How to Add Notes in PowerPoint

Adding notes in PowerPoint allows you to provide additional information for your slides that is not visible on the slide itself. These notes, which are separate from the slides, are useful for the presenter to refer to during the presentation.

Why Add Notes in PowerPoint

Here are some key reasons for adding notes in your PowerPoint presentation:

• Remember details for each slide – Notes allow you to provide talking points, data sources, citations, or other details you want to be sure to cover for each slide.
• Print handouts for your audience – You can print the notes pages as a handout to provide your audience with the detailed information from your presentation.
• Presenter view – In presenter view, notes are visible on your screen but not projected to your audience.

How to Add Notes in PowerPoint

Adding notes to your PowerPoint presentation only takes a few simple steps:

1. Open the Notes Pane

The notes pane is located underneath the slide. Click on “Click to add notes” below the slide to open the notes pane.

Alternatively, you can select the Notes button on the toolbar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.

2. Enter Your Notes

Once the notes pane is open, simply start typing your notes.

Use markdown formatting like bullet points and bold text to organize your notes.

The notes pane has a scrollbar for additional space if needed.

3. Add Notes for Other Slides

To add notes for other slides, simply click on the slide thumbnail on the left side and add notes in the pane under that slide.

Repeat for all slides needing notes.

Notes Pane Features

Here are some key features of working with notes in PowerPoint:

• Formatting – You can format text in notes just like on slides, using options like bold, italics, text color, bullet points, etc.
• Images – You can insert images into notes just like on slides using the insert picture feature.
• Hide notes – Click the Notes button again to temporarily hide the notes pane.
• Print – Print notes pages from the File > Print menu to provide your audience with slide details.

Presenter View

Presenter view displays your notes prominently on your screen in a separate side panel while your audience only views the slide.

To use presenter view:

1. Click Slide Show tab
2. Select From Beginning
3. Display opens with notes on the left

Now you can see your notes as you present without the audience seeing them!

Best Practices for Notes

Follow these tips for working with notes effectively:

• Focus notes on key details needed to present the slide
• Organize notes using markdown headers, bullet points, etc.
• Check accuracy of details like statistics and sources
• Print a notes handout if your audience will find it useful
• Use presenter view to privately view notes as you present

Recap of Adding Notes in PowerPoint

Here’s a quick recap on how to add speaker notes in PowerPoint:

1. Click the Notes button below the slide
2. Click Click to add notes
3. Type notes for that slide
4. Click other slide thumbnails to add notes to other slides
5. Use presenter view to privately view notes while presenting

Adding notes is an easy way to add additional details to your slides. Use them to remember key points, print handouts, or privately view while presenting.