keynote presentation on ipad

Keynote User Guide

The theme chooser, showing a row of categories across the top that you can tap to filter the options. Below are thumbnails of predesigned themes arranged in rows by category.

Get started with a theme

All presentations begin with a theme—a set of predesigned slide layouts you can use as a starting point. Replace the theme’s images and text with your own, then add more slides as needed.

Create a presentation

The Insert menu with buttons across the top to add tables, charts, shapes, and media.

Add text, photos, drawings, and more

Add objects like text boxes, tables, charts, shapes, and media (images, audio, and video) to any slide. You can layer objects, resize them, and link them to webpages or other slides in your presentation.

Intro to images, charts, and other objects

The Format controls for changing the size and appearance of the selected video. Style, Movie, and Arrange buttons are across the top of the controls.

Lights, camera, action

Bring your presentation to life with movies, live video, recorded narration, music, and more.

Add video and audio

Animation controls for the image that’s selected on the slide. At the bottom of the screen are controls for the Build-In effect being used.

Wow them with animation

Add visual effects or animations to captivate your audience. For example, add a transition so each slide dissolves into the next, or make each word in a title bounce onto the slide.

Add transitions between slides

A window introducing multi-presenter presentations with the Start as Host button at the bottom.

Present in any situation

Play a slideshow over the internet, virtually with multiple presenters, as an interactive presentation, and more.

Play a presentation

The collaboration menu showing the names of people collaborating on the presentation.

Collaborate in real time

Invite others to work with you on your presentation. Everyone you invite can see changes as they’re made, but you control who can edit or only view the presentation.

Intro to collaboration

If you need more help, visit the Keynote Support website .

Keynote User Guide for iPad

What’s new in Keynote 14.2
Intro to Keynote
Choose how to navigate your presentation
Open a presentation
Save and name a presentation
Find a presentation
Print a presentation
Prevent accidental editing
Undo or redo changes
Quick navigation
Change the working view
Customize the toolbar
Copy text and objects between apps
Basic touchscreen gestures
Use Apple Pencil with Keynote
Create a presentation using VoiceOver
Add or delete slides
Add and view presenter notes
Reorder slides
Group or ungroup slides
Skip or unskip a slide
Change the slide size
Change a slide background
Add a border around a slide
Show or hide text placeholders
Show or hide slide numbers
Apply a slide layout
Add and edit slide layouts
Change a theme
Add an image
Add an image gallery
Edit an image
Add and edit a shape
Combine or break apart shapes
Save a shape to the shapes library
Add and align text inside a shape
Add 3D objects
Add lines and arrows
Add and edit drawings
Record video and audio
Edit video and audio
Add live video
Set the movie and image formats
Position and align objects
Use alignment guides
Place objects inside a text box or shape
Layer, group, and lock objects
Change object transparency
Fill shapes and text boxes with color or an image
Add a border to an object
Add a caption or title
Add a reflection or shadow
Use object styles
Resize, rotate, and flip objects
Add linked objects to make your presentation interactive
Select text
Copy and paste text
Format a presentation for another language
Use phonetic guides
Use bidirectional text
Use vertical text
Change the look of text
Use text styles
Change text capitalization
Add drop caps
Make characters superscript or subscript
Format fractions automatically
Format dashes and quotation marks
Format Chinese, Japanese, or Korean text
Set tab stops
Format text into columns
Adjust line spacing
Format lists
Add mathematical equations
Add borders and rules (lines) to separate text
Add or delete a table
Select tables, cells, rows, and columns
Add or remove rows and columns
Move rows and columns
Resize rows and columns
Merge or unmerge cells
Change the look of table text
Show, hide, or edit a table title
Change table gridlines and colors
Use table styles
Resize, move, or lock a table
Add and edit cell content
Format dates, currency, and more
Highlight cells conditionally
Format tables for bidirectional text
Alphabetize or sort table data
Add or delete a chart
Change a chart from one type to another
Modify chart data
Move, resize, and rotate a chart
Change the look of data series
Add a legend, gridlines, and other markings
Change the look of chart text and labels
Add a chart border and background
Use chart styles
Animate objects onto and off a slide
Animate objects on a slide
Change build order and timing
Add transitions
Present on your iPad
Present on a separate display
Present on iPad over the internet
Use a remote
Make a presentation advance automatically
Play a slideshow with multiple presenters
Rehearse on your device
Play a recorded presentation
Check spelling
Look up words
Find and replace text
Replace text automatically
Set your author name for comments
Highlight text
Add and print comments
Send a presentation
Invite others to collaborate
Collaborate on a shared presentation
See the latest activity in a shared presentation
Change a shared presentation’s settings
Stop sharing a presentation
Shared folders and collaboration
Use Box to collaborate
Create an animated GIF
Post your presentation in a blog
Use iCloud Drive with Keynote
Export to PowerPoint or another file format
Restore an earlier version of a presentation
Move a presentation
Delete a presentation
Password-protect a presentation
Create and manage custom themes
Transfer files with AirDrop
Transfer presentations with Handoff
Transfer presentations with the Finder
Keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcut symbols

How to Use Keynote on iPad: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Keynote on iPad lets you create stunning presentations on the go. To get started, you’ll need to open the Keynote app, choose a template, add your content, and then customize your presentation with text, images, and transitions. With these simple steps, you’ll be creating professional-quality slideshows in no time.

Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Use Keynote on iPad

In this section, we’ll guide you through the steps to create a basic Keynote presentation on your iPad. By following these steps, you’ll be able to craft an attractive and engaging slideshow.

Step 1: Open Keynote

Open the Keynote app on your iPad by tapping its icon.

When you open Keynote, you’ll be greeted by the main interface. If it’s your first time, the app may show a brief tutorial to help you get acquainted with the features.

Step 2: Choose a Template

Step 2: Tap on the “+” button and select a template from the available options.

Keynote offers a variety of templates, each designed for different types of presentations. Choose one that best fits your needs. Templates help give your presentation a cohesive look, saving you time on design.

Step 3: Add a Slide

Step 3: Tap the “+” button at the bottom-left corner of the screen to add a new slide.

You can select from different slide layouts. Each layout is designed for different content types—whether it’s text-heavy slides or visual-centric ones. Mix and match to keep your audience engaged.

Step 4: Insert Text

Step 4: Tap on the placeholder text to edit it and add your own content.

Simply tap on any text box and the keyboard will pop up, allowing you to type in your text. You can also adjust text size, font, and color using the options at the top of the screen.

Step 5: Add Images

Step 5: Tap the “+” button again, but this time select “Photo or Video” to insert images.

You can choose photos from your library or take a new one using the iPad’s camera. Once inserted, you can resize or move the image by dragging it around the slide.

Step 6: Apply Transitions

Step 6: Tap on the slide thumbnail, then tap “Animate” to add transitions.

Transitions add a professional touch to your presentation. You can choose from various styles like dissolve, slide, or flip. Preview your choice before finalizing to see how it looks.

Step 7: Save and Export

Step 7: Tap the three dots (ellipsis) at the top-right corner and select “Export” to save your presentation.

You can export your presentation in different formats like PDF, PowerPoint, or even as a movie. Choose the format that works best for your audience.

Once you’ve completed these steps, your Keynote presentation will be ready to wow your audience. Whether you’re presenting at school or work, you’ll have a polished slideshow that stands out.

Tips for Using Keynote on iPad

Organize Your Slides: Use the slide navigator on the left to arrange your slides in the order you want them. This makes it easier to keep your presentation flowing smoothly.
Use Apple Pencil: If you have an Apple Pencil, you can use it to draw or annotate directly on your slides. This adds a personal touch to your presentation.
Practice Your Presentation: Use the Play button to practice your presentation. This helps you get comfortable with the flow and timing.
Collaborate: You can share your presentation with others for collaboration. Just tap the share button and invite people to edit or view.
Utilize iCloud: Save your presentation to iCloud so you can access it from any of your Apple devices. This is handy if you need to make last-minute changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i use keynote offline.

Yes, you can use Keynote offline. Just make sure to download any templates or images you’ll need beforehand.

How do I add charts and graphs?

Tap the “+” button and select “Chart” or “Graph” to insert. You can then customize the data and appearance.

Can I import a PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, you can import PowerPoint files into Keynote. Tap the “+” button and select “Import” to get started.

How do I change the background of a slide?

Select the slide, tap the paintbrush icon, and then choose “Background” to change the color or add an image.

Is there a way to embed videos in my slides?

Yes, tap the “+” button and select “Photo or Video.” Choose a video from your library to embed it in your slide.

Open Keynote: Launch the app.
Choose a Template: Select a design template.
Add a Slide: Insert a new slide.
Insert Text: Edit placeholder text.
Add Images: Insert photos or videos.
Apply Transitions: Add animations between slides.
Save and Export: Export your presentation.

By following these steps, you’ve learned how to use Keynote on iPad to create a stunning presentation. From choosing templates to adding transitions, each step is designed to help you craft a professional slideshow with ease. Don’t forget to take advantage of the tips to enhance your presentation further.

Keynote is an incredibly powerful tool, but like any skill, practice makes perfect. Start with a simple project and gradually add more elements as you become comfortable. Share your presentations with friends or colleagues for feedback. The more you use Keynote, the more proficient you’ll become.

So, grab your iPad and start experimenting with Keynote. Your next big presentation could be just a few taps away!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.