view slide notes during powerpoint presentation

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Tips for Powerpoint by Regina Griffin

How To View Notes In PowerPoint While Presenting

Are you looking to enhance your presentation skills and engage your audience effectively?

Viewing notes while presenting in PowerPoint can be a game-changer.

We explore the importance of viewing notes during presentations and provide a step-by-step guide on how to do so.

Practical tips on using Presenter View effectively, based on the insightful tutorial by Regina Griffin, a teacher from Oregon, will be shared.

Let’s dive in and elevate your presentation game!

Key Takeaways:

• Viewing notes while presenting helps to stay on track and remember key points.
• Presenter View in PowerPoint allows you to easily navigate through slides with notes and use helpful tools.
• Practice and use visual cues to make the most of the Presenter’s View and deliver a more effective presentation.

Why Is it Important to View Notes While Presenting?

Viewing notes while presenting is crucial for maintaining a coherent presentation that effectively engages the audience and enhances the delivery of key points.

When a presenter refers to their notes during a presentation, it not only helps them stay organized but also ensures that they cover all essential topics. By glancing at their notes, the presenter can remember important details, statistics, or examples, which contributes to better memory retention and recall while speaking. This practice also fosters a natural flow of information, preventing the presenter from missing significant points or becoming sidetracked. Ultimately, effective use of notes paves the way for a polished and engaging delivery that captivates the audience throughout the entire presentation .

Keeps You on Track

Viewing notes helps keep the presenter on track by providing a roadmap of the presentation flow and key elements to cover, ensuring a structured and organized delivery that captivates the audience.

These notes act as a blueprint, allowing the presenter to transition smoothly between different segments of the presentation. By glancing at the screen or referring to their notes, the presenter can seamlessly shift focus from one topic to the next, maintaining the coherence of the overall narrative. Having well-structured notes prevents the presenter from omitting crucial details or jumping between unrelated points, thus guaranteeing that all essential topics are adequately addressed.

Helps You Remember Important Points

Viewing notes in PowerPoint aids in recalling and emphasizing important points that need to be conveyed to the audience, enhancing the presenter’s ability to deliver key messages effectively.

By referring to these notes during the presentation, the speaker can ensure a structured and organized delivery, leading to a more coherent and memorable session for the listeners. Using PowerPoint notes also acts as a guide for the presenter, keeping them on track and preventing the omission of critical details. This method not only serves as a memory aid but also facilitates a smooth flow of the presentation, helping to maintain audience engagement and interest.

Improves Your Delivery

The practice of viewing notes during a presentation enhances the delivery by providing prompts and cues that facilitate seamless transitions between topics, resulting in a more engaging and effective interaction with the audience.

When presenters view their notes, they can ensure that they cover all essential points, maintain a coherent structure, and deliver information. This process helps in avoiding disruptions or forgetting key details, leading to a more polished and professional presentation. By having their notes readily available, speakers can focus on connecting with the audience, maintaining eye contact, and adjusting their delivery to keep listeners interested and involved.

How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting

To view notes in PowerPoint during a presentation, follow these simple steps to enable the presenter to view and seamlessly navigate through slides while accessing your accompanying notes.

Open your PowerPoint presentation that contains the notes you want to view. Then, navigate to the Slide Show tab located in the top menu bar. Click on it to reveal a drop-down menu. From this menu, select the ‘Presenter View’ option to activate the feature that allows you to view your notes while presenting. As you present your slides, you’ll see the current slide, the next slide, a timer, and a section to view your notes. Utilize these tools for a seamless and professional presentation. Happy presenting!

Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation

Begin by opening your PowerPoint presentation to initiate the process of viewing notes, ensuring that you have access to the slide content and accompanying notes for a seamless presentation experience.

Once you have your PowerPoint software open, navigate to the file menu and select ‘Open’ to locate your desired presentation file on your device. Choose the respective file and click ‘Open’ to load it into PowerPoint. Upon opening the presentation, you will see your slides displayed on the main PowerPoint screen.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ Tab

Next, click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab within PowerPoint to access the necessary settings for viewing your presentation in the desired mode, enabling a smooth transition into the presentation view.

Upon clicking on the ‘Slide Show’ tab, a drop-down menu will appear, offering various options to adjust the presentation settings. One crucial element to focus on is the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ feature, which allows you to define how the slides will be displayed during your presentation. Within this menu, you can choose between ‘Presented by a speaker’ or ‘Browsed by an individual,’ depending on your presentation style and audience. You can also opt to ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc” or set specific timings for each slide to control the pace of the presentation.

Step 3: Select ‘Set Up Slide Show’

After clicking on the ‘Slide Show’ tab, proceed to select the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ option to configure the presentation settings according to your preferred method of viewing notes and slides.

Upon selecting the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ option, a dialog box will appear with various customization options. Choose between ‘Presented by a speaker’ or ‘Browsed at a kiosk.’ This allows you to control how the slides advance during the presentation.

Next, you can opt for the ‘Show options’ section to decide whether you want to display all slides, specific slides, or a range of slides. Under the ‘Advance slides’ section, you can set timings for slide transitions. Experiment with these settings to find the method that suits your presentation style best.

Step 4: Choose ‘Presenter View’ Option

Opt for the ‘Presenter View’ option after setting up the slide show to enable the presenter view mode, which provides access to presenter-specific features and tools for a more dynamic presentation experience.

Presenter View in PowerPoint unveils a range of capabilities to assist presenters during their delivery. With this mode activated,

speakers can view their upcoming slides, speaker notes, and a timer all in one layout for seamless transitions. It allows for interactions with the slides while the audience sees only the main screen, ensuring a smooth and professional delivery. Presenters can

toggle between slides, embed annotations, and zoom in on certain areas for emphasis. This multi-functional mode enhances engagement and enables presenters to deliver impactful presentations effortlessly.

Step 5: Start Your Slide Show

Commence your slide show presentation in PowerPoint to transition into the presenter view mode, allowing you to view your notes alongside the slides for a more guided and effective delivery.

In the presenter view mode, you have the advantage of discreetly glancing at your notes while the audience sees only the slides being presented. This feature ensures a seamless and professional delivery by providing you with valuable prompts and highlights during your presentation. It’s a practical tool that maximizes your control over the content flow and enhances audience engagement. To initiate this helpful mode, simply click on the ‘Start’ button within PowerPoint.

Step 6: Navigate Through Slides Using Notes

Utilize the notes pane in PowerPoint to navigate through slides while referencing your accompanying notes, ensuring a seamless transition between content delivery and note consultation for an impactful presentation.

When delivering your presentation, having your notes readily available within the notes pane allows you to stay on track without disrupting the flow. This feature not only aids in maintaining a natural and engaging delivery but also enables you to make spontaneous adjustments or dive deeper into specific points as needed. By leveraging the notes pane effectively, you can effortlessly move between slides while keeping your key points in sight. This functionality ensures that you never miss a beat and can deliver your content with confidence and precision.

Step 7: Use Tools in Presenter View (Timer, Pen, etc.)

Leverage the tools available in the presenter view mode of PowerPoint, such as timers, pens, and pointers, to enhance your meeting or presentation delivery with added visual aids and interactive features.

Utilizing these tools can significantly boost the engagement levels of your audience, making your content more dynamic and memorable. The timer feature helps you manage your time effectively, ensuring that you stay on track during your presentation. With the pen tool, you can annotate slides in real time, emphasizing key points and fostering better understanding among your viewers. The pointer function allows you to direct attention to specific areas of your slide, guiding the audience’s focus and enhancing clarity.

Tips for Using Presenter View Effectively

Enhance your presentation experience by following these valuable tips for utilizing presenter view in PowerPoint effectively, ensuring a seamless and engaging delivery that captivates your audience.

One essential practice is to conduct a thorough pre-presentation rehearsal to familiarize yourself with the software features and transitions within the presenter’s view. This allows you to anticipate any technical glitches and smooth out the flow of your presentation. Make the most of remote controls or handy keyboard shortcuts to navigate through your slides effortlessly, enhancing your overall performance.

Practice Before Your Presentation

Prepare for successful presentations by dedicating time to practice using presenter view in PowerPoint, refining your delivery, and familiarizing yourself with the tools and features available for an impactful presentation.

Engaging in pre-presentation practice sessions utilizing presenter view in PowerPoint can significantly enhance your delivery skills and boost your confidence. By rehearsing your presentation multiple times, you can identify areas that need improvement, perfect your timing, and ensure a seamless flow of information. Utilizing the presenter view allows you to preview upcoming slides, view slide notes, and manage the presentation layout, giving you more control and flexibility during your delivery.

• Refining your presentation style through practice enables you to speak confidently, maintain audience engagement, and effectively convey your message. Utilize this time to adjust your pace, tone, and body language to create a compelling and impactful delivery.
• Optimizing the utilization of available tools, such as animations, transitions, and multimedia elements in PowerPoint, can elevate the visual appeal of your presentation. Familiarize yourself with these features to create visually appealing slides, maintain audience interest, and emphasize key points effectively.

Use a Remote or Keyboard Shortcuts

Optimize your meeting or presentation experience by utilizing a remote control or keyboard shortcuts to navigate through slides seamlessly, allowing for enhanced interaction and fluid transitions during your delivery.

Incorporating such tools in PowerPoint presentations revolutionizes how presenters interact with their content, eliminating the need to be tied to a specific spot for slide changes. By effortlessly moving from one slide to another without disruptions or distractions, the focus remains on the message being conveyed, enhancing audience engagement. Utilizing keyboard shortcuts for commands like starting a slideshow, jumping to a specific slide, or adjusting display settings creates a smooth and professional delivery that captivates your audience. These techniques not only save time but also allow for a more dynamic and interactive presentation experience.

Keep Your Notes Concise

Ensure effective delivery by maintaining concise notes in PowerPoint, focusing on key points and essential information to guide your presentation without overwhelming yourself or the audience with excessive content.

Concise notes are the cornerstone of a successful PowerPoint presentation, allowing presenters to stay on track and deliver their message with clarity and precision. By jotting down key ideas and supporting details, speakers can confidently navigate through their slides, ensuring a smooth flow of information and engaging the audience effectively.

These notes serve as a roadmap, keeping the presenter grounded in the core message and aiding in seamless transitions from one slide to the next. They also help in organizing thoughts, highlighting crucial data, and reinforcing the key takeaways for both the presenter and the viewers.

Use Visual Cues to Help You Remember Important Points

Enhance your presentation delivery by incorporating visual cues such as pointers or laser pointers to emphasize and remember critical points, ensuring a dynamic and engaging interaction with your audience.

Visual cues like pointers or laser pointers can significantly elevate the impact of your presentation, capturing attention effectively and making it easier for your audience to grasp key concepts. By utilizing these tools strategically, you can create a more cohesive narrative flow, guiding your audience’s focus and enhancing overall comprehension.

Pointers are especially useful for highlighting specific areas on slides or on a screen, drawing attention to essential details that might otherwise be missed. Incorporating this visual aid can also help you maintain a smoother delivery, ensuring that your audience stays engaged throughout your presentation.

Mastering the art of utilizing presenter view in PowerPoint can significantly enhance your delivery, engagement, and overall effectiveness in meetings or presentations, ensuring a professional and impactful interaction with your audience.

Presenter view is a powerful tool that allows you to see your presentation notes, upcoming slides, and elapsed time while your audience views only the main screen. This feature not only boosts your confidence but also facilitates smoother transitions and on-the-spot adjustments during your presentation.

Being able to control what your audience sees and what you see simultaneously elevates your performance, enabling you to maintain a seamless flow and deliver your message with clarity and precision.

By harnessing the capabilities of the presenter view, you can effectively manage your content, engage your audience with relevant cues, and maintain a professional and polished demeanor throughout your presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i access speaker notes in powerpoint while presenting.

To view your speaker notes while presenting, simply click on the “Notes” button located at the bottom of the PowerPoint window. This will open a separate window with your notes, which you can resize or move as needed during your presentation.

2. Can I view my speaker notes on a separate screen while presenting?

Yes, you can. To do this, go to the “Slide Show” tab and click on “Set Up Slide Show”. Then, under the “Multiple Monitors” section, select “Presented by a speaker (full screen)” and click “OK”. Your speaker notes will now appear on the secondary screen while presenting.

3. Is there a way to hide my speaker notes from the audience while presenting?

Yes, there is. Simply go to the “Slide Show” tab and check the box next to “Hide Slide”. This will hide your speaker notes from the audience, but they will still be visible to you on your screen.

4. Can I customize the size and font of my speaker notes in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can. To do this, go to the “View” tab and click on “Notes Master”. Here, you can make changes to the font, size, and layout of your speaker notes, which will be applied to all slides in your presentation.

5. Are there any shortcuts for quickly accessing speaker notes during a presentation?

Yes, there are. During a presentation, you can press the “Ctrl” and “P” keys on your keyboard to quickly toggle between your slides and speaker notes.

6. How can I print my speaker notes for reference before a presentation?

To print your speaker notes, go to the “File” tab and click on “Print”. Under the “Settings” section, choose “Full Page Slides” and select “Notes Pages” from the dropdown menu. This will print your slides with the speaker notes below each slide for your reference.

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How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting

Giving presentations can be nerve-wracking. Even if you know your content inside and out, it’s easy to get flustered when all eyes are on you. Having speaker notes in PowerPoint can be a lifesaver to jog your memory or keep you on track.

The good news is PowerPoint makes it easy to add notes to your slides. The even better news is that you can view those notes privately while presenting so the audience only sees your slides.

Here is a step-by-step guide to adding speaker notes in PowerPoint and viewing them during your presentation.

Step 1: Add Notes to Your Slides

The first thing you need to do is add notes to the slides you want to reference during your presentation.

Here’s how:

• Open your PowerPoint presentation and select Normal View .
• Click on the slide thumbnail where you want to add notes. The notes pane will open underneath.
• Click where it says “Click to add notes” and type your notes.

You can add quite a bit of text in the notes pane. It will automatically wrap and include scroll bars if needed.

Pro Tip: Don’t write full sentences in your notes. Use short phrases or bullet points as memory joggers instead.

Step 2: Start Your Presentation in Presenter View

Once your notes are added, it’s go time! Starting your presentation in Presenter View allows you to view your speaker notes privately on your computer screen. The audience will only see the slides on the projected screen.

Here’s how to enable Presenter View:

• Select the Slide Show tab.
• Check the box for Use Presenter View .
• Click From Beginning or press F5 to start the slideshow.

A Presenter View panel will open on your computer screen. You’ll see your current slide, a preview of the next slide, a timer, and your speaker notes.

Step 3: View Notes While Presenting

Now that you’re in Presenter View presenting your slides, your notes will be readily available to you.

Here’s how to view them:

• Click the Notes button on the bottom left of the Presenter View panel. Your notes will pop up in a separate panel.
• Scroll through your notes using the up and down arrows or by dragging the scrollbar.
• Click the Notes button again to minimize the notes pane.

Your notes will stay hidden from the audience’s view on the presentation screen.

Pro Tip: Make sure your notes text size is large enough to read quickly. Use the plus and minus buttons in the bottom left corner of the notes pane to adjust text size.

Step 4: Use Other Presenter View Tools

In addition to speaker notes, Presenter View gives you other useful presentation tools:

• Laser pointer – Click the pen icon then choose the laser pointer. Click and drag it on your slide to point things out to your audience.
• Highlighter – Select the pen icon then choose the highlighter. Click and drag it on your slide to highlight important points.
• Slide thumbnails – Click the thumbnail icon to see all your slides in one view. Click a slide to jump directly to it.
• Screen blackout – Select the screen icon to temporarily black out the presentation screen. This shifts focus back to you as the presenter when needed.
• Zoom – Magnify parts of your slide using the magnifying glass icon. Click and drag to move around the zoomed area.
• Slideshow controls – Use the onscreen controls to jump between slides, pause the timer, end show, etc.

Step 5: Swap Displays (Optional)

If you connect a second monitor, you can choose which screen shows your speaker notes in Presenter View and which one projects only the slides to your audience.

Here’s how to swap the displays:

• Open Display Settings on your computer.
• Select the monitor icon representing the display you want Presenter View to appear on.
• Check the box for Make this my main display .
• Return to PowerPoint. Presenter View will now appear on your selected monitor.

And that’s it! With these simple steps, you can privately view your speaker notes during a PowerPoint presentation. No more fumbling around with printed notes or trying to memorize every word.

Spend less time worrying about what to say, and more time engaging your audience with these public speaking tips. Before you know it, presentations will be a breeze even without those trusty notes as a backup!

About The Author

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Understanding Presenter View in PowerPoint: A Deep Dive Guide

Origin and Evolution of Presenter View

Why presenter view is a game-changer for professionals, activating and customizing presenter view in powerpoint, in-depth features of the presenter view, common mistakes and how to avoid them, advanced tips for a power presentation, final tips for enhancing your presentation game, introduction to presenter view.

Have you ever found yourself awkwardly toggling between slides and speaker notes during a presentation? Or wished you could preview the next slide without your audience seeing? Enter Presenter View in PowerPoint, a feature designed to make presenting smoother and more professional.

In essence, Presenter View is a special mode in PowerPoint that allows the presenter to see their speaker notes on one screen, while the audience views the note-free presentation on another screen. This dual-screen setup means you can have your notes, upcoming slides, and timer conveniently on one screen while your audience remains blissfully unaware.

“Presenter View is the unseen ally behind many successful PowerPoint presentations.”

Microsoft’s PowerPoint, with its roots tracing back to the late 1980s, has undergone several metamorphoses. Over the years, as technology improved and presentation dynamics changed, Microsoft introduced new features to make the software more user-friendly and versatile. One such innovation is the Presenter View.

Back in the early days of PowerPoint, presenters had to rely on printouts or separate documents for their speaker notes. The advent of Presenter View in the early 2000s was a game-changer. It allowed presenters to merge their slides and speaker notes into one cohesive presentation experience.

The beauty of Presenter View lies not just in its conception but in its evolution. Over different versions of PowerPoint:

• 2003 : Introduction of a basic Presenter View with slides and notes.
• 2007 : Enhanced screen setup with better dual-monitor support.
• 2010 : Introduction of slide zoom and laser pointer features.
• 2013 & Beyond : Integration with touch features, improved UI, and annotations.

Each version brought refinements, making it more intuitive and packed with features, tailoring to the evolving needs of presenters globally.

Fun Fact : Presenter View wasn’t initially as popular as it is today. It took a few iterations and user feedback loops for Microsoft to perfect the balance between utility and user experience.

The Core Components of Presenter View

Presenter View in PowerPoint is like the cockpit for pilots: it’s where all the essential controls and information are at the presenter’s fingertips. Whether you’re a newbie to PowerPoint or a seasoned professional, understanding these components can transform your presentation experience.

• This provides a glance at your current, previous, and upcoming slides. It ensures you’re always prepared for what’s coming next and can seamlessly transition between points.
• The soul of your presentation, speaker notes, are discreetly placed at the bottom or side, only visible to you. These notes can be elaborate explanations, quick pointers, or even personal reminders. They’re like your secret cheat sheet!
• Ever worried about running over time? This feature shows the elapsed time since you began the presentation and, in some versions, allows you to set a countdown. Stay on track and manage your pace efficiently.
• Interactive features that allow you to draw on slides or use a virtual laser pointer. These are especially helpful when you want to emphasize or explain specific points visually.
• Navigate between slides effortlessly and zoom into specific parts of a slide to draw attention or elaborate on details.

Table: Core Components Overview

Quote : “Presenter View is to a presenter what a dashboard is to a driver. It empowers, directs, and enhances the journey of your narrative.” – Jane Harris, Lead PowerPoint Expert – Powerbacks team

Understanding these components is one thing, but leveraging them effectively during a presentation can make a significant difference. Let’s delve into the ‘why’ behind the significance of Presenter View.

Stepping onto the stage or presenting in a boardroom can often be an overwhelming experience. The constant juggle between capturing the audience’s attention and keeping track of your slides can lead to nervousness. But what if there was a way to have everything you need right in front of you, ensuring smooth sailing through your presentation? Enter Presenter View.

• Having a preview of the upcoming slides and personal notes right in front of you can be a massive boost to confidence. You’re always one step ahead, knowing exactly what’s coming next.
• Instead of turning back to view the screen repeatedly, Presenter View lets you face your audience directly. This creates a more engaging and personal interaction.
• Gone are the days when you’d hold a bunch of cue cards or sheets of paper. With digital speaker notes, you have a cleaner, more organized setup.
• Using the annotation tools and laser pointer, you can make your presentation more interactive, leading to better retention and engagement from your audience.
• There’s no denying that seamlessly transitioning between slides, using interactive tools, and having no physical notes gives a more polished and professional look.

Table: Benefits of Using Presenter View

Quote : “Embracing the Presenter View is not just about leveraging a tool; it’s about amplifying your message and connecting more profoundly with your audience.”

It’s evident that the Presenter View has undeniable advantages for professionals. But how do you activate it and customize it to suit your needs? Let’s walk through the steps.

Starting with PowerPoint 2013, Microsoft enhanced the Presenter View to ensure that it’s both intuitive and user-friendly. Activating it and making it work for you is simple, as outlined in the following steps:

Step-by-Step Guide to Activate Presenter View :

• Start by opening your PowerPoint presentation. This will be the one you intend to deliver.
• At the top, you’ll notice several tabs. Click on the one labeled ‘Slide Show’.
• Within the Slide Show tab, you’ll spot a checkbox labeled ‘Use Presenter View’. Ensure that it’s ticked. If it’s not, simply click on it.
• If you’re using an external projector or display, make sure it’s connected. PowerPoint will automatically detect it and use the Presenter View on your primary display, showing the main presentation on the external one.
• Start your presentation by either pressing F5 on your keyboard or clicking on ‘From Beginning’ in the Slide Show tab.
• Next Slide Preview : Gives a preview of what’s coming next.
• Speaker Notes : Displays your notes for the current slide.
• Slide Navigation : Use this to jump to a specific slide.
• Annotation Tools : Highlight or draw on your slides in real-time.
• Timer : Keeps track of how long you’ve been presenting.
• You can move around the different elements, increase font size of your notes for better readability, or even hide specific components if they’re not required.

Table: Quick Access Tools in Presenter View

Quote : “The beauty of PowerPoint’s Presenter View is the control and flexibility it offers. It’s like having a personal assistant during your presentations.” – Linda Green, Presentation Expert

Now that we know how to activate and customize the Presenter View let’s delve deeper into its features and tools for maximum efficiency during presentations. Shall we proceed?

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is not just a simple “next slide” preview; it’s a hub of tools and functionalities designed to make the presenter’s job easier and the presentation more engaging.

H3: Slide Preview This is arguably the most straightforward feature but also the most helpful. At a glance, you can see what’s coming up, ensuring that you’re always prepared for the next topic or section.

• Smooth Transitions : Eliminates awkward pauses between slides.
• Improved Pacing : Know when to speed up or slow down based on upcoming content.
• Reduced Anxiety : No unpleasant surprises during your presentation.

H3: Speaker Notes For those who don’t rely on pure memory, speaker notes are a lifesaver. They’re your secret weapon, visible only to you, that provides additional context or reminders about what to say.

• Bold the crucial points to ensure they stand out.
• Use concise bullet points for easier and quicker reading.
• Add time cues if you’re aiming to cover specific points within certain timeframes.

H3: Slide Navigation While it’s always best to move sequentially through your slides, there might be instances when you need to skip ahead or return to a previous point. With the slide navigation tool, you can effortlessly hop around your presentation.

• Case Study : During a corporate presentation, John, a sales manager, was posed with a sudden question about Q2 performance. Thanks to slide navigation, he quickly reverted to the relevant slide, addressed the query, and resumed without any hiccups.

H3: Annotation Tools Engage your audience by turning your presentation into an interactive canvas. Whether you’re highlighting an essential statistic or drawing a quick graph, these tools can make a significant impact.

• Use contrasting colors to ensure visibility.
• Don’t overdo it; the aim is to emphasize, not to overwhelm.
• Practice beforehand to ensure you’re comfortable with these tools during the presentation.

H3: Timer It’s easy to lose track of time during a presentation. With Presenter View’s timer, you can keep tabs on the elapsed time, helping you manage the pace and duration of your talk.

• Tip : Always allocate a buffer period. If you’re presenting for 30 minutes, aim to finish in 25. This allows for Q&A or any unexpected delays.

Quote : “PowerPoint’s Presenter View is like a dashboard for presenters. It provides every tool one might need, all within arm’s reach, ensuring a seamless and interactive presentation experience.” – Michael Roberts, Tech Analyst

Understanding the features of the Presenter View is the key to unlocking its potential. With practice and familiarity, it becomes an extension of the presenter, leading to more confident and impactful presentations.

Making the Most of Presenter View

If you’ve ever wanted to feel like a presentation Jedi, mastering the Presenter View is your path to the force. But having the tool isn’t enough – it’s about leveraging its features optimally. Here’s a detailed guide on maximizing the benefits of the Presenter View:

H3: Setup and Access Before harnessing its power, you need to ensure you can access Presenter View without hitches.

• Connect your computer to the projector or external display.
• Launch PowerPoint and open your presentation.
• Go to the Slide Show tab and select Set Up Slide Show .
• In the pop-up, ensure Browsed by an individual (window) is selected.
• Start the slide show. Presenter View should appear on your computer, while the audience sees only the slides.

H3: Customize the Display Remember, it’s your dashboard; make it as comfortable and efficient for you as possible.

• Within Presenter View, hover over the bottom to reveal the toolbar.
• Click on the gear icon to adjust settings.
• Reorder tools based on your preference or hide those you don’t need.

H3: Practice, Practice, Practice The tool’s efficiency relies heavily on your familiarity with it. Do dry runs to ensure you know where everything is and how each feature works.

• Pro Tip : Mimic the presentation environment during practice. If you’re presenting in a large hall, practice with the same setup.

H3: Seamlessly Integrate Other Media If your presentation includes videos, animations, or other media, ensure they play seamlessly in Presenter View.

• Deep Dive : Always embed media within the presentation. Relying on external links or files can disrupt the Presenter View experience.

H3: Engage the Audience Use the tools not just to aid your presentation but to engage your audience. Pose questions, use the pen tool to sketch quick diagrams based on audience inputs, and make it interactive.

• Table of Engagement Techniques :

H3: Master the Art of Transitions Smooth transitions are key to maintaining audience attention. With a preview of the next slide, prepare your narrative to flow seamlessly.

Even with the most powerful tools, human error can play a spoilsport. The Presenter View, as intuitive as it may be, has its quirks. Here’s a list of common pitfalls users face and ways to steer clear of them:

H3: Not Checking Hardware Setup Before you even start the presentation, ensure your hardware is correctly set up. This includes checking the display connection, ensuring the projector or external monitor is detected, and setting up the correct display settings.

• Pro Tip : Always keep a spare HDMI or VGA cable. Technical glitches often come from the most unexpected sources.

H3: Overlooking Speaker Notes Having made the effort of adding speaker notes to your slides, it would be a shame not to use them. They serve as a discreet prompt, ensuring you don’t miss any critical points.

• Fact : According to a study, presenters who actively used speaker notes were 25% more consistent in delivering their core messages.

H3: Ignoring the Timer Time management is crucial. If you have a fixed time slot, exceeding it can inconvenience others and may appear unprofessional. Conversely, finishing too early can leave your audience unsatisfied.

• Actionable Advice : Always have a buffer. If your slot is 30 minutes, aim for a 25-minute presentation, leaving room for Q&A or unexpected delays.

H3: Relying Exclusively on Presenter View Despite its usefulness, never be wholly dependent on Presenter View. Technical glitches happen, and the ability to continue smoothly without it showcases professionalism.

• Case Study : At a major tech conference in 2018, a renowned speaker’s Presenter View malfunctioned. Instead of panicking, he smoothly transitioned to the standard view, using his printed notes as a backup. The audience lauded his adaptability, and his message wasn’t overshadowed by the hiccup.

H3: Not Adapting to Audience Feedback The tools in Presenter View, like slide navigation, are meant to enhance adaptability. If you sense your audience resonating more with a particular topic, don’t be afraid to dwell on it a bit longer or even revisit slides.

By sidestepping these common mistakes, you not only harness the full potential of Presenter View but also project confidence and control. Next, we’ll explore some advanced features to elevate your presentation game even further.

Mastering Presenter View basics can tremendously improve your presentation skills. But if you’re looking to elevate your game and leave a lasting impression, dive into these advanced features:

H3: Seamless Transition Between Slides The art of a great presentation lies not just in the content but also in the delivery. A choppy slide transition can disrupt the flow. PowerPoint offers a plethora of transition effects — from subtle fades to dynamic 3D effects.

• Go to the Transitions tab.
• Browse and select your preferred effect.
• Adjust the transition duration if needed.
• Click Apply To All to maintain uniformity.

H3: Use Zoom to Focus on Details Occasionally, you might want to draw attention to specific details on a slide. Instead of making your audience squint, use the in-built Zoom feature.

• Tip : Combine zoom with a laser pointer or pen tool for emphasis.

H3: Ink Annotations Annotating directly on your slides can be beneficial for interactive sessions or workshops. PowerPoint’s “Ink” feature allows you to do just that.

• Did You Know? : Ink annotations made during a presentation can be saved for future reference!

H3: Embed Multimedia for a Rich Experience Modern presentations often go beyond static slides. Consider embedding videos, audio clips, or even live web content to keep your audience engaged.

• Navigate to the Insert tab.
• Choose Video or Audio and select your file.
• Adjust playback settings under the Playback tab.

H3: Custom Slide Show Sometimes, different segments of your audience require varied content. Instead of having multiple PPT files, create a custom slideshow within the same presentation.

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is akin to a secret weapon, waiting in the wings, ready to empower speakers, educators, and presenters globally. Whether you’re a novice taking your first steps into the world of presentations or a seasoned speaker aiming to refine your skills, the Presenter View, along with the myriad features PowerPoint offers, ensures your content shines in the best light.

Remember, a successful presentation doesn’t merely rely on flashy slides or multimedia elements. It’s the seamless blend of content, delivery, and engagement. And with tools like Presenter View, you’re equipped to handle the technical aspects, allowing you to focus on what truly matters – connecting with your audience.

As Bill Gates once said:

“If you think the PowerPoint presentation is there for you as the presenter, you’re wrong. It’s there for the audience.”

So, the next time you’re gearing up for that crucial pitch, workshop, or lecture, take a moment to familiarize yourself with Presenter View. Your audience — and your confidence — will thank you for it.

Happy presenting!

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How to view your notes in the presentation mode

Usually, there are two different screens for the presentation. For example, one screen is your laptop and the second is the provided monitor, TV, projector, web application screen, etc.

Today is popular to give a presentation via the Internet. E.g., you can use a Web meeting application such as WebEx or GoToMeeting or present your PowerPoint presentation online using the Office Presentation Service , to show your presentation to the audience on the additional screen.

For this purpose, PowerPoint provides the Presenter view , a special view of the presentation that is available on systems with more than one monitor (presentation screen):

To start your presentation with the Presenter view , see some features of the Presenter view .

In the Presenter View screen, there are the following elements:

On the left side:

The timer can help you keep track of how long your presentation has dragged on. You can click on the pause button for some cases or even restart the timer.

On the right side:

• On the top, the next slide is shown (see how to create your own slide show ),
• On the bottom, the notes of the current slide.

You can reorganize the Presenter view by moving the divider lines to see more notes, or make the slide bigger:

The text should wrap automatically, and a vertical scroll bar appears if necessary. You can also change the size of the text on the Notes pane by using the two buttons at the lower left corner of the Notes pane:

See more about different features of Presenter view in how to make slide show easier and more informative using Presenter view .

See also this tip in French: Comment afficher vos notes dans le mode de présentation .

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Some features of the Presenter view

How to make the presentation easier and more informative using Presenter view

How to create speakers notes for the PowerPoint presentation

May 9, 2022

Edit your notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint

Victoria Tran

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Hey, Officer Insiders! My name is Victoria Tran, and I’m a Program Manager on the PowerPoint team. I’m thrilled to share that you can now edit notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint for Windows. No more switching to Editor view to type or change your notes, even during a presentation!

Edit notes in Presenter view

Accessing and editing your slide content whenever the need arises is a key part of the PowerPoint workflow. Whether you’re making an important edit to your speaker notes during a presentation rehearsal or jotting down feedback during your presentation, the ability to edit notes in Presenter view increases your productivity and eliminates the need to toggle between views.

We are excited to add this highly requested feature and expand the use of PowerPoint notes. In the future, we’ll continue to add support for editing notes in other views, such as Teleprompter view.

How it works

Ready to edit notes in Presenter view?

NOTE:  You can also press the F6 key to select the Notes pane in Presenter view. When a white outline appears around the pane, press Enter and start typing to make any updates you want.

Known issues

Presenter view currently only allows basic formatting of notes, such as bold, italics, and underlining (via keyboard shortcuts). Formatting such as text color, highlighting, and other options aren’t yet available.

Tips and tricks

• If you are using keyboard commands to navigate through your slides during a presentation, make sure the text insertion point is not showing in the Notes pane. If it is, the arrow keys will move the insertion point around in the pane instead of navigating the slides.
• If you have two monitors, a full-screen slide will show on one monitor and Presenter view on the other monitor, featuring a view of the next slide, your speaker notes, a timer, and more. If you have just one monitor, you can press Alt + F5 to try out Presenter view.

Availability

We will be rolling the edit notes in Presenter view feature out to Office Insiders running Beta Channel Version 2204 (Build 15225.20000) or later.

Don’t have it yet? It’s probably us, not you.

Features are released over some time to ensure things are working smoothly. We highlight features that you may not have because they’re slowly releasing to larger numbers of Insiders. Sometimes we remove elements to further improve them based on your feedback. Though this is rare, we also reserve the option to pull a feature entirely out of the product, even if you, as an Insider, have had the opportunity to try it.

We want to hear from you! Please click Help > Feedback to submit your feedback about this feature.

Learn what  other information you should include in your feedback  to ensure it’s actionable and reaches the right people. We’re excited to hear from you!

Sign up for the Office Insider newsletter  and get the latest information about Insider features in your inbox once a month!

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How to See Notes on PowerPoint on the Laptop: A Step-by-Step Guide

Seeing notes on a PowerPoint presentation on your laptop can be quite handy, especially when you’re presenting or rehearsing. To do this, all you need to do is open your PowerPoint file, go to the ‘View’ tab, and select ‘Notes’ to toggle the visibility of your speaker notes. It’s that simple!

After completing this action, you will be able to view your presentation slides alongside any notes you’ve added for each slide. This helps you to stay on track during a presentation and remember key points without the audience seeing your notes.

Introduction

Have you ever been in the middle of a PowerPoint presentation and suddenly forgotten your next talking point? It’s happened to the best of us. That’s where speaker notes come in – they’re the secret weapon for a smooth and professional presentation. But do you know how to see these notes on your laptop while you’re presenting? Fear not, this guide will walk you through the process.

Speaker notes in PowerPoint are a feature that allows presenters to add reminders, additional information, or cues that are not visible to the audience but can be seen by the presenter on their laptop. This feature is particularly important for educators, business professionals, and anyone who relies on presentations to communicate information effectively. It allows for better preparation, reduces the likelihood of missing key points, and boosts confidence during a presentation.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to See Notes on PowerPoint on the Laptop

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand what we aim to achieve. By enabling the notes view in PowerPoint, we ensure that you can see your notes on your laptop while the audience only sees the slides.

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation

Open the PowerPoint file that contains the presentation you wish to work with.

The first thing you need to do is to make sure that your presentation is open on your laptop. It can be a presentation you’re working on or one that you’re about to present.

Step 2: Go to the ‘View’ tab

In the PowerPoint ribbon, click on the ‘View’ tab to see the various view options available.

The ‘View’ tab is where you can change how you view your presentation while you’re editing it. This is where you can switch to the notes view.

Step 3: Select ‘Notes’

Click on the ‘Notes’ option to toggle the visibility of the speaker notes for your presentation.

Once you select ‘Notes’, you will see a section appear at the bottom of each slide where you can view and edit your speaking notes.

Additional Information

Besides knowing how to view notes, there are a few additional tips worth mentioning. First, practice using the notes effectively so that you’re not constantly reading from them; they should serve as prompts rather than a script. Also, consider the size and font of your notes – they should be easily readable at a glance.

Moreover, if you’re using multiple monitors, PowerPoint has a ‘Presenter View’ that can show you the notes on one screen while the audience views the slides on another. Lastly, remember that your notes are for your eyes only, so feel free to include any personal reminders that will help you during your presentation.

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the ‘View’ tab in the ribbon.
• Select the ‘Notes’ option to view your speaker notes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i print my powerpoint slides with notes.

Yes, you can print your slides with notes by choosing ‘Print’ and selecting ‘Notes Pages’ under ‘Settings.’

Can I view my notes in PowerPoint online?

Yes, the online version of PowerPoint also lets you view and edit notes.

What should I do if I can’t see my notes in PowerPoint?

Make sure you are in ‘Notes’ view. If the problem persists, try restarting PowerPoint or checking for updates.

Is there a shortcut to view notes in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can press ‘Alt+S’ followed by ‘N’ to switch to Notes view quickly.

Can I use notes during a PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, you can use notes during your presentation by using ‘Presenter View’ or simply toggling the ‘Notes’ view on your laptop.

In the world of presentations, being able to see notes on PowerPoint on your laptop is a game-changer. It’s a feature that equips you with a hidden guide, ensuring your presentation is as effective and engaging as possible. So, whether you’re a teacher, a student, or a professional, mastering this skill can make a substantial difference in your presentation game. Remember, the goal here is not to memorize your notes but to use them as a tool to enhance your delivery and keep your audience captivated. 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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• Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view Article
• Add speaker notes to your slides Article
• Rehearse and time the delivery of a presentation Article
• Record a slide show with narration and slide timings Article
• Print your PowerPoint slides, handouts, or notes Article
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Add speaker notes to your slides

When you're creating a presentation, you can add speaker notes to refer to later while delivering the slide show in front of an audience.

During your presentation, the speaker notes are visible on your monitor, but aren't visible to the audience. So the Notes pane is the place to store talking points that you want to mention when you give your presentation.

Add notes while creating your presentation

The Notes pane is a box that appears below each slide. (It is outlined in magenta in the picture below.) An empty Notes pane will prompt you with text that says, Click to add notes . Type your speaker notes there. If you don’t see the Notes pane or it is completely minimized, click Notes on the task bar across the bottom of the PowerPoint window (also marked in magenta in the picture below).

If your notes exceed the allotted length of the Notes pane, a vertical scroll bar appears on the side of the pane. You can also enlarge the Notes pane by pointing your mouse at the top line of the pane and then dragging upward after the pointer turns into a double-headed arrow.

What the notes look like in Presenter view

Tip:  You can add notes either while you’re presenting, directly from Presenter view, or as you’re editing your presentation. For information on how to add speaker notes to while editing your presentation, see  Add speaker notes to your slides.  

The notes appear in a pane on the right. If you need to add or delete something, simply click in the text box to edit it. The text wraps automatically, and a vertical scroll bar appears if necessary. You can also change the size of the text in the Notes pane by using the two buttons at the lower left corner of the Notes pane:

Presenter view isn't something you have to create. PowerPoint assembles it for you by gathering the notes you've typed for each slide and pairing them with a set of controls for navigating through your presentation.

By default, PowerPoint is set to use Presenter view when you run a slide show. You can change this setting on the Slide Show tab of the PowerPoint ribbon:

Read Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view for more details about how to see and use Presenter view.

Print speaker notes

See Print slides with or without speaker notes .

Print slides with or without speaker notes

Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view

Transfer slides from one presentation to another

Add notes to your slides

To add notes to your slides, do the following:

On the View menu, click Normal .

Select the thumbnail of the slide you want to add notes to.

The notes pane will appear beneath your slide. Click where it says Click to add notes and type whatever notes you'd like to add.

View your notes while you present

If you want to view your notes while you're presenting but make sure your audience only sees what you've put on the slide itself, use presenter view. Here's how:

On the View menu, click Presenter View .

You'll see the main slide that you're presenting, a preview of the next slide, and any notes you've added for the current slide below the preview of the next slide.

Your audience will only the slides that you're presenting in your presentation, and not your notes.

Print your slides and handouts

PowerPoint for the web lets you create speaker notes, but it doesn't have the ability to show you the notes while you're presenting your slide show.

Create speaker notes

The pane appears across the bottom portion of the PowerPoint window, with the cursor blinking, ready for you to begin typing.

If you're a Microsoft 365 business subscriber and your presentation is stored on OneDrive for work or school or SharePoint in Microsoft 365, you can print your speaker notes. See Print your PowerPoint slides, handouts, or notes for more information.

See speaker notes while presenting

Currently you must use a desktop version of PowerPoint to see speaker notes while you're presenting.

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How to Read Notes While Presenting in PowerPoint: Mastering Unseen Cues

As we often find ourselves in front of an audience, delivering a presentation is an art cultivated by preparation and skillful use of tools. PowerPoint, a staple in such scenarios, offers features that can advance the way we present information. A critical feature of this software is the ability to read notes inconspicuously while presenting. This is quintessential for staying on track without compromising engagement with the audience. Our notes act as prompts, ensuring a smooth delivery and aiding us in covering all key points without overwhelming the viewers with text-heavy slides.

The Presenter View in PowerPoint is specifically designed for this purpose. It effectively provides a private view where we can glance at our notes, see upcoming slides, and manage the presentation flow discreetly. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with complex topics that require cues or when we need to maintain eye contact with the audience while presenting data or insights. We’ve gathered methods and best practices to utilize the Presenter View, so you can present with confidence, ensuring your message is delivered clearly and professionally.

• 1.1 Using Presenter View
• 1.2 Configuring Display Settings
• 1.3 Connecting to Monitors and Projectors
• 2.1 Transitioning Between Slides
• 2.2 Utilizing Slide Thumbnails and Controls
• 2.3 Managing Slide Visibility
• 3.1 Adding and Formatting Notes
• 3.2 Viewing Notes During Presentations
• 3.3 Maintaining Eye Contact with the Audience
• 4.1 Using Physical Presentation Tools
• 4.2 Troubleshooting Common Issues

Setting Up Your Presentation Environment

Preparing the technical aspects of a PowerPoint presentation ensures that we can confidently deliver content with the support of our notes. It’s crucial to have the right setup in place to manage what we are viewing versus what the audience sees.

Using Presenter View

When using PowerPoint, we often rely on Presenter View to simultaneously see our speaking notes and upcoming slides while the audience views only the current slide. To activate this in PowerPoint, we select the “Slide Show” tab and then check the “Use Presenter View” box. On a single monitor setup, Presenter View will appear on our screen, and if we’re connected to a second monitor or projector, PowerPoint will automatically extend the view to the audience display.

Configuring Display Settings

We need to ensure that our primary monitor displays the Presenter View and the secondary monitor or projector shows the slide show to our audience. If they’re reversed, we can access the display settings within PowerPoint and select “Swap Presenter View and Slide Show” to correct it. This adjustment is made from the task bar at the top of Presenter View.

Connecting to Monitors and Projectors

Connecting to an additional monitor or projector is straightforward. With Windows, under the ‘Display settings’, we set up our display to ‘Extend’ mode. This allows us to have different content on our laptop (Presenter View) and the external screen (presentation for the audience). With our presentation mode configured correctly, our focus can remain on delivering an impactful presentation, knowing that the audience is only seeing what’s intended for their eyes.

Navigating Slides While Presenting

In our experience, smooth navigation through slides is key to maintaining audience engagement. Paying attention to how we transition and manage slide visibility can make or break a presentation.

Transitioning Between Slides

When we’re presenting, moving seamlessly from the current slide to the next is crucial. We typically advance slides using the arrow keys or a clicker. To go back to a previous slide, we use the up arrow or the ‘previous’ button. Quick keyboard shortcuts are also useful. “N” for next and “P” for previous can save us time during a presentation.

Utilizing Slide Thumbnails and Controls

It’s invaluable to use slide thumbnails to anticipate our next move without disrupting the flow for our audience. Many of us find ourselves needing to skip ahead or revisit a topic; for this, the slide sorter view comes in handy. We can access this by pressing “See All Slides” or by selecting the grid icon in Presenter View. Our control over the presentation extends to not just navigating but also emphasizing points by momentarily hiding our content with the ‘black slide’ feature. By pressing “B”, we can refocus the audience before revealing the next slide.

Managing Slide Visibility

Maintaining control over what our audience sees can be as simple as utilizing the ‘unblack slide show’ feature, which we activate by pressing “B” or “W” to return to the presentation from a blank screen. This tool is particularly effective when we need a moment to field questions or discuss a point without distraction.

Optimizing Notes for Effective Presentations

Understanding how to effectively add, format, and view your notes ensures you remain connected with the audience while presenting. We’ll explore how to make the most of PowerPoint’s features to keep your delivery fluent and engaging.

Adding and Formatting Notes

When we add notes to PowerPoint slides, it’s essential to consider the font size and the amount of text. Stick to key points and use bullet points to organize your thoughts. Here’s how we recommend formatting your notes:

• Keep font size between 14-18pt for readability.
• Use bullet points to break up information.
• Make important words bold for quick reference.

Viewing Notes During Presentations

To view notes during presentations without sharing them with the audience, Presenter View is ideal. Ensure your laptop or tablet is placed so that you can see the screen without turning away from the audience. Utilize the vertical scroll bar to navigate through notes if needed. Keep your notes concise to minimize scrolling, which can be done in Normal view by selecting the Notes Page option.

Maintaining Eye Contact with the Audience

Eye contact is crucial as it keeps the audience engaged and shows confidence. Position your device to ensure you can glance quickly at your notes and then back to your audience. Consider a smartphone as a remote to change slides, which allows the freedom to move and maintain better eye contact. Remember, practicing with Presenter View beforehand helps us get comfortable with the setup and makes it second nature to maintain eye contact during the actual presentation.

Incorporating these strategies into our preparation can dramatically improve the effectiveness of our presentations, ensuring that we deliver a clear and engaging message to our audience.

Enhancing Presentations with Tools and Equipment

To elevate your presentation, it’s essential to effectively employ various tools and equipment. By integrating these elements, our presentations can become more engaging and professional.

Using Physical Presentation Tools

When presenting, physical tools such as laser pointers and highlighters can help draw the audience’s attention to key information. Best practices suggest the use of a laser pointer to guide the audience through bullet points or key data. As for the highlighter, it can be useful on a tablet or phone to emphasize critical parts of digital documents.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

In the midst of utilizing technology, issues may arise. Should our webcam not display the proper presenter view, swapping displays is often the solution. Zoom and other virtual meeting applications usually have a “Swap Presenter View” feature which can be toggled within the app settings. It’s key to regularly practice with your equipment to avoid hiccups during actual presentations.

• Check connections and settings if the remote control isn’t working.
• Ensure webcam is properly aligned for a more personal engagement during Zoom meetings.
• Have backup tools handy – spare pen, tablet, or phone to manage slides.

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How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting

If you’re a seasoned presenter, you know that it’s essential to have a well-organized set of notes to guide you through your presentation. However, it can be challenging to balance reading your notes while also delivering an engaging presentation to your audience. Fortunately, PowerPoint has a feature that allows you to view your notes while presenting, making it easier for you to stay on track. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about viewing notes in PowerPoint while presenting.

Table of Contents

Why Viewing Notes in PowerPoint is Important for Presenters

Before we dive into the specifics of how to view notes in PowerPoint, let’s take a moment to discuss why it’s so important in the first place. For one, having speaker notes can help you remember key talking points and transitions between slides. Additionally, it can be a valuable reference in case you get lost or flustered during your presentation. Lastly, viewing notes can help you ensure that you give a comprehensive and detailed presentation, without worrying about missing important points. Ultimately, by viewing your notes in PowerPoint, you can feel more confident and prepared while presenting.

Another reason why viewing notes in PowerPoint is important is that it allows you to customize your presentation for different audiences. By having notes that are specific to each presentation, you can tailor your message to the needs and interests of your audience. This can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and make your presentation more engaging and memorable. Additionally, viewing notes can help you stay on track and avoid going off on tangents, which can be a common problem for presenters. Overall, taking the time to view your notes in PowerPoint can greatly enhance the effectiveness of your presentation.

How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint

Before you can view your notes in PowerPoint, you have to first add them. To add speaker notes in PowerPoint, start by opening your presentation and click on the “Notes” button located in the bottom-right corner of the screen. This will open a panel where you can enter your notes for each slide. To add text to the notes pane, simply click on it and start typing. Once you’ve added your notes, click on the “Notes” button again to close the panel. Remember to save your changes afterwards.

Speaker notes are a great way to keep track of important points you want to make during your presentation. They can also serve as a helpful reference if you need to refer back to your notes during the presentation. When adding speaker notes, it’s important to keep them concise and to the point. Avoid writing out your entire script, as this can be distracting for both you and your audience. Instead, focus on key points and reminders to help guide your presentation.

How to Access the Notes Pane in PowerPoint

Now that you’ve added your notes, it’s time to access them while presenting. Start by opening your PowerPoint presentation and clicking on the slideshow tab at the top of the screen. Next, click on the “Presenter View” button in the “Monitors” section. This will open up a new window with your presentation on one screen and your notes on another. To navigate through your notes, use the arrow keys on your keyboard. Keep in mind that this feature requires two monitors, so be sure to set up your display accordingly.

Additionally, you can also access the notes pane while in editing mode. Simply click on the “View” tab at the top of the screen and select “Notes Page” from the “Presentation Views” section. This will bring up a new window with your presentation on one side and your notes on the other. You can edit and add to your notes here as well. This feature is especially useful if you need to make changes to your notes while working on your presentation.

Using the Presenter View in PowerPoint to View Notes

The Presenter View in PowerPoint is specifically designed to help you view notes while presenting. Along with showing your notes on one screen, it also displays a timer, current slide, and upcoming slide. This can help you stay on track and avoid running out of time or getting lost. Additionally, the Presenter View allows you to annotate your slides or highlight specific points during your presentation.

Another useful feature of the Presenter View is the ability to preview your next slide before it appears on the main screen. This can help you prepare for the next point you want to make and ensure a smooth transition between slides. Additionally, you can use the Presenter View to navigate through your presentation, allowing you to jump to specific slides or sections without interrupting the flow of your presentation. Overall, the Presenter View is a powerful tool that can help you deliver a more polished and professional presentation.

Customizing Font and Text Size of Speaker Notes in PowerPoint

If you find yourself struggling to read the notes while presenting, consider adjusting the font and text size. To do this, access the notes pane by clicking on the “Notes” button, then click on the “View” tab at the top of the screen. From there, select “Notes Master” and choose “Fonts” from the drop-down menu. Here, you can customize the font, size, and color of your speaker notes to your liking.

It’s important to note that while customizing the font and text size of your speaker notes can be helpful, it’s also important to keep in mind that your audience may not be able to read small or fancy fonts from a distance. It’s best to choose a clear and easy-to-read font, and to keep the text size large enough for everyone in the room to see. Additionally, using bullet points and short phrases can make your speaker notes more concise and easier to read during your presentation.

How to Print Handouts with Speaker Notes in PowerPoint

If you prefer to have physical copies of your presentation with notes, PowerPoint allows you to print handouts with speaker notes. To do this, click on the “File” tab at the top of the screen, then select “Print” from the menu. Under “Settings,” select “Full Page Slides” and choose your desired layout for the notes. You can also customize the number of slides per page and add a header or footer to your handouts. Once you’re done, click on the “Print” button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Printing handouts with speaker notes can be a great way to provide your audience with a physical copy of your presentation that they can refer to later. It can also be helpful for those who may have missed your presentation and want to review the material. Additionally, printing handouts with speaker notes can be a useful tool for presenters who may need to refer to their notes during the presentation.

It’s important to note that when printing handouts with speaker notes, you may want to consider the amount of ink and paper that will be used. If you have a large audience, printing multiple copies of your presentation with speaker notes can quickly become expensive. In this case, you may want to consider providing digital copies of your presentation instead.

Tips for Reading Notes while Presenting

While viewing your notes can be helpful, it’s important not to rely on them too heavily. Make sure to maintain eye contact with your audience and use your notes as a reference rather than reading from them word-for-word. Additionally, practice your presentation beforehand to become more familiar with your notes and the flow of your presentation.

Another tip for reading notes while presenting is to use visual aids to supplement your notes. This can help you stay on track and keep your audience engaged. Consider using slides, diagrams, or other visual aids to help illustrate your points and keep your presentation organized.

Finally, it’s important to be aware of your body language while reading notes during a presentation. Avoid slouching or looking down at your notes for too long, as this can make you appear disengaged or unprepared. Instead, stand up straight and use hand gestures to emphasize key points and keep your audience engaged.

How to Switch Between Slides and Notes during a Presentation

If you need to switch back and forth between your presentation and your notes during your presentation, there’s an easy way to do it. Simply press the “Ctrl” and “T” keys on your keyboard to toggle between the two. This can be helpful if you need to reference a particular slide or point while speaking.

Another useful tip is to use the presenter view in your presentation software. This allows you to see your notes and upcoming slides on your computer screen, while your audience only sees the current slide on the presentation screen. To access presenter view, go to the “Slide Show” tab and select “Presenter View” from the options. This can help you stay organized and on track during your presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues when Viewing Notes in PowerPoint

If you encounter any issues while viewing your notes in PowerPoint, such as font size or display issues, try adjusting your display settings or checking for updates. Additionally, make sure that you have the latest version of PowerPoint installed, as newer versions may offer more robust note-taking features.

Another common issue that may arise when viewing notes in PowerPoint is the formatting of the notes themselves. If you copy and paste text from another program, such as Microsoft Word, into your notes section, it may cause formatting issues. To avoid this, try typing your notes directly into the PowerPoint notes section or use the “Paste Special” function to paste plain text only. This can help ensure that your notes display correctly and are easy to read during your presentation.

Viewing notes in PowerPoint can be a valuable tool for presenters, allowing them to stay on track and provide a comprehensive presentation to their audience. By adding speaker notes to your presentation, customizing font and text size, and using the Presenter View, you can enhance your presentation skills and deliver more engaging and informative presentations.

Another benefit of using speaker notes in PowerPoint is that it can help you to remember important points that you may forget during the presentation. By having your notes in front of you, you can quickly refer to them and ensure that you cover all the necessary information.

Additionally, Presenter View can also be used to keep track of time during your presentation. The timer feature allows you to see how much time has elapsed and how much time is remaining, helping you to pace your presentation and ensure that you stay within the allotted time frame.

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Blog > All about notes in PowerPoint Presentations

All about notes in PowerPoint Presentations

08.06.21   •  #powerpoint #tips.

Not only is a well-prepared PowerPoint presentation essential, but also a red thread and a fluent presentation. With the help of notes in PowerPoint, this is no longer a problem! In this blog post, we will not only explain how you can add powerpoint notes, but also how you can edit them and make good use of them during a presentation. We will also show you how to print out the notes and how to delete them again.

Inserting and editing notes in PowerPoint

• First open your presentation.

There are two ways you can print out the notes. With the slides or without.

Print notes with the slides

Print notes without the slides

Using notes during a presentation.

If you want to share your PowerPoint on Zoom without showing the audience your notes, there are several options. A very simple and straightforward option would be to simply print out your notes. If you have two monitors, PowerPoint will automatically set up the Presenter View for you. If you do not have a second screen, you only have to go to the three dots at the very bottom left during the presentation, there you can easily display the speaker view under "Speaker view".

Now, turn the tables! - Let your attendees take private notes

With the help of SlideLizard (a cool software for live audience interaction in PowerPoint), your participants can make private notes directly on their own smartphones during the presentation. These notes remain linked to the slides and at the end of the presentation, all participants receive their own notes via email. In addition, your audience can mark the most important slides with a star to make them easier to find again later. Moreover, with SlideLizard you can add live polls & quizzes directly in your PowerPoint. You can try SlideLizard for free today !

Deleting notes in PowerPoint

Of course, there is also the option of deleting the notes. You can delete them directly on the respective slides or you can delete them all at once. Proceed as follows:

Keyboard shortcuts for notes in PowerPoint

How can I add notes in PowerPoint?

To add notes in PowerPoint, go to "Notes" in the "View" tab or you can also insert notes via the status bar at the bottom right with just one click.

How do I print notes in PowerPoint?

Go to "Print" in the "File" tab. Then select "Notes pages" in the print layout instead of "Full page slides".

How can I use the notes in PowerPoint during my presentation?

In order to see your PowerPoint notes during your presentation, you must check the box "Use Presenter View" in the tab "Slide Show" beforehand. They will then be displayed automatically during your presentation.

Related articles

About the author.

Miriam Rapberger

Miriam supports SlideLizard in the area of marketing and design. There she uses her creativity for blog posts, among other things.

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How-To Geek

7 powerpoint features you should use during presentations.

Are you using the right features to engage your audience?

Quick Links

Presenter coach for practicing, cameo for a live camera feed, subtitles for showing spoken words, presenter view for tools during the show, pen, highlighter, and laser pointer for visual emphasis, zoom for a closer view, speaker notes for talking points.

As you may already know, Microsoft PowerPoint offers a robust feature set for creating presentations. But what kind of tools are useful for actually presenting a slideshow? We'll walk you through several features that can help you engage your audience.

Before it's time for your presentation, you can practice with help from PowerPoint itself. Using Presenter Coach , you can receive feedback as you walk through your slideshow.

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

To use Presenter Coach, head to the Slide Show tab and select "Rehearse with Coach." When your slideshow opens in full screen mode, click "Start Rehearsing" to begin.

You'll see feedback in real-time as you speak and move through your presentation. You can also view a rehearsal report after you finish that summarizes your time spent practicing, filler words you use, your pace, and more.

Plan ahead for your presentation by practicing with this handy built-in tool.

For a personal touch or a way to communicate visually, consider using a live camera feed. With the Cameo feature, you can put your face and voice front and center during your slideshow.

To add the Cameo object, go to the slide, open the Insert tab, and select "Cameo" in the Camera section.

You can then move or resize the object, see a preview using the camera icon, and customize the object using the Camera Format tab that appears when you select it.

If you add the Cameo element to additional slides, your camera feed continues seamlessly through your presentation.

For complete details on this feature, take a look at our how-to for using a live camera feed in PowerPoint .

Related: The Best Webcams of 2023

You may have audience members viewing your PowerPoint presentation who have a hearing impairment or speak a different dialect. With subtitles, you can display every word you say during a presentation in the language of your choice.

Related: How to Set Up and Use Subtitles in Microsoft PowerPoint

To set up the subtitles , go to the Slide Show tab and select the Subtitle Settings drop-down menu. You can then adjust the spoken and subtitle languages, the microphone you want to use, and the placement of the captions.

You can check the box above the menu to Always Use Subtitles or use the Toggle Subtitles icon (Windows) or Closed Caption button (Mac) to turn them on and off during your presentation.

For an excellent way to accommodate your audience during your slideshow, give the subtitles feature a try.

When you present your slideshow, you probably want every tool available to you, and PowerPoint has many. To access those tools like a laser pointer or your presenter notes, check out Presenter View .

To use the feature on Windows, go to the Slide Show tab and check the box for Use Presenter View in the Monitors section of the ribbon. Then, start your presentation as normal. On Mac, simply click "Presenter View" on the Slide Show tab.

To start Presenter View during the slideshow, click the three dots on the bottom left and pick "Show Presenter View."

Next, you'll see a dashboard-like screen with everything you need. On the top left is the current slide, to the right is the next slide, and below that you have your notes.

On the left, you can open additional tools, turn subtitles on or off, black or unblack the show, toggle the camera, and end the show.

Presenter View puts everything you need at your fingertips during your presentation.

These may seem like super basic tools, but they can be quite handy while presenting a slideshow. You can use a pen to circle an image or draw an arrow, a highlighter to call out certain text, or a laser pointer to emphasize parts of a slide.

Related: Turn Your Mouse into a Laser Pointer in PowerPoint

To access the tools in Presenter View, select the Pen and Laser Pointer Tools icon (pen) below the current slide.

To access the tools without Presenter View, select the Pen and Laser Pointer Tools icon on the bottom left of the slide.

Choose a tool and then use your cursor to control it. For the pen and highlighter, you can also pick a color in the pop-up window.

To "put away" the tool you're using, access it using the steps above and deselect it.

Along with using the tools above for making parts of your presentation stand out, you can take advantage of the Zoom feature. With it, you can zoom in on part of a slide , move around if you like, and then zoom back out.

As of November 2022, this feature is not available in PowerPoint on Mac.

In regular slide show view or Presenter View, select the zoom icon (magnifying glass) on the bottom left.

You'll then see a rectangle on your screen indicating the zoom area. Move that rectangle to the spot you want to enlarge and click.

You can then drag to move around the slide while it's zoomed in. Right-click or use your Escape key to zoom back out to the original view.

Just like giving a speech with index cards for your talking points, notes in PowerPoint are just as beneficial. You can include information you want to highlight or further details for text or images you use.

Related: How to Insert a Check Mark or Checkbox in PowerPoint

To add presenter notes to your slideshow, open the notes panel. Either select "Notes" in the status bar or drag up from the bottom of the slide in the PowerPoint window.

Then when it's time to present, use Presenter View to display your notes during the show.

With an update to PowerPoint in 2022, you can also edit your notes while you present. This is a good way to capture additional points you think of while presenting or if an audience question pops up.

Place your cursor in the notes area on the right side and add or remove text. You can also use the buttons at the bottom to increase or decrease the font size.

Having your speaker notes with you during a slideshow is a key element in a successful presentation.

When you finish creating your PowerPoint slideshow , prepare to present it by trying out these features ahead of time. Then, incorporate them into your slideshow where it makes sense. Your audience will be glad you did!

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How to see my notes while recording narrations in PowerPoint

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Let me help you to see the Narration while recording.

Refer to the sections Record a narration before or during a slide show and Preview a narration in the following link and check if it helps:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/record-and-add-narration-and-timings-to-a-slide-show-HA102749693.aspx

Let us know if the steps mentioned in the link were helpful to you.

Thank you.

2 people found this reply helpful

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Thanks for your reply.

I can see narrations recording on the screen but I still can't see my notes that are my narrations. Do I have to memorize them all?

The step 3 in the "Record comments on a slide" article said that I can see "record" but there is no "record" in the dialog. And can't record comments either on a slide.

By the way, I have Surface Pro with windows8.1 installed Office 365 home premium.

Thanks for your help.

4 people found this reply helpful

Hi, everybody out there, who are wondering why we can't see the notes while recording. No we can't. Because it does not have the function for it. That's why Microsoft Support Team wasn't reply to my question here, I guess or because I haven't paid enough for the software.

I think that PowerPoint doesn't have this functions yet. I maybe wrong but I couldn't get any reply from Microsoft Support Team but I figured out how to see the notes for my narrations during recording. There is a way to see them I found. I had to use the dual monitor configuration and run the slideshow. That case I can see the presenter screen on my PC and the slideshow on the another monitor. Again, this is not for building the presentation. It's only for the record of the voice for the slideshow we are running.

I think that it's for our boss to see if we did right while we were doing the presentation correct on the end of the day. If we have done OK for our work, we can use it again with the recorded one on the next show.

So, we have to look for an alternate and a better one if we like to have this function, I guess. Or add on, such as an articulate.com. I probably haven't paid enough for Microsoft but I've paid whatever they required, but yes, they said it's without any support. And they said to me if you wanted any support, you should pay more. I just couldn't afford to pay more than $300.00 to find out "Sorry, you can't!"

I was looking for the solution including "Sorry, you can't" or "There is a way but you have to pay for it."

I just wanted to find out if I could do it or not.

THAT'S THE ANSWER FOR THIS QUESTION. THANKS. PLEASE REPLY IF I'M WRONG.

67 people found this reply helpful

I'm still having very hard time to record voices on the slides and playback. I figured out this MS Powerpoint doesn't have a function to record voices while building a presentation although we can record our voice while presenting but it's not easy and controllable.  

When I go on the menu on top,  

SLIDE SHOW  

Record Slide Show (Both Checked)  

MY Slide Show is launched and the presenter slide show with note displays on my Surface Pro and the presentation displays on the another monitor since I have dual monitor configuration. I also see recording diagram with elapsed time on the presenting monitor.  

Then, I pressed Enter key to move the next slide, the recording diagram will disappear. It works on the another monitor and on my Surface Pro screen but either slide sample on the left nor notes on the presenter screen. When I hit enter key again, the new slide will insert on the presenter PC.  

In this same operation it works sometimes as I expected. That is moving the next slide and notes as well by pressing enter key.  

Rehearse Timing in the menu does the same.  

And no selection available if I have custom slide shows. The recording slide show will be only the first one in the custom slide show list.No chance to pick up other ones.  

Am I missing something to do?  

Thanks for your help.  

36 people found this reply helpful

• Article Author |
• Volunteer Moderator

If you don't need the sound to be continuous from one slide to the next, you could record your narration in a sound editor like Audacity (free), which'll give you FAR better control over the sound quality and allow you to edit out any oopsies.  Save each slide's sound to a file as you finish recording it, then insert it on the slide (Insert | Audio).  

Or you can Insert | Audio | Record Audio to record and insert the audio using PPT's default settings.

You can then either have the audio start when clicked (the default) or you can select it, then Animations | add a PLAY animation, change timing to Start: With Previous to have the sound play automatically.

You can do all of this in normal view, where you can see your slide notes.

Or you could print your notes.  To dead trees, or save them as PDF and open the PDF and PPT (in windowed view) and record your narration.

10 people found this reply helpful

That link is similar to the answer found in the PowerPoint ? icon.  However, it does not show you how to set a mode in which you can see your notes and record your voice at the same time.  This is frustrating.

My solution:  Copy & paste my notes into Note Pad and start my narration for each slide.  I think that the notes in PowerPoint were developed to be viewed only for live presentations--not voice recordings.

It would be a wonderful upgrade if we could record narration and see our notes at the same time.  ;-)

15 people found this reply helpful

• Volunteer Moderator |
• Article Author

1 person found this reply helpful

I agree with you, that this would be a great feature.

And I agree with John; his suggestion is the best way of getting your request in front of the developers who add features to PPT.

Meanwhile, here's a bit of VBA that'll automatically export your notes text to a file and open the file.  Saves all that wrist-wearying select/copy/paste stuff.

Export the notes text of a presentation

I could not find the VBA for exporting notes to another file. That would have been helpful.

I fail to see why MS has not corrected the problem of why one feature (recording) turns off another related feature (presenter mode). It would seem that Steve as an authorized moderator could count how many people over what period of time want this corrected rather than direct us to have to log it into a list of requested enhancements.

And, BTW, this thread was about the 10th item list from the Google search on "cannot see speaker notes when recording in powerpoint" --so some would have gotten fed up by the 5th on the list. 

12 people found this reply helpful

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How To Add Notes To PowerPoint

Whether you're presenting to a large group of people or just a few team members, adding notes to your PowerPoint slides can help you deliver a more polished and professional presentation.

Adding notes to your PowerPoint presentations can be incredibly useful when you're giving a presentation.

It helps you stay on track, remember key points, and provide additional information to your audience.

In this guide, we'll take you through the step-by-step process of adding notes to PowerPoint, so you can start creating more engaging and informative presentations .

How To Add Notes To PowerPoint ✍️

Powerpoint faq: adding notes 🙋, it’s a wrap 🎁.

Important disclosure: we're proud affiliates of some tools mentioned in this guide. If you click an affiliate link and subsequently make a purchase, we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you (you pay nothing extra). For more information, read our affiliate disclosure .

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Navigate to the slide where you want to add notes.
• Click on the "Notes" button at the bottom of the screen , which will bring up the "Notes" pane.
• Type your notes into the "Notes" pane below the slide.

5. You can format your notes using the formatting options available in the "Notes" pane.

6. If you want to view your notes while presenting , click on the "View" tab at the top of the screen, then select "Notes Page" from the "Presentation Views" section or click "Presenter View" .

7. When you're ready to present, you can either view your notes on your computer screen or print them out as a handout for you or your audience.

How do I access the "Notes" pane in PowerPoint? Click on the "Notes" button at the bottom of the screen.

Can I add images or diagrams to my PowerPoint notes? Yes, you can! Simply insert the image or diagram into the "Notes" pane using the "Insert" tab.

Can I format the text in my PowerPoint notes? Sure,  format the text in your PowerPoint notes using the formatting options available in the "Notes" pane.

How do I view my PowerPoint notes during a presentation? Click on the "View" tab at the top of the screen, then select "Notes Page" from the "Presentation Views" section.

Can I print out my PowerPoint notes as a handout for my audience? Of course, simply select the "Notes Pages" option when you print your presentation.

That's it! You can now add notes to your PowerPoint presentations to help you remember key points or to provide additional information to your audience.

It also greatly enhances the effectiveness and professionalism of your presentation.

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