Effective in this scenario
During a slideshow, you say 'now this part of the graph here' but the audience can't tell what you're pointing at, so you end up walking to the screen to point with your finger. You can solve this from your keyboard and the on-screen pointer.
Press Ctrl+L to switch to the laser pointer (a red dot) and guide attention with your mouse. Press Ctrl+P to switch to the pen and draw directly on the slide. Both are available in real time during a slideshow.
Shortcuts you will master in this article
Ctrl+L (Laser Pointer) / Ctrl+P (Pen Tool) / E (Erase Ink) / Ctrl+A (Return to Arrow)
When explaining a specific part of a graph or diagram, words alone can fail to direct the audience's gaze. Without a physical laser pointer, you may end up walking to the screen.
PowerPoint's laser pointer (Ctrl+L) turns the cursor into a red circle, like a laser beam on screen. Even without a clicker, you can point to specific areas of the slide from a distance.
You can switch between tools at any time during the slideshow. The mouse cursor is not visible on the projector side — only the tool you activate is shown.
Ctrl+LThe cursor becomes a red circle (laser pointer). Move the mouse to move the red dot on screen — use it to point to specific areas during your presentation.
Tip: Press Ctrl+A to return to the arrow cursor. Pointer size and color can be changed in the Slideshow options.
Ctrl+PThe cursor becomes a pen. Drag to write or draw on the slide — circle important figures, add arrows to a flow, etc.
EPress E to erase all pen annotations at once. To erase specific annotations, use Ctrl+E (Eraser tool).
Ctrl+ASwitches from laser or pen mode back to the normal arrow cursor. Use this when you want to resume advancing slides.
PowerPoint Shortcut Practice
Reading alone won't make them stick. Use KeyboardGym's PowerPoint practice mode to type the shortcuts from this article.
Visit each shortcut detail page to see key positions and usage tips.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl + L | Laser Pointer |
Ctrl + P | Pen Tool |
E | Erase All Ink |
Ctrl + A | Arrow Pointer |
A. When you end the slideshow, a dialog asks 'Keep ink annotations?' Select 'Keep' to save them to the slide, or 'Discard' to remove them.
A. Go to Slideshow tab → Set Up Slide Show → Laser pointer color, and choose from red, green, or blue.
A. Reading alone won't make them stick. Use KeyboardGym's PowerPoint practice mode to type the keys and build muscle memory through sequential and random practice.