Microsoft Teams has built-in PowerPoint integration that lets you present slides directly in a meeting without sharing your entire screen. Participants see the slides clearly, you retain presenter controls, and Teams tracks who is following along. Here is how to use it.
Method 1: PowerPoint Live (Recommended)
PowerPoint Live is the best way to present in Teams. It renders your slides within Teams rather than broadcasting your screen, which means better quality for viewers, no risk of accidentally showing notifications or other windows, and extra features for both presenter and audience.
- During a Teams meeting, click Share content (the arrow/screen icon in the meeting toolbar)
- Under the PowerPoint Live section, you will see recently opened presentations. Click one to start presenting it.
- If your file is not listed, click Browse OneDrive or Browse my computer to find it
Note: For PowerPoint Live to work, the file needs to be saved to OneDrive or SharePoint (for the online version) or opened from your local computer. Files stored only locally work too, but without some of the collaborative features.
Presenter Controls in PowerPoint Live
When presenting via PowerPoint Live, you see a presenter view with your current slide, the next slide preview, and your notes. Attendees see only the current slide. Controls available:
- Slide thumbnails panel: jump to any slide without going through them one by one
- Laser pointer and pen: click the annotation tools to draw or point at specific content during the presentation
- Private view: as the presenter, you can scroll ahead to preview upcoming slides without moving what attendees see
Giving Attendees Control
A useful Teams-specific feature: you can allow attendees to navigate the slides independently. In the sharing toolbar at the top of your screen, toggle Allow participants to navigate slides. When enabled, each attendee can scroll through the deck at their own pace without affecting the presenter’s view or other attendees — useful for reference material or self-paced training.
Method 2: Share Screen or Window
If you prefer to use PowerPoint’s full desktop application with all its features (animations, embedded videos, etc.):
- Open your presentation in PowerPoint and start Slide Show (F5 or Presenter View)
- In Teams, click Share content → Window
- Select the PowerPoint Slide Show window
This shares only the slideshow window, not your full desktop, so other windows remain private. Attendees see full-screen slides. The downside is that Teams cannot provide slide thumbnails or per-user navigation.
Using Presenter View While Sharing
When sharing your screen or a window, you can still use PowerPoint Presenter View on your own screen (your notes, next slide, timer) while attendees see only the Slide Show. To do this:
- Make sure you have a dual monitor setup, or use the Presenter View window on a second virtual display
- In PowerPoint → Slide Show → Use Presenter View — tick this before starting
- Share only the Slide Show monitor/window in Teams, not the Presenter View window
Annotations During a Presentation
While sharing content in Teams, click the Annotate button (pencil icon) in the sharing toolbar to open annotation tools. Both the presenter and other participants can draw on the shared content — useful for workshops and collaborative sessions. Click Stop annotating when done.
Stopping the Presentation
To stop sharing, click the Stop presenting or Stop sharing button in the floating sharing toolbar at the top of your screen. Your video feed returns to normal in the meeting.
Tips for Smoother Presentations
- Upload to OneDrive first — PowerPoint Live works most reliably with files already on OneDrive
- Check your slides on a smaller screen — attendees on laptops will see slides at a lower resolution than your presentation monitor
- Close unnecessary applications — reduces the risk of notifications appearing if you need to share your full screen
- Test before the meeting — join a test meeting with a colleague to confirm the slides display correctly before presenting live
