How to view Notes in PowerPoint with Presenter view

How to view notes in powerpoint presenter view, hemants@twc.

How to Make PowerPoint Notes Invisible While Presenting

Making PowerPoint notes invisible during a presentation is a straightforward process. Simply use the Presenter View option, which shows your notes on your screen but not on the audience’s view. With a few clicks, you can deliver a seamless presentation without your notes being visible to everyone.

After completing this action, you will be able to present your PowerPoint slides without the audience seeing your personal notes, creating a more professional and clean presentation.

Introduction

Imagine you’re giving a big presentation. Your slides are perfect, but you’re a bit nervous and could use some notes to keep you on track. The last thing you want is for your audience to see these notes, distracting from the impact of your slides. That’s where the ability to make PowerPoint notes invisible during a presentation comes in handy.

PowerPoint is an incredibly powerful tool for creating compelling presentations. Whether you’re a student, a business professional, or a lecturer, mastering PowerPoint is a valuable skill. One of the lesser-known features of PowerPoint is the ability to keep your speaker notes private while presenting. This feature is particularly important for anyone who relies on cues or additional information to deliver their presentation smoothly. It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference in how confidently you present your information.

Step by Step Tutorial on Making PowerPoint Notes Invisible

Before getting into the steps, it’s important to understand what we’re aiming for. By following these steps, you will be able to view your notes on your computer while only the slides are displayed to your audience. This allows you to reference your notes discreetly during your presentation.

Step 1: Set Up Multiple Monitors

Ensure that you have a second monitor or projector connected to your computer.

Having a second monitor or projector connected is essential for using Presenter View. This allows you to view your notes on one screen while the audience sees only the presentation on the other.

Step 2: Enable Presenter View

In PowerPoint, click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab and check the ‘Use Presenter View’ box.

Enabling Presenter View is the key action that hides your notes from the audience. This option is usually found in the ‘Monitors’ group on the ‘Slide Show’ tab.

Step 3: Start Your Slide Show

Start your slide show as you normally would, and your notes will be visible only to you.

Once Presenter View is enabled and you start your slide show, you’ll see your notes on your screen, while the audience will see only the slides.

BenefitExplanation
ProfessionalismHaving your notes hidden from the audience gives your presentation a sleek, professional look.
Confidence BoosterKnowing your notes are there for your eyes only can lessen anxiety and boost your confidence during the presentation.
FlexibilityPresenter View allows you to see upcoming slides and notes, thus offering better control over your presentation flow.

Having your notes hidden from the audience helps maintain the focus on the content of your slides, rather than on your personal cues. This contributes to a more professional appearance and can help you make a better impression.

Knowing that you can reference your notes without the audience seeing them can be a significant confidence booster. This safety net allows you to focus on delivering your message rather than memorizing it.

With Presenter View, not only can you see your current slide’s notes, but you also get a preview of upcoming slides. This flexibility can be a game-changer, allowing you to better plan your transitions and manage your presentation’s pace.

DrawbackExplanation
Equipment DependencyYou need a second monitor or projector to use Presenter View, which isn’t always available.
Technical IssuesTechnical difficulties can arise, such as the second screen not being recognized.
Learning CurveIt may take time to become comfortable with Presenter View if you’re not tech-savvy.

One significant limitation is the need for additional equipment. Without a second monitor or projector, you won’t be able to use Presenter View.

Technical issues can also pose a problem, such as when the second screen isn’t immediately recognized by your computer, which could cause delays or disruptions to your presentation.

For those who are not tech-savvy, using Presenter View may require a bit of a learning curve. Becoming comfortable with this feature can take some practice.

Additional Information

When preparing for a presentation, there are a few extra tips you might find useful. First, rehearse with Presenter View ahead of time to become comfortable with toggling between your notes and the slides. Familiarize yourself with the controls, so you don’t fumble during the actual presentation.

Another tip is to keep your notes concise. Since you’ll be the only one seeing them, it might be tempting to write down everything, but this can be counterproductive. Short, keyword-based notes are generally more helpful than lengthy paragraphs.

Also, always have a backup plan. Technology can be unpredictable, so be prepared to give your presentation without your notes being visible on your screen. This could mean having a printout of your notes or being familiar enough with your material that you can present without them.

Finally, remember to engage with your audience. While it’s great to have notes, don’t become so reliant on them that you fail to make eye contact and connect with your audience. Presenter View is just a tool to aid you, not a crutch to lean on.

  • Connect a second monitor or projector.
  • Check the ‘Use Presenter View’ box in PowerPoint.
  • Start your slide show to view notes on your screen and slides on the audience’s screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is presenter view.

Presenter View is a PowerPoint feature that allows you to view your notes on your screen while the audience sees only the presentation slides.

Can I use Presenter View without a second monitor?

No, Presenter View requires a second monitor or projector to function correctly.

How can I ensure my notes are completely invisible to the audience?

By using Presenter View and making sure your laptop is not mirrored on the projector or second screen.

What should I do if my computer doesn’t recognize the second monitor?

Check your connection and make sure that you have the correct display settings on your computer.

Can I still see the next slide in Presenter View?

Yes, Presenter View allows you to see not only your notes but also a preview of the upcoming slide.

In conclusion, making PowerPoint notes invisible during a presentation is a nifty trick that can make a significant difference in your delivery. It allows for a more professional appearance and can help boost your confidence as a speaker. By following the steps outlined, you’ll be able to leverage the power of Presenter View to keep your notes private while still engaging your audience with a polished presentation.

Always remember to practice ahead of time, keep your notes concise, and, most importantly, ensure that you’re prepared for any technical hiccups that might arise. Good luck with your presentations, and may your PowerPoint notes always remain invisible to your audience!

Matthew Burleigh Solve Your Tech

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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How to See Your Notes When Presenting in PowerPoint

A person standing in front of a powerpoint presentation

As a presenter, delivering a seamless and confident presentation is key to making a lasting impression. However, it can be challenging to remember every detail of your presentation, especially if you have a lot of content to cover. Fortunately, with PowerPoint’s Presenter View, you can easily access your notes and confidently deliver your presentation. In this article, we will cover all aspects of using PowerPoint’s Presenter View to enhance your presentation.

Table of Contents

Why You Need to See Your Notes When Presenting in PowerPoint

Presenting without having your notes at hand can be daunting and can affect the quality of your presentation. Whether you are presenting in front of a small group or a large audience, you will need to have access to your notes. This will help you deliver your presentation confidently, as you will have a clear idea of what to say or do next. In addition, having your notes visible can help you stay focused on the topics you want to cover and avoid straying off-topic.

Another reason why it is important to see your notes when presenting in PowerPoint is that it can help you manage your time effectively. By having your notes visible, you can keep track of the time and ensure that you are covering all the important points within the allocated time frame. This can help you avoid rushing through the presentation or running out of time before you have covered all the key points.

Furthermore, having your notes visible can also help you engage with your audience better. When you are confident and well-prepared, you are more likely to make eye contact with your audience and use body language effectively. This can help you build a connection with your audience and keep them engaged throughout the presentation.

How to Access Presenter View in PowerPoint

Before you can access Presenter View, you need to have a PowerPoint presentation open in Slide Show mode. Once your presentation is open, simply click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab and check the box beside ‘Use Presenter View.’ Your screen will then automatically switch to Presenter View, allowing you to see your notes and other helpful controls.

Presenter View is a great tool for giving presentations, as it allows you to see your notes and upcoming slides while your audience only sees the current slide. You can also use Presenter View to zoom in on specific parts of your slide, draw on your slides, and even use a virtual laser pointer to highlight important information. To exit Presenter View, simply press the ‘Esc’ key on your keyboard.

Understanding the Presenter View in PowerPoint

Presenter View is a powerful tool that enables you to manage your presentation effectively. It comprises several elements, including:

  • The slide display area, which shows the slide that your audience sees.
  • The notes section, which displays any text that you have added as notes or comments.
  • The timer, which can help you stay within your allotted time.
  • The navigation controls, which let you move forward and backward in your presentation easily.
  • The zoom slider, which enables you to zoom in and out of your slides for added detail.
  • The laser pointer and highlighter tools, which allow you to emphasize important points on your slides.

Presenter View also allows you to preview upcoming slides, giving you a chance to prepare for the next section of your presentation. This feature can be especially helpful if you need to refer to specific information on a later slide.

In addition, Presenter View provides a way to keep your audience engaged by allowing you to add annotations to your slides. You can draw attention to specific areas of your slide, highlight key points, or even add additional information that may not be included in the slide itself.

Setting Up Presenter View: Step-by-Step Guide

If you want to customize your Presenter View experience, follow these steps:

  • On the ‘Slide Show’ tab, click ‘Set Up Slide Show.’
  • Under ‘Multiple Monitors,’ select the ‘Use Presenter View’ checkbox.
  • If you’re using a single monitor, select the ‘Display slide show on’ option and choose your primary monitor.
  • If you’re using dual monitors, select the ‘Display slide show on’ option and choose the monitor that you want to display Presenter View on.
  • Customize the Presenter View by selecting the options that you want to use, such as speaker notes, the timer, and the navigation controls.
  • Click ‘OK.’ Your Presenter View should now be set up.

It’s important to note that not all versions of PowerPoint have the Presenter View feature. If you don’t see the ‘Use Presenter View’ checkbox under ‘Multiple Monitors,’ it’s likely that your version of PowerPoint doesn’t support this feature. In this case, you may need to upgrade to a newer version or use a different presentation software that offers Presenter View.

How to Customize Presenter View Settings in PowerPoint

If you have specific preferences for Presenter View, you can customize it by following these steps:

  • Click the ‘Settings’ button in the Presenter View toolbar.
  • Select the options that you want to use, such as the color scheme, font size, and slide size.
  • Click ‘Save Changes’ to apply your changes.

Customizing your Presenter View settings can greatly enhance your presentation experience. For example, you can choose to display your notes on one screen while your audience sees only the slides on the other screen. Additionally, you can select the option to display a timer or a clock to help you keep track of time during your presentation. Experiment with different settings to find what works best for you and your audience.

Using Presenter View on Dual Monitor Setup

If you have a dual-monitor setup, you can use Presenter View to present your slides on one screen while managing your notes and tools on the other screen. To do this, simply select the ‘Use Presenter View’ checkbox under ‘Multiple Monitors’ in the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ dialog box. Once you start presenting, the Presenter View screen will appear on the secondary monitor, while the slides will appear on the primary screen.

Presenter View is a great tool for presenters who want to keep their notes and tools hidden from the audience. With Presenter View, you can see your notes, upcoming slides, and a timer, while your audience only sees the current slide. This feature is especially useful for longer presentations, where you may need to refer to your notes or keep track of time.

Another benefit of using Presenter View is that it allows you to easily navigate through your presentation. You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to move forward or backward through your slides, or you can use the thumbnails on the Presenter View screen to jump to a specific slide. This makes it easy to adjust your presentation on the fly, without having to interrupt the flow of your presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Presenter View in PowerPoint

If you experience common issues with Presenter View, such as notes not displaying correctly, audio not working, or distorted visuals, try these troubleshooting tips:

  • Make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for using Presenter View.
  • Check that the correct audio output is selected in the control panel.
  • Review your slides and notes to ensure that there are no formatting errors.
  • Try closing other open applications to free up system resources.
  • Ensure that your computer is updated with all available updates.
  • Try reinstalling or repairing PowerPoint to eliminate any software conflicts.

However, if these troubleshooting tips do not resolve your issues, there may be other factors at play. One possible cause of issues with Presenter View is outdated or incompatible drivers for your computer’s graphics card. Check with your computer manufacturer or graphics card manufacturer to see if there are any updates available.

Another potential issue could be related to your computer’s display settings. Make sure that your display settings are optimized for the resolution and aspect ratio of your presentation. You may also want to try adjusting the scaling settings to see if that improves the display of your slides and notes.

Tips and Tricks for Effective Note-taking During Presentation

To get the most out of Presenter View, try these effective note-taking tips:

  • Organize your notes by slide or topic to stay on track during the presentation.
  • Use bullet points and keywords to keep your notes concise and easy to read.
  • Include cues or action words to remind you of any demonstrations, animations, or other interactive elements in your presentation.
  • Use the highlighter tool to draw attention to the most critical points.

Enhancing Your Presentation with Presenter View

Presenter View can enhance your presentation in several ways, such as by allowing you to add visual aids and multimedia elements, manage your time effectively, and engage your audience. By using Presenter View, you can keep your presentation on track, highlight key information, and maintain your audience’s attention throughout.

The Importance of Rehearsing Your Presentation with Presenter View

Practicing your presentation with Presenter View can help you become familiar with the interface, identify any errors or issues, and ensure that your presentation will run seamlessly. Use Presenter View during your presentation rehearsal to simulate the actual presentation environment and get a feel for how it works.

Taking Advantage of the Laser Pointer and Highlighter Tools in Presenter View

The laser pointer and highlighter tools are handy for emphasizing key points on your slides and improving audience engagement. To use them, simply press and hold the ‘Ctrl’ key and click the mouse to activate the laser pointer or highlighter. Release the key to deactivate them.

How to Switch Between Slides and Notes during a Presentation

If you need to switch between slides and notes during your presentation, simply click the ‘Notes’ button in the Presenter View toolbar. This will display your notes and allow you to scroll through them as needed.

Utilizing the Timer and Countdown Features of Presenter View

The timer and countdown features are useful for keeping your presentation on track and ensuring that you do not exceed your allotted time. To use them, simply enable the ‘Timer’ feature in the ‘Settings’ section of Presenter View. You can then set the countdown time and choose whether to display it during the presentation or keep it hidden.

Sharing Your Screen Using Presenter View in Microsoft Teams or Zoom Meetings

If you are using Microsoft Teams or Zoom Meetings to deliver your presentation remotely, you can still use Presenter View by sharing your screen. To do this, simply select the ‘Share Screen’ option and choose the ‘Presenter View’ screen. This will allow you to present your slides while keeping your notes and controls visible to you for an uninterrupted presentation experience.

By following the steps and tips outlined in this article, you can use PowerPoint’s Presenter View to deliver a polished and professional presentation that wows your audience. Always remember to rehearse your presentation before the actual day so that you’re comfortable with the tools and settings for Presenter View, and ready to tackle any issue that might arise.

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How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever felt the jitters when presenting a PowerPoint to an eager audience? I certainly have. It can be nerve-wracking to keep eye contact and effortlessly present your ideas. Seeing your notes while presenting in PowerPoint can dramatically boost your confidence and ensure you don’t miss any important points. Here’s how you can ace this:

How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting: A Step-by-Step Guide

When I’m presenting, my secret weapon is Presenter View. It allows me to see my notes privately while my audience focuses solely on the slides. It feels like having a cheat sheet, yet totally professional! With just a few clicks, I can activate Presenter View in the Slide Show tab and choose to display my notes on my primary monitor. This setup helps me maintain eye contact with the audience without constantly looking down at my papers.

Imagine your audience being completely engaged because you’re glancing at them more, rather than your notes. This simple trick makes presentations smoother and helps build a stronger connection with your listeners. Embrace Presenter View and make your next presentation the best one yet!

  • 1.1 Using Keyboard Shortcuts
  • 1.2 Leveraging the Control Bar and Tools
  • 1.3 Managing the Slide Show Tab
  • 2.1 Customizing Display Settings
  • 2.2 Accessing Notes and Tools
  • 2.3 Using Advanced Features
  • 3.1 Engaging with Your Audience
  • 3.2 Utilizing Visuals and Animations
  • 4 Troubleshooting Common Issues

Navigating Slides Effectively

When presenting with PowerPoint, knowing how to efficiently navigate through your slides can greatly enhance your delivery and professionalism. Below are key strategies that help you move seamlessly between slides and utilize various tools at your disposal.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are a lifesaver during presentations. They allow you to quickly switch slides without searching for the right button on your screen. For instance, using the arrow keys lets you move to the next or previous slide effortlessly.

If you need to jump to a specific slide, just type the slide number followed by the Enter key. Esc key is handy for exiting the full-screen mode instantly. These shortcuts save time and keep your flow uninterrupted.

Leveraging the Control Bar and Tools

The control bar at the bottom of PowerPoint’s presenter view offers several useful tools. Here, you can find the pen , highlighter , and laser pointer . These tools are excellent for emphasizing points and keeping the audience focused.

  • Pen and Highlighter : Use these for on-the-fly annotations.
  • Laser Pointer : Handy for pointing out specific elements.

Additionally, the See All Slides feature on the control bar allows you to quickly find and jump to any slide. This is particularly useful if you need to navigate back to previously discussed topics.

Managing the Slide Show Tab

The Slide Show tab on the ribbon menu holds various options to control your presentation. In this tab, you can find the Start Slide Show group, which lets you begin your presentation from the beginning or from the current slide .

Another essential feature is the Set Up Slide Show , where you can configure options such as using Presenter View on a single monitor. This ensures that you can see your notes while the audience views only the slides, making your delivery more polished and professional.

Optimizing Presenter’s View

When presenting with PowerPoint, the Presenter’s View can be a game-changer by enabling smooth delivery and effective audience engagement. From tweaking display settings to utilizing advanced tools, this feature offers comprehensive control over presentations.

Customizing Display Settings

First, open the Slide Show tab in PowerPoint. Here, you can access the essential tools needed for customizing your presentation. It’s crucial to start by checking the “Use Presenter View” box.

Depending on your setup, you might need to select which monitor to display the Presenter View on. Choosing the correct monitor ensures that your audience sees only the slides while you manage the presentation effectively.

For those using one monitor, there’s an option to view presenter mode without the audience seeing your notes.

Accessing Notes and Tools

In Presenter View, your speaker notes are displayed alongside the current and next slides. This allows for discreet glances at your notes without breaking the flow of your presentation.

The control bar, usually found at the bottom left, offers some useful features. These include pen and laser pointer tools for marking important parts of your slide, as well as options to black or unblack the slide show to refocus audience attention.

If you need to edit notes on the fly, you can easily do so within the Presenter View itself. This is especially handy during interactive sessions or Zoom meetings.

Using Advanced Features

Advanced features in Presenter View can further enhance your presentation. You can navigate efficiently with options to see all slides and select any slide to display instantly.

Engage your audience with interactive tools such as annotations and laser pointer to highlight key points dynamically. Additionally, use the zoom function to focus on specific content, making it clearer for your audience.

Finally, make sure to explore timer and progress controls, which help in keeping track of time and maintaining the flow of your presentation.

Remember, these features are designed to enhance your presenting experience, making sure that you stay in control and your audience remains engaged from start to finish.

Effective Presentation Techniques

Mastering effective presentation techniques can significantly boost your confidence and engagement levels. Improving your interaction with the audience and utilizing visuals strategically is key.

Engaging with Your Audience

Engaging with the audience is crucial. It’s essential to establish eye contact to build a connection. I always aim to make eye contact with different sections of the audience to ensure they feel involved. Asking questions can also help in gauging their feedback and interest.

Using anecdotes or humor can make the presentation relatable. I make a point to be mindful of body language. For instance, by avoiding closed-off postures and instead opting for open and welcoming gestures. Confidence is vital; speaking clearly and at a natural pace can make a difference.

Engagement can also come through interactive tools like polls or live Q&A sessions. Keeping things dynamic not only maintains attention but fosters a sense of participation.

Utilizing Visuals and Animations

Visuals are powerful tools in any presentation. Leveraging graphs, images, and videos can help convey complex information simply and effectively. I often use visuals to break the monotony of text and keep the audience visually engaged.

Animations, when used sparingly, can highlight significant points. For instance, I use subtle animations to bring in bullet points one at a time, preventing information overload. Avoid overuse, as it can be more distracting rather than beneficial.

Thumbnails of your slides can help keep track of where you are in your presentation. A vertical scroll bar, under slide navigation, can also be useful for quick access to particular slides. This helps maintain a smooth flow and ensures you don’t lose track of your content.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If your presentation appears on the wrong screen, don’t panic. This happens more often than you’d think, especially if using a single monitor. Swapping the displays usually does the trick. On Windows or Mac, head to the PowerPoint Slide Show tab and ensure the “Use Presenter View” option is checked.

Facing problems with the size of the text in your presenter notes? Adjust the text size in PowerPoint settings. On a Windows laptop, go to the View tab, select Zoom , and choose your preferred size. Mac users can achieve similar results via the same method.

Text not displaying correctly or appearing cut-off usually means it’s a resolution issue. Adjust your display settings via the Control Panel (Windows) or System Preferences (Mac) for optimal performance.

PowerPoint notes not syncing with slides is another common hiccup. This might be due to software glitches or outdated software. Ensure PowerPoint is updated to the latest version. If problems persist, restarting the software can often help resolve temporary glitches.

Want to use a smartphone as a remote? Apps like Microsoft PowerPoint Remote for Android or iOS can transform your phone into a handy clicker. They can even display your notes. 😊

Dealing with subtitles and closed captions in your presentation? If they’re not showing, navigate to the Slide Show tab, select Always Use Subtitles , and configure the settings accordingly. This can enhance accessibility for your audience.

If your taskbar is obstructing your view, you can tweak settings to auto-hide it. On Windows, right-click the Taskbar , select Taskbar settings , and turn on Automatically hide the taskbar . For Mac, adjust the Dock preferences in System Preferences .

Presenting Important Slides

It’s frustrating when your camera’s placement isn’t ideal. Adjust your laptop or external camera so your face is visible without blocking the slides. A bit of camera tinkering can greatly improve your presentation’s clarity and engagement.

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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?

Screenshot of PowerPoint ribbon showing the buttons for starting a slide show.

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 View Notes In PowerPoint While Presenting

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

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

Key Takeaways:

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Step 3: Select ‘Set Up Slide Show’

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.

Step 4: Choose ‘Presenter View’ Option

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

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.

Step 6: Navigate Through Slides Using Notes

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.)

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.

Practice Before Your 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.

Use a Remote or Keyboard Shortcuts

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i access speaker notes in powerpoint while presenting, 2. can i view my speaker notes on a separate 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?

5. are there any shortcuts for quickly accessing speaker notes during a presentation, 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 Add Notes to PowerPoint Presentations: A Comprehensive Guide

Sara Wanasek

Sara Wanasek

How to Add Notes to PowerPoint Presentations: A Comprehensive Guide

Presenting a slideshow can be a daunting task, especially when you’re speaking to a large audience. Thankfully, most presentation software comes equipped with the ability to add notes to your slides, making it easier for you to stay on track and deliver a seamless presentation – no full memorization needed.

In this blog, we will explore two different ways that you can to add notes to PowerPoint:

  • Presentation notes that you prepare in advance and only you can see or
  • Adding live notes to your presentation for your audience to see

By leveraging these techniques, you’ll be able to engage your audience effectively and deliver memorable presentations. Let’s dive in.

How to Add Presenter Notes in PowerPoint

Presenter Notes in PowerPoint are notes that you can view on your screen while you are presenting. Your audience will not see these notes, just you, so you can stay on track, remember important points, and deliver your information clearly and easily. Presenters, here’s everything you need to know to add notes to PowerPoint.

Add Notes in Edit Mode

Notes can be added to any slide in PowerPoint. Follow these steps:

  • Start by clicking on the Notes button located beneath each slide. If you don’t see it, click on the View tab at the top of the screen and then click on Notes Page.
  • Begin typing your notes for that slide, providing additional details, reminders, or cues to guide your presentation.
  • Repeat the process for each slide you want to add notes to.

Once you’ve added your notes, you’re ready to deliver your presentation with confidence!

add notes to powerpoint

Present with Notes

Now that your notes are added to your presentation, let’s learn how to use them during the presentation. Do note that to present with the Presenter Notes, you will need to be connected to another screen or projector.

  • First, select the Slide Show tab in the PowerPoint ribbon
  • In the Set Up section, click the check box for Presenter View
  • Enter Presentation Mode! You should see your presentation on one screen (such as your projector) and your notes displayed on the other screen (such as your laptop).

⚠️ If the Presenter view appears on the wrong screen, you can swap this by clicking on the Display Setting on top of the Presenter view screen.

presenter notes in powerpoint

As you move through your slides, your notes will automatically advance with the slides, keeping you right on track.

Print Notes

If you prefer a physical copy of your notes to present with or want to share it with your audience, you can print them from PowerPoint.

To do this go into File → Print → and under Settings , choose Notes Pages . Now, you can Print .

Presenting with notes in your PowerPoint presentation helps you stay on track, maintain confidence, engage your audience, adapt to unexpected situations, and appear professional and organized, ultimately leading to a smoother, more impactful delivery. But what if you want to further explain a concept with notes and annotations during your presentation? You can with annotation tools! →

Add Notes During a Presentation

Need to add notes to aid your presentation and help your audience understand, follow along, and stay engaged? Presenter tools such as annotations are great tools to help your presentation delivery and pace. By interacting with your slide information throughout your presentation, you can encourage active learning and audience participation in the presentation. There are a few ways you can add notes to PowerPoint:

Add Notes to Any Slide

During your presentation, you can add notes in two main ways:

1.You can use PowerPoint’s built-in simple pen and highlighter to add notes to your slide. This is found in the bottom left corner of the screen click on the pen and choose your color to begin drawing.

2. For sightly more advanced pen tools, text boxes, and shapes, you can use the free PowerPoint add-in ClassPoint, to add notes to PowerPoint sides . Once downloaded, ClassPoint , an audience engagement tool, will add a toolbar at the bottom of your presentation screen with these additional annotation & presentation tools .

This gives you different thickness options and color options for the pens , highlighters , shapes , and text boxes on your slide.

Insert Whiteboard Slides

Did you know you can even add a blank whiteboard slide into your PowerPoint presentation while you are presenting? With ClassPoint, it’s true!

Perfect for when you run out of space, want to brainstorm, or have fresh details to convey to the audience.

To add a whiteboard slide to your presentation, click on the Whiteboard icon on the ClassPoint toolbar. From there, choose a template provided, or add your own whiteboard background design . This slide will be opened & inserted right into your presentation and you can begin adding your notes. All annotations added will be saved once you exit out of the presentation mode.

Add disappearing laser ink

With ClassPoint’s presentation toolbar, you can also use the laser pointer to write with disappearing ink!

Although this will not save to your slide, it is a great way to help your audience follow along and make connections to your slide information.

Share Notes

Just like when you printed your Speaker Notes above, you can also share all the notes you added to your PowerPoint slides. Print your presentation, or share it with your audience via a QR code.

Click on the Share PDF icon on the ClassPoint tab in the PowerPoint ribbon. Select to include the whiteboard and annotations that you made and click Generate . A QR code will appear that your audience can scan to access your PowerPoint slides and see all the notes you have added!

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Overall, adding annotations to your PowerPoint presentation is a great way to enhance your message, engage your audience, and make your presentation more effective. So if you haven’t tried it before, why not give it a go and see the difference it can make to your next presentation?

Adding notes to your presentation is a simple but effective way to elevate your overall performance. Whether you’re adding notes in edit mode or during your presentation, PowerPoint offers a variety of tools to help make your presentation a success. Start implementing these strategies with ClassPoint, and watch as your presentations become more engaging and impactful than ever before!

About Sara Wanasek

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Adding speaker notes to a PowerPoint presentation provides reference material for the speaker when they're presenting a slideshow, allowing them to stay on track without forgetting key message points. Here’s how to add and use speaker notes.

To add speaker notes in PowerPoint, you’ll first need to be in the Normal view. If you’re not already there, you can switch to Normal view by going to the “View” tab and then selecting “Normal” in the “Presentation Views” group.

Normal Presesntation View

Next, in the pane on left, select the slide where you'd like to add speaker notes.

Select slide to add notes in pane

Next, click the “Notes” button at the bottom of the window.

Notes button

A small box reading “Tap to Add Notes” will appear beneath the slide. For Mac users, this will say “Click to Add Notes.”

Tap to add notes

Now, simply type the speaker notes for that slide. Repeat this process for each slide you'd like to add notes to.

There are two ways to use speaker notes during a presentation: by presenting on a secondary monitor or by printing out the speaker notes .

Using a Secondary Monitor

It’s safe to assume that most presentations will be presented on a secondary monitor. If this is the case for you, there’s not a whole lot you really need to do.

Related: How to Add an Extra Monitor to Your Laptop

The first thing you need to do is change the view to Slide Show. You can do this by selecting the Slide Show icon at the bottom-right corner of the window.

Slideshow view

In this view, the audience will see only the slides as you’re going through the presentation. However, on your primary monitor, you’ll see the current slide, a preview of the upcoming slide, and your speaker notes for the current slide.

Speaker notes

This is a convenient way to have a virtual copy of the speaker notes while you’re giving a presentation, but it never hurts to have a hard copy.

Printing the Speaker Notes

To print the speaker notes of your presentation, first select the “File” tab in the Ribbon.

Select file tab

Related: How to Print Multiple PowerPoint Slides to Each Piece of Paper

In the pane on left, select the “Print" button.

Print in left-hand pane

In the “Settings” group, select the option that says “Full Page Slides.”

Full page slides

A drop-down menu will appear. Here, select “Notes Pages” in the “Print Layout” group.

Notes Pages

Finally, click “Print.”

Print

You’ll now have a physical copy of your speaker notes.

  • Microsoft Office
  • Office 2016

How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint (Tutorial)

Lia

Speaker notes in PowerPoint can be a lifesaver for presenters who need a quick reference during their talk. Instead of struggling to remember key points or losing your place during a presentation, you can have your notes right in front of you.

Whether you're a seasoned presenter or new to public speaking, this tutorial will help you feel more confident and prepared for your next presentation. With insights and practical tips from our in-house presentation designers , you'll have all the tools you need for success.

Let's dive in and explore how to add speaker notes in PowerPoint, taking your presentations to the next level!

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

In this tutorial, we’ll cover the following topics :

  • Starting with the basics: How to add speaker notes in PowerPoint
  • Ready to Captivate Your Audience? Let’s see how to view speaker notes while presenting
  • From PCs to Macs, learn how to print speaker notes in PowerPoint
  • Get answers to your FAQs and unlock tips for better presentations

Let’s start with the basics - or feel free to skip to your preferred section using the list above.

Adding speaker notes in PowerPoint

Adding notes to PPT is a reasonably straightforward process, regardless of your operating system. Here's how to add notes in PowerPoint:

  • Select a slide you want to add notes to.
  • View the Notes pane located beneath each slide. If it's not visible, you can make it appear by clicking Notes on the bottom taskbar.
  • You will see a blank space with the prompt "Click to add notes." That's where you can enter your speaker notes.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Pro tip: Add Notes Via Notes Page view

Are you looking to give an impeccably organized presentation? Feronika Wulandari , design manager from 24 Slides, has a pro tip for you!

"For presentations that will be copied or distributed to the audience as a reference later, it is crucial to provide detailed speaker notes. Merely looking at our presentation slides may leave the audience struggling to grasp the context.”

If you're aiming for an impeccably organized and informative presentation, Feronika's advice is invaluable. Take your presentations to the next level by utilizing the powerful Notes Page view in PowerPoint . This feature allows you to incorporate comprehensive speaker notes into your slides, ensuring your audience can fully grasp the context after the presentation.

In the Notes Page view, you have complete control over the content of your speaker notes. Customize the font size, and enrich the notes with images, shapes, charts, and more. You can even tailor the background color to suit your preferences or corporate branding. As Feronika says:

“In the notes view, we can include ample text to facilitate the audience's understanding of the presentation's context. It also is an excellent tool for attaching references and citations, particularly for content-heavy presentations like scientific ones.”

Ready to try it out? Here's how you access the Notes Page view:

  • Click View .
  • Look for the Presentation Views section .
  • Select Notes Page .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

If you want even more control over how you want your notes to look, you can check out the Notes Master . This is how you can try it out:

  • Look for the Master Views section .
  • Select Notes Master.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Here you can choose the design and layout of the notes page and select options for your page setup. This is what the Notes Master looks like:

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Now that you know how to add notes to PowerPoint, let's see how to present PowerPoint with notes.

Ready for your next presentation? Check out how to see speaker notes while presenting

To prepare for your next presentation, follow these steps so you can have your notes on hand without your audience being able to see them. First, click on the Slide Show tab , and select the box Use Presenter View . This is what the Presenter View in PPT looks like:

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

To access the presenter view, start your slideshow and then click on the left button of your mouse. From the options that appear, select Show Presenter View .

And last, learn how to print notes in PowerPoint

Printing PowerPoint presenter notes can be done in different ways, depending on your operating system. Let's look at each one of them.

How to print Speaker Notes (PowerPoint - Windows)

  • Click File in the top left corner.
  • Choose Notes Pages from the Settings dropdown menu.
  • Adjust any other printer settings.
  • Click Print .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

How to print Speaker Notes (PowerPoint - macOS)

  • Click File .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

3. Click Show Details .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

4. Select Notes from the Layout dropdown menu.

5. Adjust any other printer settings.

6. Click Print .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

You may also want to know: How to print notes without slides?

If you want to print speaker notes only, this is what you should do:

  • Go to the View tab and click Notes Page . On each page, you’ll see a thumbnail of the slide and the notes it has.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

2. Select the thumbnail on each page and press delete . Repeat this step for each notes page.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

3. Finally, go to the File tab and click Print. Now, repeat the note-printing process shown in the section above.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

How to print PowerPoint slides with notes: Multiple per page

If you want to print multiple slides on the same page, including the notes, follow these steps: 1. Open the File menu, select Export , and click on Create Handouts.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

2. Select Notes next to slides , and click OK.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

This will begin the export to Word, where you can finish printing your slides and notes as a document.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Customer Frequently Asked Questions

What are speaker notes in powerpoint.

Speaker notes on PowerPoint presentations are a feature that allows presenters to add additional information that won't appear in the presentation slides.

PowerPoint notes can be used to provide additional context and details about the content on the slide, such as statistics or critical messages. They can also help emphasize specific points without cluttering their slides with too much information. They are a valuable tool for presenters to keep essential points at hand while giving a presentation.

These are some examples of speaker notes in PowerPoint:

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Benefits of using speaker notes in PowerPoint

Why add speaker notes to PowerPoint? Learning how to use notes can be a game-changer , it can benefit you in many ways.

Speaker notes on PowerPoint can help you recall important points and key messages as you give a presentation. They also provide a security blanket, giving you the confidence to deliver your speech without worrying about forgetting something.

Remember, not worrying about memorization can help you prioritize inflection and tone and make you look more professional and connected with your audience.

How do I edit slide Notes?

A good thing to remember is that you can edit your speaker notes anytime you want. So, if there is a last-minute change or a new detail you would like to consider, you can follow these steps:

  • Select the slide where you want to edit notes.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

You will be able to see the Notes written in the Notes Pane . Click inside it so you can edit de content. Click outside the Notes Pane to save your changes.

What is the use of Notes Page view?

The Notes Page view is a PowerPoint feature that can help you upgrade your note-taking experience . Rather than presenting your notes in a simple text format, this feature presents them as individual pages with diverse layouts, colors, and formatting options for you to explore and customize.

If you would like to check out this feature, check out our Notes Page View section .

What is the advantage of the Notes Page view?

So, why is this feature impressive? Well, the Notes Page view offers several advantages that simplify the management of your notes:

  • Organization: When it comes to giving presentations, being organized is essential. You can't afford to waste time deciphering your notes. With the Notes Page view, you effortlessly organize them into distinct pages, sections, or categories, allowing you to find what you need quickly.
  • Personalization: The Notes Page view also puts you in complete control. It lets you customize the appearance and layout of your notes according to your preferences. You can explore a wide array of templates, themes, and styles, making your note-taking experience unique.

What is the difference between Slide Sorter view and Notes Page view?

The Slide Sorter view and Notes Page view are two different viewing options in PowerPoint .

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

The Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint provides a condensed and sequential display of all the slides in your presentation. It presents miniature versions of each slide in a grid layout, allowing you to manage the order and structure of your presentation easily.

This view is beneficial when you need to reorganize your content or gain a quick understanding of your entire presentation at a glance.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

On the other hand, the Notes Page view allows you to see your slides along with any accompanying speaker notes . It is ideal for creating and reviewing speaker notes, providing a dedicated area to jot down the additional information you want to reference during your presentation.

You can customize and format your notes as needed, making them a valuable resource for guiding your delivery or providing more in-depth explanations.

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Get outstanding presentations that make you stand out from the crowd!

If you want to improve your presentation skills and give a more professional image to your business, this tutorial can help. However, the design for your presentation is crucial, and that's where our presentation design solutions come in.

At 24Slides , we transform presentations from "good" to "extraordinary," saving you time and effort. Say goodbye to long working hours on PowerPoint and let our design experts amaze you overnight!

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

You might also like these articles:

  • How to Add a Timer to Your Powerpoint Presentations
  • How to Make a PowerPoint Slideshow that Runs Automatically
  • How to Create Your Perfect Webinar Presentation (+Examples)
  • Master Slides 101: How to Create and Use Master Slides in PowerPoint
  • How to Track Changes in PowerPoint

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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):

Presenter View in PowerPoint 365

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:

Timer in PowerPoint 365

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.

Current slide in PowerPoint 365

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:

Presenter View in PowerPoint 365

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:

Font increase in Presenter View in PowerPoint 365

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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How to view your notes in the presentation mode

Some features of the Presenter view

Symonds Research

How Can I Present My PowerPoint Presentation and View Notes on the Monitor While Presenting

Last updated September 19, 2023

In PowerPoint, you can teach and make your trainer notes invisible to your students whilst also having these notes visible for you to see on your own monitor or screen and it is easy to do.

So, if you are wondering how to have invisible notes for a presentation (invisible meaning that the training participants or students cannot see your notes but you can view notes in PowerPoint while presenting) let me explain.

How to present my PowerPoint and Still See View Notes on the Monitor While Presenting

Page Contents

How to See Notes for Your Presentation Show on Your Own Monitor

Okay Let’s get started:

Step 1 – Open PowerPoint and the Presentation

The first step is to open PowerPoint as an application.

Once you have opened PowerPoint, you will then need to open the presentation that you want to use for your presentation.

Using PPT slides with trainer notes visible on your monitor

Step 2 – Go into Slide View Mode

Next, you need to click the ‘Slide View’ button on the bottom of the PowerPoint screen (see the image below and to where the red arrow is pointing)

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Step 3 – Selecting ‘Show Presenter View’

You will now be in ‘Slide View.

What you need to do now is to right-click anywhere over the slide and then select ‘ Show Presenter View ‘ (see image below).

Once you press ‘Show Presenter View’, you will then immediately see what your classroom participants can see and you can see your own screen (and with your teacher’s notes on it, that only you will see).

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Step 4 – Additional Options

Once you are in presenter mode, you will see a view such as in the image directly below.

Tutor and trainer presentation view for PowerPoint

There are some pretty nifty things you can do including zooming in on certain parts of the slide for your students to see or using a marker to point things out on screen. You can easily do these things in Presenter View.

How Do You Add Trainer or Teacher Notes to PowerPoint?

It is a great idea to add trainer and teacher notes at the bottom of each PowerPoint, especially if you are designing the training materials for someone else to teach.

Even if designing the materials to use yourself though, to keep the presentation and workshops fluid and seamless, it is a great idea to have notes for each slide so that you have useful prompts.

These notes can be bullet points on what you need to say for each part of the slide, or it might be a list of instructions that you need to explain to the participants to run a classroom activity or team-building activity .

PowerPoint PPT trainer notes example

Adding teacher notes to PowerPoint slides is a straightforward process you’ll be happy to know.

Teacher notes are meant to provide additional information, instructions, or speaking points to the presenter or trainer while delivering the presentation. Here’s how you can add teacher notes to your PowerPoint slides:

Adding Teacher Notes to Individual Slides

Open your PowerPoint presentation by launching PowerPoint and then opening the presentation you want to work on.

Select the slide : Navigate to the slide to which you want to add teacher notes. Click on the slide in the left-hand slide pane to select it.

Access the Notes section : At the bottom of the PowerPoint window, you’ll see two tabs: “Normal” and “Notes.” Click on the “Notes” tab to reveal the speaker notes area for the selected slide.

If you cannot see the notes section below the slide then you need to click on the ‘Notes’ button on the menu of PowerPoint (see image below).

Click the Notes button to see the trainer notes section under a Powerpoint PPt slide

Enter your teacher notes : In the speaker notes area, you can type or paste the additional information, instructions, or speaking points that you want to include for that slide. To reiterate, these notes will only be visible to the presenter when in Presenter View or while editing the slide.

Repeat as needed: To add notes to other slides, select each slide, go to the “Notes” tab, and enter the relevant information.

Note : You might also have to switch to Normal View to do the above. To get to ‘Normal View’ :

  • Click on the “View” tab in the PowerPoint top menu bar
  • Select the “Normal” view.
  • This view provides a clearer workspace for editing slides and notes.

FAQs about PowerPoint Slides and Trainer Notes

1. what are trainer notes in powerpoint.

Trainer notes in PowerPoint are hidden notes that provide additional information, instructions, or reminders for the presenter during a slide show.

As discussed earlier, when we say hidden notes, they are visible to the presenter or instructor (if they wish to see the notes) but invisible to the people viewing the presentation.

2. What Is the Purpose of Trainer Notes?

Trainer notes help presenters stay on track, provide context, and deliver a presentation effectively.

3. Are Trainer Notes Visible to the Audience?

No. Only you will be able to see the notes.

4. How Do I Add or Edit Trainer Notes?

Click in the notes section below each slide to add or edit trainer notes.

5. Can I Format Text and Add Images in Trainer Notes?

Yes, you can format text and include images in trainer notes, similar to regular slides.

6. What Are the Differences Between Presenter View and Trainer Notes?

Presenter View displays your notes alongside the current slide during a presentation, while trainer notes are for editing and reference.

7. How Can I Secure or Password-Protect Trainer Notes?

Unfortunately, PowerPoint doesn’t have a built-in feature to password-protect trainer notes. Consider securing the presentation file itself if confidentiality is a concern.

How to Design Great PowerPoint Slides

If you are looking for tips on how to design PowerPoint slides for teaching then we’ve already written a post with 8 tips explained. Here’s the post:

8 Tips on How to Design Teaching Materials on PowerPoint for Employee Training

How to Download Pre-Made Ready-to-use PowerPoint Slides with Trainer Notes

Designing PowerPoint slides with notes such that the subject you are teaching is covered in great detail, with great visuals, clear and transparent trainer notes, and training activities included, really takes time.

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How to Read Notes While Presenting PowerPoint Slides

how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Here’s a quick hack that shows you how to read notes while presenting PowerPoint slides live during a webinar or meeting.

This is a setup I use to present to an audience when I need to rely on speaker notes (without having anyone see my notes).

You’ll need two monitors, an external webcam (one that you can adjust above your notes), Microsoft PowerPoint, and online presentation software that can share one screen at a time (such as Webex).

Step-by-step instructions on how to read notes while presenting PowerPoint slides

  • Add the notes you want to reference throughout the presentation underneath each slide of your PowerPoint deck ( click here to learn how to add notes if you don’t know how to do that in PowerPoint)
  • Start a slide show on one of your two monitors (in the picture above, I used my right monitor to present a full screen version of my slide show)
  • Display “presenter view” on the other monitor ( here’s how )
  • Share the slide show screen on Webex or any other online collaboration tool ( here’s how in Webex)
  • Line up your webcam above the notes in “presenter view.” This helps make sure you are looking in the direction of your audience and not off to the side.
  • Read through your notes as you progress through your slides. You can even “vertical scroll” through your notes if you have a lot to material to go through.

How to Read Your Notes While Presenting

Going through your notes line by line can sound very scripted and your audience will be able to see your eyes moving from left to right as you read.

To avoid having people know that you’re just reading off of your screen, try to speak extemporaneously by only adding the main bullet points in your notes. This way, you’ll be able to break eye contact from your notes as you speak naturally to the content. The idea is to use your notes as a backup solution to fall back on and help make sure you cover all the points you need to cover.

Update: If you’d like to present and read notes while directly looking at the camera, you’ll need to use a teleprompter with an app. Here’s a short video I put together that shows you how .

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how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

Present on multiple monitors (and view speaker notes privately)

You can present with two monitors: Using Presenter View is a great way to view your presentation with speaker notes on one monitor (your laptop, for example), while your audience views the notes-free presentation on a different monitor (like a larger screen you're projecting to).

Note:  Make sure the device you're using for your presentation supports the use of multiple monitors. Check with your manufacturer for up-to-date information about multiple monitor support.

To do this procedure and split the view between projectors in this way, you must be connected to the second screen.

Set up PowerPoint to use Presenter view with two monitors

On the Slide Show tab, in the Monitors group, select Use Presenter View .

Monitors group on the Slide Show tab

Windows Display Settings should open.

In the Display Settings dialog box, on the Monitor tab, select the monitor icon that you want to use to view your speaker notes, and then select the This is my main monitor check box.

If the This is my main monitor check box is selected and unavailable, the monitor is already designated as the primary monitor.

Select the monitor icon for the second monitor—the one the audience will watch, and then select the Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor check box.

Notes:  If the Windows Display Settings don't open, do the following:

Windows 10: Click Start > Settings > System > Display . At the top, under Customize your display , is a diagram of the screens connected to your computer, with each screen numbered. If you are connected to a project, typically it will be represented in the diagram as screen 2. Select screen 1 in the diagram, then scroll downward. Ensure that the check box named Make this my main display is selected. Above that check box, in the Multiple displays list, select Extend these displays .

Windows 8: Right-click the Windows Start button, click Control Panel > Display > Adjust resolution . In the Multiple displays list, click Extend these displays . Select the monitor on which you want to view your speaker notes, and click Make this my main display .

You can use PowerPoint on your smartphone as a remote control to run your presentation and view your speaker notes. See Using a laser pointer on your smartphone when presenting in PowerPoint for more information, including a brief video.

Deliver your presentation on two monitors

On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click Set Up Slide Show .

Set Up Slide Show button

In the Set Up Show dialog box, choose the options that you want, and then click OK . If you choose Automatic , PowerPoint will display speaker notes on the laptop monitor, if available. Otherwise, PowerPoint will display speaker notes on the main display identified in your Display settings ( Settings > Display ).

Monitor options in the Set Up Show dialog box

Extend vs. Duplicate: What happens after the slide show ends

PowerPoint does something behind the scenes to make the process of starting a slide show on a second monitor as smooth and quick as possible. When you enter Slide Show, PowerPoint automatically changes your display settings (also known as your display topology) to Extend .

What can be confusing is what happens after your slide show concludes:

In newer versions of PowerPoint , when your slide show ends,, PowerPoint reverts to your default setting, returning to Duplicate , if that's what you have chosen.

Video: Use Presenter view

View your speaker notes as you deliver your slide show

Video: Rehearse timings for a slide show

Zoom in to part of a slide in Slide Show view

Print your PowerPoint slides, handouts, and notes

Create a self-running presentation

Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view

PowerPoint videos not playing on secondary monitor

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IMAGES

  1. How to Show Powerpoint Notes During Presentation

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

  2. How To Show Notes During Powerpoint Slideshow

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

  3. PowerPoint Quick Tips: How to Add Notes to a PowerPoint Presentation

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

  4. How to Add Notes to PowerPoint? 6 Easy Steps

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

  5. PowerPoint Quick Tips: How to Add Notes to a PowerPoint Presentation

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

  6. PowerPoint Quick Tips: How to Add Notes to a PowerPoint Presentation

    how to display powerpoint notes during presentation

COMMENTS

  1. Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view

    Start presenting. On the Slide Show tab, in the Start Slide Show group, select From Beginning. Now, if you are working with PowerPoint on a single monitor and you want to display Presenter view, in Slide Show view, on the control bar at the bottom left, select , and then Show Presenter View.

  2. How to view Notes in PowerPoint with Presenter view

    Using Presenter View in PowerPoint lets you view presentations with speaker notes on one computer, while the audience views the notes on a second monitor.

  3. How to Make PowerPoint Notes Invisible While Presenting

    Learn how to hide your PowerPoint notes from your audience while still seeing them on your screen. This tutorial will show you how to adjust the settings for your presentation mode.

  4. How to See Your Notes When Presenting in PowerPoint

    Why You Need to See Your Notes When Presenting in PowerPoint Presenting without having your notes at hand can be daunting and can affect the quality of your presentation. Whether you are presenting in front of a small group or a large audience, you will need to have access to your notes.

  5. How to View Notes in PowerPoint While Presenting: A Step-by-Step Guide

    First, open the Slide Show tab in PowerPoint. Here, you can access the essential tools needed for customizing your presentation. It's crucial to start by checking the "Use Presenter View" box. Depending on your setup, you might need to select which monitor to display the Presenter View on.

  6. Edit your notes in Presenter view in PowerPoint

    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 ...

  7. Use Presenter View in PowerPoint

    Select the Use Presenter View checkbox. Select which monitor to display Presenter View on. Select From Beginning or press F5. In Presenter View, you can: See your current slide, next slide, and speaker notes. Select the arrows next to the slide number to go between slides. Select the pause button or reset button to pause or reset the slide ...

  8. Add speaker notes to your slides

    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.

  9. How To View Notes In PowerPoint While Presenting

    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.

  10. How to Show Powerpoint Notes During Presentation

    Under the "Slide Show" menu select "Presenter View" Press the right arrow key on your keyboard to begin the presentation Notice the notes from your presentation appear on the bottom of your screen ...

  11. How to use the Presenter View in PowerPoint

    Take advantage of the PowerPoint Presenter View to practice and present your PowerPoint speaker notes. This view also helps you as a presenter by showing you...

  12. Powerpoint: How to Present with Notes in Microsoft Powerpoint

    In this video I will show you how to see your speaker or presenter notes while presenting your Microsoft Powerpoint presentation. You will learn how to view your notes on part of your screen while ...

  13. How to Add Notes to PowerPoint Presentations: A Comprehensive Guide

    Improve your presentation delivery and audience engagement with Presenter notes & live annotations. Learn how to easily add notes to PowerPoint.

  14. Seeing your Speaking Notes in PowerPoint while presenting slides in

    If you use the Notes section of PowerPoint to hold your speaking notes and can't or don't want to use Presenter View when presenting in a Microsoft Teams meeting, use one of these four options to see your notes while displaying the slides to the attendees .

  15. How to Use Speaker Notes in PowerPoint

    Use Speaker Notes During a PowerPoint Presentation There are two ways to use speaker notes during a presentation: by presenting on a secondary monitor or by printing out the speaker notes .

  16. Add speaker notes in PowerPoint

    Use Notes while you present. In Presenter View, your Notes for each slide appear under the Next slide. Scroll to view all of them if necessary. Use the Make the text larger or Make the text smaller buttons to change the size of the Notes.

  17. How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint (Tutorial)

    Discover how to add speaker notes in PowerPoint and impress your audience with your presentation skills. Follow our easy guide and tips to get started.

  18. How to view your notes in the presentation mode

    When you give a PowerPoint presentation, you might want not only to show the presentation to the audience, but also to see your presentation notes (see how to add hints in your presentation) to help you with your speech.

  19. How Can I Present My PowerPoint Presentation and View Notes on the

    Trainer notes in PowerPoint are hidden notes that provide additional information, instructions, or reminders for the presenter during a slide show. As discussed earlier, when we say hidden notes, they are visible to the presenter or instructor (if they wish to see the notes) but invisible to the people viewing the presentation.

  20. Present your slide show

    Use Presenter view to run your slide show Using Presenter view is a great way to view your presentation with speaker notes on one computer (your laptop, for example), while only the slides themselves appear on the screen that your audience sees (like a larger screen you're projecting to). For complete details, see Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view.

  21. How to Read Notes While Presenting PowerPoint Slides

    Here's a quick hack that shows you how to read notes while presenting PowerPoint slides live during a webinar or meeting. This is a setup I use to present to an audience when I need to rely on speaker notes (without having anyone see my notes).

  22. What to Say After a Presentation: Key Phrases and Strategies

    What is a Capstone Presentation? 19 August 2024. How to Repair a Corrupt PowerPoint Presentation. 19 August 2024. How to Write a Short Bio for a Presentation: A Step-by-Step Guide. 18 August 2024. How to Cite Sources in Presentations: A Detailed Guide. 18 August 2024. How Many Words to Include in a 5-Minute Presentation? 18 August 2024

  23. How to See Presentation Notes while presenting PowerPoint

    Zoom allows you to share different screens with your meeting participants. You can use PowerPoint to present slides in a clean visual format; however, how to...

  24. Present on multiple monitors (and view speaker notes privately)

    You can present with two monitors: Using Presenter View is a great way to view your presentation with speaker notes on one monitor (your laptop, for example), while your audience views the notes-free presentation on a different monitor (like a larger screen you're projecting to).