powerpoint presentation for notes

How to Add Notes to PowerPoint Presentations: A Comprehensive Guide

Sara Wanasek

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!

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.

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!

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

Supercharge your powerpoint. start today..

800,000+ people like you use ClassPoint to boost student engagement in PowerPoint presentations.

Powerpoint Assist

Tips for Powerpoint by Regina Griffin

How To View Notes In PowerPoint While Presenting

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

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.

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

Let’s dive in and elevate your presentation game!

Key Takeaways:

• Viewing notes while presenting helps to stay on track and remember key points.
• Presenter View in PowerPoint allows you to easily navigate through slides with notes and use helpful tools.
• Practice and use visual cues to make the most of the Presenter’s View and deliver a more effective presentation.

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

Viewing notes helps keep the presenter on track by providing a roadmap of the presentation flow and key elements to cover, ensuring a structured and organized delivery that captivates the audience.

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.

By referring to these notes during the presentation, the speaker can ensure a structured and organized delivery, leading to a more coherent and memorable session for the listeners. Using PowerPoint notes also acts as a guide for the presenter, keeping them on track and preventing the omission of critical details. This method not only serves as a memory aid but also facilitates a smooth flow of the presentation, helping to maintain audience engagement and interest.

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.

When presenters view their notes, they can ensure that they cover all essential points, maintain a coherent structure, and deliver information. This process helps in avoiding disruptions or forgetting key details, leading to a more polished and professional presentation. By having their notes readily available, speakers can focus on connecting with the audience, maintaining eye contact, and adjusting their delivery to keep listeners interested and involved.

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

Begin by opening your PowerPoint presentation to initiate the process of viewing notes, ensuring that you have access to the slide content and accompanying notes for a seamless presentation experience.

Once you have your PowerPoint software open, navigate to the file menu and select ‘Open’ to locate your desired presentation file on your device. Choose the respective file and click ‘Open’ to load it into PowerPoint. Upon opening the presentation, you will see your slides displayed on the main PowerPoint screen.

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.

Upon clicking on the ‘Slide Show’ tab, a drop-down menu will appear, offering various options to adjust the presentation settings. One crucial element to focus on is the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ feature, which allows you to define how the slides will be displayed during your presentation. Within this menu, you can choose between ‘Presented by a speaker’ or ‘Browsed by an individual,’ depending on your presentation style and audience. You can also opt to ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc” or set specific timings for each slide to control the pace of the presentation.

Step 3: Select ‘Set Up Slide Show’

After clicking on the ‘ Slide Show ‘ tab, proceed to select the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ option to configure the presentation settings according to your preferred method of viewing notes and slides.

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.

Next, you can opt for the ‘Show options’ section to decide whether you want to display all slides, specific slides, or a range of slides. Under the ‘Advance slides’ section, you can set timings for slide transitions. Experiment with these settings to find the method that suits your presentation style best.

Step 4: Choose ‘Presenter View’ Option

Opt for the ‘Presenter View’ option after setting up the slide show to enable the presenter view mode, which provides access to presenter-specific features and tools for a more dynamic presentation experience.

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

toggle between slides, embed annotations, and zoom in on certain areas for emphasis. This multi-functional mode enhances engagement and enables presenters to deliver impactful presentations effortlessly.

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.

In the presenter view mode, you have the advantage of discreetly glancing at your notes while the audience sees only the slides being presented. This feature ensures a seamless and professional delivery by providing you with valuable prompts and highlights during your presentation. It’s a practical tool that maximizes your control over the content flow and enhances audience engagement. To initiate this helpful mode, simply click on the ‘Start’ button within PowerPoint.

Step 6: Navigate Through Slides Using Notes

Utilize the notes pane in PowerPoint to navigate through slides while referencing your accompanying notes, ensuring a seamless transition between content delivery and note consultation for an impactful presentation.

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.)

Leverage the tools available in the presenter view mode of PowerPoint, such as timers, pens, and pointers, to enhance your meeting or presentation delivery with added visual aids and interactive features.

Utilizing these tools can significantly boost the engagement levels of your audience, making your content more dynamic and memorable. The timer feature helps you manage your time effectively, ensuring that you stay on track during your presentation. With the pen tool, you can annotate slides in real-time, emphasizing key points and fostering better understanding among your viewers. The pointer function allows you to direct attention to specific areas of your slide, guiding the audience’s focus and enhancing clarity.

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.

One essential practice is to conduct a thorough pre-presentation rehearsal to familiarize yourself with the software features and transitions within the presenter’s view. This allows you to anticipate any technical glitches and smooth out the flow of your presentation. Make the most of remote controls or handy keyboard shortcuts to navigate through your slides effortlessly, enhancing your overall performance.

Practice Before Your Presentation

Prepare for successful presentations by dedicating time to practice using presenter view in PowerPoint, refining your delivery, and familiarizing yourself with the tools and features available for an impactful 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.

• Refining your presentation style through practice enables you to speak confidently, maintain audience engagement, and effectively convey your message. Utilize this time to adjust your pace, tone, and body language to create a compelling and impactful delivery.
• Optimizing the utilization of available tools, such as animations, transitions, and multimedia elements in PowerPoint, can elevate the visual appeal of your presentation. Familiarize yourself with these features to create visually appealing slides, maintain audience interest, and emphasize key points effectively.

Use a Remote or Keyboard Shortcuts

Optimize your meeting or presentation experience by utilizing a remote control or keyboard shortcuts to navigate through slides seamlessly, allowing for enhanced interaction and fluid transitions during your delivery.

Incorporating such tools in PowerPoint presentations revolutionizes how presenters interact with their content, eliminating the need to be tied to a specific spot for slide changes. By effortlessly moving from one slide to another without disruptions or distractions, the focus remains on the message being conveyed, enhancing audience engagement. Utilizing keyboard shortcuts for commands like starting a slideshow, jumping to a specific slide, or adjusting display settings creates a smooth and professional delivery that captivates your audience. These techniques not only save time but also allow for a more dynamic and interactive presentation experience.

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.

Concise notes are the cornerstone of a successful PowerPoint presentation, allowing presenters to stay on track and deliver their message with clarity and precision. By jotting down key ideas and supporting details, speakers can confidently navigate through their slides, ensuring a smooth flow of information and engaging the audience effectively.

These notes serve as a roadmap, keeping the presenter grounded in the core message and aiding in seamless transitions from one slide to the next. They also help in organizing thoughts, highlighting crucial data, and reinforcing the key takeaways for both the presenter and the viewers.

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.

Visual cues like pointers or laser pointers can significantly elevate the impact of your presentation, capturing attention effectively and making it easier for your audience to grasp key concepts. By utilizing these tools strategically, you can create a more cohesive narrative flow, guiding your audience’s focus and enhancing overall comprehension.

Pointers are especially useful for highlighting specific areas on slides or on a screen, drawing attention to essential details that might otherwise be missed. Incorporating this visual aid can also help you maintain a smoother delivery, ensuring that your audience stays engaged throughout your presentation.

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.

Presenter view is a powerful tool that allows you to see your presentation notes, upcoming slides, and elapsed time while your audience views only the main screen. This feature not only boosts your confidence but also facilitates smoother transitions and on-the-spot adjustments during your presentation.

Being able to control what your audience sees and what you see simultaneously elevates your performance, enabling you to maintain a seamless flow and deliver your message with clarity and precision.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how do i access speaker notes in powerpoint while presenting.

To view your speaker notes while presenting, simply click on the “Notes” button located at the bottom of the PowerPoint window. This will open a separate window with your notes, which you can resize or move as needed during your presentation.

2. Can I view my speaker notes on a separate screen while presenting?

Yes, you can. To do this, go to the “Slide Show” tab and click on “Set Up Slide Show”. Then, under the “Multiple Monitors” section, select “Presented by a speaker (full screen)” and click “OK”. Your speaker notes will now appear on the secondary 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?

Yes, you can. To do this, go to the “View” tab and click on “Notes Master”. Here, you can make changes to the font, size, and layout of your speaker notes, which will be applied to all slides in your presentation.

5. Are there any shortcuts for quickly accessing speaker notes during a presentation?

Yes, there are. During a presentation, you can press the “Ctrl” and “P” keys on your keyboard to quickly toggle between your slides and speaker notes.

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.

Similar Posts

How to insert pdf in powerpoint.

Do you ever wonder how to make your PowerPoint presentations more engaging and informative? One way to do that is by learning how to insert PDF files into your slides. Follow this step-by-step guide by Regina Griffin, a teacher from Oregon, US, to discover the importance of incorporating PDFs into your presentations. From selecting the…

How To Insert A Video Into A Shape In PowerPoint

Are you looking to take your PowerPoint presentations to the next level? Adding videos into shapes can help make your slides more engaging, save space, and create unique visual effects. In this article, we will discuss why you would want to insert a video into a shape, the types of videos you can use, and…

How To Word Document In PowerPoint

Looking to enhance your PowerPoint presentations with written information and visual aids? We explore the benefits of using Word documents in PowerPoint and how to insert and edit them effectively. From incorporating text to adding visuals, we cover everything you need to know to make your presentations stand out. We share tips for using Word…

How To Fade One Picture Into Another In PowerPoint

Are you looking to enhance your PowerPoint presentations and captivate your audience? Fading pictures can add a touch of elegance and professionalism to your slides. In this tutorial, you will learn the step-by-step process of fading one Picture into another in PowerPoint. To fade one picture into another, insert both pictures, arrange them on the…

How To Embed A Video In PowerPoint From Stream

Looking to enhance your PowerPoint presentations with engaging video content? Microsoft Stream is the perfect platform for hosting and embedding videos seamlessly into your slides. In this tutorial by Regina Griffin, a teacher from Oregon, US, you will learn How To Embed A Video In PowerPoint From Stream. Follow the simple steps outlined in this…

How To View Master Slide In PowerPoint

Looking to enhance your PowerPoint presentations with a polished and cohesive design? Understanding and utilizing the Master Slide feature can help you achieve just that. In this tutorial by Regina Griffin, a teacher from Oregon, US, we will explore what Master Slide is, why it is important, and how to access it in PowerPoint. We…