Speaker notes go in a separate panel below each slide, not on the slide itself

Speaker notes in PowerPoint are text you write for yourself — they appear on your screen during a presentation but not on the projected slide. You add them in the Notes section, which sits below the slide editing area. This panel is hidden by default, so your first step is to make it visible.

The location and name of this panel changes slightly between PowerPoint on Windows, Mac, and the web version, but the concept is the same: you click to open a notes area, type what you want to remember, and those words stay private to you while you present.

Key Takeaways

  • Speaker notes appear only on your screen during a presentation, not on the projected slide that your audience sees.
  • You access the notes panel by switching to Notes Page view or by opening the notes pane below your slide in Normal view.
  • Notes can include talking points, statistics you want to cite exactly, reminders about timing, or cues to advance to the next slide.
  • If you are presenting on a different computer than the one you created the file on, test that your notes appear before you present.

Opening the notes panel in PowerPoint on Windows

In PowerPoint on Windows, the notes panel is easiest to access from the View tab. Click the View tab at the top of the screen, then look for the Notes button in the toolbar. Click it, and PowerPoint switches to Notes Page view — a layout where your slide appears at the top and a large text box below it is where you type your notes.

If you prefer to keep the slide larger and see the notes in a smaller panel underneath, you can stay in Normal view instead. Look for the Notes pane at the bottom of the screen — if you do not see it, click View, then click Notes Pane. A thin panel will appear below your slide. Click inside it and start typing.

The Notes Pane method is faster if you are switching between slides often, because you do not have to change views each time. Notes Page view gives you more room to write if you have lengthy notes for a single slide.

Opening the notes panel in PowerPoint on Mac

On Mac, click the View tab, then select Notes Page from the menu. This shows your slide at the top and a notes area below it. Type directly into the notes area under your slide.

If you want a smaller notes panel that stays visible while you work, click View and look for Notes Pane. A panel will open at the bottom of your screen. Click inside it and type your notes for the current slide.

Adding notes in PowerPoint online

PowerPoint online (the version you use in a web browser) has a notes feature, but it is less obvious than the desktop versions. Click the View menu at the top, then select Notes. The screen will split — your slide on the left and a notes area on the right.

Type your notes in the right panel. When you are done, click View again and select Normal to return to the standard editing view. Your notes are saved automatically to your file.

What to write in your speaker notes

Speaker notes work best when they are specific reminders rather than a full script. Write the exact statistic you need to cite, the name you might forget, or the transition you want to make. If you write out every word you plan to say, you will be tempted to read from the notes instead of looking at your audience.

Common things to include: a key statistic with its source, a quote you want to cite word-for-word, a reminder to pause or ask a question, the timing for a section (for example, "spend 3 minutes here"), or a note about what happens next ("show the video now"). Keep each note short — one or two sentences per slide is usually enough.

If you are presenting with a co-presenter, you can use notes to coordinate. Write "Sarah talks here" or "pause for questions" so both of you know what is coming.

Viewing your notes while you present

When you start a slideshow, PowerPoint automatically shows your notes on your screen (the one you are looking at) while your audience sees only the slide. This works on Windows and Mac when you present from the same computer you created the file on.

If you are presenting from a different computer, you need to test this before you present. Open your file on the presentation computer, start the slideshow, and check that your notes appear on your screen. Some meeting rooms have the presenter view set up differently, so testing takes two minutes and saves you from a surprise during the presentation.

On a Mac, if your notes do not appear during the slideshow, go to Slide Show in the menu bar, click Set Up Show, and make sure Presenter View is checked. On Windows, right-click the slide during the slideshow and select Show Presenter View if it is not already on.

Printing your notes or sharing them with others

If you want a printed copy of your notes, click File, then Print. In the print settings, look for a dropdown that says Print Layout or Settings. Select Notes Pages — this prints each slide with its notes below it on the same page.

If you want to share your notes with someone else (a co-presenter or a colleague who is reviewing your work), you can export them as a document. The easiest way is to copy your notes from the Notes pane, paste them into a Word document or Google Doc, and share that file. Your notes stay in your PowerPoint file and do not appear on the slides your audience sees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my audience see my speaker notes?

No. Speaker notes appear only on your screen during a presentation. They do not show on the projected slide or on any screen your audience is watching. If you want your audience to see certain information, put it on the slide itself, not in the notes.

What if I forget to open the notes pane before I start presenting?

You can open Presenter View during the slideshow. On Windows, right-click the slide and select Show Presenter View. On Mac, press the Option key and click the slide. Your notes will appear on your screen from that point forward.

Do my notes transfer if I open the file on a different computer?

Yes. Your notes are saved inside the PowerPoint file itself. When you open the file on any other computer, the notes come with it. However, test that Presenter View is turned on before you present, because some computers have different default settings.

Can I use speaker notes on a phone or tablet?

PowerPoint on mobile devices does not show speaker notes during a presentation. If you need to present from a phone or tablet, you will need a second device (like a laptop) to see your notes, or you can print them and hold them in your hand.

How do I delete notes I no longer need?

Click in the notes pane for the slide you want to clear, select all the text (Ctrl+A on Windows, Command+A on Mac), and press Delete. The notes disappear but the slide stays. You can also edit notes the same way you would edit any text — click, select the part you want to change, and type over it.