How to Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

Presenter View shows your speaker notes, the next slide and a timer on your laptop, while the projector shows only the current slide. Press Alt + F5 to start it.

ShortcutAlt + F5
SettingSlide Show › Use Presenter View
Works inPowerPoint 2013 and later, Microsoft 365

Set it up

  1. Connect the projector or second screen.
  2. On the Slide Show tab, tick Use Presenter View.
  3. In Monitor, choose the projector screen.
  4. Press F5 to start. The projector shows the slide; your laptop shows Presenter View.

What you see

Area Use it to
Current slide See what the audience sees
Next slide Know what’s coming
Notes Read your speaker notes; use the A buttons to make the text bigger
Timer Keep track of time; pause or reset it
Tools Pen, laser pointer, zoom into part of a slide, see all slides, black screen

Practise with one screen

Press Alt + F5 on your laptop alone. Presenter View opens on the one screen so you can rehearse with your notes.

Screens are the wrong way round

Click Display Settings › Swap Presenter View and Slide Show at the top of Presenter View.

FAQ

Where do I type notes?

Click Notes at the bottom of the PowerPoint window in Normal view and type below the slide.

Can I jump to any slide?

Yes. Type the slide number and press Enter, or click See all slides. More in PowerPoint shortcuts.

Related

Last updated · Written by Ajay Anand, Microsoft Excel MVP