Top 10 Keyboard Shortcuts for PowerPoint

Mastering PowerPoint's keyboard shortcuts can save you tons of time and boost your productivity when creating presentations. In this article, we'll cover the top ten keyboard shortcuts every PowerPoint user should know.

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Copy and Paste Formatting

CTRL+SHIFT+C and CTRL+SHIFT+V

These two shortcuts allow you to quickly copy and paste the formatting of an object. First, select the object with the formatting you want to copy, then press CTRL+SHIFT+C. Next, select the object you want to apply the formatting to and press CTRL+SHIFT+V. This is a huge time-saver when you need to consistently style multiple elements. It also works for text.

Quickly Change Text Formatting

CTRL+T

This shortcut opens the font dialog box, allowing you to quickly change the font, size, style, and other text formatting options for the selected text.

Access Clipboard History

Windows+V

The Windows+V shortcut opens the clipboard history, which lets you quickly access and paste items you've previously copied.

Paste with Options

CTRL+ALT+V

This shortcut opens the Paste Special dialog, giving you more control over how content is pasted into your presentation. You can choose to paste the content as an image, PowerPoint object, or with various other options.

Quick Screen Snippet

Windows+SHIFT+S

This handy Windows+SHIFT+S shortcut opens the screenshot tool, allowing you to capture a portion of your screen to insert into your PowerPoint presentation.

Duplicate Objects

CTRL + Mouse drag and CTRL+SHIFT + Mouse drag

These shortcuts let you quickly duplicate objects in your presentation. Hold down CTRL while dragging an object to create a copy. Adding the SHIFT key while dragging constrains the movement to a straight line.

Group and Ungroup Objects

CTRL+G and CTRL+SHIFT+G

Use CTRL+G to group selected objects together, and CTRL+SHIFT+G to ungroup them. Grouping objects makes it easier to move and align them as a single unit.

Black Out Screen During Presentation

B during presentation mode

Pressing the B key during a slideshow will temporarily black out the screen, allowing you to pause and focus the audience's attention.

Jump to Specific Slides

[number] + Enter during presentation mode

Instead of clicking through your slides one by one, you can jump to a specific slide by typing the slide number followed by Enter during your presentation.

Navigate the Ribbon

PowerPoint's ribbon interface can be navigated quickly using keyboard shortcuts. Alt followed by the underlined letter in a ribbon tab or command will activate that element. This allows you to access menus and features without using the mouse.