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How to print a PowerPoint presentation with notes

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Print screen in PowerPoint on a Windows computer.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One you know how to use PowerPoint, you can craft a great presentation. What's even better, however, is the option to use Presenter View. This lets you leave notes for yourself that can be viewed on your computer screen while everyone else is only seeing your presentation.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

  • Microsoft account for PowerPoint on the web (optional)

However, if you're worried about a technical hiccup taking down your slide or don’t want to be glued to the computer, it's a good idea to add notes to your PowerPoint presentation and print it out. This lets you see both your slides and your presenter notes, giving you an analog way to carry on the presentation without the need for a monitor.

Interested in the feature? Here's how to print a PowerPoint presentation with notes on Windows, Mac, or directly from the web.

Print PowerPoint slides with notes on Windows

Printing your presentation in PowerPoint on Windows takes only a few steps. If you want notes with your slides, it’s a simple setting.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint to the presentation you want to print.

Step 2: Select the File tab.

Step 3: Choose Print and select your printer in the Printer drop-down if necessary.

Step 4: In the first drop-down box below Settings, pick which slides you want to print. You can print them all, the current slide, or a custom range.

Print all slides in PowerPoint on Windows.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Click the next drop-down box for Print layout and select Notes page. You’ll see a preview on the right.

Notes Pages selected to print in PowerPoint.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: Adjust any other settings you’d like before printing, such as switching Portrait orientation to Landscape orientation or Color to Grayscale.

Step 7: Click Print.

Print screen in PowerPoint on Windows.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Print PowerPoint slides with notes on Mac

If you use Microsoft PowerPoint on Mac, you can print your slides with notes a just a few steps, like on Windows.

Step 1: Open PowerPoint on your Mac to the presentation you’d like to print.

Step 2: Click File > Print from the menu bar.

Step 3: In the pop-up window, choose your printer in the Printer drop-down box at the top if necessary.

Step 4: Choose which slides you’d like to print. You can print all slides, specific numbers, selected slides, or a custom range.

Print all slides in PowerPoint on Mac.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Click the Layout drop-down box and choose Notes. You’ll see a preview on the left.

Notes selected to print in PowerPoint.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 6: Optionally, adjust any other settings you’d like such as Orientation, Output, or Scale.

Step 7: Click Print.

Print screen in PowerPoint on Mac.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Print PowerPoint slides with notes on the web

Maybe you’re using PowerPoint on the web and prefer to print from there.

Step 1: Visit PowerPoint on the web, sign in, and open your presentation.

Step 2: Select the File tab.

Step 3: Choose Print and pick Print notes pages.

Print Notes Pages selected in PowerPoint on the web.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: In the small pop-up window, select Open PDF to view your presentation file.

Open PDF dialog box for PowerPoint on the web.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Depending on your web browser, click the Print button or download the file to print on your computer.

There is much more that you can do with PowerPoint, such as embedding videos in presentations. Make sure you follow our PowerPoint best practices to compose presentations that really make an impact.

Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, Lifewire, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog…
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