Microsoft Office PowerPoint supports a number of keyboard shortcuts. You may already be familiar with some of these from other Office programs .

These shortcuts can significantly shorten the editing process and simplify workflows. In this article, we've compiled some of the most important PowerPoint shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

Why PowerPoint shortcuts are helpful

PowerPoint shortcuts are an incredibly practical tool for optimizing your workflow. While PowerPoint uses many shortcuts that are familiar from Windows itself and many other programs, it also offers many more that even experienced users may not be aware of.

PowerPoint shortcuts for your slides

• Duplicate objects – CTRL + D
  This keyboard shortcut creates a copy of the currently selected object (shape, text box, image, etc.).

• Duplicate slides – CTRL + SHIFT + D
  To do this, select the slide you want to duplicate and then create a copy of it using the shortcut.

• Insert new slide – CTRL + M
  Use this keyboard shortcut to insert a new, blank slide.

• Show header and footer options – ALT + Shift + D
  The "Header and Footer" dialog box will appear here.

• Insert hyperlink – CTRL + K
  This opens the "Insert Link" dialog box.

• Copy – CTRL + C
  This keyboard shortcut copies the currently selected object to the clipboard. It can also be used for text selections.

• Insert – CTRL + V
  Paste the contents from the clipboard.

Shortcuts for screen presentations

• Convert mouse pointer to laser pointer – Ctrl + L
  Use this PowerPoint shortcut to turn your mouse pointer into a laser pointer and make presenting to a larger audience easier.

• Switch screen to black and white during presentation – B/W
  Display a black or white screen during your screen presentation.

Shortcuts for objects

• Enlarge objects from the center – Ctrl + Shift
  Drag a corner of the object with the mouse button to enlarge it from the center.

• Enlarge object by scaling – Shift
  Hold down the Shift key and drag a corner of the object.

• Duplicate selected object – Ctrl + D
  Select the object you want to duplicate and press Ctrl + D.

• Group objects – CTRL + G
  This PowerPoint shortcut groups the currently selected objects. This allows them to be moved and edited together as a unit.

• Move objects – Arrow keys
  You can use the arrow keys to position the selected objects on the slide.

• Rotate object – ALT + left or right arrow key
  Rotates the selected object around its own axis to the right or left.

PowerPoint - Shortcuts for Mac

Even though a Mac keyboard is laid out differently than a Windows PC keyboard, both Mac and Windows offer many helpful PowerPoint shortcuts. In the following paragraph, we'll list some that make working with PowerPoint on a Mac easier and simplify workflows.

Shortcuts for your slides

• Insert new slide – Command + N + Shift
  Use this keyboard shortcut to insert a new, blank slide.

• Duplicate selected slide – Command + D + Shift
  This keyboard shortcut allows you to duplicate the slide you have selected.

• Select multiple individual slides – Command
  Use the Command key to select multiple individual slides in your presentation.

• Save – Command+S
  Save your entire presentation using this shortcut.

Shortcuts for screen presentations

• Start slideshow from current slide – Command + Enter

• Convert mouse pointer to pen – Command + P
  Use this shortcut to turn your mouse pointer into a pen during your presentation.

• Jump directly to slide number X – slide number + Enter
  Jump to the slide you want during the presentation.

Shortcuts for objects

Practical tip: Text shortcuts in PowerPoint

Although the goal should generally be to keep the text on your slides as short as possible , sometimes it is unavoidable to work with a lot of text, even in a presentation.

The following selection of keyboard shortcuts enables fast and effective work even with large amounts of text.

Conclusion: Use PowerPoint shortcuts for fast and efficient work!

Whether it's a PowerPoint presentation or a Word document, keyboard shortcuts can reduce your working time on both Windows and Mac computers. For more tips and shortcuts, feel free to download our slides on the topic of shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

If you have any questions about PowerPoint shortcuts or PowerPoint in general, please contact us at info@presentationload.de and we will be happy to help!

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