### **The Ultimate Guide to the Slide Show Menu in PowerPoint: Descriptions, Shortcuts, Tips, and Tricks**

The **Slide Show Menu** in PowerPoint is where you control the most critical part of your presentation: **how it is delivered to your audience**. It gives you all the options you need to rehearse, customize, and present your slides in a professional manner. Whether you are giving a live presentation, recording it, or broadcasting it online, the Slide Show menu provides the tools to ensure everything goes smoothly.

In this blog, we will walk you through the features of the Slide Show menu, provide shortcuts to save time, and share tips to deliver a flawless presentation.

### **Overview of the Slide Show Menu**

The **Slide Show** menu is divided into four primary groups:

1. **Start Slide Show**

2. **Set Up**

3. **Monitors**

4. **Rehearse**

Each group focuses on different aspects of how to present or prepare your presentation.

### **1. Start Slide Show**

**Description**: The **Start Slide Show** group is where you begin your presentation. You can choose to start from the first slide, from the current slide, or create a customized show.

- **Key Features**:

  - **From Beginning**: Starts the slide show from the first slide of your presentation.

  - **From Current Slide**: Starts the slide show from the slide you are currently on in Normal View.

  - **Present Online**: Broadcast your presentation to a remote audience over the internet using Microsoft’s online service.

  - **Custom Slide Show**: Create a personalized slide show that only includes certain slides or a specific sequence of slides.

  

- **Shortcuts**:

  - **F5**: Start the slide show from the beginning.

  - **Shift + F5**: Start the slide show from the current slide.

**Tip**: Use **Shift + F5** to jump straight into your presentation from any slide during your preparation or review without having to scroll back to the beginning.

### **2. Set Up**

**Description**: The **Set Up** group provides options for customizing the behavior of your presentation, such as looping it automatically, choosing whether to present manually or automatically, and determining how your slides are advanced.

- **Key Features**:

  - **Set Up Slide Show**: Opens a dialog box with advanced settings, allowing you to choose whether the show is presented full screen, looped continuously, or browsed at a kiosk.

  - **Rehearse Timings**: Allows you to practice your presentation while recording the time you spend on each slide. PowerPoint can then use these timings to advance slides automatically.

  - **Record Slide Show**: You can record your narration and timings as you go through the slide show. It is useful when preparing presentations for online or automated delivery.

  - **Play Narrations**: Allows you to play or skip previously recorded narrations during the slide show.

  - **Use Timings**: Automatically advances slides using the timings you set during a rehearsal or by manually configuring slide timing.

- **Shortcut**: 

**Alt + S, U** (Open Set Up Slide Show dialog box)

**Tip**: If you’re presenting at an event where the slides need to run on a loop, select the **Loop Continuously** option in the **Set Up Slide Show** dialog box. This is especially useful for display booths or waiting rooms.

### **3. Monitors**

**Description**: This section is designed for presenters using multiple monitors or projectors. You can control which screen your slides are shown on and enable **Presenter View**, which gives you additional tools to manage the presentation while the audience sees only the slides.

- **Key Features**:

  - **Presenter View**: Shows your speaker notes, upcoming slides, and a timer on your screen, while your audience only sees the current slide. This is extremely useful for staying on track and delivering well-timed presentations.

  - **Monitor Selection**: Choose which monitor or projector will display your slides if you are connected to multiple screens.

- **Shortcut**: 

**Alt + S, P** (Turn Presenter View on/off)

**Tip**: Use **Presenter View** when you have access to two screens. It gives you control over the presentation’s flow by showing a timer, speaker notes, and a preview of the next slide. This helps you stay organized without disrupting the audience’s focus.

### **4. Rehearse**

**Description**: The **Rehearse** group is all about preparing for your presentation. You can rehearse timings and record narrations to get everything perfect before the big day.

- **Key Features**:

  - **Rehearse Timings**: Walk through your presentation while recording how much time you spend on each slide. PowerPoint will store these timings, allowing you to later automate the slide advancement based on your rehearsed timing.

  - **Record Slide Show**: Record your voice narration as you go through the presentation. This feature is perfect for creating recorded presentations for on-demand viewing.

**Shortcut**:

 **Alt + S, R** (Start Rehearse Timings)

**Tip**: Practice makes perfect! Use **Rehearse Timings** to get a feel for how long each slide will take, especially if you have a strict time limit for your presentation.

### **Key Shortcuts for the Slide Show Menu**

- **F5**: Start the slide show from the beginning.

- **Shift + F5**: Start the slide show from the current slide.

- **Alt + S, U**: Open the Set Up Slide Show dialog box.

- **Alt + S, P**: Turn Presenter View on or off.

- **Alt + S, R**: Start Rehearse Timings.

### **Tips & Tricks for Using the Slide Show Menu**

1. **Practice in Presenter View**: If you have access to two screens, **Presenter View** is your best friend. It gives you all the tools you need to deliver a smooth presentation, including slide previews, a timer, and your speaker notes. Practice using it so you’re familiar with the layout and don’t have to think about it on the day of your presentation.

2. **Rehearse Timings**: If you’re not confident about your timing or if your presentation has to fit within a specific time limit, rehearse using the **Rehearse Timings** feature. It will help you practice and adjust how long you spend on each slide.

3. **Record Your Presentation**: If you need to create an online presentation or share it with colleagues after the event, use the **Record Slide Show** option. You can record your voice as you go through the presentation, giving it a more personalized touch.

4. **Custom Slide Shows**: For different audiences, you can create a **Custom Slide Show** with just the slides that are relevant to that group. This allows you to tailor your presentation without needing to create separate files.

5. **Use Laser Pointer or Annotations**: During the presentation, you can activate a laser pointer by holding **Ctrl + left mouse button**. You can also use annotation tools like a pen or highlighter by right-clicking on the slide and selecting **Pointer Options**.

6. **Disable Mouse Click for Slide Advancement**: If you want your presentation to be automated or kiosk-style (like at trade shows), disable the mouse click to advance slides by using the **Set Up Slide Show** options and selecting **Browsed at a Kiosk**.

7. **Presenter Notes**: Keep detailed notes for each slide and use **Presenter View** to display them. This helps you maintain a smooth delivery without having to memorize every detail.

8. **Clear Timings and Narrations**: If you rehearse or record your presentation and want to start fresh, you can clear all timings or narrations. Go to **Slide Show** > **Record Slide Show** > **Clear** and choose to remove timings, narrations, or both.

### **Common Mistakes to Avoid**

1. **Overloading Presenter View with Notes**: While **Presenter View** is helpful for showing notes, avoid making them too lengthy. Long notes can distract you and make it harder to maintain eye contact with your audience.

2. **Skipping the Rehearsal**: Failing to practice is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Rehearse your timings and delivery using the **Rehearse Timings** feature to ensure your presentation flows smoothly.

3. **Relying Too Heavily on Automation**: While using automatic slide advancement can be useful, be cautious. If you haven’t rehearsed enough or if something interrupts your timing, it can throw you off.

4. **Starting the Slide Show Unprepared**: Avoid starting the slide show without reviewing the layout, transitions, or slide content one last time. Running a quick preview before the live presentation helps prevent any surprises.

### **Conclusion**

The **Slide Show Menu** in PowerPoint is essential for delivering polished, professional presentations. Whether you're presenting live, recording a session, or sharing it online, mastering this menu will enhance your presentation skills and keep your audience engaged.

By using the shortcuts, tips, and tricks mentioned here, you'll be ready to deliver a smooth, well-timed, and visually impressive presentation.

### **Recap of PowerPoint Slide Show Menu Shortcuts**

- **F5**: Start Slide Show from the Beginning

- **Shift + F5**: Start Slide Show from Current Slide

- **Alt + S, U**: Open Set Up Slide Show dialog box

- **Alt + S, P**: Turn Presenter View on/off

- **Alt + S, R**: Start Rehearse Timings

With these tools, you’ll be on your way to creating engaging and memorable PowerPoint presentations!