Clever Clogs tip # 702
19 May 2022


Pause slide shows - even if they are automated (Microsoft PowerPoint) *

Back in 2006 I wrote a tip about blacking out the screen during a PowerPoint presentation.

I never thought of using it to pause a presentation, until someone asked that question during a recent PowerPoint training session. It even works when you have set up your slide show to loop continuously, for example for an exhibition information booth or in the Reception area.

Here's how:

  1. Press the letter "b" or "w" (for black or white) to pause.
  2. Press the letter again to resume.

With thanks to Joanna for the question - and hence, tip inspiration!

Related tips

  1. Black out the screen during a presentation: tip_160.html
  2. Set up a slide show to run continuously for an exhibition information booth: tip_138.html

This past week's CleverClogsTipTime on LinkedIn, in case you missed it...

  1. Nifty way to apply dd-mmm-yy format to a date
  2. Learning at Work week
  3. Are you using CTRL + X and CTRL + V to move text or bullet points?


* Unless stated otherwise this tip is written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 10 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013 and 2016.