How to Share a PowerPoint on Zoom

In this article, we’ll discuss how to share a PowerPoint, or any presentation, on Zoom. You can do this in a few clicks for more straightforward presentations, but for more complex presentations, you may want some more tools.

How Do You Share a PowerPoint in a Zoom Meeting?

For a presentation where you don’t need to see your notes, sharing a PowerPoint is a quick process.

1. Open your presentation, and close any windows you won't need. This will limit clutter and distractions.
   

2. Log into your Zoom call and when you’re ready to present, click Share Screen at the bottom. Choose your presentation from the menu.
   

   

   When using a single screen, you should always pick the specific program you want to share. Doing this will protect your data and prevent pop-ups and other interruptions.

3. Go to the Slide Show tab in PowerPoint and click From Beginning. For the smoothest presentation, do this before anyone else joins the call, where possible.
   

4. Use the controls in the lower left-hand corner or keyboard controls to move through your presentation as usual.
   

    Be sure to click on the Presentation window if you’re going to use keyboard controls. PowerPoint won’t acknowledge inputs from the keyboard unless you’ve deliberately clicked on the window.

How Do You Share a PowerPoint With Zoom and Still See Notes?

The best way to see your notes is to use a second monitor and PowerPoint’s Presenter View tools. Then your notes and controls are on one screen, visible only to you, and your presentation is on the other.

1. Open your PowerPoint and go to Presenter View to see your notes. This mode opens two windows: The presentation and the control panel.

   

2. Drag the control panel to your primary screen and the presentation window to your second screen. You’ll be able to see and control your presentation while looking directly into your webcam if you’re using it, and you won’t have to hold your neck at an angle to use the controls.
   

3. Log into the Zoom call and click Share Screen at the bottom. Choose your presentation window.
   

   If you’ll need to present other documents or materials in addition to your presentation, have them open and minimized on your screen and share your second monitor instead. Then you can quickly bring those materials up without disrupting your flow.

Tips for a Better Zoom Presentation

If you're not the call organizer, contact them and ask what permissions they've set up and whether you'll need permission to share your screen. 

For meetings with multiple people sharing the same presentation, book a call a day before and practice "handing off" control of the slides in Zoom. Alternately, the person sharing their screen should prepare to move to the next slide when cued. Everyone should also have an up-to-date copy of the presentation, so it can continue if somebody drops out of the meeting.