How to Read Notes While Presenting in PowerPoint [2024]

During a presentation, people often forget to remember some crucial points they should discuss in the lecture.

Adding notes to the slides is magnificent, as it helps cover every topic while presenting. Though this feature has been available for almost two decades, it has become easy enough to use in recent years.

If you are wondering how to use this feature to read notes while presenting to ensure maximum output, this article will answer all your questions.

So, let’s get started!

Quick Navigation show

How to Add Notes While Making a Presentation on PowerPoint

Adding notes is essential before you can view notes in PowerPoint while presenting. Select a slide to add notes for that particular slide and navigate to View > Notes. You can also access the Notes on the taskbar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.

Consider the following methods for adding notes on PowerPoint 2021, 19, 16, 13, 10, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows, macOS, and Web.

Here are the methods to add notes in a presentation file:

On Windows

Launch PowerPoint and open your presentation file.
Click on the slide you want to add notes.
Switch to the View tab.
Locate Notes under the Show group and click on it.
Add notes at the bottom of the slide.
Adjust the notes filed by clicking and dragging the top line of the pane.

On macOS

Launch PowerPoint and open the presentation file.
Click on Normal under the View menu.
Select the slide where you want to add notes.
Locate Click to add notes and click on it.
Add notes for the selected slide.

On Web

Open your browser and go to Microsoft Office.
Click on the App launcher and select PowerPoint.
Open your presentation file.
Choose the slide where you want to add notes.
Switch to the View tab and select Notes.
Locate Click to add notes at the bottom of the slide and click on it.
Add your notes for that slide.

If you find the notes field is too tiny for adding notes, place your mouse cursor on the top line of the Notes pane, and it will change the cursor into a double-headed arrow. Now click and hold the left mouse button and drag to adjust the Notes pane.

Pro Tips: You can quickly open Notes on any platform by clicking Notes on the bottom taskbar of the PowerPoint window.

If you add a ton of notes for any particular slide, a vertical scroll bar will appear on the side of the Notes pane. You can use the vertical scroll bar to view your notes.

Additionally, you can quickly insert symbols in your presentation file to make it more meaningful and increase engagement with the viewers.

How to Read Notes While Presenting on PowerPoint

View your notes while presenting your slides by starting the Slide Show. Right-click on your presentation and choose Show Presenter View from the context menu. Now, you will see the slide you are presenting, a preview of the upcoming slide, and notes you have added for the current slide.

The primary use of the Presenter view is to show the presentation slide to the audience when you have other options that will assist you in making the presentation meaningful.

The Presenter View option is handy when you connect a projector or monitor to your computer to present your PowerPoint slides in front of the audience.

This feature will help you show the audience only the slides while you can access your slide notes and upcoming slides on the primary monitor.

Quick Note: Press Alt + F5 to open a presentation file directly in the Presenter View. You can access this feature even with one monitor.

Go through the subsequent procedures to read notes while presenting the slides on PowerPoint 2021, 19, 16, 13, 10, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows and macOS.

Follow the subsequent instructions to read notes while presenting slides:

On Windows

Open your presentation file in PowerPoint.
Start presenting the slides by pressing the F5 Or Switch to the Slide Show tab and select Start From Beginning.
Right-click on the slide and choose Show Presenter View from the context menu.
Locate the notes on the right pane.

On macOS

Open the presentation file in PowerPoint.
Navigate to the View tab.
Click on the Presenter View.
Locate the notes on the right pane under the preview of the next slide.

The notes you added earlier will be on the right pane under the preview of the upcoming slide. You can rewrite the notes while presenting the slides. To do so, simply click on the text box to edit it.

The note texts will wrap and show a vertical scroll bar if the notes are longer than usual. You can also adjust the note’s font size by clicking on the two buttons at the bottom of the notes.

The presenter view automatically collects the notes you added for each slide and shows them when the presenter view is enabled with some additional controls.

The Presenter view is set in PowerPoint as default. However, you can change the setting by navigating the Slide Show tab. Just untick the Use Presenter View checkbox to deselect it.

Here’s a complete guide on how to present Cameo in PowerPoint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I see my notes in the Presenter view?

Use the Swap Presenter view and Slide Show option if you are using two monitors and don’t see the notes in the presenter view. To access the option, start your slideshow in presenter view, click on the Display Settings and select Swap Presenter view and Slide Show.

How to view notes in PowerPoint while presenting with one monitor?

If you are presenting with one monitor and want to view your slide notes in PowerPoint, open the PowerPoint document and press Alt + F5. It will show you the Presenter View, your notes, and upcoming slides in one place.

Is it OK to read from notes during a presentation?

It is totally ok to read from notes during a presentation. But keep in mind, don’t read your notes word by word. Instead, summarize your lecture and note the essential facts you want to cover during the presentation.