Cool PowerPoint Tricks: Write on Your Slides During your Presentation

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Sometimes you want to capture the audience’s responses in writing for all to see, but using a flipchart just isn’t practical. Like in a room of 200 people. Or on a webinar. Or when you’re presenting in a place where it’s considered uncouth to come out from behind the podium.

Here is one simple way to turn a projector screen and an LCD projector into a giant piece of flipchart paper:

1. Open PowerPoint and start a new file (or go to the slide on which you’d like to capture responses in writing).

2. Click on the Developer tab

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3. Select the Text Box (from the Controls menu)

Cool_PPT_Tips_(2)

4. Insert a Text Box where you’d like to record comments and/or write on your slide

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That’s it. When you go to Presentation mode and come to this slide, you can ask your audience for their thoughts and type everything they say in this box, on the screen, in the moment. It’s a simple, quick and easy way to allow your audience to interact with you and your slides during a presentation.

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Never want to miss out on tips to make your presentations more engaging? Hit the FOLLOW button at the top of the screen!

Interested in other PowerPoint-related topics? Try these articles:

  1. Create a Family Feud-like Game
  2. Trick out your next PowerPoint presentation
  3. Is your PowerPoint any good?
  4. Amazing examples of PowerPoint presentations
  5. More amazing examples of PowerPoint presentations

Named a 2011 Top Young Trainer by Training Magazine, Brian Washburn has been working in the fields of instructional design and adult learning for over 14 years.

Currently, Brian leads the incredible team at Endurance Learning. He previously served as the Global Training & Development Manager for SightLife and as the National Training Director for the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association. Brian has developed and delivered training workshops at local, state, regional, national and international events including the ASTD TechKnowledge Conference.

Brian also spend time as the mascot at The George Washington University and for the (now defunct) Washington Wart Hogs professional indoor soccer team.

The Train Like a Champion blog combines Brian’s passion for high performance and results oriented training with his passion for sports. After all, high performing presenters, facilitators and educators have a lot in common with high performing athletes.

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15 thoughts on “Cool PowerPoint Tricks: Write on Your Slides During your Presentation”

  3. Thanks for your great tip! If you go into the properties, you can change MultiLine to TRUE. Then you can use SHIFT + ENTER to have multiple lines of text.

  4. Great tip Brian! I have also used “Ctrl + P” while showing a PowerPoint presentation and you can then use your mouse to annotate on top of the slide that is up. Works really well with a stylus and pad, but still workable with peripheral mouse.

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