Important Shortcut Keys in Microsoft PowerPoint

Second only to MS Word, PowerPoint is the most often used Microsoft Office program there is. Anything from middle-school presentations to high-end corporate reports can be made using it. And, by using important shortcut key in Microsoft PowerPoint you will make your projects faster and easier, vastly improving your overall experience.

There is a vast range of hotkeys and shortcuts that do everything from formatting and inserting to saving and editing.

While some of these shortcut keys you will seldom use, others will become as familiar as those for cut, copy, and paste. Regardless of the type of work you need, everyone will find some keys that they will use every day.

Pros & Cons of Using PowerPoint Shortcuts

There are no downsides to knowing PowerPoint shortcuts, but using them at all times might infringe on other skills and options. Having options is the best, as you should know both the short way and the long way, as well as all the features that come with both.

To learn all of the little tricks that come with MS PowerPoint you can buy the Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 for Dummies that has even more secrets that you might not have known.

In this book, you will find literally hundreds of PP shortcuts that can be used for every function that the program has. From usual suspects like saving and opening, to importing and changing content.

1. Shortcuts to Edit Shapes

• Ctrl + D – This shortcut key will replicate a chosen item. You select the item and use the Ctrl-D command.
• Ctrl + G – You can make a group of selected shapes and images with this command. Choose a set of images and type the command. The chosen shapes will form a group. You can reverse the group with the Ctrl + Shift + G command.
• Ctrl + Shift + C – This shortcut key copies the formatting of the selected shape and is used along with the Ctrl + Shift + V command. The first command copies the formatting of a shape and the latter pastes it on another shape.

2. Formatting and Editing of Text

Microsoft Word and PowerPoint use the same shortcut keys to edit text.

• Ctrl + B makes the selected text bold.
• Ctrl + I makes the selected text italic.
• Ctrl + U underlines the chosen text.
• Ctrl + Shift + > and Ctrl + Shift + <- These short keys are used to regulate the size of the highlighted text. The Ctrl + Shift + > increases the font size and Ctrl + Shift + < decreases it.
• Ctrl + L and Ctrl + R  – These two shortcut keys move the alignment of the text left or right respectively.
• Ctrl + Enter make a line break in the text.

PowerPoint Presentation Shortcuts

• + Plus sign zooms into the screen. Press the + sign to zoom into the slide as you want to.
• – Minus sign zooms out of the PowerPoint screen. Press the – sign multiple times to zoom out completely.
• B blacks out the PowerPoint screen. It stops the slideshow and projects a blank slide.

Navigation Shortcut Keys

• Shift + F5 starts the presentation from the first slide.
• Alt + F10 reveals and conceals the selection pane.
• Alt + F5 – You can preview your PowerPoint presentation through this shortcut key.
• Ctrl + Shift + Tab enables you to switch between Outline View pane and Thumbnail pane.

There are thousands of shortcut keys in Microsoft Office. But these PowerPoint ones are the most helpful when working on presentations.