Quick PowerPoint Display Tips

Image by The Library of Congress via Flickr

Have you ever watched someone give a PowerPoint presentation and inexplicably lose his or her place, which causes the presenter to show the entire audience the slide sorter screen or, even worse, start the presentation over? Makes you long for the good old computer-free days, doesn't it?

Oh, you sigh as he or she gamely clicks through the slides we've all already seen and you think how clueless must he or she be. But, make sure you know what to do in this situation before you scoff to your neighbor, "And, they're being paid to present?!" Here are a few shortcuts you need to know to make sure these foibles don't happen to you!

I'm a Microsoft Windows girl, so my tips pertain to this OS.

1. Know how to launch your presentation from the beginning
   AND from somewhere in the middle.
   
   Press F5 in PowerPoint to launch the slideshow from the beginning.
   Press Shift+F5 to launch the slideshow from the current slide.
   
   Check your keyboard, especially on a notebook PC, to find out if you need to press a modifier key as well. For example, I need to press the Fn key also for the F5 to function!
2. Learn how to toggle your display settings.
   Certain combinations of keys or a display configuration program help you to switch from your laptop display to projector display or use both screens. Some laptops may have a button with a picture of a laptop or external monitor, while other laptops use a combo of Fn+ a function key, such as F5, F7 or F8.
   
   By using this shortcut, you can turn off the projector display while you are searching back through your PowerPoint slide sorter or looking for a different file on your computer. Then, just switch back to the combo version when you've found it!
3. Prepare.
   Preparing your presentation doesn't just involve designing PowerPoint slides. Make sure you do a run through. Know how to launch the presentation, connect the projector and switch between display options. If you're using a borrowed projector at a venue, arrive early to allow adequate time to set up your presentation.

I can't tell you how many clumsy presentations I've sat through. Don't be that guy or gal. Learn a few shortcuts to help your audience members remember your content, not your incompetence.