PowerPoint for the web lets you present a slideshow straight from your browser, with no desktop app needed. You can start from the first slide or the current one, and move through slides with the keyboard or on-screen controls.
Quick Answer
Open the presentation in PowerPoint for the web, select the Slide Show tab, and click From Beginning. Press Esc to exit.
How to Play a Presentation in PowerPoint for the Web
- Open the presentation from your OneDrive or SharePoint in PowerPoint for the web.
- Select the Slide Show tab.
- Click From Beginning, or From Current Slide to start where you are.
- Use the arrow keys, Space, or the on-screen arrows to move between slides.
- Press Esc or click End Show to exit.
Slideshow Controls
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Next slide | Right Arrow, Space, or click |
| Previous slide | Left Arrow |
| Jump to a slide | Slide number and Enter |
| Black screen | B key |
| End show | Esc |
Troubleshooting
- The slideshow will not go full screen: allow full-screen mode in your browser, or press F11.
- Videos do not play: some embedded media only plays in the desktop app.
- To print handouts from the web version, see how to print handouts in PowerPoint for the web.
- For desktop printing options, read how to print several slides per page.
The web app will not show your notes during a show, so to read them while you talk, use Presenter View in the desktop app.
For a screen that should keep playing in a lobby or booth with no one at the controls, you can set up a PowerPoint kiosk show that loops on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Presenter View in the web version?
Presenter View is available in PowerPoint for the web in many accounts; look for it on the Slide Show tab.
Do I need a Microsoft account?
Yes, to open and present files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint.
Can I present offline?
No. The web version needs an internet connection.
Summary
- Open the presentation in the browser.
- Select Slide Show.
- Click From Beginning.
- Press Esc to exit.
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.