How to Loop a PowerPoint Slideshow so It Automatically Starts Over

Looping a PowerPoint presentation is an effective way to display slides continuously without manual intervention. Whether you want to run a slideshow at an event, museum, or office lobby, setting up a seamless loop can enhance the viewing experience.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn how to loop a PowerPoint slideshow on both Windows and Mac, with step-by-step instructions.

Why Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Here are some common reasons for looping a PowerPoint slideshow:

  • Run presentations at trade show booths without requiring manual slide changes
  • Display company information continuously in office lobbies
  • Showcase products/services in retail stores
  • Present artwork in museums or galleries
  • Share announcements on digital signage

By enabling loop functionality, you can set up an automated, hands-free slideshow viewing experience.

How to Loop a Slideshow in PowerPoint

Follow these simple steps to loop a PowerPoint presentation on Windows and Mac:

Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint File

Launch PowerPoint and open the presentation you want to loop. Make any last-minute edits to slides before setting up the loop.

Step 2: Access Slideshow Settings

Go to the “Slide Show” tab and click on “Set Up Slide Show.” Alternatively, you can right-click on any slide thumbnail and select “Slide Show Settings.”

Step 3: Enable Looping

In the slideshow settings pop-up, check the box next to “Loop continuously until ‘Esc.'” This will restart the slideshow from the beginning after the last slide.

Enable Looping in PowerPoint

Step 4: Select Slideshow Range

By default, PowerPoint loops all slides in the presentation. To customize the looping range, click on “Show Slides” and choose the specific slides you want to loop.

Step 5: Set Up Slide Timings

Go to the “Transitions” tab and select the duration for each slide under “Timing.” Make sure the “After” checkbox is selected. This sets up automatic advance between slides.

Step 6: Start the Slideshow

Go to the “Slide Show” tab and click “From Beginning” or press F5 to start the looping slideshow. It will now run continuously until you press the Esc key.

PowerPoint Looping Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional pointers for creating seamless loops:

  • Add subtle background music – This enhances the viewing experience and masks slide transition sounds. Learn how to insert audio into a PowerPoint presentation.
  • Use visually cohesive slide designs – A consistent theme and color palette make transitions smooth. Download professionally designed PowerPoint templates with visually appealing slide layouts.
  • Set identical transition effects – Using the same transition style and duration provides a unified flow between slides. Fades, wipes and pushes work well for looping shows.
  • Rehearse timings for consistency – Do a practice run of the looped show to finetune slide timings and transitions to your liking before the actual presentation.
  • Check presentation equipment – Test the slideshow on the display monitor to be used, checking audio connectivity and equipment compatibility.

Present a Looping Slideshow

Once you’ve set up a looping presentation in PowerPoint, here is how to present it:

  • Connect the display monitor to your laptop via HDMI or VGA cable.
  • Launch the slideshow in “Browsed at a kiosk” full screen mode for maximum impact.
  • Use Presenter View on your laptop screen to control slide navigation and timings.

Your PowerPoint show will now loop continuously until you press the Esc key to exit the slideshow.

Wrap Up

Looping functionality is a handy feature in PowerPoint that lets you create an automated, hands-free slideshow experience. By following the step-by-step guide outlined above, you can set up presentations to run seamlessly on a loop for events, museums, office spaces or digital signage.

For best results, customize slide order, transitions and timings to ensure smooth flow between slides. Rehearse your looping presentation and test equipment compatibility to iron out any kinks. Finally, impress your audience with a continuously running PowerPoint slideshow!