MS PowerPoint
🔒 Log in to trackSlideshow and editing shortcuts
🔒 Log in to trackPowerPoint shortcuts fall into two sets: keys used while editing and keys used while the show is running. F5 starts the show from the beginning and Shift+F5 starts it from the current slide. Esc ends the show.
Starting and ending a show
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| F5 | Start the show from the first slide |
| Shift+F5 | Start the show from the current slide |
| Alt+F5 | Open Presenter View |
| Esc | End the show |
Rule: F5 starts at the beginning. Shift+F5 starts where you are.
Keys during the show
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| N, Enter, Space or Right arrow | Next slide |
| P, Backspace or Left arrow | Previous slide |
| B | Black screen. Press again to return |
| W | White screen. Press again to return |
| Number + Enter | Jump to that slide number |
| Ctrl+L | Laser pointer |
| Ctrl+P | Pen |
| Ctrl+A | Arrow pointer back |
| E | Erase pen drawings |
Typing 5 and pressing Enter jumps to slide 5.
Watch: Ctrl+P prints when you edit. During the show, it gives the pen. The context decides.
Keys while editing
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+M | New slide |
| Ctrl+N | New presentation |
| Ctrl+D | Duplicate the selected slide or object |
| Ctrl+K | Insert hyperlink |
| Ctrl+S | Save |
| F12 | Save As |
| Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Y | Undo / Redo |
| Ctrl+B / I / U | Bold, italic, underline |
| Ctrl+E / L / R / J | Centre, left, right, justify |
| Ctrl+A | Select all |
| Ctrl+G | Group selected objects |
| Ctrl+Shift+G | Ungroup |
Presenter View
Presenter View shows the current slide, the next slide, your notes and a timer on your own screen. The audience sees only the slide. It is useful when you use two screens or a projector.
Tip: On a laptop with a projector, Presenter View keeps your notes private.
Print and save keys
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+P | Print (in editing mode) |
| Ctrl+O | Open a presentation |
| Ctrl+W | Close the presentation |
| Ctrl+F | Find text |
| Ctrl+H | Replace text |
Extra show-mode keys
- Home jumps to the first slide. End jumps to the last slide.
- Ctrl+H hides the pointer and the buttons at once.
- S stops or restarts an automatic show.
- Right-click in a show opens a menu with Previous, Next, Go to Slide and End Show.
- F1 opens the list of show-mode help keys.
Note: During a show, plain letter keys act as commands. That is why B and W do not type letters.
Quick memory hooks
- B is for black, W is for white.
- N is next, P is previous.
- M is for a new slide.
- The number keys plus Enter work like a jump button.
- Shift adds a twist: F5 starts at the top, Shift+F5 starts here.
Question types you will see
Each type: how to recognise it, the method step by step, and one question to try.
Start and end the show
The question asks how to begin or end a slide show.
F5 starts at the first slide.
Shift+F5 starts at the current slide.
Esc ends the show.
The Shift key means from here.
The shortcut to start a slide show from the current slide is:
Show solutionHide solution
F5 alone starts from slide 1.
The current slide needs Shift.
Shift+F5
Keys during the show
The question asks what a key does in show mode.
B is a black screen and W is white.
N or P moves to next or previous.
A number with Enter jumps to that slide.
Show-mode keys are single letters that hint at the action.
During a slide show, pressing the B key:
Show solutionHide solution
B is the first letter of black.
The screen turns black.
Turns the screen black
New slide, new presentation, duplicate
The question asks the key for adding a slide or creating a file.
Ctrl+M adds a slide.
Ctrl+N creates a new presentation.
Ctrl+D duplicates the selected slide.
M, N and D are close together, so options swap them.
Which shortcut inserts a new slide in PowerPoint?
Show solutionHide solution
Ctrl+N is a new file.
A new slide uses M.
Ctrl+M
Pointer tools: laser and pen
The question asks for the key that draws or points on the slide.
Ctrl+L is the laser pointer.
Ctrl+P is the pen.
E erases the drawings.
The letters hint at the tool: L for laser, P for pen.
Which shortcut turns on the laser pointer during a show?
Show solutionHide solution
The laser pointer starts with L.
It uses Ctrl.
Ctrl+L
Presenter View and hyperlink
The question asks for the Presenter View key or the hyperlink key.
Alt+F5 opens Presenter View.
Ctrl+K inserts a hyperlink.
Presenter View shows notes and the next slide.
These two are asked less often but follow the same rule.
Presenter View in PowerPoint opens with:
Show solutionHide solution
F5 starts the show.
Adding Alt opens Presenter View.
Alt+F5
Shortcuts that save time
F5 starts from the beginning. Add Shift and it starts from the current slide.
How do you start a show from the slide you are on?
Show solutionHide solution
F5 starts from slide 1.
Adding Shift starts from here.
Shift+F5
B makes the screen black and W makes it white. Press the same key again to bring the slide back.
Ctrl+M adds a fresh slide. Ctrl+D makes a copy of the selected one. Ctrl+N is a whole new presentation.
Mistakes to avoid
Where most students lose marks on this subtopic.
Using F5 to start from the current slide.
F5 starts from the beginning. Shift+F5 starts from the current slide.
Thinking Ctrl+N adds a slide.
Ctrl+M adds a slide. Ctrl+N makes a new presentation.
Using Esc to open Presenter View.
Alt+F5 opens Presenter View. Esc ends the show.
Mixing B and W.
B is a black screen. W is a white screen.
Assuming Ctrl+P always prints.
In show mode Ctrl+P gives the pen.
Quick revision
Read this the night before the exam.
F5 start from beginning. Shift+F5 start from current slide. Alt+F5 Presenter View. Esc ends the show.
N next, P previous, B black screen, W white screen, number+Enter jumps to a slide.
Ctrl+L laser pointer. Ctrl+P pen in show mode. E erases drawings.
Ctrl+M new slide. Ctrl+N new presentation. Ctrl+D duplicate.
Ctrl+K hyperlink. Ctrl+G group. Ctrl+Shift+G ungroup.
F12 is Save As. Ctrl+S is Save.
Practice: 17 questions
Sets of 10, mixed across the question types above. Every answer has a step-by-step explanation.
Topic test · 10 questions
Suggested time 5 min · wrong answers go to your mistake notebook automatically.