How to present PowerPoint on Zoom

Zoom is the go-to app for virtual meetings, and Microsoft PowerPoint is still the king of presentations, making it easy to combine the two whether you're teaching a class, pitching a business idea, or hosting a webinar. This article will show you how to present PowerPoint on Zoom without any hassle, along with some additional tips to enhance your presentation.

Share your entire screen on Zoom

This is the simplest way to present PowerPoint on Zoom and is great if you're switching between apps or running an animated slideshow.

Launch your PowerPoint file and go to the first slide. Join or start a Zoom meeting. Click the Share Screen button at the bottom of the window, then select Entire Screen in the next pop-up window.

If your slide has sound — voiceover or background audio — check the Share system sound option .

Click Share , then switch back to PowerPoint and start the slideshow. While this method is ideal and simple, it can expose your entire desktop.

A random Slack pop-up can ruin a presentation, so close all unnecessary apps, turn off notifications, and clean up your desktop before sharing. Your audience doesn't need to know about the 52 browser tabs you have open.

Share PowerPoint in a window

Want to keep your desktop private or multitask during a call? This method is ideal, although it requires extra steps to keep things tidy.

Launch PowerPoint and go to Slideshow -> Set Up Slide Show . Under Show type , click Browsed by an individual (window) and click OK .

Start your slideshow and it will run in a resizable window. Launch your Zoom meeting, click Share Screen , switch to the Resizable Window tab, and click Share .

Only the slides will show up – no clutter on your desktop. However, you will lose access to Presenter View for note-taking without dual monitors.

You can maximize the PowerPoint window before sharing to fit your screen, and shrink the PowerPoint presentation file size to keep things smooth.

Tips for a Successful PowerPoint Presentation on Zoom

You can upgrade your PowerPoint presentation with these tips:

• Set PowerPoint as a virtual background by going to Share Screen -> Advanced -> PowerPoint as Virtual Background . Upload slides and present them like a TV newscast.
• Use a dual monitor setup for beautiful presentations, with one screen for Presenter View to read notes and the other screen to share slides with the audience.
• Use Zoom's annotation tools to highlight content and engage your audience, or include a poll.
• Do a test run before the meeting to make sure everything is working properly.
• Use large fonts, bold colors, and minimal text to design your slides. You can make your PowerPoint presentations more engaging with minimal effort.

Both methods—full screen for simplicity and windowed mode for control—are suitable for presenting PowerPoint on Zoom. Choose whichever method you're comfortable with, then practice and perfect your next presentation. Want more Zoom tricks? Check out these hidden Zoom features !