How to Check Word Count on PowerPoint 2010

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PowerPoint 2010 provides a few different ways to check the word count for your presentations. Here are the main options:

View Word Count in File Properties

  1. Open your PowerPoint presentation
  2. Click on the File tab
  3. Click on Info in the left sidebar
  4. At the bottom right, click on Show All Properties
  5. The Words property shows the total word count for slides and notes pages

This will show you the total number of words in both your slides and notes pages combined.

View Word Count for Notes Pages Only

If you only want to see the word count for your notes pages:

  1. Click on the File tab
  2. Click Export > Create Handouts
  3. Select a page layout
  4. Click Create Handouts
  5. Your presentation will open as a Word document
  6. View the word count in the bottom left corner

This exports your notes pages to Word so you can easily see only the notes word count.

Use the Status Bar

You can also view a basic word count directly in the PowerPoint status bar:

  1. Click on the status bar in the bottom left corner
  2. Make sure Word Count is checked
  3. The status bar will now display the total word count

If you don’t see the word count in the status bar, right-click on the status bar, click Word Count to enable it.

Considerations

  • PowerPoint’s word count includes punctuation, which can make the count seem higher than expected
  • The web version of PowerPoint does not include word count functionality
  • For visible slides only, export to Word and use its word count tool

Tips for Reducing Word Count

If your presentation exceeds a required word count limit, here are some tips to reduce the length:

Replace Text with Images/Charts

  • Substitute text with simple charts or images wherever possible
  • Visuals can convey information more quickly than text

Eliminate Wordy Phrases

  • Remove unnecessary adverbs and adjectives
  • Delete redundant phrases like “the reason is because”

Shorten Sentences

  • Break long sentences into two shorter sentences
    -Aim for 15-20 words per sentence

Remove Repetition

  • Delete duplicate information
  • Use more pronouns to refer to something mentioned earlier

Check Notes Pages

  • Shorten overly detailed speaker notes
  • Remove notes that repeat slide content

Conclusion

Checking the word count in PowerPoint 2010 is easy once you know where to look in the File Properties menu or status bar. Pay attention to punctuation inflating your count more than expected. If your presentation exceeds length requirements, simplify text with images and eliminate repetitive, wordy content.

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