PowerPoint 2013

Presentation tools and features

PowerPoint provides convenient tools you can use while presenting your slide show. For example, you can change your mouse pointer to a pen or highlighter to draw attention to items in your slides. In addition, you can jump around to slides in your presentation or access other programs from your taskbar if needed.

To access drawing tools:

Your mouse pointer can act as pen or highlighter to draw attention to items in your slides.

1. Locate and select the Pen Tools button in the bottom-left corner.
2. Select Pen or Highlighter based on your preference.
   Accessing the Pen tool
3. Click and drag the mouse to mark your slides. You can also press Ctrl+P on your keyboard to access the pen tool while presenting your slide show.
   
   Using the pen to mark a slide

You can also use the laser pointer feature to draw attention to certain parts of your slide. Unlike the pen and highlighter, the laser pointer will not leave markings on your slides. To use the laser pointer, select it from the Pen Tools, or press and hold the Ctrl key and the left mouse button.

Accessing the laser pointer

To erase ink markings:

1. Locate and select the Pen Tools button in the bottom-left corner.
2. Select Eraser to erase individual ink markings, or select Erase All Ink on Slide to erase all markings.
   Erasing ink from a slide

When you end a slide show, you'll also have the option to Keep or Discard any ink annotations made during your presentation. If you keep ink markings, they'll appear as objects on your slides in Normal view.

Deciding to keep or discard ink annotations

To skip to a nonadjacent slide:

You can jump to slides out of order if needed.

1. Locate and select the See All Slides button in the bottom-left corner.
   Clicking the See All Slides button
2. Thumbnail versions of each slide will appear. Select the slide you would like to jump to.
   Choosing a slide to jump to
3. The selected slide will appear.

To show the taskbar:

Sometimes you may need to access the Internet or other files and programs on your computer during your presentation. PowerPoint allows you to access your taskbar without ending the presentation.

1. Locate and select the Slide Options button in the bottom-left corner.
2. Select Screen, then click Show Taskbar.
   Showing the taskbar
3. Your taskbar will appear. Choose a program you'd like to open, such as a web browser. Click the PowerPoint icon to return to the presentation.
   Opening another program from the taskbar

Slide options

You can also access any of the menu items above by right-clicking anywhere on the screen during your slide show.

Accessing the Slide Options menu by right-clicking