This guide explains how to present a PowerPoint in Microsoft Teams using a single screen while still being able to view your meeting controls, chat, and participants.
It includes instructions for displaying your PowerPoint in a window (instead of full screen) and how to use PowerPoint Live for a more seamless experience.
PowerPoint Presenter View normally requires two monitors. With only one monitor, PowerPoint cannot display your notes separately from your slides – unless you use PowerPoint Live, which includes Presenter View within the meeting window.
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When using a single monitor, you can run your PowerPoint presentation in a windowed mode so you can share slides while still keeping an eye on Teams.
1.1. Set up your PowerPoint presentation for windowed mode
- Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the Slide Show tab.
- Select Set up Slide Show.
- Under Show type, choose Browsed by an individual (window).
- Select OK.
1.2. Start the presentation in a window
- Start the slideshow either From Beginning or From Current Slide.
The slide show will now open in a resizable window instead of full screen.
You can also use Reading view instead of Browse by an individual window for a quick windowed option. You can get to Reading view from the task bar đź“– at the bottom of the slide window.
1.3. Share your PowerPoint in MS Teams
- In your Teams meeting, open the Share menu.
- Select Window and then choose the window that contains your PowerPoint presentation.
1.4. Arrange your windows for easy access
- Resize and arrange PowerPoint and Teams side by side so you can view slides, participants, and chat at the same time.
Switch between windows quickly: Use Alt + Tab (Windows) or Command + Tab (Mac) to move quickly between open windows.
If you’re using the Teams web app, we recommend using PowerPoint Live (see instructions below). This option lets you view your slides, speaker notes, and meeting controls all in one place.
Alternatively, you can share your screen, a specific window, or a browser tab. However, please note that with this method, you won’t be able to see your presentation and the meeting at the same time. You’ll need to switch between the shared window and the meeting during your presentation.
If you’d like an even simpler way to present, try PowerPoint Live, available in both the Teams desktop and web apps. It allows you to share your slides directly from Teams or from within PowerPoint itself, with built-in Presenter View so you can see your notes, slides, chat, and participants all in one place.
3.1. Start PowerPoint Live from Microsoft Teams
- In your Teams meeting, open the Share menu.
- Select PowerPoint Live and choose your presentation from OneDrive or from a location on your computer.
To ensure that your presentation appears in the PowerPoint Live list, it’s best to open it before joining the meeting.
3.2. Start PowerPoint Live from PowerPoint
If your presentation is already open in PowerPoint for Windows, Mac, or the web:
- Select Slide Show > Present in Teams to share it directly in your meeting.
- In the desktop version, a Present in Teams button also appears near the Share options on the ribbon.
Test your set-up: Before your presentation, do a quick test run to make sure your slides display correctly and that you’re comfortable switching between views.