Microsoft PowerPoint shortcut keys for running a presentation

Posted November 2, 2013

If you present using PowerPoint you will love these Microsoft PowerPoint shortcut keys for running a presentation.

Even if you create presentations for other people share these tips with them. They will love you for it!

I find these super useful, especially if there isn’t a mouse available. I found them a life-saver when I was running a seminar for a large corporate and as I stood at the podium in front of a large audience I realised their IT team had set me up a keyboard but no mouse!

Tip 1: Starting the presentation

Most of the time you will want to start your preso from the very first slide. To do this, from PowerPoint, to start the presentation from the very beginning (slide 1) press F5.

However, there are times when you want to start your presentation from a slide other than the first slide. To do this, in PowerPoint make your way to the slide you want to start from and then press Shift + F5.

Tip 2: Moving around the presentation

To move to the next slide press N (for Next) or Page Down. To move to the previous slide press P (for Previous) or Page Up.

Tip 3: Shortcut for jumping to a slide

I love this tip. If during your presentation you want to quickly jump to a slide number just type the slide number and then press ENTER.

PowerPoint will jump you to the slide. You could also right-click and select the slide number from the Go to Slide option. However I like this option more.

Tip 4: Pausing mid-presentation

Often when I’m presenting there are times when I need to pause my presentation. For example, a break may be scheduled mid-presentation.

The quickest way to pause the preso is to press B for black or W for white. The B will pause your pesentation with a black screen and W will display a white screen. When you are ready to get started just press any key to return to the presentation.

Tip 5: Writing on the screen

Have you ever wanted to highlight something on the screen?

You may enjoy using the Pen and Highlighter features.

During your presentation simply right-click and then select Pen or Highlighter from Pointer Options. Now you can use the mouse pointer to draw and highlight on the screen. To change back to an arrow pointer right-click and then select Arrow from the Pointer Options.

Note: when you finish the presentation PowerPoint will display a prompt asking “Do you want to keep your ink notations?”. If you select Keep your notations will be saved to the slides.

Tip 6: Finishing the presentation

To escape out of the presentation screen press Esc 

 

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