Where to find the notes section in PowerPoint

PowerPoint has a notes section built into every slide — a space below the slide itself where you can type reminders, talking points, or details you don't want visible to your audience. On Windows, click the Notes button in the bottom right corner of the screen, or go to the View tab and select Notes Page. On Mac, go to View and choose Notes Page.

Once you're in Notes view, you'll see your slide at the top and a large text box below it. Click in that text box and start typing. Everything you write there stays on your computer — it won't show up on the projector or in a shared slideshow unless you specifically print the notes or share them with someone else.

If you prefer to keep notes visible while you present, PowerPoint also has a presenter view that shows your notes on your screen only while the audience sees just the slide. This is especially useful if you're presenting from a laptop connected to a projector.

Key Takeaways

  • Notes appear below each slide in Notes Page view and won't show to your audience during a presentation.
  • You can type reminders, statistics, or talking points in the notes section for any slide.
  • Presenter view displays your notes on your computer screen while the audience sees only the slide.
  • Notes can be printed alongside slides or shared with others who need to see your preparation work.
  • You can switch between normal view and notes view without affecting your actual presentation.

Using presenter view to see notes while you present

Presenter view is the most practical way to use notes during a live presentation. When you start the slideshow, your screen shows your current slide, your notes, a preview of the next slide, and a timer — while your audience sees only the slide itself. To turn on presenter view, go to Slide Show (Windows) or Presentation (Mac) and check the box for Use Presenter View. Then start your slideshow normally by pressing F5 or clicking From Beginning.

On a Mac, presenter view turns on automatically when you connect an external display or projector. On Windows, you may need to go into Slide Show Settings and make sure Show Presenter View is enabled. If you're presenting on a single monitor without a projector, you can still use presenter view — it will split your screen so you see the notes while the audience sees the slide on a second monitor or TV.

If presenter view isn't working, check that your display settings recognize two separate screens. Some laptops need you to go to Settings > System > Display and confirm that a second display is detected before PowerPoint will set up presenter view.

What to write in your notes for different presentation types

Your notes should match how you actually present. If you read from a script, write out the full text you plan to say. If you speak from bullet points, jot down three to five key phrases per slide. If you're presenting data, include the exact numbers or sources you might need to reference — especially if the slide itself shows only a chart or graph.

For a sales pitch, notes might include objections you've heard before and how you've answered them. For a training session, notes could list common questions or examples you've used in the past. For an academic presentation, notes are the place to put citations, definitions, or context that supports what's on the slide but would clutter it visually.

Keep notes brief enough that you can glance at them without losing your place. If your notes are longer than a paragraph per slide, you're probably trying to read them word-for-word — which usually means your slides need more text, or you need to practice more before presenting.

Printing notes with your slides

If you want a physical copy of your slides with notes attached, go to File > Print. Under Print Layout, select Notes Pages instead of Slides. This prints one slide per page with your notes below it — useful for handouts you give to your audience or for your own reference after the presentation.

You can also print just the notes without the slides. In the same Print menu, look for Outline View or Notes as a layout option, depending on your version. This gives you a text-only document of everything you've written, which some people prefer for studying or sharing with colleagues who don't need to see the slides themselves.

Before printing, check your print preview to make sure the notes are readable. If your notes are very long, they may be cut off or printed in tiny text. Adjust your notes or your print settings before sending to the printer.

Sharing notes with your team or audience

If you want to share your presentation with notes included, save it as a PDF with notes. Go to File > Export As > Create PDF, then choose Notes Pages as the layout. This creates a PDF file that shows each slide with your notes below it — anyone can open it and see both the slide and your preparation work.

You can also share the PowerPoint file itself with colleagues who need to see your notes. When they open the file, they can switch to Notes Page view and read everything you've written. This is common in workplaces where multiple people present the same deck or where you're handing off a presentation to someone else to deliver.

If you're sharing with an audience, consider whether your notes contain anything you don't want them to see — internal comments, reminders about difficult questions, or notes about which slides to skip. You can delete sensitive notes before sharing, or straightforward share only the PDF of slides without the notes option selected.

Switching between views without losing your notes

You can move between Normal view, Notes Page view, and Outline view without affecting your notes or your presentation. Click the view buttons in the bottom right corner of the screen, or use the View tab at the top. Your notes stay attached to each slide no matter which view you're in.

If you accidentally delete notes, you can undo the change by pressing Ctrl+Z (Windows) or Command+Z (Mac) when ready. If you've closed the file, the notes are gone — PowerPoint doesn't keep a backup of deleted notes. Save your file regularly if you're working on detailed notes, especially before making big changes.

Some people keep notes in a separate document instead of in PowerPoint itself — a Word file or Google Doc that they reference while presenting. This works fine if you prefer that workflow, but PowerPoint's built-in notes are simpler if you want everything in one file.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my audience see my notes during a presentation?

No. Notes only appear on your computer screen in presenter view or when you print them. During a normal slideshow, your audience sees only the slide itself. The notes are completely hidden unless you specifically share them or print them with the slides.

What if I don't have a second monitor for presenter view?

You can still use presenter view on a single screen — it will show your notes and slide preview on your laptop while a projector or TV displays only the slide. If you're presenting without any external display, you can read your notes on your laptop screen between slides, but you won't see them while the slide is showing to the audience.

Can I edit notes after I've started presenting?

Not while the slideshow is running. You can pause the presentation, go back to edit mode, add or change notes, and then resume. Most presenters don't do this — it's better to practice with your notes beforehand so you're not making changes during the presentation itself.

Do notes take up extra file size?

Yes, but not much. Notes add a small amount to your file size, usually just a few kilobytes unless you've written very long notes on every slide. If you're emailing a presentation and file size is a concern, you can delete notes before sending, or save a version without them.

Can I use notes in PowerPoint Online?

Yes. In PowerPoint Online, click the Notes button at the bottom of the screen to open the notes pane. You can type and edit notes the same way as in the desktop version, though presenter view works differently — you'll see notes on your screen, but you need to be careful about what's visible to others if you're sharing your screen.