PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts
Build and present faster — PowerPoint shortcuts with Mac and Windows keys side by side.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| New slide | ⌘⇧N | Ctrl+M | |
| Duplicate slide / object | ⌘D | Ctrl+D | |
| Start slideshow from beginning | ⌘⇧⏎ | F5 | |
| Start slideshow from current slide | ⌘⏎ | Shift+F5 | |
| Next / previous slide (presenting) | → / ← | → / ← | |
| Black / white screen (presenting) | B / W | B / W | |
| End slideshow | Esc | Esc | |
| Group / ungroup objects | ⌘⌥G / ⌘⌥⇧G | Ctrl+G / Ctrl+Shift+G | |
| Bring to front / send to back | ⌘⇧F / ⌘⇧B | Alt+Shift+F / Alt+Shift+B | |
| Bold / italic / underline | ⌘B / ⌘I / ⌘U | Ctrl+B / Ctrl+I / Ctrl+U | |
| Increase / decrease font size | ⌘⇧> / < | Ctrl+Shift+> / < | |
| Insert hyperlink | ⌘K | Ctrl+K |
Presenter shortcuts you'll actually use
During a talk, press B to black out the screen (and again to restore) when you want the room's attention on you, not the slide. Type a slide number and press Enter to jump straight there without leaving Slideshow view.
Align objects by grouping
Select several shapes and press Ctrl+G (⌘⌥G on Mac) to group them so they move and scale as one — essential for keeping diagrams intact.
FAQ
How do I start a PowerPoint slideshow with a keyboard shortcut?
Press F5 to start from the first slide, or Shift+F5 to start from the current slide. On the Mac use ⌘⇧⏎ and ⌘⏎.
What key blacks out the screen during a presentation?
Press B for a black screen or W for a white screen while presenting; press the same key again to bring the slide back.
How do I duplicate a slide quickly?
Select the slide in the thumbnail pane and press Ctrl+D (⌘D on Mac) to duplicate it in place.