To get a word count in PowerPoint, click File > Info, then click Show All Properties at the bottom of the Properties list on the right. The Words line shows the total number of words in the presentation’s slides. Unlike Word, PowerPoint doesn’t show a live word count in the status bar.
These steps work in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, and 2013. Below you’ll also find how to check the word count on a Mac, count only certain slides, and count the words in your speaker notes.
How to see the word count in PowerPoint for Windows
- Open your presentation and click File.
- Click Info on the left.
- On the right, under Properties, click Show All Properties.
- Find Words in the list.
If the count looks out of date, save the file and check again. Word counts may not include text inside charts, SmartArt, or embedded objects.
How to see the word count on a Mac
- Click File > Properties in the menu bar.
- Open the Statistics tab.
- Look at Words, along with slides, paragraphs, and notes.
How to count words on specific slides or in notes
PowerPoint doesn’t count words for a selection, but you can move the text to Word:
- Click View > Outline View. The slide text appears on the left.
- Select the text for the slides you want and press Ctrl + C.
- Paste it into a Word document. The word count appears in Word’s status bar.
To count speaker notes, use File > Export > Create Handouts > Notes next to slides to send the presentation to Word, then check the count there. Outline View only shows text in title and content placeholders, not in text boxes you added yourself.
Why use a word count in PowerPoint?
- Readability: Many presenters aim for short, scannable slides. Checking the count helps you spot text-heavy decks.
- Requirements: Some classes, contests, and conferences set word limits.
- Translation: Translators often price work by word count.
Related: Get a character count in Word.
Drafting the script in a document first? Here is how to see the word count in Google Docs on a computer or phone.
Long decks are easier to review part by part once you rename each PowerPoint section to match its content.
Frequently asked questions
Does PowerPoint count words in speaker notes?
The Words property counts slide text. On a Mac, the Statistics tab lists notes separately. On Windows, export to Word to count notes.
Can I add a word count to the status bar?
No. PowerPoint’s status bar can’t show a word count.
Does PowerPoint for the web show a word count?
Not directly. Open the file in the desktop app, or copy the text into Word for the web.
Kermit Matthews runs Live2Tech from just outside Philadelphia. He is an IT specialist with over 20 years of experience, from a university help desk to small-business IT, IT management and his own consulting practice, and has written tech guides full time since 2020. Steps are checked against the current software on a real device or the maker’s official documentation. More about Kermit.