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How to Start and Navigate a PowerPoint Slideshow

Use the method you're most comfortable with

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A successful slideshow isn’t just about creating it, it’s about presenting it to your audience when it’s time. Here, we’ll show you the right keys to press, the action buttons to use, and the mouse clicks you need to start and navigate a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.

How to Start and Navigate a PowerPoint Slideshow image 1

How to Start a PowerPoint Slideshow

You have a few ways to start a slideshow in PowerPoint. The one you use depends on which slide you want to begin with or if you want to use Presenter View. Plus, you can use the options in PowerPoint’s ribbon or keyboard shortcuts.

Ribbon Options

  • Go to the Slide Show tab.
  • To use Presenter View automatically, check the box in the Monitors section of the ribbon.
  • Select From Beginning or From Current Slide to begin the show.

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Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Start from the beginning: F5
  • Start from the current slide: Shift + F5
  • Start in Presenter View: Alt + F5

How to Navigate a PowerPoint Slideshow

When it comes to navigating the presentation, you can use the toolbar buttons in Slide Show view or Presenter View, the shortcut (right-click) menu, or keyboard shortcuts.

Next Slide or Animation

  • Select the right arrow button in the toolbar.
  • Click on the current slide.
  • Use the keys N , Enter , Page Down , Right Arrow , Down Arrow , or Spacebar .

Previous Slide or Animation

  • Select the left arrow button in the toolbar.
  • Right-click the current slide and pick Previous .
  • Use the keys P , Page Up , Left Arrow , Up Arrow , or Backspace .

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Specific Slide

  • Type the slide number and press Enter .
  • Select the See All Slides button in the toolbar and choose the slide.

Show a Hidden Slide

  • Use the H key on the slide before the hidden one.
  • Select See All Slides and choose the slide.

Go to the First Slide

  • Type slide number 1 and press Enter .
  • Use the Home key.

Go to the Last Slide

  • Type the last slide number and press Enter .
  • Use the End key.

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Open the Screen Tools

  • Select the Pen and Laser Pointer icon in the toolbar and choose the tool.
  • Right-click, move to Pointer Options , and pick the tool.
  • Use the tool keyboard shortcuts:
  • Laser pointer: Ctrl + L
  • Pen: Ctrl + P
  • Arrow: Ctrl + A
  • Eraser: Ctrl + E

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Display a Blank Black Slide

  • Select the Black or Unblack Slide Show icon in the Presenter View toolbar.
  • Right-click the slide and pick Screen > Black Screen .
  • Select the three dots and pick Screen > Black Screen .
  • Use the B or Period key.

Display a Blank White Slide

  • Right-click the slide and pick Screen > White Screen .
  • Select the three dots and pick Screen > White Screen .
  • Use the W or Comma key.

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End the Presentation

  • Right-click and pick End Show .
  • Select the three dots and pick End Show .
  • Use the Escape key.

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When you’re ready to present your PowerPoint slideshow, you have plenty of options for starting and navigating the show. Use what you’re most comfortable with at the time for a winning presentation.

For more, look at these tips to improve your PowerPoint presentation .

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How to start a powerpoint slideshow.

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Quick Links

Start a slideshow in powerpoint's desktop app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's web app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's mobile app, key takeaways.

To start a PowerPoint slideshow on your desktop, open your slideshow and click "Start Slide Show" in the "Slide Show" tab. If you're using the web app, select "From Beginning" in the "Slide Show" tab. On mobile, simply tap the Monitor icon at the top of your screen.

There's nothing quite like finishing a presentation after spending hours getting it just right. Now, show off your hard work by starting your Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow on desktop, web, and mobile using the methods below.

Related: How (and Why) to Start Microsoft PowerPoint from the Command Prompt

To play a slideshow in PowerPoint's desktop app, all you have to do is click an option or press a shortcut on your keyboard .

Start the process by opening your presentation with PowerPoint. Then, in the app's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

Select "Slide Show" at the top.

In the "Slide Show" tab, from the "Start Slide Show" section, choose "From Beginning" (or press F5). Now your presentation will play from the very first slide.

If you'd like to start the slideshow from your current slide, choose the "From Current Slide" option. Alternatively, press Shift+F5 on your keyboard.

Select "From Beginning" or

While your presentation is playing, you can perform various tasks, like moving to the next slide or ending the show. You can reveal these options by right-clicking anywhere on the slide.

Slideshow options in PowerPoint for desktop.

Alternatively, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts while viewing your slideshow:

  • Spacebar or Right Arrow Button: Go to the next slide in the presentation.
  • Left Arrow Button: Go to the previous slide in the presentation.
  • Esc: End the show.
  • W: Hide your current slide and display a white screen. Press the same key again to bring back the slide's content.
  • B: Hide your current slide and display a black screen. Revert back to the slide's content by pressing the same button.
  • Ctrl+Left Mouse Button: Activate the laser point tool to point at things in your slides.
  • Ctrl+P: Launch the pen tool to annotate your slide's content during your show. You can choose if you'd like to keep these annotations when you end the show.
  • Ctrl+i: Access the highlighter tool to highlight items in your slides.

If you'd like to jump to a specific slide while presenting, press that slide's number on your keyboard and hit Enter. For example, press 12 and hit Enter to access that slide quickly.

To access the Presenter view, where you can see the upcoming slides and other options, right-click anywhere on your slide and choose "Show Presenter View."

PowerPoint for desktop's Presenter View.

With these options, you can start a slideshow and have it play exactly how you want.

To play a slideshow on the web, launch your preferred web browser and access PowerPoint on the web . Then, open your presentation.

From PowerPoint's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

Access the "Slide Show" tab at the top.

In the "Slide Show" tab, start your slideshow from the first slide by clicking the "From Beginning" option. To have your show play from your current slide, choose "From Current Slide."

Choose "From Beginning"

Your presentation is now playing.

To reveal the options for moving slides, annotating items, and using Presenter Coach , bring your cursor to your screen's bottom-left corner. Then, click the appropriate icon.

Slideshow options in PowerPoint for web.

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

To start a slideshow in the PowerPoint mobile app , launch the app on your phone and open your presentation.

On the presentation screen, at the top, tap the Monitor icon to play the slideshow.

Select the monitor icon at the top.

Your presentation has now begun.

To move to the next slide, swipe left on your screen. To go to the previous slide, swipe right.

Swipe left or right to move slides.

You can reveal PowerPoint's presentation options, like annotation and black screen tools, by tapping at the top of your presentation. Then, choose the option you'd like to use.

Slideshow options in PowerPoint for mobile.

And that's it. Happy presenting!

Want to learn a few tips to help you make the best PowerPoint presentations ? If so, check out our guide.

Related: 8 Tips to Make the Best PowerPoint Presentations

  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

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