how to do a powerpoint presentation over zoom

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How to Share a PowerPoint on Zoom

Share your screen, whether or not you're the presenter

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What to Know

• Anybody can share a PowerPoint on a Zoom call but may need permission from the call’s organizer.
• To see notes, you’ll need a second screen to divide the view or have your notes on a separate device.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Keeping Murphy's Law in mind, having your notes in one or two other places is a good idea. Consider using your phone and a printed copy to ensure that you can rely on one of the two additional sources for your notes if everything goes wrong.

To record yourself giving a PowerPoint presentation on Zoom, launch Zoom and PowerPoint; be sure to close all other applications. Create a new Zoom meeting, select Share Screen , select your PowerPoint presentation, and click Share . Launch your PowerPoint slideshow. In Zoom, choose Record > Record on This Computer . Your computer is now recording.

Join the Zoom meeting from your iPad using Zoom's mobile app for iOS. Open your PowerPoint presentation and tap Share Content from the meeting controls. You can use PowerPoint's annotation and drawing tools to make notations on your slides if you like.

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How to Share a PowerPoint Presentation on Zoom

Jordan Read more March 7, 2021

PowerPoint presentations are a handy, practical tool in any corporate environment. When you present a problem or a plan visually, people often find it easier to remember or assimilate it. And when you combine a PowerPoint presentation with Zoom, you make business meetings even better.

But how do PowerPoint and Zoom work together exactly? Well, you can do it in three different ways. All of which we’ll cover in detail in this article.

Method 1 – Dual Monitors

One of the great things about Zoom is that the hardware equipment isn’t overpriced. Depending on the size and needs of your company, your Zoom meetings can stay as small or as big as you need them to be.

For example, if your Zoom meeting room has a dual monitor system, one screen can show the entire PowerPoint presentation full screen. While the other monitor can contain presenter’s notes or anything else that can contribute to the meeting.

Here’s how you share a PowerPoint presentation on dual monitors in Zoom:

That’s all there is to it. However, if it turns out that the monitor you’re sharing isn’t the correct one, go to Display Settings, and click “Swap Presenter View and Slide Show”. Therefore, you don’t have to start the whole process from the beginning.

Method 2 – Single Monitor in a Window

The first method is very practical and gives you a clear view of the presentation and the presenter. But not every Zoom meeting room has dual monitors, nor does it need them. A smaller meeting room works just fine with a single monitor, and fortunately, you can share a PowerPoint slide show with just a single monitor.

Either in a window or with a full screen. The window option is very useful when it comes to multitasking while sharing a presentation. Here’s how you share a PowerPoint presentation in a window:

That should do it. Now you have a PowerPoint presentation in a single window, and you can still access the in-meeting chats or any other application or file that you need for the meeting.

Method 3 – Single Monitor in Full Screen

If you’re dealing with a single-monitor situation in your Zoom meeting, and a very important PowerPoint presentation is on its way, the full-screen option is a great idea. The full screen slide show means that there’ll be no onscreen distractions. With no chatting, or opening other files, your focus stays on the presentation itself. Here’s how you make the full screen PowerPoint slide show in Zoom:

And now your presentation is in full screen, and everyone can see it clearly.

Sharing Sound with Zoom

Did you know that the Zoom screen sharing feature lets you share the audio as well? That’s right. People who attend the meetings remotely can now receive both the video and audio. But the one pre-requisite is that you have to use Zoom for Desktop for Windows or Mac.

Therefore, if you want to share a YouTube clip, for example, you just have to click “Share sound”. However, there is one disadvantage. You can’t share the computer sound when the meeting is shared on multiple screens at the same time. It only works when one screen at a time is being shared. Still, it’s a pretty useful feature.

Present Your Work More Efficiently with Zoom

PowerPoint slide shows have been around forever. Once you figure out how to make the most of them, the sky is the limit. It’s one of the most creative software options from Microsoft Office. In comparison, Zoom is new. But it’s taken the corporate world by the storm. The company emphasized that it “just works”, and what more can you ask from a tool that is designed to make work meetings run smoothly? Time is the most precious commodity, and PowerPoint, together with Zoom helps you make significant savings in this regard.

Let us know what you think about PowerPoint and Zoom in the comments section below.

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Easy PowerPoint Zoom Tutorial (Free Templates & Examples)

Sara Wanasek

Tired of navigating your slides in a chronological order? Looking for ways to spice up the way you interact with your presentation and engage your audience?

Transform your boring presentations into something more engaging and captivating with PowerPoint’s Zoom feature. PowerPoint Zoom allows you to create dynamic, non-linear presentations. Think of it as building a Prezi inside PowerPoint. Jump from one point in your presentation to the next seamlessly by creating links to the different sections of your presentation.

By utilizing PowerPoint’s Slide Zoom, Section Zoom, and Summary Zoom, you can easily create an entertaining and engaging presentation for your audience. There are many different ways to add these to your presentation, so read on to learn how to use PowerPoint Zoom and implement it in the best ways!

Table of Contents

What is powerpoint zoom.

PowerPoint’s Zoom feature is a tool that allows you to create interactive PowerPoint presentations . It enables you to zoom in and out of specific sections or slides, creating a more dynamic and immersive experience for your audience. With PowerPoint Zoom , you can easily create links or “zoom areas” on your slides such that when clicked during a presentation, can allow you to navigate to specific slides or sections and focus on the content that is most relevant at any given time—there’s no need to be stuck with whatever slide is chronologically next.

Why Use PowerPoint Zoom?

PowerPoint Zoom lets you present in a more flexible and interactive way. For instance, you can create a dynamic menu that allows your audience to help you choose which topics to cover first. With just a click, you can jump to that slide or section and relay that information.

PowerPoint Zoom is also particularly useful for storytelling , guiding your audience through a series of complex information without being restricted to a traditional linear slide progression.

No need for hyperlinks, tedious work, or coding—PowerPoint Zoom allows for a seamless setup and flow of your presentation.

Let’s dive right in and discover how to make a zoom effect in PowerPoint!

How to Make a Zoom Effect in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint’s Zoom feature consists of three different options: Slide Zoom, Section Zoom, and Summary Zoom. While their setups are similar, the reasons for using each one vary.

Below we will delve into each of these PowerPoint Zoom options in depth.

Download our FREE PowerPoint Zoom template to follow along! 👇

Slide Zoom PowerPoint Templates

Turn your PowerPoint into an interactive experience today with this Slide Zoom template!

When to use Slide Zoom? ⏲️

Slide Zoom, as the name suggests, allows you to create links and “zoom in” on the content of another slide without following the traditional slide-to-slide progression. This comes in especially handy when you want to direct your audience’s attention to a particular image, chart, or piece of information on a slide instantly.

How to use Slide Zoom? 💻

1. Select the Main Starting Slide : To use PowerPoint Slide Zoom, first select the starting slide where you intend to apply the Zoom effect. In our example, we are using the Iceberg Model illustration as our starting slide. We want to zoom into the different description slides from our Iceberg Model slide.

2. Access the Slide Zoom Feature : Next, click Insert > Zoom > Slide Zoom . From here, choose the slide, or slides, that you want to zoom into. Click Insert and a thumbnail or thumbnails of the slides will appear on your current slide.

3. Rearrange the Thumbnails : Rearrange the thumbnails on your slide to match your design and layout.

4. Test the Slide Zoom: Now, in presentation mode, when you click on the slide thumbnails, you can zoom into the particular slides!

With a smooth Slide Zoom effect, you will notice that transitioning from slide to slide has become significantly more engaging!

Zoom Option: Zoom Background

Notice the thick outline of each slide you added to Zoom? Let’s remove that for a cleaner, more professional look on your slides. 

To do that, click on the added Zoom slide thumbnail , then click the Zoom tab in the PowerPoint ribbon. Now, click on the Zoom Background option to hide the default background and match the background of the thumbnail to the background of your current slide.

Zoom Option: Return to Zoom

Another customizable option is the Return to Zoom feature.

With the current setup of Slide Zoom, once you click on the Zoom thumbnail and navigate to the zoomed in slide, you cannot return to the main starting slide. In other words, you will move on to the next slide in a linear order, with essentially an added zoom transition.

On the other hand, by applying Return to Zoom, you will be brought back to your main starting slide every time instead. This way you can click change the order of your slides. For example, with Return to Zoom enabled, when I can click on next slide after clicking on the “Phase #3 The Structure” slide, I will be brought back to the main starting slide instead of the “Phase #4 Mental Models” slide.

To make this happen, after selecting each of your Zoom slide thumbnails, simply click on the Return to Zoom option from the Zoom tab. 

Section Zoom

When to use section zoom ⏲️.

While Slide Zoom allows you to zoom into one slide at a time, Section Zoom allows you to zoom into a specific section containing multiple related slides of your presentation. This is especially helpful for longer presentations or presentations with multiple topics. 

How to use Section Zoom? 💻

Here, we have a deck about the Solar System. Each planet has its own section with a couple slides underneath each section. Our main slide has an overview of the whole Solar System. In this case, I would like to be able to click on a planet, then be able to learn more about that planet. You can easily do this with Section Zoom!

1. Select the Main Starting Slide : Similar to PowerPoint Slide Zoom, you have to select a starting slide where you intend to apply the Zoom effect for Section Zoom. Here we are using the Solar System slide as our main starting slide where we can zoom into the different planet sections.

2. Access the Section Zoom Feature : On the overview slide, click Insert > Zoom > Section Zoom . Then choose the sections you would like to Zoom into and click Insert . The thumbnails of the first slide of each section will appear in your current slide.

Zoom Option: Change the Image

Don’t like how the different thumbnails are making your slide looks cluttered, fret not, you can change the thumbnail image of your slides for easier viewing. 

To do this, right-click on the zoom slide thumbnail and select Change Image . Then, substitute it with an image or screenshot from your device. For instance, you can take screenshots of the different segments in your slide to “hide” the zoom slide thumbnails underneath these screenshots.

Now, when you enter presentation mode, instead of clicking z zoom slide thumbnail, you can click on a planet to zoom into a desired section! Watch this video to learn exactly how to do it! 

Summary Zoom

When to use summary zoom ⏲️.

The third and final PowerPoint Zoom feature is Summary Zoom. It lets you create a summary or overview slide that acts as a hub for your presentation. It is perfect for those times when you want to give your audience a quick recap or provide them with a visual roadmap of your presentation.

Similar to Section Zoom, Summary Zoom contains links to specific sections or slides in your presentation, allowing you to navigate to the most relevant parts of your presentation. The main distinction lies in the fact that the Summary Zoom feature will automatically generate a summary slide containing thumbnails of each section or slide for your convenience.

How to use Summary Zoom? 💻

1. Select the Main Starting Slide : Similar to both PowerPoint Slide Zoom and Section Zoom, you have to select a starting slide where you intend to apply the Zoom effect for Summary

2. Access the Summary Soon Feature : To use PowerPoint Summary Zoom, click Insert > Zoom > Summary Zoom . This will create a new slide that displays a summary of your presentation, with thumbnails of each slide.

3. Customize Appearance : You can customize the appearance of the Summary Zoom slide by selecting the Format tab. Here, you can choose from various layouts, fonts, and colors to make the slide visually appealing and aligned with your presentation’s theme.

During your presentation, easily navigate to any slide by clicking on the different Zoom slide thumbnails. It’s a great way to give your audience an easy-to-follow roadmap and ensure they stay engaged and focused throughout your presentation.

Real-World PowerPoint Zoom Examples to Engage Your Audience

Here are some real-life examples of how to use PowerPoint Zoom to create engaging and immersive presentations: 

• Sales Pitch

Create interactive slides with zoomed-in images and key features for your products or services. By allowing the audience to explore products in detail, you can generate more interest and engagement during a pitch.

• Educational Lecture with Organised Sections

Similar to our Solar System deck, you can organize your presentation into sections so that students can go through the presentations at their own pace starting with what interests them the most.

Add interactive questions to the presentation using ClassPoint , to make it even more engaging. 

• Team Meeting Roadmap

Create an engaging team meeting with Summary Zoom. Highlight key milestones and deliverables in a visual and clear roadmap to help the team stay focused and engaged throughout the meeting.

• Interactive Visuals 

Use maps and charts as your overview slide and add zoom slide thumbnails of added information to showcase further data, information, and analytics. 

• Virtual Tours or Walkthroughs

Simulate a virtual tour or walkthrough using images on your slides. Add the Zoom feature to replicate “moving” from one “location” to another.

PowerPoint Zoom FAQ

Here are some common FAQ’s about this powerful tool:

What are the differences between the PowerPoint Zoom Options? 

Slide Zoom zooms from one slide to the next while Section Zoom zooms into a whole section of your presentation before bringing you back to the overview slide. The Summary Zoom option provides you with a Table-of-Contents-like slide for an easy overview of your whole presentation. 

How to make Prezi in PowerPoint? 

You can make a PowerPoint that looks similar to Prezi with PowerPoint’s Zoom feature. With your selected slide to Zoom into, click on the Insert tab, Zoom, and select Slide, Section, or Summary Zoom.

Can I use PowerPoint Zoom on any version of PowerPoint?

PowerPoint Zoom is available on PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365. Make sure you have the latest version to take advantage of this feature.

Will my audience need any special software to view the Zoom features?

No, your audience does not need any special software. The Zoom features will work seamlessly when you present your PowerPoint file on any device with PowerPoint installed.

Can I use Zoom in combination with other PowerPoint animations and transitions?

Yes, you can! PowerPoint Zoom works well with other animations and transitions, allowing you to create a truly immersive and engaging presentation.

Can I edit or remove Zoom features from my presentation?

Absolutely! You can easily edit or remove Zoom features from your presentation at any time. Just follow the steps outlined in this blog post to make any necessary changes.

Yay! You now can create an even more engaging presentation with PowerPoint’s Zoom feature. 

The versatility and impact of PowerPoint Zoom can be used in various settings. By incorporating this feature into your presentations, you can captivate your audience, enhance information retention, and create a memorable experience for your listeners. 

Experience the power of PowerPoint Slide Zoom firsthand! Begin by exploring our templates and seamlessly integrate this feature into your upcoming presentations.

About Sara Wanasek

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How to Present on Zoom: Google Slides and Powerpoint Presentation Guide & Tips

Presenting in front of your peers and superiors has to be one of the most daunting tasks ever. You’re never quite sure about the feedback you’d be getting, which only adds to the tension. However, in this pandemic season, the task of presenting has somehow gotten even more challenging. There are a lot of technical hurdles to overcome, which can seriously take the winds out of someone’s sail — especially if they are not very experienced on the matter.

Zoom, of course, has been the most popular video conferencing application over the last few months and offers a plethora of tools to put our minds at ease. Today, we’ll take you through all of them and even give you a couple of pointers to improve your presentation in Zoom.

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What is Zoom Screen Share and why is it important?

Screen Share is one of the most used and most important features of Zoom. It allows you to demonstrate your thoughts, give your peers a glimpse of your ideas. You can either share an application window, your entire desktop, or even a whiteboard — the possibilities are limitless here.

You can also start a screen sharing session without jumping through hoops of creating a separate meeting. Simply click/tap on the ‘Share Screen’ button in the Zoom client — both PC and mobile — and you’re good to go.

Related: How to use Zoom Filters

Remember you’ll need a sharing key or meeting key for this to work. If you don’t have access to either, you must share your screen while you’re in a meeting.

To share your screen during a meeting, first, log in with the appropriate credentials and start a meeting. Then, hit the ‘Share Screen’ — ‘Share’ while on mobile — button right in the middle of the meeting options panel and what you want to share with the class.

We’ve covered the topic of screen sharing on Zoom quite extensively in a separate article. So, be sure to check that out .

Related:   What Does Pin Video on Zoom Mean? Do They Know If You Pin a Video?

How to present a Powerpoint PPT in Zoom?

Microsoft Office suite is, without a doubt, the most widely-used presentation applications on the planet. It’s been on our computers for ages and it’s likely to stay put for a considerable amount of time.

With that said, Zoom doesn’t straight up give you the option to load the Microsoft Office component in the application. Still, there’s a pretty straightforward method of presenting in front of the class.

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You can achieve the desired results with the help of Zoom’s Screen Sharing feature — yes, the bit we covered in the previous section. It simply allows you to pick a window of your choice and share it with the class.

What’s even more awesome is that the participants could even pitch in and share their thoughts if they see fit. Alternatively, you can also share your entire desktop screen, which is the best way to get more screen real estate.

With the basics out of the way, let’s see how you can present a slide on Zoom.

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1. Create a separate slideshow window

If you have a traditional single-screen setup, this is the only guide you need to concern yourself with. The methodology is split into two bits — one: PowerPoint and two: Zoom.

First, open up Microsoft PowerPoint and pick the slide you want to share. Now, click on the ‘Slide show’ tab and hit ‘Set Up Slide Show.’

Then, select ‘Browsed by an individual (window)’ under ‘Show type.’ Hit ‘Ok’ to confirm.

Finally, switch to slide show mode by clicking on the ‘Slide Show’ tab and selecting either ‘From Beginning’ or ‘From Next Slide.’

This would open a slide show window, separately. If you do not want to show the slideshow in a separate window, all you have to do is skip the previous step — ‘Browsed by an individual (window)’

2. Present PPT on Zoom

Now, go back to your Zoom meeting and click on the ‘Share Screen’ option.

Now that the PPT has been launched in a separate window, you can easily select that window on the next screen and commence the slideshow. Click on ‘Share’ to begin.

Here’s how it’d look:

How to present using Google Slides on Zoom?

If Microsoft PowerPoint is a little too heavy for you, you could always opt for Google’s adequately powerful alternative called Slides. It allows you to create interesting yet simple presentations and share as you see fit. Of course, it also needs Zoom’s Screen Share feature to work as intended, which, at this point, should feel pretty natural to you.

Related: How to Mute on Zoom

1. Use Presenter View

Now, if you want a more immersive experience and also keep track of the notes you might have, we recommend using the ‘Presenter View.’ With the View enabled, Google Slides would create a separate window for all your notes, which only you’d be able to see. The main presentation window, on the other hand, would remain clutter-free and free from distractions.

To use the ‘Presenter View,’ first, you simply need to go to your presentation page, click on the little downward arrow right next to the ‘Present’ button at the top-right.

Now, hit ‘Presenter View.’

As soon as you click that button, you’ll get a separate space for all your notes, while another clean window would appear for slideshows.

2. Use Zoom to present

Now that the windows have been separated, you can easily use Zoom to present the slideshow window. While in a meeting, click on the ‘Share Screen’ button and select the browser window with Google Slides on top.

Finally, hit ‘Share’ to start the screen-sharing session.

Some tips for a successful presentation

As we’ve discussed, presenting is one of the most daunting tasks in the world for most, even virtually. The techy jargon often only adds to the tension, making many people dread the sessions, even when they are completely prepared. Below are some basic handy tips for your next presentation.

Related: How to annotate on Zoom

1. Master your craft

Knowing the material is always the best way to prepare for a hectic presentation. If you know what you’re presenting and have complete faith in the report, you’re ought to do exceptionally well. However, when it comes to Zoom presentations, knowing just the material isn’t enough. You also need to make sure all your components are in order and you’re presenting with confidence.

Try a couple of dry runs, see if your presentation is working just as it’s supposed to. Practice the pitch if you have to. Checking all of these boxes would improve your chances of success, remarkably.

2. Dress for the occasion

When you’re not forced to present in a swanky conference room, it’s not difficult to lose track of the dressing etiquette. However, you must remember the scale of your presentation and try your best to look the part. Wearing a perfectly ironed shirt and fitted trousers would not only impress your peers and superiors, but it’ll also instill a sense of confidence in you.

Related: How to see everyone on Zoom

3. Create a quiet environment

Zoom is quite capable of filtering some noise out of video chats. However, it doesn’t have the quality to cancel out everything you throw at it. So, before you start a video conferencing session and go about your presentation, make sure you’re in a relatively quiet environment. There can be a bit of noise, here and there, but make sure your subtle points aren’t drowned by some rogue barks from the street below.

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A mediocre engineer hoping to do something extraordinary with his pen (well, keyboard). Loves Pink Floyd, lives football, and is always up for a cup of Americano.

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8 tips on how to present over Zoom like a pro

Today, Zoom is a central part of the remote workplace. It and other video conference platforms are widely used for meetings, job interviews, webinars, and presentations.

In-person presentations can be stressful enough, and having to conduct them virtually can seem even more daunting. 

But it doesn't have to be that way. Our eight pro tips for presenting over Zoom may help you feel more prepared, comfortable, and confident. Read on to find out more. 

1. Plan out your Zoom background/location ahead of time.

You can use a location in your home or a virtual Zoom background. If you select a place in your house, make sure it is uncluttered and clean. A plain wall or shelves with neatly arranged books provide a professional setting. 

Consider lighting. Soft lighting placed in front of you illuminates you evenly; sitting in front of a window can cause glare and shadows.

Make sure your background doesn't distract from you and your presentation. You don't want your audience focusing on a family photo or the dishes in the sink.

2. Test your equipment before your presentation.

Your equipment can make or break your Zoom presentation. 

To avoid surprises, check your internet connection, plug in your laptop, and ensure that your camera angle is correct and that the microphone works. 

You can confirm your internet connection, audio, and visual with a Zoom test meeting . Using a hard-wired connection rather than wifi is the safer option. And closing any applications you won't need during the presentation can conserve bandwidth. 

Taking precautions can avoid or minimize frozen screens, views of the top of your head, dead batteries, and sound problems.

3. Put notes in the right place on your screen(s).

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You need your notes where you can see them, but you don't want to keep looking down or off to the side during your presentation. 

To combat this, you can use dual monitors . Position your presentation on one of them, visible to all, and your presenter's notes — plus the webcam you're using — on the other, visible only to you. 

Or you can present your slide show in a window and put a private view of your notes in another window on the same screen. Zoom provides step-by-step instructions for single and dual screens.

4. Practice Zoom presenting as if it were the real thing.

Zoom allows you to practice in the precise environment where you will be presenting. Set up your background, lighting, and screens as you will on presentation day. You can schedule a webinar practice session on Zoom and run through your presentation exactly as you will on the day. You can invite a friend to join you and offer feedback.

Practicing can make the difference between a smooth presentation or an awkward one. Rehearse as often as you can, and visit our page of public speaking tips . 

SEE: What tech jobs don't require public speaking?

5. Minimize clutter on your slides.

Slides are a key part of a virtual presentation and can help you and the audience stay on track. 

Slides should be easy to read and navigate. Avoid brightly colored backgrounds, complicated fonts, and too many graphics. 

Each slide should communicate one concept or idea. Avoid a long list of bullet points on a single slide.

While a slide with few words in readable, bolded font works fine, visuals like charts, maps, and illustrations or photos can be more effective and keep your audience engaged. 

6. Use easy-to-understand visuals.

Visuals liven up your Zoom presentation in ways words don't. Instead of a long list of numbers explaining company statistics, try a graph or pie chart. Visuals aid understanding and keep your audience interested. 

Explaining technical procedures with videos or illustrations rather than wordy descriptions alone enables you to show and tell. They also accommodate different learning styles within your audience.

Microsoft posts tutorials for incorporating visual elements into PowerPoint slides and inserting videos from the web or your computer .

7. Explain your agenda before you begin presenting.

Most people like to know what to expect when logging onto a meeting. Opening your presentation with a slide outlining your agenda sets the timeline for your meeting and reassures your audience. If you plan to allow audience interaction, make sure to highlight when and how in your agenda. 

You can list the points you're going to cover in your presentation on your slide(s) and/or use graphics. You can pose a question on a slide, then show how you plan to answer it. Starting off with a funny (but work-appropriate) photograph or illustration can put you and your audience at ease.

8. If appropriate, encourage your audience to interact.

Unless you have a good reason not to, encourage your audience to interact during or after your presentation. 

Some presenters ask participants to use Zoom's chat function for questions and pause the presentation periodically to answer them or wait until the end. Presenters can mute and unmute the audience and allow time for comments and questions that way. Zoom also allows for engagement through participant polls during the presentation

The size of your audience may dictate how you want to handle audience interaction.

Not allowing participant interaction risks losing your audience to their phones and other distractions.

In conclusion

The hardest part of presenting on Zoom may be the technology for some and the public speaking for others. We hope our tips help.

Online public speaking courses can help with anxiety and discomfort. Developing emotional intelligence skills can also benefit your Zoom presentations. 

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How to share PowerPoint presentations on Zoom

Published on March 1, 2023

A quality PowerPoint presentation can add immeasurably to an online meeting, so it’s essential to know how to share PowerPoint on Zoom . You can even check your notes while your meeting partners see your presentation. The only prerequisite is having permission to share your screen with the meeting. If you scheduled the meeting, then there’s no need to ask. But if it isn’t your meeting, you’ll need to ensure whoever called the meeting allows other participants to share their screens. Then follow the instructions below, and you can share your carefully constructed PowerPoint presentation over Zoom.

QUICK ANSWER

To share a PowerPoint presentation on Zoom, open your PowerPoint presentation and select the Slide Show tab. Start the slide show by clicking From Beginning. In Zoom, click the Share Screen button, and select the PowerPoint slideshow window. Click Share to begin sharing this window with the meeting.

KEY SECTIONS

How to present PowerPoint on Zoom with notes

First, open the presentation you want to share in PowerPoint and open the Slide Show tab. Click Set Up Slide Show.

The menu that comes up will let you set important parameters for your presentation. You can choose:

• Whether to present in a window or full-screen.
• Whether to operate the presentation manually or let it run automatically.
• Which monitor will have the presentation on it (for multiple-monitor setups.)

Set your preferences and click OK.

Next, open Zoom and either set up or join a meeting (again, make sure you have permission to share.) Click the Share Screen button at the bottom.

Use the menu that comes up to choose which window you want to share. You can also choose to share or not share audio in this window. Choose the PowerPoint window and click the blue Share button.

You will now be sharing your PowerPoint window with the meeting. Click one of the Begin Slide Show buttons in PowerPoint to begin your presentation.

At the top of the screen, there will be controls for screen sharing. When your slide show ends, click Stop Share to return to the meeting.

Presenting a PowerPoint presentation on Zoom works great with pre-recorded narrations. But what if you want to use your PowerPoint notes as you present live?

There are two situations to consider when you want to use your notes as you proceed through the slides in your presentation. One situation is when you have two monitors (a monitor and a projector), and the other is when you only have one screen.

With two monitors

It’s easy to see your notes when you have two screens to work with. Begin in PowerPoint by clicking Set Up Slide Show.

Set your show type to Presented by a speaker (full screen). Decide whether to advance through the slides manually or by using timings, and click OK. Now go to the Slide Show menu in PowerPoint and click the box that says Use Presenter View. Select the monitor to display the presentation in the drop-down box above it.

Now it’s time to start or join a Zoom meeting. When in the meeting, click Share Screen at the bottom.

From the menu of open windows on your computer that comes up, select the one named PowerPoint Slide Show .

You are now sharing one of your two screens with your Zoom meeting while, through your use of Presenter View, your other screen has your PowerPoint notes on each slide, controls for the presentation, a timer, and a preview of the next slide. It will look like this.

When your slide show has ended, you can use the End Slide Show control at the top of the page to return to your Zoom meeting. As you can see, using two monitors to share a PowerPoint presentation is convenient. But in a one-monitor situation, it can still be done.

With one monitor

To present with only one monitor and still have access to your PowerPoint speaker notes and controls, you will again use Presenter View, but differently. Start by opening Zoom, then continue by setting up your PowerPoint slide show to be full-screen.

Then start your slide show. It will begin in full screen.

In the lower left hand of the full-screen slide show, you will see a three-dot menu. Click the three dots, and a menu will come up. From that menu, select Show Presenter View.

Presenter View will now open in a separate window. Use Alt-Tab on your keyboard to navigate to Zoom, where you can start or join a meeting. When you’re in the meeting, click Share Screen.

From the window that opens, select the PowerPoint Slide Show window, and click the blue Share button.

You will now be sharing the full-screen presentation you started in PowerPoint with your Zoom meeting. Now use Alt-Tab again to navigate to the window whose name contains the words “PowerPoint Presenter View.” Use the sizing icon in the upper right to reduce the window size.

With the window reduced, you can see the full-screen slide show playing behind the Presenter View window while still having access to your notes and presentation controls.

If it’s your meeting, set up the PowerPoint presentation before the meeting’s start time for a more polished presentation so the invitees don’t see you setting up the slide show. If it’s someone else’s meeting, ask for permission to enter before they do, so you will have time to go through the abovementioned procedures.

Check out our list of the best PowerPoint tools and apps for Android for more presentation options on mobile.

Yes, they do. Since the presentation is still controlled by PowerPoint and merely shared over Zoom, all your animations, morphs, and transitions remain in your control.

The presentation can be as long as the meeting can be, which varies according to what Zoom plan you have.

To see your PowerPoint notes while presenting with one monitor on Zoom, you can use the Presenter View option in PowerPoint, which allows you to view your notes and presentation on separate screens. Open your PowerPoint presentation, and then click on the Slide Show tab at the top of the screen. Next, click the Presenter View button to display your presentation on one screen and your notes on the other. Then, start your Zoom meeting and share your screen with your presentation in Presenter View. This will enable you to see your notes and presentation simultaneously on Zoom.

Yes, you can share a PowerPoint on Zoom if you are not the host, as long as the host has permitted you to share your screen. Once you are in the meeting, click on the Share Screen button at the bottom of the screen and then select the PowerPoint window from the list of available options. This will share your PowerPoint presentation with the other participants in the Zoom meeting.

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How to zoom in on PowerPoint slides (3 different techniques)

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How do you zoom in on something in PowerPoint without PowerPoint first centering in on your slide?

This was a great question we got from subscriber Derek (thanks Derek!).

And it’s not so intuitive…

For example, let’s say you want to zoom in on a specific icon or two to edit them, like in the picture below. How do you do it without scrolling around, driving yourself crazy?

In this tutorial, you’ll learn 3 different ways to zoom in PowerPoint, plus a few sneaky places you might never have thought of zooming in PowerPoint before.

Looking for the NEW Zoom Transition?

If you want to learn all about the brand new Zoom Transition in PowerPoint that was added in 2016, see our other guide here .

The problem with the standard PowerPoint zoom

The problem with the standard PowerPoint zoom, is that PowerPoint automatically goes to the center of your slide as you zoom in.

The center zoom is great if the object that you want to edit is in the center of your slide, but if it’s not, that means you have to use the scroll bars to find what you are looking for.

The problem with the scroll bars is that they are hard to control, often jumping you over to the next slide as you try to find the object that you want to edit.

So instead of making your life easier (which is what they were designed to do), they make it harder.

3 Ways to Zoom in on an Object

There are three different ways you can zoom in on a PowerPoint slide:

• The View tab Zoom command (zoom dialog box)
• The Zoom slider at the bottom of the screen
• The CTRL + mouse spin wheel shortcut (my personal favorite because it’s universal, as you’ll see in a second)

If you are looking for the new zoom transition, you can learn more about what that is on the Microsoft blog here .

Pro Tip: Use the ‘Fit to Window’ tools

After zooming in on something in PowerPoint, you can quickly refit your PowerPoint window in one of two ways:

• ‘Fit slide to current window’ in the lower right-hand corner your screen
• ‘Fit to Window’ in the View tab

Zoom in on a Picture in PowerPoint

To zoom in a on a specific picture (or object) in PowerPoint, all you need to do is first select the object before you zoom. Once you select an object, any of the 3 zoom methods described above will zoom you specifically in on the object:

• The zoom dialog box
• The zoom slider
• Using CTRL plus your mouse spin wheel

This zoom trick works on anything that you can select in PowerPoint, including zooming in on a table, zooming in on a chart, zooming in on a text box, etc.

Note:  If you are trying to zoom in on a picture to show a specific part of it, you can also just crop your picture down to the desired piece.

To learn all about how to crop pictures in PowerPoint,  read our step-by-step guide here .

If you have multiple objects that you want to zoom into and edit in PowerPoint, the fastest way to do that is to:

• Select and zoom in on your first object
• Edit or format your first object
• Hit Fit Slide to Current Window
• Select and zoom in on your second object
• Edit or format your second object

If you have more than two objects, you can continue zooming in and out of your slide in this way to make all of your adjustments.

PowerPoint Thumbnail Zoom

Besides zooming in on a slide while editing it, you can also use the CTRL + mouse spin wheel shortcut to zoom in on the thumbnail images of your PowerPoint slides on the left.

Zooming in on the thumbnail images allows you to control how much of your presentation you see, and how much slide editing space you give yourself on the right.

Zooming in allows you to get a big thumbnail image of each of the preceding and following slides, while zooming out gives you an idea of how many slides are in your presentation.

Slide Sorter View Zoom

Another place you can zoom in PowerPoint to see the overall flow of your presentation, is Slide Sorter View. To open the Slide Sorter View, simply click the slide Sorter  command at the bottom of your screen.

All three zoom methods work in the Slide Sorter View:

Zooming in and out of the Slide Sorter View is useful when you want to see the overall flow of your slides within your presentation at varying levels of detail.

Slide Show View zoom

Two other places you can zoom in PowerPoint are the Slide Show Mode (F5) and Presenter View (SHIFT + F5) of your presentation. To see these PowerPoint shortcuts in action, check out the video below.

Start Slide Show PowerPoint Shortcuts

There are four keyboard shortcuts for starting slide show in PowerPoint:

Once you are in one of the presentation views of your slides, you can zoom in or zoom out by either using the CTRL + mouse spin wheel shortcut (if you have a mouse), or you can use the keyboard shortcuts listed below.

• Zooming in allows you to focus on a specific section of your slide (focusing your audience’s attention on that section).
• Zooming out allows you to see all the slides in your presentation as thumbnails.

This is often an easier way to navigate the slides in your presentation if someone wants to go back and see something, rather than trying to remember where it was in your presentation.

Knowing how to properly zoom in and out of the objects you want to edit in PowerPoint will save you a ton of time.

The key to remember is that PowerPoint will use the object you have selected as the focal point of your zoom.

If you enjoyed this tutorial and want to learn more about our other PowerPoint tutorials and free resources,  visit us here .

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How to add section and slide zooms in microsoft powerpoint.

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10 beautiful old games that will put your new pc through its paces, beyond pixel 9: here's what to expect from made by google 2024, quick links, create a section zoom in powerpoint, create a slide zoom in powerpoint, customize a section or slide zoom.

If you want to move to a different slide or section in your presentation, you can easily add a link on your slide . But by using a Section or Slide Zoom in PowerPoint, you can make that move look professional.

In Microsoft PowerPoint, a Section or Slide Zoom places an image on your slide instead of linked text. In addition, when you click to visit that section or slide, you'll see a nice zoom effect. You can customize the displayed image, duration of the zoom effect, and additional actions.

As of this writing at the beginning of April 2022, you can create a Section or Slide Zoom on Windows with Microsoft 365 and in PowerPoint 2019 or later. For Mac and mobile PowerPoint users, you can play a Zoom, but not create one.

Using sections in PowerPoint is a good way to divide your presentation into separate portions. Whether you use it to organize your slideshow or show only particular sections to certain audiences, sections are handy tools.

Related: How to Organize a Microsoft PowerPoint Slideshow Using Sections

To create a Section Zoom, you'll need your sections set up ahead of time. When you're ready, go to the slide where you want to add the Section Zoom.

Head to the Insert tab and Links section of the ribbon. Click the Zoom drop-down arrow and pick "Section Zoom."

In the Insert Section Zoom window that appears, check the box next to the section you want to use. You can also include zooms for multiple sections. Click "Insert."

You'll see the Section Zoom pop onto your slide. It's similar in appearance to a static image of the first slide in that section. You can move the zoom by selecting and dragging it or resize it by dragging a corner or edge.

When you present the slideshow, click the Section Zoom. You'll see the zoom effect as you land on the first slide in that section. By default, you'll advance through each slide in the section and return to the zoom. This can be changed as described in the customization options below.

Similar to a Section Zoom in PowerPoint is the Slide Zoom. If you don't use sections in your slideshow or simply want the ability to jump to a certain slide , this is the way to go.

Related: How to Link to Another Slide in the Same PowerPoint Presentation

Go to the slide where you want the Slide Zoom. Then, head to the Insert tab and Links section of the ribbon. Click the Zoom drop-down arrow and pick "Slide Zoom."

In the Insert Slide Zoom window that opens, check the box next to the slide you want to use. You can also include zooms for multiple slides; however, you might consider using a Summary Zoom in this case instead. Click "Insert."

Like the Section Zoom, you'll see the Slide Zoom on your slide where you can drag to move or resize it.

When you present the slideshow, click the Slide Zoom. You'll see the zoom effect as you land on the slide. You'll then advance through the remainder of your slideshow. However, you can return to the zoom if you prefer using a customization option below.

The customization options for Section and Slide Zooms are the same. You can adjust the zoom's actions, change the appearance, or use additional formatting tools .

Zoom Options

Select the Section or Slide Zoom you want to edit. Then, visit the Zoom tab that displays. On the left side, you have the following actions you can adjust in the Zoom Options section.

Change Image : If you prefer to display an image rather than the slide for the zoom, select this option. You can then insert a picture from a file, stock images, online pictures, or from icons.

Return to Zoom : To go back to the zoom on the slide, check this box. For a Section Zoom, you'll return after advancing to the last slide in the section. For a Slide Zoom, you'll return after viewing that particular slide.

Zoom Transition : While the intent of a Section or Slide Zoom is to provide a transition effect, you may prefer to use the feature without that effect. Uncheck the Zoom Transition box to remove the effect.

Duration : If you decide to keep the Zoom Transition , you can use the Duration field to change the length of the effect. Enter a number in seconds or use the arrows to increase or decrease the duration.

Related: How to Use the Morph Transition in PowerPoint

Zoom Tab Tools

Along with the above actions, you can change the zoom style, border, background, alt text, and more. Select the Section or Slide Zoom and use the tools on the Zoom tab.

Zoom Format Options

To change the fill or line, add a shadow or reflection, or scale the zoom, right-click and pick "Zoom Format Options" from the menu. The Format Section/Slide Zoom sidebar opens for you to adjust the formatting.

For a unique way to jump to a particular section or different slide in your PowerPoint presentation, check out the Section and Slide Zoom features.

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How to deliver impactful virtual presentations.

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Delivering presentations is a powerful way to stand out at work. While presenting, especially via Zoom, can be daunting, mastering this skill can be a game-changer for your career. By delivering compelling presentations, you not only get noticed but also make a significant deposit in your personal brand bank. Here are eight tips to help you create presentations that are magnetic, mesmerizing, and memorable.

1. Grab ’Em From The Get-Go

First impressions are crucial due to a cognitive bias known as primacy, which means we form lasting opinions based on initial experiences. Start your presentation with something unexpected, interesting, and fun—like a riddle, quiz, inspiring video, or special guest. This sets the tone and signals to your audience that this presentation will be unique and engaging. Remember, if you don’t capture their attention from the start, you may lose them entirely.

2. Profit From The Power Of Three

Renowned keynote speakers and marketers often use the psychological power of three because it's a potent tool for making information memorable and easy to digest. Structure your content into three key themes or segments. One effective approach is Aristotle's triptych: tell your audience what you're going to tell them, tell them, and then tell them what you told them. This repetition reinforces your message and ensures it sticks.

3. Increase Interaction

In virtual presentations, multitasking by the audience is your biggest nemesis. To combat this, incorporate interactive elements like word clouds, hand-raising, chats, whiteboards, or contests. Tools like PollEverywhere , Slido , and Mentimeter can help keep your audience engaged and focused, reducing the temptation to multitask.

4. Supersize Your Slides

For online presentations, it's crucial to ensure your slides are easily readable on all devices, including mobile phones. Use large font sizes (32 pt. or higher) and limit your text to 12 words or fewer per slide. Prioritize visuals and videos, which are more engaging than text alone. Platforms like Unsplash and Pexels offer a wealth of free images to enhance your slides.

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5. Vivify With Video

Incorporate short, impactful videos to add energy and reinforce your message. YouTube has a vast array of content on almost any topic. Choose videos that are both entertaining and relevant, keeping them brief (1-2 minutes) to maintain engagement without distracting from your presentation.

6. Make Mixed Media Your Mantra

Avoid monotony to keep your audience attentive. Vary the content, format, and medium of your presentation. Use pattern interrupts like animated GIFs or sound effects to re-engage your audience and prevent them from zoning out.

7. Say It With Stories

Stories are an incredibly effective tool for engagement. Neuroscience shows that storytelling can boost audience retention by up to 65-70%, compared to just 5-10% for facts alone. Personal stories, in particular, help build a connection with your audience, making your message more meaningful and memorable.

8. Exude Emotion

While facts and data lend credibility to your presentation, emotions create lasting impressions. As Maya Angelou famously said, "People will forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel." Infuse your presentation with emotion to add a personal touch and foster a stronger connection with your audience. Before you start, ask yourself: How do I want my audience to feel after my presentation?

By incorporating these fun and engaging techniques, you can transform your online presentations into magnetic, mesmerizing and memorable experiences, enhancing your personal brand along the way.

William Arruda is a keynote speaker, author, and personal branding pioneer. Join him as he discusses strategies for delivering powerful presentations alongside Executive Coach Deborah Grayson Riegel in Maven’s complimentary Lightning Lesson on August 16th.

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Roblox, The Olympics, and PowerPoint Parties

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Have smartphones had a significant impact on your relationship with your teen, for better or worse? We’re working on a special project and would love to  hear your story here ! Meanwhile, kicking us off this week:

Slang of the Week: “Brother Ew!”

Less of a slang and more of a trending phrase, “brother ew” has become a staple sound on TikTok over the last few months. The phrase is used to express disgust at something, which gives it a wide range of uses, from the gross antics of a pet to your  friend’s taste  in romantic partners. In face-to-face interactions, it’s an easy, lighthearted way to poke fun at your friends or some situation you find yourself in. The sound itself comes from a sermon by controversial Islamic preacher Mohamed Hoblos, but at this point, the sound has grown beyond its source.

Three Big Conversations

1. not impressed.

What it is: “ Dress to Impress ” (DTI) is a Roblox game that Gen Alpha loves to play and Gen Z loves to criticize. How it’s played:  After “Dress to Impress” players vote on a theme for the round, they have five minutes to collect clothes and accessories from a gigantic dressing room to assemble an outfit. Once time is called, the avatars strut down a runway and players vote for each other to decide who nailed (“slayed”) the theme best. Some of the more memorable poses and makeup looks have also been recreated in social media posts. Gen Alpha typically plays the game in earnest, putting together an on-theme look that meets contest criteria, while Gen Z will often add a layer of irony or dark humor to the runway contest. [For more about Roblox, check out our  7 Minute video ]. Continue the conversation:  Have you heard of the game “Dress to Impress”?

2. PowerPoint Parties

What it is: For Gen Z, PowerPoint presentations have become a primary part of many social gatherings. Why teens are doing it:  During the pandemic, sharing slideshows over Zoom about favorite hobbies, habits, or just something you know a lot about seemed like as good of a way as any to spend time. But long after pandemic restrictions have ended, the PowerPoint or “presentation”  party  remains  a Gen Z favorite. For someone with social anxiety, the idea of having to give a presentation at a party may sound like a nightmare, and others may not feel like having to do homework before they hang out. But using “professional” software to talk about dating mishaps (or whatever the chosen theme is) can be very funny, and some find that it gives a unique opportunity to showcase creativity and humor. Continue the conversation:  Do you think everyone having to do a PowerPoint presentation would make a party more fun or less?

3. The Olympics in Memes

What it is: The Paris 2024 Summer Olympics come to a close this weekend, and the games have given the world heroes, controversies, and lots of great memes. What the internet has been talking about:  When pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik secured bronze for U.S. Men’s Gymnastics team, his nerdy persona and the fact he seemed to be  sleeping mid-competition  instantly became internet gold. And for a second, the laissez-faire and nonchalant attitude of Turkish pistol sharpshooter  Yusef Dikec  was all anyone was talking about. It seemed like anywhere you looked online, people were talking about the Olympics, and, from chocolate muffin bandits to an Italian gymnast being sponsored by parmesan (yes, the cheese), the conversation and memes were often  fun and lighthearted . For some, conversations like these provided a break from thinking about politics, wildfires, and global conflicts. But of course, that’s only part of the story.

Let’s go deeper on this one…

Running the race.

The 2024 Summer Olympics were not without controversy. When it appeared that a group of drag queens were mocking Da Vinci’s The Last Supper , people were incensed and conversations about religious respect and sensitivity rose to the surface. When it came out that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif failed a gender eligibility test, conversations about gender and sports took center stage.

As Christian parents and trusted adults, cultural moments like these can remind us just how complicated discipling the next generation can be—and also how important it is. Yet for those with eyes to see, the Olympics can also provide a prime example of the sort of discipline it takes to follow Jesus.

It’s not too much of a stretch to argue that the Apostle Paul would have loved the Olympics. One of his favorite literary strategies was to compare following Jesus to  athletic endeavors . In his first letter to the  Corinthians , he says that the sort of discipline athletes demonstrate is vital to his spiritual walk and his ministry. As Paul discipled his protégé Timothy, he encouraged him in the  same way .

It wasn’t an accident that Stephen Nedoroscik became good enough to compete at an Olympic level at pommel horse. Katie Ledecky didn’t wake up one day and suddenly become the most dominant 1500-meter swimmer the world has ever seen. No, their effort, their discipline, and their sacrifice helped lead to their success. In the same way, Paul knew that loving Jesus in a world that doesn’t necessarily share that love would require discipline, self-control, and endurance.

A relationship with Jesus requires effort. So maybe as parents and trusted adults, we can take some discipling classes from Paul, who encouraged Timothy to treat his faith like an athlete would their competition. In a world that can treat faith as a side tangent or even something to be mocked, how powerful could it be to work at it with discipline, to run in such a way that we can look back at our time on earth and  be proud .

For a full “translation” of everything in this issue, check out our Monday Roundtable podcast on  Spotify  or  Apple . In the meantime, here are three questions to spark conversation with your teens:

• What have you enjoyed about the Olympics?
• Is there anything about the Olympics you find inspiring?
• Are there any areas of your life where you wish you had more self-control?

Parenting together,

The Axis Team

PS:  This week we reposted an interview with the late Dr. Tim Keller on Freedom, Purpose, and the Love of God. Check it out  here !

Related Resources

Deadpool, wolverine, and candy salad.

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Being BRAT and Olympic Athletes

July 26, 2024

Aura Points and The Broccoli Perm

July 19, 2024

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• Call and meeting quality
• Meeting attendance reports
• Using the lobby
• Meeting options
• Record a meeting
• Meeting recap
• Play and share a meeting recording
• Delete a recording
• Edit or delete a transcript
• Customize access to recordings or transcripts
• Switch to town halls
• Get started
• Schedule a live event
• Invite attendees
• organizer checklist
• For tier 1 events
• Produce a live event
• Produce a live event with Teams Encoder
• Best practices
• Moderate a Q&A
• Allow anonymous presenters
• Attendee engagement report
• Recording and reports
• Attend a live event in Teams
• Participate in a Q&A
• Use live captions
• Schedule a webinar
• Customize a webinar
• Publicize a webinar
• Manage webinar registration
• Manage what attendees see
• Change webinar details
• Manage webinar emails
• Cancel a webinar
• Manage webinar recordings
• Webinar attendance report
• Get started with town hall
• Attend a town hall
• Schedule a town hall
• Customize a town hall
• Host a town hall
• Use RTMP-In
• Town hall insights
• Manage town hall recordings
• Cancel a town hall
• Can't join a meeting
• Camera isn't working
• Microphone isn't working
• My speaker isn’t working
• Breakout rooms issues
• Immersive spaces issues
• Meetings keep dropping

Present content in Microsoft Teams meetings

When working remotely in Microsoft Teams, you can present content by sharing your screen, your entire desktop, a PowerPoint file, and more.

Start presenting content

Note:  If you're using Teams on the web, you'll be able to share your screen only if you're using Google Chrome or the latest version of Microsoft Edge. Screen sharing isn't available for Linux users.

When you're done sharing, select Stop sharing in your meeting controls. 

To turn off screensharing if your screen locks:

Turn the  Turn off my camera and mic when my screen locks toggle on.

Restart Teams to activate this setting.

Presenter controls

While you're sharing content, use the controls in the presenter toolbar to keep your presentation engaging and running smoothly. The presenter toolbar is only visible to the person presenting.

To bring the presenter toolbar onscreen:

The toolbar will stay in place for a few seconds until you're done adjusting the controls. Then, it'll disappear from view.

Move the presenter toolbar 

To keep the presenter toolbar from blocking important content on your screen, move it to any area on the screen you're sharing.

To move the presenter toolbar:

Drag it anywhere on your screen.

Release the drag handle when you've placed it in the right area.

Tip:  You can also move the toolbar by clicking and holding any area on the toolbar that isn't interactive (e.g., in between presenter controls) and dragging it.

Control your camera and mic

Give and take control of shared content

Give control.

If you want another meeting participant to change a file, help you present, or demonstrate something, you can give control to that person. While someone has control, they can make selections, edits, and other modifications to the shared screen.

You'll both be in control of the sharing, and you can take back control anytime.

Caution:  When you’re sharing an app, only give control to people you trust . People you give control can send commands that could affect your system or other apps. We've taken steps to prevent this but haven't tested every possible system customization.

Start sharing your screen.

Select the person you want to give control to. Teams will notify them that you’re sharing control.

Select Take back  to take back control.

Take control 

To take control while another person is sharing:

Select Request control . The person sharing can approve or deny your request.

Make selections, edits, and other modifications to the shared screen while you have control.

Select Release control to stop sharing control.

Sharing computer sound lets you stream audio from your computer to meeting participants through Teams. You can use it to play a video or audio clip as part of a presentation.

To learn more, see  Share sound from your computer in a Teams meeting or live event .

All sound from your computer, including notifications, will be audible in the meeting.

Optimize for video

Prevent choppiness or lag when you're sharing high-motion content by optimizing video.

To optimize video, select Optimize  in your presenter toolbar. 

Change your layout

When you're sharing content, you can choose from several different layouts to help make your presentation more engaging. 

To change your layout while you're sharing your screen:

Turn your camera on.

Select the layout you want to use:

Content only : Participants will see the content you're sharing in the main Teams window. They'll still be able to see your video feed next to the content.

Standout : This produces an effect on your background that blocks it and helps you stand out in your video feed.

Side-by-side : This view will place you and another participant side-by-side in the meeting window. This helps draw focus to you and other participants who are speaking during the meeting.

Reporter : This layout isolates you from your video feed and places you in front of the content you're sharing, just like a reporter in front of a scene.

Annotate content

To learn more, see Use annotation while sharing your screen in Microsoft Teams .

View participants

After you start presenting, a minimized view of the meeting window will appear next to your shared content. 

Stop sharing

Select Stop sharing in the presenter toolbar to stop sharing your screen and return to the main Teams meeting window.

Share content on a Mac

If you're using a Mac, you'll need to grant permission to Teams to record your computer's screen before you can share. 

You'll be prompted to grant permission the first time you try to share your screen. Select Open System Preferences from the prompt. If you miss the prompt, you can do this anytime by going to Apple Menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security .

Under Screen & System Audio Recording , make sure the toggle next to  Microsoft Teams is turned on.

Go back to your meeting and try sharing your screen again.

Note:  If you're using Teams on the web, make sure you've also granted screen recording permission to your browser.

Zoom in to shared content

To get a better look at shared content, click and drag it to see different areas. To zoom into or out of content someone's sharing during a meeting or call, use the buttons at the lower left of your meeting window: [+] to zoom in and [-] to zoom out. You can also try the following:

Pinch in or out on your trackpad.

Use Teams keyboard shortcuts .

Hold the Ctrl  key and scroll with your mouse.

Note:  Mac trackpads don't support zoom in meetings. If you're on a Mac, use one of the other options. If you're using Linux, giving and taking control of shared content isn't available at this time.

Open shared content in new window

Expand your view by opening shared content in a separate window during your Teams meetings.

To open shared content:

Join your meeting from Teams for desktop .

To minimize content, select X  to close the window.

Share content

To share content from your mobile device:

Tap Stop presenting  or Stop sharing when you're done. 

Tip:  To go forward and back in a PowerPoint presentation, swipe in the direction you'd like to go, or tap the forward and back buttons on the bottom of your screen.

Note:  If your role changes from presenter to attendee during a meeting and you're presenting, screensharing will stop.

Zoom in to shared content 

Want to get a better look at shared content?

Pinch in or out to zoom, and tap and drag to see different areas.

Note:  Zoom isn't currently supported when you're sharing photos and videos.

Minimize shared content

You may want to minimize the content someone is sharing in order to better see the people in the meeting on your mobile device. Here's how:

Tap  Minimize content from the menu

This will give you a better look at more of the people in the meeting. You'll still see the shared content on the lower portion of your screen.

Use your phone as a companion device in a meeting

Join a meeting on more than one device for more collaboration and content-sharing options.

If you're already in a meeting on your laptop, for example, you can add your phone as a companion device to present files, share live video, and much more. Any device with the Teams mobile app can be added as a companion device—just make sure the devices you're using are signed in to the same Teams account.

There's a lot you can do when you add a companion device to your meeting experience:

Use mobile video to show things that are out of view for remote participants.

Take a photo to share with everyone or pick one from your camera roll.

Use your phone to control a presentation.

Share your mobile screen.

If you can see it on your phone, you can share it in the meeting!

Tip:  For more details, see Join a Teams meeting on a second device .

Add a companion device to a meeting

Open Teams on your mobile phone when you're already in a meeting on another device.

You'll see a message near the top of your screen informing you that you're currently in a meeting on another device, and asking if you want to join it on this one, too. Tap  Join .

You'll then see two options: Add this device , and Transfer to this device . Tap  Add this device .

If you join this way, we'll mute your companion device's mic and speaker to avoid causing an echo effect.

When you're ready to share something from the companion device, tap Start presenting at the bottom of the screen. On your other device, you'll be able to see what you're sharing, just like everyone else in the meeting.

When you're finished, tap  Stop presenting , or simply hang up. Your other device will still be connected to the meeting.

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