Keyboard Shortcuts: Presenting PowerPoint Commands

(This post is part of a series. You can view previous posts on Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, and Outlook.)

Most of us use Microsoft PowerPoint whenever we give a presentation.

There are several keyboard shortcuts that can make creating or editing a PowerPoint easier, as well as shortcuts that improve the overall presentation.

Creative Shortcuts

Developing a new presentation? These shortcuts are for you.

Here’s how to reduce the time it takes to create a PowerPoint:

• Ctrl + M: Insert new slide
• Ctrl + Shift + D: Duplicate current slide
• Ctrl + Up arrow: Move slide up
• Ctrl + Down arrow: Move slide down
• Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow: Move slide to beginning
• Ctrl + Shift + Down arrow: Move slide to end
• Alt + N + P: Add picture
• Alt + N + X: Add textbox
• Ctrl + D: Duplicate object
• Ctrl + Shift + C: Copy object formatting
• Ctrl + Shift + V: Past object formatting
• Ctrl + Shift + “[“: Send object to back
• Ctrl + Shift + “]”: Send object to front
• Ctrl G: Group
• Ctrl + Shift + G: Ungroup
• Ctrl + Spacebar: Play or pause media
• Ctrl + N: Insert comment
• F5: Run presentation
• Shift + F5: View presentation from current slide forward

Presentation Shortcuts

PowerPoint includes some nifty shortcuts you can use during a presentation.

Here’s how to shine the next time you are in the spotlight:

• S: Stop or restart an automatic show
• B: Make screen go black (enter “B” again to show presentation)
• W: Make screen go white (enter “W” again to show presentation)
• Ctrl + P: Activate pen tool
• E: Erase pen marks
• Ctrl A: Change pen to pointer
• Ctrl H: Hide pen or pointer
• Tab: Go to next hyperlink
• (Slide no.) + Enter: Go to slide no. The slide number shortcut works great for navigation when someone asks a question about a presentation. You can quickly return to the slide in question to discuss it.