Create and Present a PowerPoint Presentation Online

More than ever, it’s difficult to gather everyone in a single room for a presentation. Instead, presentations take place online and over virtual meetings.

I’ll bet you’re asking yourself, “how do I present a PowerPoint presentation online?”

Creating successful Microsoft PowerPoint presentations online involves a combination of design guidelines and tech tips. This article will guide you on how to effectively show a PowerPoint presentation in a virtual setting.

Tips to Create the Best Online PowerPoint Presentations

Are all PowerPoint presentations the same? Without reservation, I’d say “no.” Tailor your presentation to how and where you’ll present it to the audience.

If you’re learning how to present a PowerPoint online, consider the specifics. The best way to share PowerPoint presentations online is to understand how your audience perceives the content.

1. Simplify Your Slides

Creating readable slides is essential, but in the online realm, it’s more important than ever to simplify your slides to combat distractions.

When presenting online, you’re competing for attention with viewers who may have multiple screens, home distractions, and other tasks. Cluttered slides can quickly become overlooked.

As you learn how to show a presentation online, remember to slim down your slides. Less content means less for your viewers to process. Your slides should support your speaking points, not overwhelm them.

2. More Graphics, Less Text

To engage your audience during virtual PowerPoint presentations, it’s crucial to make your slides visually appealing. If your presentation is text-heavy, your audience might prefer an email instead.

Utilize charts, graphs, and infographics to enhance visual interest. Your speaking points should provide analysis and context rather than crowding the slides with text.

Seek opportunities to transform text-heavy slides into graphic-rich versions. This approach is instrumental in crafting an online presentation that captivates your audience.

Learn more about effective infographics for presentations in our tutorial below:

• {.roundup-block__content-link}

  How to Make Infographics in PowerPoint Using Infographic Templates + Video

  Andrew Childress 13 Mar 2023

3. Send a Pre-Read Version

With the rise of remote work, audiences often operate on different schedules and may prefer to review content on their own time. Sending a pre-read version of your presentation before the meeting can be advantageous.

Advantages of sending a pre-read include:

• Familiarizing the audience with the content, leading to better engagement during the live presentation.
• Allowing attendees to prepare questions in advance.
• Providing a reference document for future use, which can reduce follow-up inquiries.

A great way to send your file before your presentation is to create a PDF. Learn how to do that in this tutorial:

• {.roundup-block__content-link}

  How to Save Your PowerPoint to PDF in 60 Seconds

  Andrew Childress 27 Mar 2017

The Best Way to Share PowerPoint Presentations Online

You might now wonder, “how do I present a PowerPoint presentation online?” As remote work continues to expand, understanding the best way to share PowerPoint presentations online is essential.

1. Create an Office.com Account

If you’re starting this journey by asking, “how do you create an online presentation?” here’s a crucial step: create an account on Office.com.

Having an Office.com account gives you access to the free online versions of all Office apps, including PowerPoint, along with free OneDrive storage, which is vital for sharing your presentation online.

2. Save Your Presentation to OneDrive

Your next steps will depend on whether you’ve already started a PowerPoint presentation:

• If you’ve already begun creating a presentation, log into your Office.com account via the PowerPoint app and save your work to OneDrive.
• If you haven’t started yet, create a new presentation in PowerPoint Online, which automatically saves to OneDrive.

If you started on the desktop version of PowerPoint, save it to OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage, as it’s the optimal place to save for online sharing.

If your presentation was created in PowerPoint online, it’s already stored in OneDrive and ready to share.

To learn more about PowerPoint Online, check our tutorial:

• {.roundup-block__content-link}

  PowerPoint Online vs. Full PowerPoint on Your Desktop

  Andrew Childress 14 Mar 2023

3. Launch the Present Live Option

With your presentation uploaded, you can now use the Present Live feature. Visit PowerPoint.com in your web browser, and log in with your Office credentials.

You’ll find a list of presentations saved in your OneDrive. Double-click your desired presentation to open it.

Next, navigate to the Slide Show menu and click on Present Live to start your presentation.

The first time you use this feature, you may need to set some preferences, including choosing your microphone for audio.

4. Send the Presentation Link

You’re now ready to go live. Send the link provided by PowerPoint Online to your audience, allowing them to join your live presentation.

As shown below, there’s an initial screen with a QR code for easy sharing. You can also see how many attendees have joined before you go live.

To configure audio options, use the Present Live > Audio Settings drop-down menu to select the best microphone for optimal sound quality.

That’s it! You’re prepared to deliver your presentation online, with no additional tools or apps required. Anyone who joins through the link will see the current slide along with a voiceover (and a neat transcription option) as you present.

How Do I Present a PowerPoint Presentation Online With Zoom?

If your organization utilizes Zoom, you can seamlessly integrate it with PowerPoint for online meetings. Zoom is a popular platform that enhances your ability to host calls with audio while sharing presentations.

For a detailed guide on how to effectively use Zoom with PowerPoint, see our article below:

• {.roundup-block__content-link}

  How to Share PowerPoint Presentations in Zoom Webinar Meetings in 2024 (+Video)

  Andrew Childress 28 Apr 2023

The Best Source for Designs to Create Presentations Online

In this tutorial, we’ve covered strategies to enhance your ability to present PowerPoint online. Utilizing great templates can significantly elevate the quality of your presentations.

Envato Elements offers an extensive library of templates designed to facilitate stylish PowerPoint presentations online. With one subscription, you can access all their resources.

For those looking to create professional presentations without starting from scratch, having these designs can be immensely beneficial.

1. Social Media Trends - PowerPoint Template

Keep your audience updated on the ever-evolving social media landscape with a presentation that features the latest trends and data.

2. Infographic Timeline PowerPoint Template

Infographics merge information with visuals effectively. Relying on such templates will enhance your ability to deliver engaging online presentations.

3. Cobalt Business PowerPoint Template

The Cobalt template is ideal for creating polished and professional business presentations. It includes various charts and layouts to support your content.

With Elements, you won’t have to worry about designing presentations from the ground up. You’ll start with a pre-designed template that you can customize.

Another Source for Templates For Virtual PowerPoint Presentations

If you don’t need an all-inclusive subscription, consider Envato Market, where you can purchase individual impressive designs for PowerPoint online presentations.

With Envato Market, you can select from a variety of templates at a reasonable price. Grab a template and get started today.

If you’ve explored Envato Elements and GraphicRiver without finding the right fit, check out this article with additional great templates:

• {.roundup-block__content-link}

  Best for 2022: Free Online Microsoft PowerPoint Templates (PPTs to Download)

  Andrew Childress 17 Dec 2021

You Learned How to Present a PowerPoint Online

Your presentation is meant to be seen. You might have started this tutorial wondering “how do you create an online presentation?” and now you possess the secrets to success.

Remember to implement the designs shared in this article for your virtual PowerPoint presentations. With the PowerPoint online presentation mode, you are equipped to showcase your work effectively today.