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PowerPoint Shortcut Keys (MS PowerPoint)

WordPowerPointBuild and presentChecked 2 Nov 2026

New slide

CtrlM

Start slideshow

F5

From current slide

ShiftF5

New presentation

CtrlN

The PowerPoint shortcut keys you will use most are Ctrl + M to insert a new slide, F5 to start the slideshow from the first slide, and Ctrl + N to open a new presentation. During a show, Esc ends it and the arrow keys move between slides.

Below are the keys for building slides, for presenting in front of a class or client, and the small tricks such as blacking out the screen while you talk. They apply to every recent PowerPoint release on Windows, and most also existed in the older ones.

Quick facts

  • New slide

    Ctrl + M

  • Slideshow from start

    F5

  • From this slide

    Shift + F5

  • New presentation

    Ctrl + N

  • Duplicate

    Ctrl + D

  • End show

    Esc

PowerPoint shortcut keys for building slides

Keys while editing a presentation
ActionKeys
New presentationCtrl + N
Insert a new slideCtrl + M
Duplicate the selected slide or objectCtrl + D
Group objectsCtrl + G
UngroupCtrl + Shift + G
Insert a hyperlinkCtrl + K
Bold, italic, underlineCtrl + B, Ctrl + I, Ctrl + U
Centre textCtrl + E
SaveCtrl + S
PrintCtrl + P

Slide show shortcut keys while presenting

Keys during a slideshow
ActionKeys
Start from the first slideF5
Start from the current slideShift + F5
Next slideRight, Space, N or Enter
Previous slideLeft or P
Go to slide numberType the number, then Enter
Black screen, press again to returnB
White screenW
Pen to draw on the slideCtrl + P
Erase drawingsE
Presenter viewAlt + F5
End the showEsc
Press B when you want the room to look at you instead of the screen, for example while answering a question.

Shortcut for new slide in PowerPoint

  1. Click the slide in the left panel that the new one should follow.
  2. Press Ctrl + M. A new slide with the Title and Content layout appears below it.
  3. Click the placeholders and type, or change the layout from Home, then Layout.

To copy a finished slide with all its formatting instead, select it in the left panel and press Ctrl + D.

What is the shortcut for opening a new presentation in PowerPoint

Ctrl + N opens a new blank presentation straight away. To open an existing file, press Ctrl + O. If you want a design rather than a blank file, press Alt, then F, then N to see the template gallery and pick one with the arrow keys. Save it early with Ctrl + S so a power cut does not cost you the slides. Students preparing for computer exams often see this exact question, and the expected answer is Ctrl + N.

When PowerPoint keys do not respond

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
F5 changes brightness on a laptopPress Fn + F5
Ctrl + M does nothingClick a slide in the left panel first, not inside a text box
Slides do not move with the clickerThe clicker sends Page Down; check its batteries and receiver
Keys type into a text boxPress Esc to leave the box first
A trainee teacher builds a ten slide lesson with Ctrl + M, checks it from the current slide with Shift + F5, and in class presses B to darken the screen during a discussion.

More Office shortcuts

Word keys are on the MS Word shortcut keys page and the shared Office keys on MS Office shortcut keys. For filling the screen in other programs, see the full screen shortcut key. On a Mac, PowerPoint uses Command + M for a new slide and Command + N for a new presentation.

This site is not affiliated with Microsoft or Apple; this is an independent explanation.

Frequently asked questions

Which shortcut key adds a new slide in PowerPoint?
Ctrl + M.
What is the slideshow shortcut key?
F5 from the beginning, Shift + F5 from the current slide.
What is the shortcut for opening a new presentation in PowerPoint?
Ctrl + N.
How do I end a slideshow?

Press Esc.

How do I make the screen black during a presentation?

Press B; press it again to return.

Are PPT shortcut keys the same on Mac?

Mostly, with Command in place of Ctrl, such as Command + M for a new slide.