How often have you given a presentation and felt overwhelmed by the technical aspects? It's easier than you think! In this guide, I will show you how to effectively conduct slideshows with PowerPoint. You will learn how to enter presentation mode, navigate your slides, and utilize the basic features to leave a lasting impression on your audience.
Key Insights
- The presentation mode in PowerPoint offers a clear view of the slides without distractions.
- You can quickly and easily start your presentation with F5.
- Saving your presentation is crucial to avoid losing changes.
- An engaging design ensures that your content is better perceived.
Step-by-Step Guide
To successfully prepare and conduct your presentation, follow these steps:
Step 1: Save Changes
Before you start your presentation, make sure that all changes are saved. This is especially important to avoid unforeseen data loss. Simply click on the save button in the upper menu bar to secure all adjustments made.

Step 2: Start Presentation Mode
To start your presentation, go to the "Slideshow" menu option at the top of the PowerPoint interface. This allows you to display the presentation in full screen mode, enabling you and your audience to focus solely on the content.
Step 3: Navigate During the Presentation
Once the presentation is running, you can navigate using the left and right arrow keys. Each press of the right arrow key takes you to the next slide, while the left arrow key takes you back to the previous slide. This gives you control over the flow of your presentation.

Step 4: End the Presentation
At the end of your presentation, a black screen will appear with the message "End of Slideshow". To exit the presentation, you can either click once or press any key. Alternatively, you can use the "Escape" key to return.
Step 5: Quick Start of the Presentation
A handy shortcut to start your presentation is the F5 key. With a simple press of "F5", you can immediately begin your presentation without navigating through menus. This saves time and allows you to focus entirely on your content.
Step 6: Present Current Slide
If you don’t want to start your presentation from the first slide but rather begin at a specific slide, you can use the "Start from Current Slide" function. This is particularly useful if you only want to show a specific part of your presentation.
Step 7: Improve Aesthetics
You have now mastered the technical execution of your presentation. The next step is designing your slides. A simple design with only a few elements is often not enough to engage your audience. Ensure that your slides are well-designed and have an appealing color and font choice.
Summary – Successfully Conducting Slideshows
Conducting an effective slideshow with PowerPoint is an art in itself, but with the right steps and an engaging design, you can impress your viewers. Save your changes, start with F5, navigate smoothly through your slides, and pay attention to the visual appearance of your presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I start a presentation in PowerPoint?Press the F5 key or go to the "Slideshow" menu option.
How can I go back to the previous slide during a presentation?Use the left arrow key or the "Arrow Left" key.
What should I do when the presentation is finished?Click once or press the "Escape" key to end the slideshow.
How do I save my changes in PowerPoint?Click the save button in the upper menu bar.
How do I start my presentation at a specific slide?Select "Start from Current Slide" in the "Slideshow" menu.