Effective in this scenario
You have a 30-minute talk with 20 slides, can't memorize everything, and take the stage with handwritten notes on A4 paper. With Presenter View, your PC shows the next slide and your script — no notes needed.
Press Alt+F5 to project slides on the projector while your PC displays Presenter View (next slide preview, notes, and timer). With a two-screen setup, this is the most professional way to present.
Shortcuts you will master in this article
Alt+F5 (Start in Presenter View) / F5 (Normal Slideshow Start)
If you look at the projected slide to cue your next point, you end up turning your back on the audience. Presenter View is the most effective way to face forward while checking notes on your PC.
Presenter View shows the 'next slide preview,' 'speaker notes,' and 'elapsed timer' on one screen. Preparing speaker notes in advance lets you speak confidently without a physical script.
Works best in a two-screen environment (PC monitor + projector).
Write speaker notes in advanceAdd talking points in the notes pane below each slide. These notes appear on your PC in Presenter View. Key figures or supplementary info not shown on the slide can go here.
Alt+F5With a two-screen setup, pressing Alt+F5 shows the normal slide on the projector and Presenter View on your PC.
Reading Presenter ViewCurrent slide on the left, next slide preview top-right, speaker notes bottom-right. A timer appears at the top.
Single monitor modeOn a single monitor, Alt+F5 shows only the Presenter View screen. This is useful for a dry run, though a separate display is needed for the real presentation.
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 |
|---|---|
F5 | Start Slideshow |
Shift + F5 | Start from Current Slide |
N | Next Slide |
P | Previous Slide |
A. Check that 'Use Presenter View' is ticked under Slideshow → Monitor Settings, or that the primary/secondary monitor settings aren't reversed. Press Windows key + P to check display settings.
A. Right-click during the slideshow → 'Show Presenter View.' It's better to set this up beforehand, but mid-session switching is also possible.
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.