1
F5Start slideshow from slide 1
Use this for standard presentations starting at the beginning. No matter which slide is selected, it always starts at slide 1.
PowerPoint slideshow startF5Shift+F5how to start a presentation
F5 and Shift+F5: Two Ways to Start a Slideshow Quickly
Effective in this scenario
You're in the conference room, the projector is connected, you say 'Let me pull up the slides now' — and then you can't remember how to start the slideshow and start clicking around the ribbon. Two keys solve this.
F5 starts from the beginning; Shift+F5 starts from the current slide. Two keys to memorize and you'll never fumble the slideshow start again.
Shortcuts you will master in this article
F5 (Start Slideshow from Beginning) / Shift+F5 (Start from Current Slide)
The moment when starting a slideshow goes wrong
Not knowing how to start a slideshow in a live setting leads to searching for the 'Slideshow' tab or hunting for the icon at the bottom of the screen — and making your audience wait.
Practicing both F5 and Shift+F5 beforehand means no hesitation in the moment. Shift+F5 in particular is great because it starts from wherever you're currently looking — perfect for mid-session checks or restarting partway through.
When to use each slideshow start shortcut
Both keys launch a full-screen slideshow the moment you press them.
2
Shift+F5Start slideshow from the current slide
Use for mid-session review or when you want to restart from the same slide after temporarily exiting.
Tip: When checking if an animation plays correctly before the session, Shift+F5 is the fastest approach.
3
Alt+F5Start slideshow in Presenter View
With a two-screen setup (projector + PC), Alt+F5 opens Presenter View on your PC while displaying the slideshow on the projector.
4
EscEnd the slideshow and return to editing
After finishing the presentation or checking, Esc immediately returns you to the editing screen.
PowerPoint Shortcut Practice
Master PowerPoint shortcuts and
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Reading alone won't make them stick. Use KeyboardGym's PowerPoint practice mode to type the shortcuts from this article.
Slideshow Start Checklist
Can start from slide 1 with F5
Can start from the current slide with Shift+F5
Can end the slideshow with Esc
Have tested both keys in practice before the live session
Related Shortcuts
Visit each shortcut detail page to see key positions and usage tips.
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
F5 | Start Slideshow |
Shift + F5 | Start from Current Slide |
Esc | End Slideshow |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does F5 also start a slideshow when using PowerPoint in a web browser?
A. The browser may intercept F5 as 'Refresh page.' In the web version, use the slideshow icon in the bottom-right or start via the View menu.
Q. Can Presenter View (Alt+F5) be used with a single monitor?
A. Yes. On a single monitor, Alt+F5 launches the Presenter View but there's no separate audience screen — you just see the presenter interface.
Q. How do I memorize PowerPoint shortcuts faster?
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.