Microsoft Office PowerPoint is still commonly used for creating graphic presentations in corporate and education all over the world. Millions of people use it on a daily basis. Although it’s fairly software, creating a presentation takes time. So why not speed up the process and use Powerpoint keyboard shortcuts to improve your workflow?

The list of shortcuts presented here is only a small portion of all the shortcuts available. In this article, we try to keep only to the most frequently used keyboard PowerPoint shortcuts. Other shortcuts might be more task-specific and useful in only a handful of situations, so we won’t bother with them.

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    The Best Microsoft PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts image 1

    Keep in mind that these shortcuts will work in all PowerPoint versions. You don’t have to install the latest version in order to use them.

    That said, make sure to also check out our articles on the best Microsoft Word keyboard shortcuts and the best Microsoft Excel keyboard shortcuts to become a Microsoft Office power user.

    1. General PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts

    These PowerPoint shortcut keys will help you navigate the ribbon, open and close presentations, or switch between multiple presentations. You might already be familiar with some of them as they are the same as the shortcuts used in other apps or web browsers.

    Ctrl+NCreate a new presentation.
    Ctrl+OOpen already existing presentation
    Ctrl+SSaves a presentation that is currently open
    Alt+F2 or F12Opens a Save As dialog box
    Ctrl+QSave and close a presentation
    Ctrl+W or Ctrl+F4Close currently active presentation
    F1Opens the Help panel
    F7Check spelling
    F10 or AltTurns the key tips on and off
    Ctrl+F1Expand or collapse the ribbon
    Ctrl+F2Enter Print Preview mode
    Ctrl+TabSwitch between multiple opened presentations
    Ctrl+ZUndo the last action
    Ctrl+YRedo the last action
    Ctrl+FOpen the find dialog box
    Alt+GNavigate to the Design tab
    Alt+ANavigate to the Animation tab
    Alt+KNavigate to the Transition tab
    Alt+SNavigate to the Slide Show tab
    Alt+FNavigate to the File menu
    Alt+HNavigate to the Home tab
    Alt+NOpen the Insert tab
    Alt+WNavigate to the View tab
    Alt+ROpen the Review Tab
    Alt+XNavigate to the Add-ins tab

    2. Selecting and Navigating through PowerPoint Presentation

    This group of shortcut keys will help you quickly move through the whole presentation and select the text, boxes, slides, or only certain objects within the slides. Instead of using your mouse, opt for keyboard shortcuts, it will save you a lot of time.

    HomeGo to the beginning of a line in a textbox, or to the first slide in the presentation
    EndGo to the end of a line in a textbox, or to the last slide in the presentation
    Page UpGo to the previous slide
    Page DownGo to the next slide
    Ctrl+Up ArrowMove a slide in your presentation up
    Ctrl+Down ArrowMove a slide in your presentation down
    Ctrl+Shift+Up ArrowMove a slide to the beginning of the presentation
    Ctrl+Shift+Down ArrowMove a slide to the end of the presentation
    Ctrl+ASelect all slides in a presentation (in slide sorter view), all texts in text boxes, or all objects on a slide
    TabMove to the next object in the slide, or select it
    Shift+TabMove to the previous object in the slide, or select it
    Alt+QNavigate to Tell me what you want to do

    3. Formatting and Editing the PowerPoint Presentation

    After you are done creating a presentation, you can concentrate on making it look good. Format your PowerPoint presentation or edit it quickly with these keyboard shortcuts. Also, remember you can always get started with a professional PowerPoint template to save even more time.

    Ctrl+CCopy the selected text, objects in slide, or slides in presentation
    Ctrl+XCut the selected text, objects in slide, or slides in presentation
    Ctrl+VPaste previously copied or cut text, objects, or slides
    DeleteDelete the previously selected text, object, or a slide
    Ctrl+BackspaceDelete a word to the left
    Ctrl+DeleteDelete a word to the right
    Ctrl+BBold the selected text. Press again to remove bold
    Ctrl+IMake the selected text Italic. Press again to remove the Italic
    Ctrl+UUnderline the selected text. Press again to remove the underline
    Ctrl+EAlign the selected text to the center
    Ctrl+LAlign the selected text to the left
    Ctrl+RAlign the selected text to the right
    Ctrl+JJustify the selected text
    Ctrl+TOpen the font dialog box for the selected text object
    Ctrl+GGroup items together
    Ctrl+Shift+GUngroup items
    Ctrl+K (on selected text or object)Insert hyperlink
    Ctrl+MInsert new slide
    Ctrl+DDuplicate a selected object or slide
    Ctrl+Shift+Right ArrowIncrease the size of the font
    Ctrl+Shift+Left ArrowDecrease the size of the font
    Alt+W then QCHange the Zoom for the slides
    Ctrl++Make the selected text a superscript
    Ctrl+=Make the selected text subscript
    Hold Alt + N and then PInsert a Picture
    Hold Alt+H then S then HInsert a shape
    Hold Alt+H then LSelect a layout for a slide

    4. Delivering Your Presentation

    Once you’re satisfied with how your PowerPoint presentation turned out, it’s time to deliver it to your coworkers, boss, or teacher. These keyboard shortcuts will help you look professional.

    F5Start the presentation from the beginning
    Shift+F5Start the presentation from the current slide
    Alt+F5Start the presentation in Presenter View
    Right Arrow (or Enter)Navigate to the next slide or animation
    Left ArrowNavigate to the previous slide or animation
    HomeRestart the presentation from the first slide
    EndQuickly go to the last slide
    SStart or stop playing automatic presentation
    Slide number+enterGo to a specific slide
    Ctrl+SOpen All Slides dialog box
    EscExit the presentation
    B or WTo pause the presentation and enter a blank (black or white) screen
    Ctrl+LChange the cursor into a laser dot
    Ctrl+PLive draw on presentation with a pen
    EErase anything drawn with a pen
    Ctrl+HHide navigation controls

    Use Keyboard Shortcuts

    Keep in mind the PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts above are primarily for Windows machines. However, most of them are similar on the Mac as well. While on Windows you need to press Ctrl for most shortcuts, on Mac you will press the Cmd (Command) key instead.

    PowerPoint keyboard shortcuts are essential for improving the efficiency of your workflow and you should learn at least the basic ones. However, you will, in time, remember the ones you use the most.

    If you find it helpful, you can even print out this list of Powerpoint keyboard shortcuts, and keep it handy next to your workstation. That way you can cast a glance and use the appropriate shortcut at any time.

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