display the given presentation in slide sorter view

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Slide sorter view in powerpoint- instructions, how to use slide sorter view in powerpoint: video.

            This video lesson, titled “ Slide Sorter View ,” shows you how to use Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint. This video lesson is from our complete PowerPoint tutorial , titled “ Mastering PowerPoint Made Easy v.2019 and 365 .”

Overview of Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint:

            Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint lets you view and sort the presentation slides. To switch to Slide Sorter view, click the “Slide Sorter” button in the presentation view buttons in the Status Bar. Alternatively, click the “Slide Sorter” button in the “Presentation Views” button group on the “View” tab of the Ribbon.

            You use Slide Sorter view to reorganize, insert, delete and copy the presentation slides. Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint also shows the presentation’s visual flow. You can also add and preview slide transition animation here, as well.

            In Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint, all the presentation slides appear as thumbnails. You cannot modify the slide content in this view. However, many of the features you can do in Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint you can also do within the slide thumbnails pane in Normal view. To select a slide in Slide Sorter view, click a slide thumbnail. To reorganize the sequence of slides in your presentation, click and drag the slide thumbnails in this view and then release them in the desired position.

            If you double-click a slide thumbnail in Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint or select a slide thumbnail and then press the “Enter” key on your keyboard, you open the selected slide in Normal View, where you can modify its content. To delete a slide in Slide Sorter view, click to select the desired slide thumbnail. Then press the “Delete” key on your keyboard. Alternatively, right-click the slide thumbnail to delete. Then select the “Delete Slide” command in the pop-up menu that appears.

A picture of a presentation shown in Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

Instructions on using slide sorter view in powerpoint:.

• To switch to Slide Sorter view , click the “Slide Sorter” button in the presentation view buttons on the Status Bar.
• Alternatively , click the “Slide Sorter” button in the “Presentation Views” button group on the “View” tab of the Ribbon.
• In Slide Sorter view, all the presentation slides appear as thumbnails. You cannot modify the slide content in this view. However, many of the features you can do in Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint you can also do within the slide thumbnails pane in Normal view.
• If you want to select a slide in Slide Sorter view , click a slide thumbnail.
• To reorganize the sequence of slides in your presentation , click and drag the slide thumbnails in this view and then release them in the desired position.
• To open a selected slide in Normal View to edit its content , double-click a slide thumbnail in Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint.
• Alternatively , select a slide thumbnail and then press the “Enter” key on your keyboard.
• To delete a slide in Slide Sorter view , click to select the desired slide thumbnail.
• Then press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.
• Alternatively , right-click the slide thumbnail to delete.
• Then select the “Delete Slide” command in the pop-up menu that appears.

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Home » Microsoft Powerpoint » What Is Slide Sorter View in MS PowerPoint

What Is Slide Sorter View in MS PowerPoint

MS PowerPoint offers a slide sorter view with which to reorder your slides. You can drag and drop them into different sequences.

As you open a PowerPoint presentation, the left pane of the window holds the slides as thumbnails. To reorder them, you can drag the slides up and down in the left pane. But if you have many slides in your presentation, it is easier to use the slide sorter view to reorder them.

The slide sorter view is useful for:

• Viewing all slides at once
• Reordering slides
• Breaking a presentation into sections
• Modifying sections

We will show you how to use the slide sorter view to do all the above. We will use simple, step-by-step instructions.

Let us begin.

Method #1: Viewing All Slides at Once

Step #1: open powerpoint.

Open a PowerPoint presentation that has plenty of slides.

The left pane holds the thumbnails of slides.

Step #2: Change to Slide Sorter View

In the main menu bar, click on the View tab to change the ribbon.

On the View ribbon, in the section Presentation Views , click on the Slide Sorter icon.

The right pane now shows a collection of slides rather than one single slide.

Use the zoom slider in the bottom right corner to bring all the slides within the window.

Drag the slider control to the left to make each image smaller, allowing more images to fit into the window.

Method #2: Reorder Slides

The right pane now has a collection of slides rather than one single slide.

Step #3: Reorder Slides

Click on, hold, and drag the slide you want to a new position.

Other slides will move to accommodate the slide you are dragging.

Method #3: Create Sections

Step #3: Create Sections

Right-click between two slides where you would like to create a split.

A red line and a menu will appear.

Click on Add Section in that menu.

All slides after the split will move down to a new position named Untitled Section .

A dialog box will open, allowing you to rename the section.

Enter the new Section name: in the field, and click on the Rename button.

The slides are now divided into a Default Section and the new Section you have created.

You can create as many new sections as necessary.

Method #4: Modify Sections

Step #3: Modify Sections

Right-click on the section name you want to change.

A menu will appear with several options:

• Rename section — Change the name of the selected section.
• Remove section — Delete the name of the section and merge all the slides inside with the section above it.
• Remove Section & Slides — Delete the name of the selected section, and also delete all slides within the section.
• Remove All Sections — Delete all section names.
• Move Section Up — Move the selected section up by one position.
• Move Section Down — Move the selected section down by one position.

Make the necessary choice for modifying the sections.

We have shown you in simple step-by-step instructions different ways of using the slide sorter view in PowerPoint to manage your slides.

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PowerPoint Slide Sorter: What is it and How to use it?

Last updated on August 19th, 2023

Some PowerPoint slide decks contain dozens of slides. Sorting through those slides or rearranging them using drag and drop from the default ‘Normal’ view in PowerPoint can be difficult. If you have too many slides, you might even end up mixing them up when attempting to drag and drop them in the Normal view. This is why you should use PowerPoint Slide Sorter view to better manage your slides.

What is the Slide Sorter?

PowerPoint Slide Sorter is one of the views available in Microsoft PowerPoint that lets you view all your slides in the form of thumbnails sorted horizontally. This helps better organize the slides, as you can rearrange them using drag and drop. Furthermore, you can zoom your slides (in or out) to increase or reduce the size of the thumbnails according to your convenience. The definition of Slide Sorter by Microsoft is as follows:

Slide Sorter view gives you a view of your slides in thumbnail form. This view makes it easy for you to sort and organize the sequence of your slides as you prepare to print your slides.

How to use the Slide Sorter to Prepare Presentations in PowerPoint?

The following instructions regarding the use of PowerPoint Slide Sorter are applicable to all recent versions of PowerPoint, including PowerPoint 2019 (PC and Mac), PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 (PC and Mac), and PowerPoint for the web. These instructions are also applicable to older versions including PowerPoint 2016 for Mac, PowerPoint 2013 (PC), and PowerPoint 2010 (PC).

How to View PowerPoint Slides in Slide Sorter View?

Here are multiple ways to open and access the Slide Sorter view in Microsoft PowerPoint.

View Tab in PowerPoint: PowerPoint Slide Sorter button appears under Presentation Views from the View tab in the Ribbon menu via View -> Slide Sorter to access it. To switch back anytime, choose a different view from the View tab or the bottom of the presentation deck.

Keyboard Shortcut: You can also access Slide Sorter via a keyboard shortcut. In this case, in Windows, press Alt + V then D key. The Alt + V combination will highlight the View tab in the Ribbon, and then pressing the D key will open the Slide Sorter view.

Bottom of the Taskbar: You can also access the Slide Sorter view from the bottom of the taskbar via the slide sorter icon.

Use the Slide Sorter to Drag Your Slides in the Presentation to Find the Right Order

How to rearrange slides in PowerPoint using the Slide Sorter View? Go to Slide Sorter and drag the slides to organize how they appear along the presentation. The GIF animation below shows how you can easily rearrange your slides to better manage them in Slide Sorter view. For the purpose of this demo, we have used the free business proposal presentation template to demonstrate the Slide Sorter view and arrange some of the slides in the desired order.

Source: FPPT.com

Have a Better View of Your Slides

Do you know how to design and use PowerPoint Slide Sorter View for maximum effect? Unlike the Normal view or the Outline View, the Slide Sorter view provides a great interface for the presentation designer to view all the slide thumbnails in a single place. As a presentation designer or presenter, you can have a more cohesive view of your presentation. Moreover, using the zoom option, you can fit all the presentation slides within the same view, to zoom in or zoom out to view large or small thumbnails for your slides.

Organize Your Slides in Sections

Slide Sorter view also enables you to sort your slides in sections, similar to how you would organize them in folders. You can create a section via right-click context menu, name it and drag slides to organize it. These collapsible menus can then be used to organize your slides according to the subsections of your presentation, e.g. introduction, agenda, main topic, and conclusion. While you can also add sections from the Normal view the same way via right-click menu, you would be better off using Slide Sorter view to arrange them more conveniently.

Final Words

PowerPoint Slide Sorter can help you better organize your slides by improving the way you view and sort your slides. Whether you have a handful of slides or dozens that you need to sort through, using Slide Sorter can save you a lot of time and effort in getting control of your slides.

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The Best Ways to Farm XP in Modern Warfare 3 Zombies

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The Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that allows users to easily rearrange, delete, and manage multiple slides at once. This view displays thumbnail images of all the slides in a presentation, providing a quick and visual overview of the entire presentation.

Here’s how to use the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint:

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation.

2. Click on the “View” tab from the top menu bar.

3. Click “Slide Sorter” from the Presentation Views group to switch to this view.

4. You will see a preview of all the slides in your presentation. You can navigate between them by clicking on the thumbnail image of the slide you want to view.

5. To reorder slides, click on the slide you want to move and drag it to a different position in the presentation.

6. To delete a slide, select it by clicking on the thumbnail image and then press the “Delete” key on your keyboard.

7. If you want to duplicate a slide, select it and then press “Ctrl” and “D”.

8. You can also select multiple slides by holding down the “Ctrl” key and clicking on each slide you want to select. You can then move or delete all of the selected slides at once.

9. To zoom in or out on the slide sorter view, use the slider located at the bottom right corner of the presentation.

10. Once you’re done editing your presentation, click the “Normal” view button to return to the default editing mode.

The Slide Sorter View is an incredibly useful tool for managing and organizing your PowerPoint presentations, making it much easier to quickly make changes or rearrange slides. By following these simple steps, you can take full advantage of the Slide Sorter View to create engaging and effective presentations.

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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Switch to Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

How to Switch to Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

The Normal view in PowerPoint is commonly used for editing slides. However, it isn’t always the best option for sorting and viewing a presentation or PowerPoint template with dozens of slides. The Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint helps easily view and sort PowerPoint slides as thumbnails. 

How to Switch to Slide Sorter View

There are multiple ways to switch to Slide Sorter view, including via the taskbar icon at the bottom and View -> Slide Sorter .

Once in the Slide Sorter view, you can easily view and sort slides in a convenient view where all slides are displayed horizontally in the form of thumbnails. The right-click context menu provides various options for other views like the Normal view in PowerPoint. These include options to cut, copy, paste, duplicate, hide, and delete slides, as well as options to add sections to your presentation, format background, and link to slides. 

Drag and Drop to Sort Slides

One of the biggest advantages of using Slide Sorter view is to drag and drop to rearrange slides using an easy-to-view horizontal layout instead of the vertical thumbnails in the Normal view.

Adjust Slides for Better Viewing and Sorting

By zooming slides, you can further enhance the size of the thumbnails by moving the taskbar zoom slider or via View -> Zoom .

To adjust slides neatly on your screen, go to View -> Fit to Window to organize all slide thumbnails according to your screen.

How to Switch Back to Normal View

You can exit the Slide Sorter view by selecting a different view (such as the Normal view) via the taskbar or from the View tab.

Final Words

Using the Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint can be great for enhancing productivity to organize several slides using drag and drop within an easy-to-view layout. This can be much easier than using other viewing options in PowerPoint since this viewing option is precisely meant for what its name suggests, sorting slides conveniently.

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Change Presentation Slide Order Using the Slide Sorter

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How To Use The Slide Sorter View In PowerPoint

Published: August 26, 2023

What is Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint?

Slide Sorter View is one of the many viewing options available in Microsoft PowerPoint. It provides users with a convenient way to manage and organize their presentation slides. In this view, all the slides in a presentation are displayed as thumbnails, allowing users to easily rearrange them, apply transitions, and make other changes.

Unlike the default Normal View, where you can only see one slide at a time, Slide Sorter View provides a bird’s-eye view of your entire presentation. This makes it easier to get an overview of the structure and flow of your slides, and quickly identify any gaps or inconsistencies in your content.

Slide Sorter View is especially useful when working on larger presentations with many slides. It allows you to easily navigate through the slides, make bulk changes, and maintain a consistent visual theme throughout your presentation.

One of the key advantages of using Slide Sorter View is its versatility. It can be used for various tasks, including rearranging slides, selecting multiple slides, deleting slides, applying transitions, adding animation, and more. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a speaker, Slide Sorter View can help you streamline your presentation creation process and create a visually appealing and engaging slideshow.

To access Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint, simply click on the “Slide Sorter” button located at the bottom of the screen, next to the Normal View and Outline View buttons. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “Alt + Shift + View” to switch to Slide Sorter View.

In the next sections, we will explore how to effectively navigate and utilize the various features of Slide Sorter View to optimize your PowerPoint presentations.

How to Access the Slide Sorter View

Accessing the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint is a simple process. Follow the steps below to switch to Slide Sorter View and start managing your presentation slides.

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Locate the navigation bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.
• Click on the “Slide Sorter” button, which is the middle button in the navigation bar. Alternatively, you can use the shortcut key “Alt + Shift + View” to switch to Slide Sorter View.

Once you have successfully accessed the Slide Sorter View, you will see all your slides displayed as thumbnails in a grid layout. Each thumbnail represents a slide in your presentation, allowing you to have a comprehensive overview of the entire presentation’s structure.

By default, PowerPoint displays a maximum of nine slides per row in the Slide Sorter View. If you have more slides than can fit in a single row, you can scroll horizontally to view the remaining slides.

The Slide Sorter View provides a wealth of options for managing and arranging your presentation slides. You can easily move slides around, duplicate them, delete unnecessary slides, and apply transitions or animations to individual slides or groups of slides.

Switching back to Normal View or any other view in PowerPoint is also a breeze. Just click on the corresponding view button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window or use the appropriate keyboard shortcut.

Now that you know how to access the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint, you can take full advantage of this powerful feature to better organize and enhance your presentations.

Navigating the Slide Sorter View

Navigating through the Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint is essential for efficiently managing and organizing your presentation slides. Here are some key techniques to help you navigate effortlessly in this view:

1. Scrolling: If you have more slides than can fit in the current view, PowerPoint allows you to scroll horizontally to see the additional slides. Use the scrollbar at the bottom or simply click and drag on the slide thumbnails to navigate through them.

2. Zooming: PowerPoint provides a zoom feature that allows you to adjust the size of the slide thumbnails in the Slide Sorter View. You can zoom in to get a closer look at individual slides or zoom out to see more slides on the screen. To zoom, go to the “View” tab, click on the “Zoom” button, and select the desired zoom level.

3. Slide Selection: As you navigate through the Slide Sorter View, you can select individual slides by clicking on their respective thumbnails. This allows you to make changes to specific slides or perform actions on selected slides, such as copying, deleting, or applying transitions.

4. Keyboard Shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts can significantly speed up your navigation in the Slide Sorter View. For example, you can use the arrow keys to move between slides, the Ctrl key along with the arrow keys to extend the selection, and the Delete key to remove selected slides.

5. Slide Thumbnails: PowerPoint offers several options to enhance the visibility and organization of slide thumbnails. You can change the size of the thumbnails, add slide numbers, and even display additional slide information, such as slide titles or slide timings, to facilitate navigation.

6. Slide Sorting: The Slide Sorter View allows you to easily rearrange your slides by dragging and dropping the slide thumbnails to the desired position. This feature is particularly useful when you want to change the order of your slides or group related slides together.

By mastering these navigation techniques, you can efficiently move through your slides, make changes, and ensure a smooth flow for your presentation. Take advantage of these tools to create a visually appealing and well-organized slide deck.

Rearranging Slides in Slide Sorter View

The ability to rearrange slides is one of the key advantages of using Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint. This feature allows you to easily change the order of slides, group related slides together, and create a cohesive flow for your presentation. Here’s how you can rearrange slides in Slide Sorter View:

• Access the Slide Sorter View by clicking on the “Slide Sorter” button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.
• Once in Slide Sorter View, locate the slide thumbnails representing your presentation slides.
• To rearrange a slide, click and hold on its thumbnail and then drag it to the desired position. As you move the slide, you will see a preview of its new location highlighted in the slide grid.
• Release the mouse button to drop the slide into the new position. The other slide thumbnails will automatically adjust to accommodate the change.
• If you want to move multiple slides together, you can select them by holding down the Ctrl key and clicking on their respective thumbnails. Once selected, drag any of the selected slide thumbnails to move the entire group.
• You can also use the shortcut key combination Shift + Left-click to select a range of slides. This is particularly useful when you want to select a continuous range of slides for rearrangement.

By rearranging slides in Slide Sorter View, you can easily experiment with different sequencing options, test the flow of your presentation, and make adjustments as needed. This feature is particularly helpful when organizing complex presentations or when you need to adapt your slide order during a live presentation based on audience feedback or time constraints.

Remember to save your changes periodically to ensure that your slide arrangement is preserved. It’s also a good practice to review your slide order in Normal View to ensure a smooth and logical transition between slides.

Rearranging slides in Slide Sorter View provides you with the flexibility and control to create a compelling visual narrative for your presentation. Don’t be afraid to experiment and iterate until you find the perfect slide sequence that effectively conveys your message and engages your audience.

Selecting Multiple Slides in Slide Sorter View

Selecting multiple slides in Slide Sorter View allows you to perform actions on a group of slides simultaneously, such as applying transitions, changing slide layouts, or deleting slides. Here’s how you can easily select multiple slides in Slide Sorter View:

• To select individual slides, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on the thumbnails of the slides you want to select. The selected slides will be highlighted.
• If you want to select a continuous range of slides, click on the first slide thumbnail, hold down the Shift key, and click on the last slide thumbnail in the range. All the slides between the first and last selection will be included in the range selection.
• To select all slides in the presentation at once, use the shortcut Ctrl + A. This will automatically select all slide thumbnails in the Slide Sorter View.

Once you have selected multiple slides, you can perform various actions on them simultaneously. Here are some examples:

• Apply Transitions: With the selected slides, you can easily apply transitions to all of them simultaneously. Go to the “Transitions” tab, choose the desired transition effect, and it will be applied to all selected slides.
• Change Slide Layouts: If you want to change the layout of multiple slides, select them and go to the “Home” tab. In the “Slides” group, click the “Layout” button, and choose a new layout. The selected slides will then adopt the new layout.
• Delete Slides: To remove multiple slides from your presentation, select them in Slide Sorter View and press the Delete key on your keyboard. Confirm the deletion in the dialog box that appears.

Selecting multiple slides in Slide Sorter View offers a quick and efficient way to manage and modify specific sets of slides in your presentation. It saves time and makes it easier to maintain consistency across your slides.

Remember to save your presentation after making changes to ensure that your modifications are preserved. Regularly reviewing the selected slides in Normal View or in the Slide Pane will help you to verify the changes you have made and ensure that the flow of your presentation remains intact.

Utilize the ability to select multiple slides in Slide Sorter View to streamline your editing process and create a cohesive and visually appealing presentation.

Deleting Slides in Slide Sorter View

Deleting slides is a common task when creating and refining PowerPoint presentations. In Slide Sorter View, you can quickly and easily delete slides to remove unnecessary or unwanted content. Here’s how you can delete slides in Slide Sorter View:

• Locate the slide thumbnail of the slide you want to delete.
• To delete a single slide, right-click on the slide thumbnail and select “Delete Slide” from the context menu. Alternatively, you can select the slide thumbnail and press the Delete key on your keyboard.
• If you want to delete multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key on your keyboard and click on the thumbnails of the slides you want to delete. With the slides selected, right-click on any of the selected slides and choose “Delete Slide” from the context menu. Or, simply press the Delete key on your keyboard.
• A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to delete the selected slides. Click “Delete” to proceed with the deletion. Be cautious, as this action cannot be undone.

Deleting slides in Slide Sorter View provides a visual and efficient way to remove unnecessary content from your presentation. It is particularly useful when you want to remove slides that are repetitive, off-topic, or no longer relevant.

When deleting slides, be mindful of their impact on the overall flow and coherence of your presentation. Make sure that the deleted slides do not leave any gaps or result in a disjointed narrative. Reviewing your presentation in both Slide Sorter View and Normal View can help you assess the impact of deleting slides and make any necessary adjustments to maintain a seamless flow.

Remember to save your presentation after deleting slides to ensure that the changes are permanently applied. Regularly saving your work helps protect against any accidental deletions or modifications.

Deleting slides in Slide Sorter View is a simple and effective way to refine and streamline your PowerPoint presentation. Use this feature judiciously to create a clear and impactful message for your audience.

Applying Transitions in Slide Sorter View

Adding transitions to your PowerPoint slides can enhance the visual appeal and smoothness of your presentation. In the Slide Sorter View, you can conveniently apply transitions to individual slides or groups of slides. Here’s how you can apply transitions in Slide Sorter View:

• Select the slide or slides to which you want to apply a transition. You can do this by clicking on the slide thumbnails. To select multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key and click on the desired slide thumbnails.
• With the slide(s) selected, go to the “Transitions” tab on the PowerPoint ribbon. Here you will find a wide variety of transition effects to choose from.
• Click on the transition effect that you want to apply. A preview of the selected transition will be shown on the selected slide(s) in Slide Sorter View.
• To further customize the transition, you can set options such as duration, sound, and behavior by clicking on the “Effect Options” button in the “Transitions” tab.
• By default, the transition will be applied to the selected slides. If you want to apply the same transition to all slides in your presentation, click on the “Apply to All” button in the “Transitions” tab.

Transitions in Slide Sorter View provide you with a quick and efficient way to add professional and engaging effects to your presentation. It is important to use transitions strategically and sparingly to avoid distracting the audience from the actual content of your slides.

When applying transitions, keep in mind the overall theme and tone of your presentation. Choose transitions that align with your message and enhance the visual storytelling aspect of your slides. It is also advisable to maintain consistency in the choice of transition effects throughout your presentation to ensure a cohesive experience for your audience.

Remember to save your presentation after applying transitions to ensure that your modifications are preserved. Regularly reviewing and editing the slide transitions in Slide Sorter View will help you fine-tune the timing and flow of your presentation.

By judiciously adding transitions in Slide Sorter View, you can elevate the visual impact of your PowerPoint presentation and captivate your audience with smooth and professional slide transitions.

Adding Animation to Slides in Slide Sorter View

Adding animation to your slides can bring them to life and make your PowerPoint presentation more engaging and dynamic. In Slide Sorter View, you can easily apply animation effects to individual slides or groups of slides. Here’s how you can add animation to slides in Slide Sorter View:

• Select the slide or slides to which you want to add animation. You can do this by clicking on the slide thumbnails. To select multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key and click on the desired slide thumbnails.
• With the slide(s) selected, go to the “Animations” tab on the PowerPoint ribbon. Here you will find a wide range of animation effects to choose from.
• Click on the animation effect that you want to apply. A preview of the selected animation will be shown on the selected slide(s) in Slide Sorter View.
• To further customize the animation, you can set options such as timing, duration, and behavior by clicking on the “Animation Pane” button in the “Animations” tab.
• By default, the animation will be applied to the selected slides. If you want to apply the same animation to all slides in your presentation, click on the “Apply to All” button in the “Animations” tab.

Adding animation to slides in Slide Sorter View allows you to create impressive visual effects and capture your audience’s attention. However, it’s essential to use animation tastefully and purposefully to enhance your message rather than distract from it.

Consider the content and purpose of each slide when choosing the appropriate animation effects. Use animations to highlight key points, reveal information gradually, or add emphasis to specific elements on your slides. Avoid overusing animations, as it may result in a cluttered and distracting presentation.

Remember to save your presentation after adding animations to ensure that your changes are preserved. Regularly reviewing and editing the animations in Slide Sorter View will help you fine-tune the timing and synchronization of your presentation.

By strategically incorporating animation effects in Slide Sorter View, you can create a visually captivating PowerPoint presentation that engages your audience and effectively conveys your message.

Applying Slide Layouts in Slide Sorter View

Slide layouts play a crucial role in organizing the content and visual elements of your PowerPoint presentation. In Slide Sorter View, you can easily apply different slide layouts to individual slides or groups of slides. Here’s how you can apply slide layouts in Slide Sorter View:

• Select the slide or slides to which you want to apply a new layout. You can do this by clicking on the slide thumbnails. To select multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key and click on the desired slide thumbnails.
• With the slide(s) selected, go to the “Home” tab on the PowerPoint ribbon. Here you will find various options for slide layouts.
• Click on the “Layout” button in the “Slides” group. A drop-down menu with different slide layout options will appear.
• Select the desired slide layout from the available options. The selected slide(s) will automatically adopt the new layout, updating the positioning of placeholders, text boxes, and other content elements.

Applying slide layouts in Slide Sorter View allows you to quickly modify the structure and design of your slides. Each slide layout is designed to accommodate specific types of content, such as titles, bullet points, images, or charts, ensuring consistency and ease of editing throughout your presentation.

When applying slide layouts, consider the content and purpose of each slide. Choose a layout that best suits the type of information you want to present on that particular slide. It’s also a good idea to maintain a consistent layout scheme throughout your presentation to establish a cohesive visual identity.

Remember to save your presentation after applying slide layouts to ensure that your changes are preserved. Regularly reviewing and adjusting the slide layouts in Slide Sorter View will help you maintain a clear and organized structure for your presentation.

By utilizing the slide layout features in Slide Sorter View, you can efficiently create and customize the structure and design of your PowerPoint slides, ensuring a visually appealing and well-organized presentation.

Changing Slide Orientation in Slide Sorter View

Changing the slide orientation can be necessary when you want to switch between portrait and landscape layouts for specific slides in your PowerPoint presentation. In Slide Sorter View, you can easily modify the slide orientation for individual slides or groups of slides. Here’s how you can change slide orientation in Slide Sorter View:

• Select the slide or slides for which you want to change the orientation. You can do this by clicking on the slide thumbnails. To select multiple slides, hold down the Ctrl key and click on the desired slide thumbnails.
• With the slide(s) selected, go to the “Slide Size” button in the “Design” tab on the PowerPoint ribbon.
• Click on the “Slide Size” button to open a drop-down menu with different slide size options.
• From the drop-down menu, select either “Standard (4:3)” or “Widescreen (16:9)” to set the slide orientation accordingly.
• The selected slide(s) will automatically adjust to the new slide orientation, resizing and repositioning elements as needed.

Changing slide orientation in Slide Sorter View allows you to accommodate different types of content and formats within your PowerPoint presentation. It provides flexibility in adapting your presentation to different display devices or aligning with specific design requirements.

When changing slide orientation, be mindful of the content and layout of each slide. Consider the visuals, text, and overall design, ensuring that they are optimized for the chosen orientation. Make any necessary adjustments to maintain a visually appealing and cohesive presentation.

Remember to save your presentation after changing the slide orientation to ensure that your modifications are preserved. Regularly reviewing and editing the slide orientation in Slide Sorter View will help you maintain a consistent and professional look for your slides.

By utilizing the slide orientation feature in Slide Sorter View, you can easily adapt your PowerPoint presentation to different layout requirements and create customized slides to suit your specific needs.

Using Slide Sorter View with Multiple Monitors

Using multiple monitors can significantly enhance your PowerPoint experience, providing extra space and flexibility for designing and delivering presentations. In Slide Sorter View, you can take advantage of multiple monitors to improve your workflow and deliver a seamless presentation. Here’s how you can utilize Slide Sorter View with multiple monitors:

Prepare your setup:

1. Connect the additional monitor(s) to your computer or laptop. Ensure that the monitors are properly detected and set up as an extended display.

2. Open your PowerPoint presentation and enter Slide Show mode.

3. In the Slide Show tab, click on the “Set Up Slide Show” button. In the dialogue box that appears, select “Browsed by an Individual (Window)” and choose “Use Slide Show on Monitor X” where X represents the number of the monitor you want to use for the Slide Show.

4. Click on the “OK” button to save and apply the changes.

Using Slide Sorter View on the second monitor:

1. With the extended display set up, enter Slide Sorter View by clicking on the “Slide Sorter” button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.

2. Drag the Slide Sorter window onto the second monitor. You can do this by clicking on the title bar of the Slide Sorter window and dragging it to the desired monitor.

3. In Slide Sorter View, you can now navigate and manage your slides on the second monitor. This allows you to have a dedicated space for organizing your slides, while keeping the active slide visible on the primary monitor during the presentation.

Performing actions on the second monitor:

1. In Slide Sorter View, you can make changes to your slides, such as rearranging the slide order, selecting multiple slides, applying transitions, or adding animations, directly on the second monitor.

2. Utilize the additional screen space to have a comprehensive view of your entire presentation and make adjustments as needed.

3. You can also use the second monitor to preview your presentation, ensuring that the slides are displayed as intended and any animations or transitions are seamlessly executed.

By using Slide Sorter View with multiple monitors, you can optimize your workflow, increase productivity, and deliver a polished and well-organized presentation. Having a separate monitor dedicated to Slide Sorter View allows for efficient slide management and a smoother presentation experience.

Using Slide Sorter View for Presentation Rehearsal

Slide Sorter View is a valuable tool for rehearsing your PowerPoint presentation and ensuring a smooth and well-timed delivery. It allows you to have a comprehensive overview of your slides, practice the flow of your presentation, and make necessary adjustments. Here’s how you can effectively use Slide Sorter View for presentation rehearsal:

Preparing for rehearsal:

1. Access Slide Sorter View by clicking on the “Slide Sorter” button in the navigation bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.

2. Familiarize yourself with the content and sequence of your slides. Take note of any crucial points, transitions, or animations that require special attention during the rehearsal.

Navigating and rehearsing in Slide Sorter View:

1. Start the presentation by clicking on the “From Beginning” button in the Slide Show tab or pressing the shortcut key “F5”.

2. As you go through each slide in the Slide Show mode, follow along in Slide Sorter View. Use the navigation tools, such as arrow keys or mouse clicks, to move forward or backward through the slides.

3. Observe the timing and pacing of your presentation. Pay attention to any slides that require more explanation or slides that need to be shown for a shorter duration.

4. Take note of any necessary adjustments, such as reordering slides, modifying animations, or refining transitions, that you identify during the rehearsal. You can make these changes directly in Slide Sorter View.

Gauging the overall timing:

1. After completing the rehearsal, review the timing of your presentation as shown in Slide Sorter View. Pay attention to the total duration, and assess whether it aligns with your intended time frame.

2. Identify any areas where you may need to speed up or slow down your delivery to ensure that you stay within the allotted time for your presentation.

3. Use Slide Sorter View to make necessary adjustments to the duration of slides, transitions, or animations to achieve a balanced and well-paced presentation.

Using Slide Sorter View for presentation rehearsal allows you to gain a deeper understanding of the flow and timing of your presentation. It helps you identify areas for improvement, refine your delivery, and ensure that your message is effectively conveyed to your audience.

Remember to save your presentation after making any adjustments in Slide Sorter View to ensure that your changes are preserved for future rehearsals or actual presentations.

By utilizing Slide Sorter View during presentation rehearsal, you can refine your delivery, improve timing, and deliver a polished and confident presentation that engages and captivates your audience.

Tips and Tricks for Using Slide Sorter View

Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint is a powerful tool that offers a range of features to enhance your presentation creation process. Here are some useful tips and tricks to make the most out of Slide Sorter View:

• Keyboard Shortcuts: Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts to navigate and perform actions more efficiently in Slide Sorter View. For example, use the arrow keys to move between slides, Ctrl+click to select multiple slides, and Ctrl+A to select all slides.
• Drag and Drop: Take advantage of the drag and drop functionality in Slide Sorter View. You can easily rearrange slides by clicking and dragging the thumbnails to the desired position. This provides a quick and intuitive way to adjust the order of your slides.
• Thumbnail Zoom: Zooming in on slide thumbnails can help you get a closer look at the content and details. Use the zoom feature in Slide Sorter View to closely examine slides, especially when making adjustments to alignment, content placement, or fine-tuning animations.
• Slide Organizer: Utilize Slide Sorter View as a slide organizer. It allows you to see the flow and structure of your presentation at a glance. By visually analyzing the arrangement, you can identify any gaps, redundancies, or areas for improvement in your content.
• Grouping Slides: Group related slides together in Slide Sorter View. This can make it easier to manage and apply changes to specific sections of your presentation. Select and drag a group of slides to reposition them together or to apply transitions and animations to the entire group.
• Collaboration: Slide Sorter View is a useful mode for collaborating with others in a presentation workflow. It allows team members to easily review and provide feedback on slide order, content, and overall presentation flow. Share your Slide Sorter View with colleagues or stakeholders to gather valuable insights.
• Preview Transitions and Animations: Take advantage of Slide Sorter View to preview transitions and animations. This helps you fine-tune the timing and effects of each animation, ensuring they are visually appealing and seamlessly integrated into your presentation.
• Review Slide Content: Use Slide Sorter View as an opportunity to review and proofread your slide content. Seeing the content in a different layout can help you catch typos, formatting errors, or inconsistencies that may have been overlooked in other views.

Experiment and explore the various functionalities and features available in Slide Sorter View to discover your own tips and tricks that align with your presentation needs. Remember to save your presentation periodically to preserve any changes made in Slide Sorter View.

By leveraging these tips and tricks in Slide Sorter View, you can improve your workflow, enhance collaboration, and create visually compelling and well-organized presentations that leave a lasting impact on your audience.

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How to Open Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint allows you to easily rearrange, organize, and manage the slides in your presentation. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to access this useful view.

What is Slide Sorter View?

The Slide Sorter view displays all the slides in your PowerPoint presentation as thumbnails in a grid layout. This view makes it easy to:

• See an overview of your entire presentation
• Reorder slides by dragging and dropping
• Delete slides
• Hide/unhide slides
• Manage sections
• Preview transitions

It’s especially helpful for long presentations with many slides.

How to Open Slide Sorter View

There are a few ways to switch to Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint:

1. Ribbon Tab

• Click on the View tab
• Click Slide Sorter in the Presentation Views group

2. Status Bar

• Click the Slide Sorter button on the status bar at the bottom

3. Keyboard Shortcut

• Windows: Press Alt + V + D
• Mac: Press Command + 2

Rearranging Slides in Slide Sorter View

One of the biggest advantages of Slide Sorter view is being able to quickly and easily reorder your slides.

To rearrange slides:

• Click on the slide you want to move
• Drag it to the new position
• Drop the slide at the desired location

All subsequent slides will be automatically renumbered.

You can also:

• Select multiple slides by holding Ctrl and clicking slides
• Cut, copy, paste slides
• Duplicate slides

Managing Sections

You can organize your PowerPoint presentation into sections in Slide Sorter view. This is helpful for:

• Dividing topics
• Assigning parts to different presenters
• Collapsing sections you are not currently working on

To add a section:

• Select the first slide
• Right click
• Choose Add Section
• Type section name
• Press enter

You can then rearrange, rename or remove sections as needed.

Additional Features

A few other useful things you can do in Slide Sorter view:

• Zoom in/out for better visibility
• Fit slides to window
• Preview transitions between slides

Switching Back to Normal View

To exit Slide Sorter view and return to editing view:

• Click the Normal button on the status bar
• Select Normal from the View tab
• Use the keyboard shortcut:
• Windows: Alt + V + N
• Mac : Command + 1

The Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint is an indispensable tool for managing presentations. Mastering this view can help boost your productivity and efficiency when working with slides.

About The Author

Vegaslide staff, related posts.

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Choose the right view for the task

Select the PowerPoint View tab to choose the view that's best for what you're doing. There are also icons in the task at the bottom of the screen to select a new view. 

The default Normal setting is the best for creating and editing your slides.

Select Outline View to see all your slides listed in a column. Select Slide Sorter  to see thumbnails of all your slides. You can reorganize your slides in either view by selecting and dragging it to a new location.

To View your speaker notes, select Notes Page . You'll see one slide at time. 

Note:  Make universal style changes to every slide, notes page, or handout using the Slide , Handout , or Notes Master views on the ribbon.

Open Slide Master view

What is a slide master?

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PowerPoint Slide Sorter View

Written By George Mylne   |   PowerPoint , Microsoft

The Slide Sorter view is the best view for when you are wanting to arrange your slides in your presentation. You can move individual slides around by clicking and dragging them, or you can select multiple slides (by pressing and holding either Ctrl or Shift on your keyboard) and move them around.

Shortcut to Change PowerPoint Presentation View to Slide Sorter

You can change your presentation view to slide sorter using the shortcut button available in the taskbar at the bottom of the window (see the below image).

How to Change to Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint?

If you wish you can change the PowerPoint presentation view type to Slide Sorter in the View tab, the steps to do that are explained below.

How to select the slide sorter view in PowerPoint

Total Time: 1 minute

Select the View Tab

Open a PowerPoint file and select the View tab from the ribbon.

Select Slide Sorter Presentation View

In the Presentation Views section, select Slide Sorter.

Slide Sorter View

You will now see your PowerPoint presentation displayed in the slide sorter view. This view makes rearranging slides within your presentation easier than when in the normal view.

• Microsoft PowerPoint

How to Print Slide Sorter View in PowerPoint

You cannot print the slide sorter view in PowerPoint. What you can do is when you are on the print screen, you can set it to print 9 slides per page. This will be the closest printout style to the slide sorter view.

Follow the below steps in the image on how to do this.

How to Change Back to Normal View In PowerPoint

If you want to change back to the normal view in PowerPoint, there are two ways you can do this.

• Option 1: In the Presentation Views section you can select Normal, or
• Option2: In the taskbar in PowerPoint you can select the shortcut button for Normal view.

About the Author

George Mylne

George is the creator of GeekPossible.com. This site was built on questions he has had to find an answer to. We hope you find it useful to you too.

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Different Ways to View Slides in PowerPoint

Use different views to design, organize, outline, and present your slideshow

• Brock University

Many people spend all their time in the Normal view when working on their PowerPoint presentations . However, there are other views that are useful as you put together and present your slideshow. In addition to Normal view (also known as Slide view), you'll find Outline view, Slide Sorter view, and Notes Page view.

Information in this article applies to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and PowerPoint for Mac.

Design Slides in Normal View

Normal view, or Slide view as it is often called, is the view you see when you start PowerPoint. It is the view where you'll spend most of your time in PowerPoint. Working on a large version of a slide is helpful when you're designing your presentation .

Normal view displays thumbnails of each slide, the slide where you enter your text and images, and an area to keep presenter notes. 

To return to Normal view at any time, select View > Normal .

The four slide views are located on the View tab. Toggle between them to compare views.

Organize a Presentation in Outline View

In the Outline view , your presentation is displayed in outline form. The outline contains the titles and main text from each slide. The graphics are not shown, although there may be a small notation that they exist. You can work and print in either formatted text or plain text.

Outline view makes it easy to rearrange your points and move slides to different positions. Outline view is useful for editing purposes. And, it can be exported as a Word document to use as a summary handout .

To view an outline of your presentation instead of thumbnails, select View > Outline View .

Rearrange a Presentation in Slide Sorter View

Slide Sorter view shows a miniature version of all the slides in the presentation in horizontal rows. These miniature versions of the slides are called thumbnails.

Use Slide Sorter view to delete or rearrange your slides by dragging them to new positions. Add effects, such as transitions and sounds, to several slides at the same time in Slide Sorter view. And, add sections to organize your slides. If you are collaborating with colleagues on a presentation, assign each collaborator a section.

To locate the Slide Sorter view, select View > Slide Sorter . 

Keep Presentation Prompts in Notes Page View

When you create a presentation, add speaker notes that you refer to later while delivering the slideshow to your audience. Those notes are visible to you on your monitor, but they aren't visible to the audience.

Notes Page view shows a small version of a slide with an area below for speaker notes . Each slide is displayed on its own notes page. Print these pages to use as a reference while making a presentation or to hand out to audience members. The notes do not show on the screen during the presentation.

To locate the Notes Page view, select View > Notes Page .

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• PowerPoint Master Slide

View Options in PowerPoint – A Complete Beginner’s Guide!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

There are many different types of presentations view available in PowerPoint including Normal View, Outline View, Presenter View, and Slide Show View to name a few. All these views serve different purposes and it is important to know how to use them appropriately to get the most out of PowerPoint!

In this article, we will talk about what each type of view does in PowerPoint and how to access them so that you can choose the best for your needs! So, let’s get started!

[ A Quick Note Before We Begin – for this article, I will be using one of the presentation templates from Envato Elements . With Envato Elements, you get access to thousands of presentation designs with unlimited downloads so you never run out of options again. Plus, you get free previews so you know exactly what you’re getting before buying! It is also very affordable. Check out their pricing here ]

1. What are the Different Type of View Options Available in PowerPoint?  

Microsoft PowerPoint is equipped with a variety of Slide View options that can be used for different purposes.

These are the different view options available in PowerPoint –

• Normal View
• Slide Sorter View
• Notes Page View
• Reading View
• Outline View
• Slide Show View
• Presenter View
• Slide Master View

2. How to Access the Different View Modes in PowerPoint?

To access the different view modes in PowerPoint, you have to click on the ‘View’ tab in the ribbon. The 2-step process is described below.

Step-1: Click on the ‘View’ tab

At first, select the ‘View’ tab, which is the second to last tab in the ribbon section of your PowerPoint Window.

Step-2: Select your preferred ‘View Mode’

Once you have access to the ‘View’ tab, you can select your preferred view mode such as the Outline View , Slide Sorter view, Slide Master view, etc. from the Presentation View section or the Master View section. (as shown in the image in step 1)

3. What is the Purpose of Various View Modes in PowerPoint?

Each view mode in PowerPoint has its own purpose. Let’s go through the purposes of the different slide view options one by one below –

1. Normal View

The ‘Normal View’ option is the first option in the ‘Presentation Views’ section of the ‘View’ tab. It is the most commonly used viewing option and is also the default slide view for PowerPoint.

The slides appear on the left of the PowerPoint window in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar. Thumbnails of the slide are represented as boxes in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar with its consecutive serial number to the left of it.

The main function of normal view mode in PowerPoint is to navigate through slides in a vertical grid while allowing you to add, design, or edit the slides while getting a preview of the slides on the left.

2. Slide Sorter View

The ‘Slide Sorter’ option gives you an overview of all the slides in your PowerPoint presentation.

The slides are represented as thumbnails as a grid of boxes arranged side by side. The serial number of the slide is given on the bottom left corner of the slide thumbnail.

This option serves the purpose of viewing the slides together in one window making it easier to rearrange and organize them in a quick fashion.

3. Notes Page View

The ‘Notes Page View’ option gives you the view of each slide and its speaker notes in one page.

In this view, the slides appear at the top and the speaker notes are given on the bottom of the two sections. The serial number of the slide is not shown in this view. You can also edit speaker notes from here.

The main purpose of the notes page view in PowerPoint is to preview what each page will look like before you print the slides with speaker notes.

4. Reading View:

The Reading View option allows you to view your PowerPoint presentation without going into Full Screen mode. All the transitions and animations can be seen in this view. The serial number of the slide is given at the bottom right corner of the window.

It is used to preview the slide and review the slides with full focus. This mode also makes other view options easily accessible, which is not the case in ‘Slide Show’ mode where the presentation is shown in the full screen, and the options are not visible on screen.

The reading mode is actually more useful for word documents, as it allows the reader to focus just on the text. In my opinion, it adds little value to a PowerPoint presentation.

5. Outline View:

The ‘Outline View’ shows you the entire outline of your PowerPoint presentation in the ‘Slide Navigation’ bar.

In this view, there is no thumbnail of the presentation. Instead, there is an outline of all the data present in that slide. The serial number of the slide is at the left followed by a small white box that represents a slide and then the outline of that slide.

You can also create an entire slide in the pane of this view by copy and pasting data from Microsoft Word. However, you will have to design the slide separately once the data has been added to each slide.

6. Slide Show View:

The Slide Show View is the view that your audiences are going to see. This view shows each slide of your PowerPoint presentation in full screen.

All the transitions, animation, and multimedia files in your PowerPoint presentation are played here. Consecutive slides can be accessed using the direction keys on your keyboard or by clicking once on the slide.

7. Presenter View:

This is the view that you as a presenter are going to see while the audience is seeing the ‘Slide Show’ view.

Although you can give a presentation even in the slide show view, but it is always recommend to deliver the presentation using the “Presenter View” mode in PowerPoint as it provides you with additional features and benefits!

This view mode in PowerPoint will split the screen in multiple windows. The window on the left represents the current slide that is being displayed (the one that is visible to your audience).

The window in the top right section indicates the next slide in the queue. Whereas, the notes section displays the notes or key points made by each slide. Both, the notes section as well as the next slides window are only visible to the presenter and not to the audience!

The purpose of the “ Presenter View ” is to give the presenter all the aids to be prepared for the next slide and highlight the key points to be made on the current slide while delivering the presentation.

8. Slide Master View:

This view gives you a view of all the layouts used on the slides of your PowerPoint presentation.

The ‘ Slide Master View ’ option allows you to edit all the aspects of the layouts in your presentation such as fonts, background, color, and pretty much everything you can think of.

You can edit all the slide layouts of the presentation. Furthermore, you can also edit the header and footer of the presentation using the “ Slide Master View ” in PowerPoint.

4. How to Open the Presenter View in PowerPoint?  

There are 2 different ways you can enter into Presenter View in PowerPoint –

• Using Slide Show View
• Using the short cut key i.e. Alt+F5

If you are using the Office 365 version of PowerPoint , you can actually directly access the “Presenter View” in the View section. Simply click on “View”. Then, click on “Presenter View”

Let’s look at both the methods quickly –

Method 1 – Using the Slide Show View

Step-1: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ button at the bottom right corner of the screen

At first, you have to click on the ‘Slide Show’ button that looks like a projector screen which is located at the bottom right corner of your PowerPoint window. (as indicated in the image above)

Step-2: Right-click and choose “Show Presenter View”

Once you are in the ‘Slide Show’ mode, using your mouse right-click anywhere on the screen. From the menu that appears, choose the “ Show Presenter View ” option

Method 2 – Using the Keyboard Shortcut

Alternatively, you can press ‘ Alt + F5 ’ on your keyboard and that will immediately open the ‘Presenter View’ mode.

The keyboard shortcut to open the “Presenter View” in PowerPoint on Mac is “Option+Enter” key.

5. How to Change PowerPoint Back to Normal View? 

To change your PowerPoint back to ‘Normal View’ from ‘Slide Show’ mode, ‘Presenter View’ option or the ‘Reading View’ option, all you have to do is simply press the ‘ESC’ button on the keyboard of your computer. This will take you back to Normal View.

If you are using any other view apart from these 3 view modes in PowerPoint, you need to do the following –

If you are in a different viewing option, such as ‘Slide Sorter’ option, or the ‘Reading View’ option then you have to select the ‘Normal View’ option from the ‘View’ tab instead of the ‘Slide Sorter’ option or the different slide view option you are currently on.  

More PowerPoint Related Topics

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