PowerPoint Speaker Notes help presenters remember key points, examples, explanations, or reminders without adding extra text to the presentation slides. The notes are visible to the presenter during a presentation but are not shown to the audience.
In this tutorial, you'll learn how to add notes in PowerPoint, use the Notes pane, and view your notes while presenting.
What Are PowerPoint Slide Notes?
PowerPoint Slide Notes are notes attached to individual slides. They can contain additional information that you want to remember while presenting but do not want displayed on the slide.
For example, you can use notes for:
Talking points
Examples or explanations
Presentation reminders
Questions to discuss
Additional information
This keeps your slides concise while giving you useful information to refer to.
How to Add Slide Notes in PowerPoint
To add notes to PowerPoint slides:
Open your presentation and select the required slide.
Go to View > Normal if you are not already in Normal view.
Locate the PowerPoint Notes Pane below the slide.
Select Click to add notes.
Type your speaker notes.
If the Notes pane is hidden or minimized, select Notes at the bottom of the PowerPoint window to display it. You can also drag the top border of the pane upward to make more space for longer notes.
How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint
When adding Presenter Notes in PowerPoint, write information that supports what you plan to say rather than copying the entire slide.
For example, instead of writing a full paragraph on the slide, you could keep the slide concise and use the notes to record an explanation, example, or reminder.
How to View PowerPoint Speaker Notes While Presenting
Presenter View allows you to see your current slide, upcoming slide, and speaker notes while presenting. The audience sees the presentation slides rather than your notes.
This makes speaker notes particularly useful when presenting to an audience because they act as private talking points.
Tips for Using PowerPoint Notes
Keep notes short and focused.
Use bullet points for quick reference.
Add important examples or statistics that are not on the slide.
Avoid writing your entire presentation as notes.
Review your notes before presenting.
Use Presenter View when you need to refer to notes during delivery.
Using PowerPoint Notes effectively can help you present confidently while keeping your slides clean and easy to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I show the Notes pane in PowerPoint if it's missing?
Go to the View tab in the top ribbon, select Normal view, and click the Notes button on the status bar at the bottom of the PowerPoint window. You can also hover over the bottom border of the slide and drag it upward to reveal the hidden Notes pane.
Can the audience see my Speaker Notes during a presentation?
No, if you use Presenter View, your speaker notes are displayed privately on your screen (along with a timer and upcoming slides) while the audience only sees the presentation slides on the projector or shared screen.
Where is the Notes section in PowerPoint on Mac vs. Windows?
In both macOS and Windows, the Notes section is located directly beneath the main slide workspace in Normal View. You can toggle it on or off by clicking the Notes button on the bottom status bar.
How do I print PowerPoint slides with my speaker notes?
Go to File > Print. Under the Settings menu, click the layout dropdown (usually set to 'Full Page Slides') and select Notes Pages. This will print each slide as a thumbnail with your corresponding speaker notes below it.
How can I export my PowerPoint notes to a Word document?
Go to File > Export > Create Handouts (or File > Save & Send > Create Handouts depending on your PowerPoint version). Select the Notes next to slides or Notes below slides layout to export your slides and notes into a fully formatted Microsoft Word document.
How do I see speaker notes when presenting on Zoom or Microsoft Teams?
When sharing your screen in a virtual meeting with dual monitors, select Presenter View for your primary screen and share the second monitor showing the full slideshow. With a single monitor, share only the PowerPoint Slide Show window while keeping your main PowerPoint application (with Presenter View or the edit window) visible on your screen.
