How to Unhide a Slide in PowerPoint Comprehensive Guide

Unhiding slides in PowerPoint is a useful skill for anyone who frequently builds presentations. Whether you need to bring back slides you previously hid or access hidden slides during a presentation, this guide will teach you how to easily unhide slides in PowerPoint.

When Should You Unhide Slides in PowerPoint?

Here are some common reasons you may need to access and unhide slides:

• Restoring slides – If you hide a slide but later decide you need it, you can unhide it to restore it to your presentation.
• Accessing backup slides – Keep supporting slides hidden until you need them as a “plan B” during a presentation.
• Showing optional content – Hide optional slides and only show them if relevant for a specific audience.
• Creating handouts – Unhide all slides to include ones you hid when printing handouts.

How to Unhide Slides in PowerPoint

There are several straightforward ways to unhide slides in PowerPoint:

Using Normal View

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and enter Normal View.
2. In the left pane, hidden slides appear grayed out with a slash through the number.
3. Right-click the hidden slide and select Unhide Slide.

Using Slide Sorter View

1. Click the View tab and open Slide Sorter.
2. Hidden slides have a slash through the slide number.
3. Right-click the hidden slide and choose Unhide Slide.

With Keyboard Shortcuts

1. Select the hidden slide in the left pane.
2. Press Alt+S to open the ribbon.
3. Press U to unhide the slide.

Showing Hidden Slides During a Presentation

If you want to display a hidden slide during your presentation, here’s how:

• Windows: Right-click and select See All Slides. Pick the hidden slide.
• Mac: Press H on the slide before the hidden one to view it.
• Presenter View: Click the hidden slide in the navigation pane at the bottom.

Troubleshooting Issues Unhiding Slides

If you have issues unhiding slides, try these troubleshooting tips:

• Check slide visibility settings – Go to PowerPoint Options > Slide Show and select “All” under Show Slides.
• Review Presentation Views – The slide may still be hidden in the presentation views. Unhide it in Normal or Slide Sorter view.
• Verify selection – Make sure you have selected the correct hidden slide to unhide in the left pane.

Alternative Options to Unhiding Slides

While the unhide slide feature is useful, PowerPoint offers other options:

• Custom slide shows – Create custom shows to jump to certain slides.
• Hyperlinks – Link slides to easily navigate your presentation.

Unhiding slides in PowerPoint is quick and easy once you know the various methods. Reference this guide anytime you need to restore hidden slides or access them during a presentation.