How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint (See Your Notes)
Presenter View is PowerPoint's secret weapon. When you connect to a projector or second screen, your audience sees your slides full-screen, while you see your speaker notes, a preview of the next slide, a timer and a set of handy tools.
What Presenter View shows you
• The current slide — what the audience is seeing.
• The next slide — so you can set it up smoothly.
• Your speaker notes — with buttons to make the text bigger or smaller.
• A timer and the clock — so you don't overrun.
• Tools — pen, laser pointer, zoom, and a button to see all slides.
• The next slide — so you can set it up smoothly.
• Your speaker notes — with buttons to make the text bigger or smaller.
• A timer and the clock — so you don't overrun.
• Tools — pen, laser pointer, zoom, and a button to see all slides.
Step 1: Add speaker notes
In normal editing view, click Notes at the bottom of the window (or View > Notes) to open the notes area under each slide. Type your talking points there.
Step 2: Turn on Presenter View
1. Connect your laptop to the projector, TV or second monitor.
2. Go to the Slide Show tab.
3. Tick Use Presenter View.
4. Click From Beginning (or press F5).
2. Go to the Slide Show tab.
3. Tick Use Presenter View.
4. Click From Beginning (or press F5).
PowerPoint puts the slides on the second screen and Presenter View on your laptop.
Presenter View is on the wrong screen
It happens a lot. At the top of Presenter View, click Display Settings > Swap Presenter View and Slide Show. They switch places instantly.
Tip: If both screens show the same thing, your computer is mirroring its display. On Windows, press Windows key + P and choose Extend. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Displays and turn off mirroring.
Practise with just one screen
You don't need a projector to rehearse. Press Alt + F5 (on Windows) to open Presenter View on your only screen. Great for practising your timing.
On a Mac, click Slide Show > Presenter View.
Handy tools while presenting
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| →, Space or N | Next slide |
| ← or P | Previous slide |
| Number + Enter | Jump to that slide (e.g. 7 + Enter) |
| B | Black screen (press again to return) |
| W | White screen |
| Ctrl + L | Laser pointer |
| Ctrl + P | Pen, for drawing on the slide |
| E | Erase pen drawings |
| Esc | End the slideshow |
Tip: Press B when you want the audience's attention on you rather than the slide — perfect for questions.
Zoom in on part of a slide
Click the magnifying glass icon under the current slide, then click the area you want to enlarge. Press Esc or right-click to zoom back out.
See all your slides
Click the grid icon (See all slides) under the current slide to view thumbnails of every slide. Click one to jump straight to it — useful if someone asks about something from earlier.
Presenting in Teams
When you share a presentation in a Teams meeting, choose PowerPoint Live from the Share menu. You get a similar view with your notes and slide thumbnails, while attendees only see the slides.
Troubleshooting
I don't see Use Presenter View. Make sure you're on the Slide Show tab of the desktop app. PowerPoint for the web has a more limited version.
The audience can see my notes. The screens are mirrored or swapped. Use Windows key + P > Extend, then Swap Presenter View and Slide Show if needed.
Wrapping up
Tick Slide Show > Use Presenter View, swap screens if needed, and practise at your desk with Alt + F5. With your notes and the next slide in front of you, you'll look far more confident.
