear if you right-click in the presentation while windowed.

• Next / Previous
• Go to Slide – choose a slide from the flyout list.
• Go to Section – for decks in Sections
• Zoom In / Zoom Out
• Print Preview and Print
• Edit Slides
• Full Screen

It would be really nice if Presenter View could appear in a second window – but alas it’s not an option. That would let the use control the presentation properly while the slides appear in another window (which could be visible via a third-party tool).

Switching Full Screen and window slide show

Starting from a windowed presentation means you can switch between Full Screen and the window presentation without showing the entire PowerPoint menus etc.  It’s a little neater and more professional.

Go to Full Screen from the menu option.

In Full Screen mode press Escape to return to the windowed presentation.

Why use a windowed PowerPoint presentation?

Having the slides in a resizable window gives you options not available when the deck is taking up the whole screen.

Perhaps you’re demonstrating some software?  Have the presentation in one window and the software in another? See A better Side-by-Side document view for Windows and Mac to see how to use windows controls in Windows or Split View on a Mac.

A windowed presentation can be selected as an input option for a virtual camera or other service which lets you choose to display a selected running program.  Full screen PowerPoint can’t be selected but the same slide can be chosen from a windowed presentation.

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How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen: A Step-by-Step Guide for Presentation Perfection

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of nailing a presentation. When you open your PowerPoint and see all your hard work sprawled neatly on a full screen, ready to capture your audience’s attention—it’s a game-changer. Navigating PowerPoint’s settings to make your presentation full-screen is quick and easy , and the payoff is absolutely worth it.

Now, you might be thinking, “How do I actually do this?” It doesn’t have to be a hassle. Simply go to the “Slide Show” tab and click “From Beginning” to make your presentation full screen. Pressing the F5 key is another quick shortcut that’ll have your slides in full glory right away. This ensures every pixel of your screen is utilized, making your presentation look professional and engaging.

Having your PowerPoint in full screen not only enhances visual appeal but also keeps your audience’s focus right where you want it. There’s no better way to ensure nothing distracts from your impressive content. Trust me, mastering this small trick deliver massive gains during presentations.

• 1.1 Using the Design Tab and Slide Master
• 1.2 Incorporating Transitions and Animations
• 1.3 Optimizing Content and Aspect Ratio
• 2.1 Navigating Full Screen and Presenter View
• 2.2 Leveraging Keyboard Shortcuts for Efficiency
• 3.1 Customizing Slide Size and Orientation
• 3.2 Dealing with Different Monitor Setups

Crafting Compelling PowerPoint Slides

Creating engaging and visually appealing PowerPoint slides involves utilizing various features within the software. From the Design Tab to Slide Master and content optimization , each aspect plays a crucial role in delivering an impactful presentation.

Using the Design Tab and Slide Master

To design striking slides, the Design Tab is your go-to tool. Here, you can adjust the slide size to standard (4:3) or widescreen (16:9) formats, catering to different projectors or screens.

For custom dimensions , select “Custom Slide Size” to set your preferred width and height.

Slide Master helps maintain a cohesive look across all slides. By editing the Slide Master , you can control fonts, colors, and layouts consistently, ensuring your presentation looks professional and unified. You can also add logos, headers, or footers that appear on every slide.

These tools are essential for setting up a solid foundation for your slides.

Incorporating Transitions and Animations

Transitions and animations can bring your slides to life, but use them sparingly to avoid distraction. Under the Transitions Tab , you can choose effects like Fade , Wipe , or Push to smoothly segue between slides.

In the Animations Tab , you can animate text or objects. Start by selecting what you want to animate, then pick an effect.

Keep transitions and animations relevant to the content. For example, use a subtle Fade for moving between points in a serious presentation. Over-the-top effects can feel gimmicky, reducing the presentation’s impact.

Optimizing Content and Aspect Ratio

Ensuring your content is clear and fits well on the screen is key. First, match your slide size with the aspect ratio of the screen or projector you’ll use. Choose between Standard (4:3) or Widescreen (16:9) formats by going to the Design Tab and clicking Slide Size .

For best results, select Ensure Fit to adjust the content to your chosen slide size without distortion. If details are paramount, opt for Maximize to utilize the entire screen space.

Keep text concise and highlight key points with bullet lists or bold text. Images and graphics should be high-resolution to avoid pixellation. This way, your presentation remains visually appealing and easily comprehensible.

Mastering Presentation Delivery

Achieving full command over your PowerPoint presentation helps present ideas effectively and keeps the audience focused. Here, I’ll guide you on how to navigate Full Screen and Presenter Views and leverage keyboard shortcuts.

Navigating Full Screen and Presenter View

Full Screen Mode allows the slides to occupy the entire screen, perfect for audience engagement. When you’re ready to begin, simply open your presentation, click on the “Slide Show” tab , and choose “From Beginning” or “From Current Slide” . Pressing the F5 key will achieve the same result.

Switching to Presenter View offers some crucial advantages. This view displays your notes and upcoming slides on your screen while the audience only sees the current slide. To activate it, press Alt + F5 . This way, you can smoothly transition between different parts of your slide show, maintaining eye contact and connection with your audience.

Exiting full screen or presenter view is straightforward – just hit the Esc key or click the Exit button on your screen’s bottom-right corner.

Leveraging Keyboard Shortcuts for Efficiency

When dealing with tight schedules, you need every edge you can get. Keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint significantly speed up your workflow. Here are some essential ones :

These shortcuts allow you to manage your presentation without fuss, keeping things smooth and professional. Start refining your approach with these tools and experience a more streamlined, effective presentation delivery.

Expanding Your Skill Set with Advanced Features

Mastering full-screen mode in PowerPoint can greatly enhance your presentations. Besides the basic tools, advanced features like customizing slide size and managing different monitor setups can ensure your presentation looks polished and professional.

Customizing Slide Size and Orientation

Adjusting slide size and orientation helps in fitting your content perfectly on different screens. Let’s start by going to the Design tab and clicking on Slide Size in the ribbon menu.

You have options like 4:3 (standard) and 16:9 (widescreen). Select the one that suits your presentation environment, whether it’s a projector or a monitor.

To avoid letterboxing, choose Ensure Fit if you’re not sure about the screen’s aspect ratio. For a specific audience setup, Maximize can be a better option. This adjustment also supports various devices, making your presentation more engaging.

Dealing with Different Monitor Setups

Managing multiple monitors or various display settings can be tricky. When presenting with two monitors, configure your Slide Show tab under “Set Up Slide Show.” Select “Presented by a speaker (full screen)” to control which screen shows the full presentation.

For a seamless experience, check your display settings beforehand. Adjust the view options to manage and position your PowerPoint window effectively. Use the Windows key + P to easily switch between display modes.

By customizing these settings, I ensure my presentations are smooth, whether I’m using an extended monitor or a projector. This preparation is crucial for maintaining a professional and engaging presentation.

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How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen (Step by Step)

Making your PowerPoint presentation full screen is a simple but effective way to create a focused and engaging experience for your audience. By maximizing content visibility and eliminating distractions, you can ensure that your message is received loud and clear.

Whether you're a seasoned presenter or a beginner, this article will walk you through the steps of making your PowerPoint full screen, so you can deliver a polished and professional presentation with ease.

Part1: How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen Easily

Creating a PowerPoint presentation in full-screen mode is a simple process, and I'll provide a step-by-step tutorial below.

Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint and open the presentation you want to view in full-screen mode.

Step 2 : Enter SlideShow Mode

To enter full-screen mode, you can use any of these methods:

Click on the "Slide Show" tab in the ribbon at the top of the window and then click "From Beginning."

Press the F5 key on your keyboard.

Alternatively, you can press the Shift + F5 keys to start the slide show from the current slide.

Step 3: Navigate Through Your Presentation

While in full-screen mode, you can use various methods to navigate through your slides:

Click your mouse or press the Spacebar or Enter key to advance to the next slide.

Press the Backspace or Left Arrow key to go back to the previous slide.

Use the keyboard's number keys to jump to a specific slide. For example, press "3" to go to slide 3.

Step 4 : End the Slide Show

To exit full-screen mode and return to normal editing mode, you can:

Press the Esc key on your keyboard.

Right-click anywhere on the screen and select "End Show."

And that's it! Your PowerPoint presentation should now be in full-screen mode, and you can easily navigate through your slides using the provided methods.

Part2: How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen on Projector

Making a PowerPoint presentation full screen on a projector is a common requirement for meetings and presentations. Below, I'll provide a step-by-step tutorial on how to achieve this.

Step 1: Connect Your Projector

Connect your projector to your computer using the appropriate cables (HDMI, VGA, etc.). Ensure that both the projector and your computer are powered on.

Step 2: Configure Display Settings

Right-click on your desktop and select "Display settings."

In the Display settings window, you'll see two displays - your computer screen and the projector (or second display).

Make sure the "Multiple displays" dropdown menu is set to "Duplicate" or "Second screen only" depending on your preference. "Duplicate" will mirror your computer screen on the projector, while "Second screen only" will use the projector as the main display.

Step 3 : Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint and open the presentation you want to display.

Step 4 : Enter SlideShow Mode

Step 5 : Navigate Through Your Presentation

While in full-screen mode, you can navigate through your slides as explained in Part 1 of this tutorial.

Step 6 : End the Slide Show

By following these steps, you should be able to make your PowerPoint presentation full screen on a projector.

Part3: The Shortcut Key for Starting the Slideshow

Here are the shortcut keys for starting a PowerPoint slideshow from both the beginning and the current slide on both Windows and macOS:

F5: Start the slideshow from the beginning.

Shift + F5: Start the slideshow from the current slide.

Play Slideshow from Beginning:

Shift + Command + Return: Start the slideshow from the beginning.

Fn + Shift + F5: Start the slideshow from the beginning.

Play Slideshow from Current Slide:

Shift + Command + Return: Start the slideshow from the current slide.

These shortcut keys allow you to quickly initiate a PowerPoint slideshow, whether you want to begin from the start or the current slide, and they work on both Windows and macOS platforms.

Part4: Best Alternative — WPS Office

Microsoft Office has been the market leader in office productivity software for decades, offering robust applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. However, with the rise of cloud-based solutions and the increasing demand for cost-effective options, free alternatives like WPS Office have gained popularity.

Why should you choose WPS Office as an alternative to Microsoft Office?

Here are the answer:.

● Free to use Word, Excel, and PPT. Powerful PDF toolkit

● Rich template store, which contains various free and paid templates for Word, PPT, and Excel

●  Rich functions

● The light weight of the product is only 200M, and it occupies a small amount of computer memory. It is suitable for Win7, 10, and 11

● The MAC version of WPS Office is very powerful. Microsoft office ignores the experience of mac users, which can be made up by wps office

● Support online documents (WPS AirPage), multi-person collaborative editing

● WPS office also supports Linux systems, Android, and ios systems. To use WPS office products on different systems, you only need to log in to the same account, and all files can be synchronized

Creating a PowerPoint-like presentation with WPS Office and utilizing features like image-based storytelling, progressive image reveal, comparison slides, and virtual tours is a great way to engage your audience. Here's a step-by-step tutorial on how to make PowerPoint-style presentations with WPS Office:

Step 1 : Open WPS Presentation and creating a New Presentation

Step 2: Create Your Presentation

Create your presentation in WPS Presentation, including your slides, images, and content. You can use the features like image-based storytelling, progressive image reveal, comparison slides, and virtual tour to enhance your presentation as per your requirements.

Image-Based Storytelling

To create image-based storytelling slides:

Insert images into your slides that correspond to different parts of your story.

Add text, captions, or descriptions to explain the images.

Use transitions and animations to make the storytelling engaging.

Progressive Image Reveal

To create slides with progressive image reveals:

Add your main image to the slide.

Duplicate the slide.

On the duplicated slide, use an object (e.g., a shape) to cover part of the image.

Add animations to the object (e.g., "Appear" animation) and set delays for each slide to reveal the image progressively.

Comparison Slides

To create comparison slides:

Use tables or split your slide into multiple sections to show comparisons side by side.

Add text and graphics to highlight the differences or similarities between the elements you're comparing.

Step 3 : Save Your Presentation

After creating your presentation, make sure to save your work to avoid losing any changes. Click on 'File' in the top menu, then select 'Save' or 'Save As' to save your presentation file.

Step 4:  Full Screen Mode

To view your presentation in full-screen mode:

Click on the "Slide Show" option in the top menu.

Select "From Beginning" to start the presentation from the beginning.

Step 5: Press "Esc" on your keyboard to exit full-screen mode.

You feel WPS Office is the best choice for you and want to download? Don’t worry, below is step by step how to download WPS Office:

Step 1: Visit the WPS Office website: wps.com .

Step 2: Click “ Free Download” button

Step 3: Select the place you want to save WPS Office -> Save

Step 4: Double click on the WPS Office file in your Download file, click “Run” and follow the on-screen instructions to install

Step 5: After complete, you can enjoy all the power of WPS Office

Use Word, Excel, and PPT for FREE, No Ads.

Edit PDF files with the powerful PDF toolkit.

Microsoft-like interface. Easy to learn. 100% Compatibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: how to use the presenter view in powerpoint.

A: To use the presenter view in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Connect your computer to a projector or external display.

Start your PowerPoint presentation.

Click the "Slide Show" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.

Click "Presenter View."

The presenter view will display on your computer screen, showing the current slide, the next slide, speaker notes, and presentation controls.

Use this view to control your presentation while the audience sees only the slide.

Q: How can I resize an image while keeping the aspect ratio the same?

A: To resize an image while maintaining the aspect ratio in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Select the image you want to resize.

Click and drag one of the corner handles of the image while holding down the Shift key on your keyboard.

This will resize the image proportionally, ensuring that the aspect ratio remains the same.

Q: How do I insert a page number in a WPS presentation?

A: To insert a page number in a WPS Presentation, follow these steps:

Click the "Insert" tab in the WPS Presentation toolbar.

Select "Page Number."

Choose the desired page number format and location (e.g., top or bottom of the slide).

The page number will be inserted into your presentation.

The article "How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen" provides a step-by-step guide for easily entering full-screen mode in PowerPoint, facilitating seamless presentations. Notably, WPS Office offers a robust alternative for creating PowerPoint presentations, with features such as image-based storytelling and progressive image reveal.With WPS Office, users can make their presentations captivating and engaging by following simple steps for entering full-screen mode. Download WPS Office now.

• 1. 3 Easy Ways to Record Your Screen on Windows 10
• 2. How to Screen Record Using WPS Office: A Comprehensive Guide
• 3. How to Fix Windows Blue Screen of Death Error [Updated 2024]
• 4. Best Screen Recorders for Linux System (A Complete Guide)
• 5. Top 5 Free Screen Recording Software for Windows
• 6. 3 Best Free Screen Recorders for Mac (in 2024)

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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen

How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen

PowerPoint presentations are presented in full screen Slide Show mode. There are different ways to make full screen PPT slideshows, including making files that automatically start your PowerPoint templates as a slideshow.

How to Make a PowerPoint Full Screen

Quickly start a slideshow using hotkey or slide show button.

The easiest way to switch to Slide Show mode is to click the Slide Show button at the bottom of the Start from beginning button, which is often located in the Quick Access Toolbar. You can also use the F5 key to start your slideshow. For different laptop models, you might require using the FN+F5 hotkey.

Start a Slide Show from the Beginning or Current Slide

Another way to start the slideshow is to go to Slide Show -> From Beginning or Current Slide . As the names suggest, these options enable you to start the slideshow from the start or the current slide.

Create a Custom Slide Show

You can select specific slides to start your slideshow with content you can handpick for a specific audience. Simply go to Slide Show -> Custom Slide Show -> Custom Shows .

A new dialog box will appear. Click New to proceed with creating a custom show.

Select the slides you want to include in your slideshow and click Add . You can use the buttons on the right to move slides up or down or remove slides. Once your slides are selected, click OK .

Click Show to start your custom slideshow, or go to Slide Show -> Custom Slide Show to select and run it.

Create a Slide Show File

To create a file that directly opens as a slideshow in fullscreen mode, go to File -> Save As .

Save the file in PPS, PPSX, or the macro-enabled PPSM format. Compared to Google Slides templates, PowerPoint users have a variety of slideshow-making file format options.

Once you click a PPS, PPSX, or PPSM file, it will open as a slideshow automatically in full-screen mode. The macro-enabled PPSM format is helpful if you have macros set up in your presentation file. PPS is the older version of the slideshow file and is best suited for older PowerPoint versions (PowerPoint 1997-2003 format), whereas PPSX is the newer version compared to the PPS format. 

How to Exit PowerPoint Full Screen Mode

You can end a slideshow anytime to exit full-screen mode by hitting the Esc key or selecting End Show from the right-click context menu.

Final Words

PowerPoint presentations are always played in slideshow mode for an audience, which is the standard method. However, PowerPoint newbies can find it confusing to start a slideshow from the beginning, current slide, or create a custom show. The options mentioned above can help you choose what method you want to use to start your slideshow, including using a slideshow file as a PPS, PPSX, or PPSM file.

For more tips about how to best present PowerPoint files, see our tutorials regarding how to start a presentation and how to end a presentation .

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How to Fill Screen in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Filling the screen in PowerPoint is a simple task. Open your presentation, go to the “Design” tab, and click on the “Slide Size” button. Choose “Standard” or “Widescreen” and select “Ensure Fit” or “Maximize” to make your content fill the screen.

After completing this action, your PowerPoint slides will occupy the entire screen during a presentation, providing a more professional and engaging experience for your audience.

Introduction

When it comes to presentations, the visual aspect is nearly as crucial as the content itself. A well-designed slide can captivate your audience, keep them engaged, and make your message more memorable. That’s where PowerPoint comes in handy. It’s a powerful tool used by professionals, educators, and students worldwide to create dynamic presentations. However, a common hiccup many encounter is ensuring that the content on their slides fills the screen properly.

This is important because slides that don’t fill the screen can appear unprofessional and can distract the audience from the content. It’s relevant to anyone using PowerPoint to ensure their presentations look polished and professional. Knowing how to adjust the slide size to fill the screen is a simple yet essential skill that can make a significant difference in the presentation’s impact.

Step by Step Tutorial to Fill Screen in PowerPoint

Before diving into the tutorial, it’s crucial to understand what these steps will accomplish. By following the steps below, you will be able to resize your PowerPoint slides so that they fill the entire screen when presented, enhancing the visual appeal and professionalism of your presentation.

Step 1: Open Design Tab

Open your PowerPoint presentation and click on the “Design” tab at the top of the window.

The Design tab houses the tools you need to modify the overall look of your presentation, including the slide size option.

Step 2: Click on Slide Size

In the Design tab, locate and click on the “Slide Size” button, often found on the right side of the ribbon.

This will open a dropdown menu with different size options for your slides.

Step 3: Choose Size

From the dropdown menu, select either “Standard” (4:3) or “Widescreen” (16:9) depending on the aspect ratio you prefer.

The Standard size is ideal for older monitors, while Widescreen fits better on modern, wide displays.

Step 4: Select Option

After choosing the size, you’ll be prompted to select between “Maximize” or “Ensure Fit.”

“Maximize” will increase the size of your slide content to fill the screen, while “Ensure Fit” will make sure all content fits on the slide without being cut off.

Additional Information

While the steps above will help your slides fill the screen, there are a few more things to keep in mind. For instance, always preview your presentation on the actual screen you’ll be using, if possible. This can help you catch any issues with how your slides appear. Keep in mind that images and graphics should be high-resolution to avoid pixelation when enlarged.

Also, when choosing between “Maximize” and “Ensure Fit”, consider the content of your slides. If you have critical information near the edges, “Ensure Fit” might be the safer option to avoid having any content cut off. Additionally, if you’re collaborating with others, ensure everyone is using the same slide size settings to maintain consistency across the presentation.

Remember, the goal is to make your presentation as impactful as possible, so don’t overlook the importance of a well-fitted slide.

• Open Design Tab
• Click on Slide Size
• Choose Size
• Select Option

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between standard and widescreen in powerpoint.

Standard (4:3) is the traditional aspect ratio for slides, suitable for older monitors and projectors, while Widescreen (16:9) is tailored for modern, wide displays.

Will changing the slide size affect my existing content?

Changing the slide size can reposition or resize content, so you might need to adjust your slides after the change.

Can I customize the slide size beyond the Standard and Widescreen options?

Yes, PowerPoint allows you to input custom dimensions for your slides if the default options don’t meet your needs.

What should I do if my images become pixelated after resizing?

Ensure your images are high-resolution before inserting them into your slides, which can help reduce pixelation when they’re enlarged.

Is it better to use Maximize or Ensure Fit?

It depends on your content. Use Maximize to fill the screen but be wary of content being cut off. Ensure Fit is safer for keeping all content visible.

Filling your PowerPoint slides to fit the screen is more than just a cosmetic adjustment; it’s a crucial step in ensuring your presentation makes the maximum impact. Whether you’re in a boardroom, classroom, or any other setting, the ability to command your audience’s attention through a well-executed, visually engaging presentation is invaluable.

Keep practicing, tweaking, and perfecting your skills in PowerPoint, and you’ll find yourself delivering memorable, professional presentations each time. If you’ve found this guide on how to fill the screen in PowerPoint helpful, consider exploring more advanced features to further enhance your presentations and captivate your audience.

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.

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How To Make Powerpoint Full Screen? A Complete Guide With Pictures

• October 4, 2023

While presenting a PowerPoint presentation, the slides do not appear full screen and often leave blank spaces. Though the full screen does not add any extra value, it embellishes the overall appearance of your presentation. The presentation appears most defined and crisp in full screen. 

So, how to make PowerPoint Fullscreen? Users will get different slide size options by clicking the Slide Size tab. The Widescreen (16:9) option made my PowerPoint slide Fullscreen. Users must explore the options and see which makes their slide Fullscreen.

Follow the steps stated below to get a detailed idea of keeping the slides fullscreen in PowerPoint presentations.

How To Make Powerpoint Full Screen? Step-by-Step Guide

Well, there are two methods you can use to keep the slides full-screen while presenting them. You can follow any of the processes and get full-screen slides.

[Note: I have attached demo pictures. The tasks are done in PowerPoint 2013. You can follow the steps in any PowerPoint version. The interface is quite the same for all the versions. ]

Method 1: Setting the Aspect Ratio

There is a default aspect ratio setting for the PowerPoint slide. In this process, we will adjust the aspect ratio as per the device so that no blank space appears. 

• Step 1: Open the PowerPoint

First, Launch the PowerPoint app and create your slides. To launch, press the “ Window ” key and search for PowerPoint. Click the PowerPoint Icon to open the software. 

Picture: A normal PowerPoint Slide

• Step 2: Open The Design Tab

Now, go to the design tab and click it. Once you click the design tab, you will see a toolbar named slide size . 

Picture: Design and Slide Size tab

• Step 3: Go for the Slide Size Option

Click the slide size option. Upon clicking, you will see three options: Standard (4:3), Widescreen (16:9), and Custom Slide Size . 

Picture: Slide Size Options

• Step 4: Click the Options to Determine which keep the Slides Full Screen 

Click any options (4:3 or 16:9) and then go to the toolbar below called Slide Show . Click the slide show button and see if the slide appears Full Screen. 

Picture: The Slide Show Tab

• Step 5: The Widescreen (16:9) Worked for me

On my device, when I click the Standard (4:3) size, there remain blank spaces, and the slide does not appear full-screen. But when I click the Widescreen (16:9) option, the slide does appear full-screen. 

Picture: Upon clicking the Standard (4:3) size, there remain black spaces

Picture: Upon Clicking the Widescreen (16:9), there remain no blank spaces

• Step 6: If Nothing Makes Your Slide Full Screen, Go For Custom Slide Size 

You must determine which size creates a full-screen appearance on your device and determine the size accordingly. You can also customize the slide size through the Custom Slide Size . When I clicked the Widescreen option, the slide size was: width: 10.333 inches, height: 7.5 inches. 

• Step 7: Now, Return Back 

Double-click or press ESC to return from the full screen. 

You can follow the YouTube link below for a better understanding: 

Method 2: Through the Slide Master Option

Apart from the aspect ratio setting, there is another way that we will discuss in the following steps.

• Step 1: Find The View Option 

Click the View option from the toolbar. 

Picture: View option

• Step 2: Click View Option and Look for the Slide Master

When you click the View option, you will see an option named Slide Master . Click on the option. 

Picture: Slide Master option

• Step 3: Find the Slide Size Option

Now, click the Slide Master, and another option will refer to Slide Size . 

Picture: Slide Size 

• Step 4: Explore The Slide Size Options

Again, when you click on the slide size , there will be three options: Standard (4:3), Widescreen (16:9), and Custom Slide Size. You will get the full-screen view if you choose the Widescreen (16:9) option. You have to select a suitable option for your device. 

Picture: The slide appeared full screen upon choosing the Widescreen (16:9) option. 

• Step 5: Return To Your Home Page

[Note: To see whether the slide appears full screen, click a taskbar placed below in the screen, named Slide Show.]

Picture: Slide show option

The audience does not care whether you are in a windowed or full screen while presenting. Yet the full-screen mode has some perks of its own. First things first, the full-screen mode looks way more satisfying and presentable. 

You can open two windows side by side, where there will be a full-screen presentation in one window. And in another window, you can keep your notes. This way, your notes remain unshared.

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How to Present a PowerPoint Slideshow (w/ Shortcuts)

• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Shortcuts & Hacks
• May 11, 2019

There are a variety of ways to start a PowerPoint presention, depending on:

• Where you start your presentation (from beginning or from current)
• Which PowerPoint view you prefer to present in (Slide Show view or Presenter view)
• How comfortable you are with keyboard shortcuts

Why would Microsoft include so many ways to present a presentation? My guess is that everyone learns PowerPoint differently, and has personal presentation styles.  The more options you have, the easier your life will be as there will always be a way to start your presentation the way you want to (or jump back into it when you need to).

See all the options below and find the method that works best for you and let the slide show begin !

NOTE: If you are running two presentations side-by-side, each presentation needs to be started as it’s own slide show. To see how to set up two PowerPoint presentations to run side-by-side like this before you start your slide show, read my guide here .

Table of Contents

Start slide show from beginning.

To start a slideshow from the beginning of your presentation using the ribbon, simply.

• Navigate to the  Slide Show tab
• Select  From Beginning

Selecting  From Beginning  starts your presentation from the very first non-hidden slide in your presentation, regardless of which slide you are currently inside of your deck.

You can also start your slide from the beginning of your presentation by hitting the Slideshow From Beginning keyboard shortcut,  F5 .

Regardless of which method you use, this is the classic way to start your presentation in full screen from your first title slide (regardless of where you are in your slide deck).

Let the slide show begin!

NOTE: To expand your knowledge and learn how to use PowerPoint’s FREE and HIDDEN built-in laser pointer to point things out during your presentation, read my guide here .

Take your PPT skills to the next level

Start slide show from current.

To begin your slide show from the slide you are currently on using the ribbon, simply

• Navigate to the Slide Show tab
• Select  From Current Slide

Selecting From Current Slide starts your slide show from whatever slide you are currently on, even if the slide is hidden.

You can also start your slide from the current slide you are on by hitting the  Shift+F5  keyboard shortcut.

Because it’s often easiest to catch errors when building your slides in this full screen mode, I highly recommend learning the  Shift+F5  shortcut and using it frequently as you build your slides to spot them for errors.

If you don’t want to bother learning the From Current Slide shortcut, you can also start your slideshow by clicking the  Slide Show  icon at the bottom of your screen.

This is a fantastic way to spot check your slides as you are building them. On top of that, it’s a fast and uncomplicated way to re-start your presentation from where you left off after demoing something on screen.

Start a mini-slide show in PowerPoint

You can also use the following hidden PowerPoint shortcut to run a mini slide show over the top of your current deck.

To run a mini slide show, simply:

• Hold down the  Alt key  on your keyboard
• With your mouse, click the  Slide Show  icon

Doing so starts a small slide show of your presentation that you can see below, from the current slide you are on.

Presenter View

The Presenter View is an alternate way to run your presentation in PowerPoint. In this view, your slides are projected on screen, and the details of your presentation are displayed on your computer as pictured below.

The presenter view includes your next (non-hidden) slides that is coming up, your current slide projected on screen, how long you’ve been talking and your speaker notes.

To launch the  Presenter View  from the beginning of your presentation using your Ribbon, simply:

• Navigate to the  Slide Show  tab
• Hold down the  Alt key on  your keyboard
• Click  From Beginning

Holding down the  Alt key  and clicking  From Beginning , the Presenter View will launch from the very first (non-hidden) slide in your presentation.

You can also launch the presenter view from the beginning of your presentation at any time by clicking Alt + F5  on your keyboard.

Start Presenter View in PowerPoint From Current Slide

Did you know that you can access different views in PowerPoint by adding keys as you click commands in the PowerPoint ribbon?

To start the Presenter view from your current slide using your Ribbon, simply:

• Hold down the Alt key on your keyboard
• Click  From Current Slide

Holding the Alt key and clicking From Current Slide launches the Presenter View from your current slide. So, this is another way you can quickly practice your presentation, see your speaker notes and see what’s coming up next.

You can also launch the Presenter View from the beginning of your presentation at any time by hitting Alt+F5 on your keyboard.

Showing and Hiding Presenter View

Regardless of which view you start your PowerPoint slide show; you can switch between the two different slide show views without exiting presentation.

To switch between the two slideshow views (while giving your presentation), simply:

• Right-click your slide in whichever presentation view you are currently in
• Select either Show Presenter View or Hide Presenter View

When would you use a feature like this during a presentation? One example is if you want to view your notes without leaving the slide show mode.

NOTE: The letter r  for both  Show Presenter View  and  Hide Presenter View  is underlined. This means that it is a keyboard shortcut. So, if you want to quickly flip between these two presentation views, you can simply right-click your slide and hit the letter r on your keyboard. Doing so automatically switches the view you are in.

Controlling how your presentation runs

Another way to control how your presentation runs (including the default laser pointer and pen color), is the Set Up Slide Show dialog box.

To open the  Set Up Slide Show  dialog box, simply:

• Select the  Set Up Slide Show  command

Doing so, opens all your PowerPoint slide show settings and options as pictured below.

Inside the slide show settings dialog box, you can select:

• How your presentation runs (full screen, window or in kiosk mode).
• Your default pen and laser pointer color options ( see our laser pointer article here ).
• Which slide you want start from, or which slides you want to show. You can also setup a custom show here.
• How your slides progress (manually or using slide timings).
• Which of your computer monitors (or screens) your slide show runs on.

The  Set Up Slide Show dialog box is also the secret to running multiple presentations at the same time in PowerPoint. To expand your knowledge and learn how to set this up, read our guide here .

Setup Slide Show SECRET Shortcut

To use the SECRET shortcut to open the Set Up Slide Show dialog box, simply:

• Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard
• With your mouse, click the Reading View icon at the bottom of your screen

This is useful when you need to quickly cycle through lots of PowerPoint presentations and change how those presentations run. Instead of wasting time clicking through the Ribbon, simply hold the Shift key and click the  Reading View icon. This is also a friendly conversation starter with a fellow PowerPoint enthusiast at Happy Hour.

NOTE: The color of your Reading View icon might be different than in the picture above, as it is dependent on the Office Theme you selected for PowerPoint.

How to exit a PowerPoint presentation early?

Regardless of how you start your full screen presentation, you can end your presentation at any time by hitting the Esc key on your keyboard.

Hitting  Esc  immediately takes you out of the   PowerPoint presentation mode and back to the normal editing view of your slides, on whatever slide you were last presenting.

Here is how you can use a combination of all the different keyboard shortcuts to spot check and practice your presentation in full screen before you finalize your presentation.

• Hit  F5  on your keyboard to   start your presentation in full screen from the very first slide in your presentation. You can then use your arrow keys to advance, spot checking your slides for errors.
• When you find an error, simply hit  Esc  key to return to the normal PowerPoint editing view to fix your slide.
• When you are done, hit  Shift + F5  to return the full screen presentation mode from the slide you just updated. You can then continue spot checking your presentation (without having to start over from the beginning).

In this way you can quickly work your way through your slides and practice your presentation, fixing and adjusting your content as you go.

Understanding how to run your presentations is CRITICAL to the success of your presentation. Not only in presenting them live, but also in knowing how to spot check your slides as you build them.

I personally find it easiest to spot check your slides and quickly fix errors by running your presentation in slide show mode (or full screen). The last place you want to discover an error is during your presentation.

Using the commands and shortcuts above, you can quickly start, exit and step back into your slide show. Once you have these commands and features down, you will also look like a whiz during your presentations.

If you enjoyed the depth of this article, you will love our other PowerPoint training courses and free resources. To learn more, visit us here .

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• How can I view a PowerPoint show without using full screen?

Updated on Apr 27, 2020

This guide provides instructions on how to set your PowerPoint (for Windows) application to play your slide show in a window, not in full screen. This is particularly useful if you are participating in a video call and might want to see the presentation, your notes, and the webinar interface.

Please note: To display your presenter notes, you will need a two monitor set up.

How to display a slide show in a window:

• Select "Set up Slide Show" on the "Slide Show" tab
• Select the radio option, "Browsed by an individual (window)"
• Start your PowerPoint show
• To exit the show, use the "Normal" button to return to the file editing interface .

1. Select "Set up Slide Show" on the "Slide Show" tab.

• Navigate to the " Slide Show " tab.
• Select on " Set up Slide Show ."

2. Select the radio option, "Browsed by an individual (window)"

• Select "Browsed by an individual (window)" radio button option.
• Select on "OK" to save your changes.

3. Start your PowerPoint show (as per normal).

4. To exit the show, use the "Normal" button to return to the file editing interface.

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How to Make PowerPoint Full Screen

PowerPoint allows you to easily make your presentations full screen for more impact and engagement with your audience. Here are some tips on enabling full screen mode in PowerPoint.

Set Slide Show to Full Screen

Keyboard shortcuts, set videos to play full screen, check presentation resolution.

Design your slides to match the resolution of the display device or projector used to present:

Rehearse Timings

Presenter view.

Presenter View keeps your presentation running smoothly without the audience seeing behind-the-scenes activity.

Avoid Transition Issues

Troubleshooting display issues ensures flawless full screen presentations.

Following these tips will help you effectively present PowerPoint slides in full screen for more engaging and impactful presentations. Let your creativity shine through!

About The Author

Vegaslide staff, related posts, powerpoint 2013: managing slides, how to layer objects in a powerpoint presentation, how to change a picture from color to black & white in powerpoint, how to fix “cannot play media” error in powerpoint.

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How to start a powerpoint slideshow.

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Quick Links

Start a slideshow in powerpoint's desktop app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's web app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's mobile app, key takeaways.

To start a PowerPoint slideshow on your desktop, open your slideshow and click "Start Slide Show" in the "Slide Show" tab. If you're using the web app, select "From Beginning" in the "Slide Show" tab. On mobile, simply tap the Monitor icon at the top of your screen.

There's nothing quite like finishing a presentation after spending hours getting it just right. Now, show off your hard work by starting your Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow on desktop, web, and mobile using the methods below.

Related: How (and Why) to Start Microsoft PowerPoint from the Command Prompt

To play a slideshow in PowerPoint's desktop app, all you have to do is click an option or press a shortcut on your keyboard .

Start the process by opening your presentation with PowerPoint. Then, in the app's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

In the "Slide Show" tab, from the "Start Slide Show" section, choose "From Beginning" (or press F5). Now your presentation will play from the very first slide.

If you'd like to start the slideshow from your current slide, choose the "From Current Slide" option. Alternatively, press Shift+F5 on your keyboard.

While your presentation is playing, you can perform various tasks, like moving to the next slide or ending the show. You can reveal these options by right-clicking anywhere on the slide.

Alternatively, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts while viewing your slideshow:

• Spacebar or Right Arrow Button: Go to the next slide in the presentation.
• Left Arrow Button: Go to the previous slide in the presentation.
• Esc: End the show.
• W: Hide your current slide and display a white screen. Press the same key again to bring back the slide's content.
• B: Hide your current slide and display a black screen. Revert back to the slide's content by pressing the same button.
• Ctrl+Left Mouse Button: Activate the laser point tool to point at things in your slides.
• Ctrl+P: Launch the pen tool to annotate your slide's content during your show. You can choose if you'd like to keep these annotations when you end the show.
• Ctrl+i: Access the highlighter tool to highlight items in your slides.

If you'd like to jump to a specific slide while presenting, press that slide's number on your keyboard and hit Enter. For example, press 12 and hit Enter to access that slide quickly.

To access the Presenter view, where you can see the upcoming slides and other options, right-click anywhere on your slide and choose "Show Presenter View."

With these options, you can start a slideshow and have it play exactly how you want.

To play a slideshow on the web, launch your preferred web browser and access PowerPoint on the web . Then, open your presentation.

From PowerPoint's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

In the "Slide Show" tab, start your slideshow from the first slide by clicking the "From Beginning" option. To have your show play from your current slide, choose "From Current Slide."

Your presentation is now playing.

To reveal the options for moving slides, annotating items, and using Presenter Coach , bring your cursor to your screen's bottom-left corner. Then, click the appropriate icon.

Related: How to Practice Your Presentations with PowerPoint's Presenter Coach

To start a slideshow in the PowerPoint mobile app , launch the app on your phone and open your presentation.

On the presentation screen, at the top, tap the Monitor icon to play the slideshow.

Your presentation has now begun.

To move to the next slide, swipe left on your screen. To go to the previous slide, swipe right.

You can reveal PowerPoint's presentation options, like annotation and black screen tools, by tapping at the top of your presentation. Then, choose the option you'd like to use.

And that's it. Happy presenting!

Want to learn a few tips to help you make the best PowerPoint presentations ? If so, check out our guide.

Related: 8 Tips to Make the Best PowerPoint Presentations

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Start PowerPoint viewer in full screen (kiosk) mode

I have Magic Info Pro (samsung) Software, and I installed on a remote screen PowerPoint Viewer.

Every time it starts it displays the title bar. My boss does not want this bar displayed.

I see that it is possible to right click while PPT is running and go to FullScreen Mode.

I also found that it is possible to execute PPT like.

And this would do exactly what we wish.

But MagicInfo is executing this Presentations, and I can't change the code of this software.

Is there a way to let PowerPoint start in Windows with specific parameters like /F? It is OK if it would start every time with that parameter since this computer is really just a node where content is saved.

• microsoft-powerpoint
• windows-xp-embedded

4 Answers 4

I had the same problem and I'm using Window 7 Embedded and Powerpoint Viewer 2010. If you are using Powerpoint Viewer 2010, you will have to install Office 2010 SP1 otherwise the presentation won't loop.

Add the switch /f to the registry keys

It's probably not needed to edit both keys but I'm not sure which one is used.

The Default parameter for the registry keys should look something like

I had to add the /f flag to the following keys to get PowerPoint Viewer to open in full screen.

The suggestions in the accepted answer didn't work for me.

• This solution differs from the actually accepted one because the keys are ... .SlideShow. ... instead of ... .Show. ... . –  Hastur Commented Apr 15, 2016 at 12:03

FYI it looks like these registry settings re-set themselves (maybe after updates?). Here are the contents of a regfile to easily re-apply:

Microsoft PPT has the ability to save your powerpoint as a Windows Media Video (WMV) which can be initiated on startup in full screen mode and looping. It maybe a bit resource intensive but it's a quick fix

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10 Keyboard Shortcuts to Use When Presenting PowerPoint Slideshows

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

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

Keyboard Shortcuts For PowerPoint

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

2. Shift+F5

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

3. Spacebar, N, or Right Arrow

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

4. Backspace, P, or Left Arrow

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

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

6. W or Comma

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

7. B or Period

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

8. Ctrl+E or E

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

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

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

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Present on multiple monitors (and view speaker notes privately)

You can present with two monitors: Using Presenter View is a great way to view your presentation with speaker notes on one monitor (your laptop, for example), while your audience views the notes-free presentation on a different monitor (like a larger screen you're projecting to).

Note:  Make sure the device you're using for your presentation supports the use of multiple monitors. Check with your manufacturer for up-to-date information about multiple monitor support.

To do this procedure and split the view between projectors in this way, you must be connected to the second screen.

Set up PowerPoint to use Presenter view with two monitors

On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, select Use Presenter View .

Windows Display Settings should open.

In the Display Settings dialog box, on the Monitor tab, select the monitor icon that you want to use to view your speaker notes, and then select the This is my main monitor check box.

If the This is my main monitor check box is selected and unavailable, the monitor is already designated as the primary monitor.

Select the monitor icon for the second monitor—the one the audience will watch, and then select the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check box.

Notes:  If the Windows Display Settings don't open, do the following:

Windows 10: Click Start > Settings > System > Display . At the top, under Customize your display , is a diagram of the screens connected to your computer, with each screen numbered. If you are connected to a project, typically it will be represented in the diagram as screen 2. Select screen 1 in the diagram, then scroll downward. Ensure that the check box named Make this my main display is selected. Above that check box, in the Multiple displays list, select Extend these displays .

Windows 8: Right-click the Windows Start button, click Control Panel > Display > Adjust resolution . In the Multiple displays list, click Extend these displays . Select the monitor on which you want to view your speaker notes, and click Make this my main display .

You can use PowerPoint on your smartphone as a remote control to run your presentation and view your speaker notes. See Using a laser pointer on your smartphone when presenting in PowerPoint for more information, including a brief video.

Deliver your presentation on two monitors

On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click Set Up Slide Show .

In the Set Up Show dialog box, choose the options that you want, and then click OK . If you choose Automatic , PowerPoint will display speaker notes on the laptop monitor, if available. Otherwise, PowerPoint will display speaker notes on the main display identified in your Display settings ( Settings > Display ).

Extend vs. Duplicate: What happens after the slide show ends

PowerPoint does something behind the scenes to make the process of starting a slide show on a second monitor as smooth and quick as possible. When you enter Slide Show, PowerPoint automatically changes your display settings (also known as your display topology) to Extend .

What can be confusing is what happens after your slide show concludes:

In newer versions of PowerPoint , when your slide show ends,, PowerPoint reverts to your default setting, returning to Duplicate , if that's what you have chosen.

Video: Use Presenter view

View your speaker notes as you deliver your slide show

Video: Rehearse timings for a slide show

Zoom in to part of a slide in Slide Show view

Print your PowerPoint slides, handouts, and notes

Create a self-running presentation

Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view

PowerPoint videos not playing on secondary monitor

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