TL;DR: Quick Start From Any Slide in PowerPoint
Need to resume or test your presentation from a specific slide?
To start PowerPoint from current slide, press Shift + F5 or use the “Slide Show” tab. It’s perfect for skipping ahead or revising a section quickly.
Start PowerPoint From Current Slide: Why It’s Useful
Whether you’re editing your deck or presenting only a portion of it, knowing how to start PowerPoint from current slide can save time and enhance your workflow. You won’t need to go through the entire deck again just to see or show a single slide.
It’s a time-saver, especially for long presentations with many slides.
How to Start PowerPoint From Current Slide
Option 1: Keyboard Shortcut
- Simply press
Shift + F5 - This launches the slide show directly from the selected slide
- Works in Normal or Slide Sorter view
⚡ Tip: This shortcut works on Windows and Mac (with Fn + Shift + F5 on some Mac keyboards).
Option 2: Using the Slide Show Tab
- Click on the Slide Show tab in the top ribbon
- Select From Current Slide
- The slide show starts from wherever your cursor is located
Ideal if you prefer navigating through menus instead of keyboard shortcuts.
Option 3: Right-Click on a Slide
- Right-click the slide you want to start from in the left-hand pane
- Select Start From Current Slide
This is a quick method while navigating through your slides in editing mode.
Presenter View: A Helpful Addition
When presenting live, using Presenter View along with the current slide function gives you added control:
- See notes
- View upcoming slides
- Monitor timing
To enable it, check the Use Presenter View box in the Slide Show tab before starting.
Keyboard Shortcut Summary
| Task | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Start from beginning | F5 |
| Start from current slide | Shift + F5 |
| Exit slide show | Esc |
Use Cases for Starting from Current Slide
✅ During edits: Preview changes on specific slides without re-running the whole show
✅ In meetings: Skip to relevant slides without boring your audience
✅ For troubleshooting: Isolate animation or layout issues by viewing slides independently
✅ In class lectures: Continue from where the last session ended
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not selecting the slide first: Always click on the slide you want to start from
- Wrong shortcut:
F5starts from the beginning, not current - Dual-screen issues: Check display settings if using Presenter View on another monitor
FAQs: PowerPoint Start From Current Slide
What is the shortcut to start PowerPoint from the current slide?
Use Shift + F5 to begin your presentation from the selected slide.
Can I start from the current slide on Mac?
Yes, press Fn + Shift + F5 depending on your Mac keyboard settings.
Why does PowerPoint start from the beginning even when I choose a later slide?
You may be clicking F5 instead of Shift + F5, or the selected slide isn’t active.
Can I set PowerPoint to always start from the current slide by default?
There’s no setting for that, but using the shortcut makes it very quick.
Does Presenter View work with starting from the current slide?
Yes, if Presenter View is enabled in the Slide Show tab, it activates automatically.
Final Thoughts: Present with Precision
Knowing how to start PowerPoint from current slide is a small yet powerful trick for anyone working with presentations. Whether you’re fine-tuning animations or jumping ahead during a live demo, this technique ensures your workflow stays efficient.
Take a moment to memorize the shortcut Shift + F5, and you’ll always be ready to present the right slide at the right time.
Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.
https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/
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