PowerPoint How-To Guides

PowerPoint guides for building and presenting slides, including video and audio, speaker notes, timelines, recording, printing and saving as PDF.

How to Add Audio to PowerPoint and Make It Play
Add an audio file or record narration in PowerPoint, then choose when it starts, play it across slides, and fix sound that will not play.
How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint and Use Them
Select a slide in Normal view and type in Click to add notes below it. Show a hidden Notes pane, then read your notes while presenting in Presenter View.
How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint on Every Slide
Open Insert, choose Slide Number, tick Slide number and select Apply to All. Also skip the title slide, change the starting number and fix missing numbers.
How to Create a Timeline in PowerPoint Step by Step
To create a timeline in PowerPoint, choose Insert > SmartArt > Basic Timeline and type your dates. Plus templates, shapes, Designer and the web app.
How to Curve Text in PowerPoint Into an Arc or Circle
Curve text in PowerPoint with WordArt or an existing text box. Use Text Effects and Transform for an arch or circle, then resize or remove it.
How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint and Undo It
Right-click a slide thumbnail in PowerPoint and choose Delete Slide. Select several with Ctrl or Shift, or press Delete. Undo a mistake with Ctrl+Z.
How to Embed a Video in PowerPoint and Play It
To embed a video in PowerPoint, choose Insert > Video > This Device, or Online Videos for YouTube. Desktop and web steps, plus fixes when it won't play.
How to Print PowerPoint With Notes on Every Page
Open File > Print, choose Notes Pages instead of Full Page Slides, then print or save a PDF with each slide and its speaker notes underneath.
How to Record on PowerPoint With Audio and Video
Record a PowerPoint presentation with narration, slide timings, ink, or camera video. Review each slide, then save the deck or export an MP4.
How to Remove Background in PowerPoint Step by Step
Remove a picture background in PowerPoint or replace a slide background with white. Follow desktop and web steps and save a transparent PNG.
How to Save PowerPoint as PDF With Slides or Notes
In PowerPoint, choose File, Export, Create PDF/XPS, then Publish. Options adds one slide, handouts or notes pages, and the web app has Download as PDF.
How to Superscript in PowerPoint for Text and Math
Select the character and press Ctrl + Shift + = to superscript in PowerPoint. Plus the Font dialog, symbols, equations, subscript, the web and Mac.
How to Use PowerPoint to Make Your First Presentation
Open PowerPoint, choose Blank Presentation, add slides from Home > New Slide, pick a theme, then present, save and share. Desktop and web steps.