Here's how to use PowerPoint's presenter mode in your presentation

What is PowerPoint presenter mode?

Presenter mode on PowerPoint is a feature that allows the user to present their slides professionally and interactively.

By activating this mode, the computer screen shows the current slide while the secondary screen simultaneously displays additional information such as presenter notes, elapsed time, the next slide, etc.

This feature is very useful during the broadcast and when creating presentations in public, because it allows the presenter to maintain control over the course of the presentation, to have a reminder of the visual and content of the next slide, while providing additional information to the listeners.

How to use presenter mode on a presentation from a slide

To use presenter mode on PowerPoint, follow these steps:

• Open your presentation in PowerPoint
• Select a slide you want to show

• Click on the “Slideshow” tab on the taskbar

• In the “Monitors” group, make sure that the “Use Presenter Mode” box is checked (uncheck this box if you need to deactivate it)

• In this same group, set up the monitor so that the slideshow is displayed on your main screen for your audience, while the secondary screen will allow you to view a screenshot of the presentation and consult your notes in presenter mode.

• Then click “Select “From the beginning” or “from the current slide” in the first group: “Start Slide Show”.

• A new window will open with various options for presenter mode, such as slides, presenter notes, and a timer

• Use the arrow keys to move from one slide to the next during your presentation
• You can also use the timer to help you keep up with your presentation.
• To exit presenter mode, click the “Close” button in the presenter mode window

By following these steps, you can simply use presenter mode on PowerPoint to improve your presentation and be prepared in front of an audience.

Presenter mode features during the presentation

1. Live annotation: allows the presenter to create annotations on a text area with the highlighter, drawings with pen mode, and to point to certain elements while presenting with the laser pointer
2. Speaker notes: allows the presenter to view and add notes in presenter mode without the audience seeing them
3. Timer: allows the presenter to control the time spent during the presentation and to ensure that the scheduled timing is respected
4. Show presenter view: Show the presenter a preview of the current presentation (with presenter comments and annotations) that is different from the one seen by the audience
5. Remote presentation control: allows the presenter to control the presentation from another device, such as a tablet or smartphone
6. Presentation roadmap: allows the presenter to have a complete overview of the presentation and to easily switch between slides
7. Zoom and focus: allows the presenter to zoom in on specific elements to highlight them

How do I show presenter mode as soon as the PowerPoint file is opened?

To launch a PowerPoint in presenter mode as soon as the file is opened, simply save the PowerPoint file in PPSX format. Attention, PPSX files can still be opened in edit mode and do not protect the presentation. Opening a presentation in PPSX would in reality be like opening it in PPTX mode and starting the slideshow automatically.

For more information on the PPSX format and other extensions, read our article on PowerPoint extensions.

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