How Do I Hide the Navigation Buttons That Appear in PowerPoint's Slideshow View?

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If you don’t want the navigation buttons (shown in Figure 1, below) such as the arrows (for Before and Next slides), Pen and Menu to be visible when you play your PowerPoint presentation, you can choose from three options.

Figure 1: Navigation buttons in Slide Show view

Here are the three options:

1. Use Kiosk Mode

Access the Slide Show tab of the Ribbon, and click the Set Up Slide Show button. If you are using a very old version of PowerPoint, you can choose the Slide Show | Set Up Show menu option.
This brings up the Set Up Show dialog box that you can see in Figure 2, below.
Figure 2: Set Up Slide Show – Kiosk Mode
Select the Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) radio button, highlighted in red in Figure 2, above.
Click the OK button to accept the changes.

Note: Do remember that you’ll need to create your own navigation buttons to move around the presentation if you select the Kiosk mode option. Also, you will not see the mouse cursor in Slide Show view if you choose the Kiosk mode option. These navigation buttons can be created using Action Button shapes in PowerPoint.

2. Disable Popup Toolbar

Choose File | Options in Backstage view to bring up the PowerPoint Options dialog box. If you are using a very old version of PowerPoint, choose the Tools | Options menu option.
Select the Advanced tab in the sidebar, and scroll down to the Slide Show section. If you are using a very old version of PowerPoint, select the View tab. Locate the Slide Show area.
Remove the check mark next to Show popup toolbar, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 3, below.
Figyre 3: Show Popup Toolbar in PowerPoint
Click the OK button to accept the changes.

There are many more options for PowerPoint in the dialog box shown in Figure 3, above. Learn more in our Advanced Program Options in PowerPoint 365 for Windows page. If you are using another version of PowerPoint, the File Types, File Menu, and Backstage View: Advanced Program Options in PowerPoint page will help you locate a version of the same tutorial for other PowerPoint versions.

3. Use a Keyboard Shortcut

After you start the show, press the Ctrl+H keyboard shortcut. This shortcut will hide the mouse cursor and the navigation buttons (not in Kiosk mode) on the bottom left of the slide show window. To bring back these options, press the Ctrl+U keyboard shortcut.

Note: Want more keyboard shortcuts? Go and get a copy of our PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts and Sequences ebook.

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How Do I Hide the Navigation Buttons That Appear in PowerPoint’s Slideshow View?

1. Use Kiosk Mode

2. Disable Popup Toolbar

3. Use a Keyboard Shortcut

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