How to Add Comments and Work Together in PowerPoint (Co-Authoring)
Emailing a deck back and forth with "v3 FINAL (2)" in the name is how slides get lost. Save it to OneDrive or SharePoint, share it, and everyone works on the same file at the same time — with comments for feedback that doesn't belong on the slide.
Quick reference
| What you want | How |
|---|---|
| Add a comment | Select something → Review → New Comment (Ctrl + Alt + M) |
| Tag a colleague | Type @ and their name in the comment |
| Reply / resolve | Buttons on the comment itself |
| Edit together | Share (top right) → enter names → Send |
| Delete every comment | Review → Delete ▾ → Delete All Comments in This Presentation |
1. Add a comment
1. Click the object you're commenting on (or just the slide).
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + M or click Review → New Comment.
3. Type and press Ctrl + Enter (or click the arrow) to post.
2. Press Ctrl + Alt + M or click Review → New Comment.
3. Type and press Ctrl + Enter (or click the arrow) to post.
A small speech-bubble marker appears on the slide. Comments live in the Comments pane on the right; open it with Review → Show Comments.
2. @mention someone
Type @ followed by their name in the comment. They get an email with your comment and a link to the slide. It works for anyone in your organisation, and for anyone the file is shared with.
3. Reply, resolve and delete
• Reply — type in the box under the comment to keep a thread together.
• Resolve — tick it off when it's dealt with. Resolved comments are greyed out but kept.
• Delete — the bin icon removes it.
• Resolve — tick it off when it's dealt with. Resolved comments are greyed out but kept.
• Delete — the bin icon removes it.
Move between comments with Review → Previous / Next.
4. Share for editing at the same time
1. Save the file to OneDrive or SharePoint (click Share and PowerPoint offers to upload it if it isn't there already).
2. Click Share at the top right.
3. Type names or email addresses, choose Can edit or Can view, add a message and click Send.
2. Click Share at the top right.
3. Type names or email addresses, choose Can edit or Can view, add a message and click Send.
Everyone opens the same file. You see their initials on the slide they're editing and changes appear within seconds. AutoSave is on, so nobody has to remember to save.
5. See who changed what
File → Info → Version History lists every saved version with who made it. Open an older version and click Restore if something has gone wrong. Slides changed since you last opened the file are marked in the thumbnail pane.
6. Remove all comments before sending out
Comments are visible to anyone who opens the file. Before it goes to a client: Review → Delete ▾ → Delete All Comments and Ink in This Presentation. Or run File → Info → Check for Issues → Inspect Document to remove comments, notes and hidden data in one go.
Troubleshooting
I can't see the Comments pane. Review → Show Comments, or click the Comments button at the top right.
Co-authoring says the file is locked. Someone has it open in an old version of PowerPoint or from a local copy. Ask them to open it from OneDrive in the current version.
@mention doesn't find the person. The file is on your personal OneDrive and they're outside your organisation. Share it with their email address first.
The old-style comments look different. Microsoft moved to "modern comments" in 2021. Both work; modern ones add @mentions and resolve.
Wrapping up
Save it to OneDrive, click Share, and comment with Ctrl + Alt + M. Use @ to pull someone in, Resolve when it's done, and Delete All Comments before the file leaves the building.
