powerpoint presentations on loop

How-To Geek

How to loop a powerpoint presentation.

If you're showing off a lot of photos at a special event, set your presentation to progress at a continuous, automatic loop. Here's how.

Quick Links

Set up your slideshow to be looped, apply automatic slide transitions.

Slideshows are sometimes used to display images at events, such as weddings or trade shows. Whatever the occasion might be, you’ll want to loop your PowerPoint presentation so your guests aren’t staring at a blank screen. Here’s how it’s done.

First, open your PowerPoint presentation in which you would like to loop. Once open, navigate to the “Set Up” group of the “Slide Show” tab and then select the “Set Up Slide Show” button.

The “Set Up Show” window will appear. In the “Show options” group, check the box next to “Loop Continuously until Esc.” Once selected, click “OK” in the bottom-right corner of the window.

Now, when you play your slideshow, it will end only when you press the “Esc” key instead of when you've finished the last slide.

Related: How to Make YouTube Videos Loop Continuously

One caveat: With the way we currently have it set up, the slideshow will proceed only when someone clicks the mouse button. That’s fine if there will be a speaker present at all times. Otherwise, you’ll need to set up automatic slide transitions.

Head back to the “Set Up Show” window by selecting “Set Up Slide Show” in the “Set Up” group of the “Slide Show” tab.

There are a couple of options you need to select, but one important note is that you must first select “Using Timings, If Present” under the “Advance Slides” group.

The next option we select will lock a few things in place (which is why you need to select “Using Timings, If Present” first).

Under the “Show Type” group, select “Browsed at a Kiosk (Full Screen)." The “Loop Continuously until Esc” option will be enabled automatically if you haven’t already turned it on, and the option you’ve selected under “Advance Slides” will remain unchanged.

Select “OK” when ready to proceed.

Without the “Browsed at a Kiosk” option enabled, the automatic slide progressions would be disabled if someone were to press the Back key. With it enabled, the Forward and Back keys are locked, allowing the slideshow to automatically progress unattended without fear of someone breaking it.

Now it’s time to set the timings of the slides. Head over to the “Transitions” tab. In the “Timing” group, check the box next to “After” and set the timing at which you’d like each slide to progress. Note that it doesn’t matter if the box next to “On Mouse Click” is checked or not---it won’t work.

After that, select the “Apply to All” option in the same group.

Now, when you play your slideshow, it will continuously loop without interruption. To exit the slideshow, press the “Esc” button.

How to Loop a PowerPoint Slide Show to Repeat Automatically

Set up a PowerPoint Presentation That Loops or Repeats Continuously

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated November 12, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft ®  PowerPoint ®  2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can set up a PowerPoint slide show to loop or repeat automatically. A looping presentation can be used at events, trade shows or even in a reception area in an office. The easiest way to set up a slide show to loop or replay continuously is to apply automatic transitions and then configure Slide Show settings.

Recommended article: 5 PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Run a Slide Show

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person PowerPoint courses >

Screenshots in this article are from PowerPoint 365 but are similar in older versions of PowerPoint.

Step 1: Apply transitions to automatically advance slides during a slide show

Transitions occur between slides when you run a slide show.

To apply transitions to automatically advance slides during a slide show:

• In Normal View or Slide Sorter View, display or select a slide.
• Click the Transitions tab in the Ribbon.
• Select a transition in the Transitions gallery (such as Fade).
• Click Effect Options and choose the desired option. Effect Options change depending on the transition you selected.
• In the Timing group, click the arrows beside Duration to set the timing you want (in seconds) for the transition. You may also type a duration.
• In the Timing group, under Advance Slides, deselect or uncheck On mouse click and beside After, select or click the up and down arrows to set the timing to transition to the next slide. You may also type a duration.
• In the Timing group, click Apply to All.

In the Transitions tab in PowerPoint, you can select the type of transition (such as Fade) as well as timing options:

Step 2: Set up a presentation to loop during a slide show

To set up a PowerPoint presentation to loop during a slide show:

• Click the Slide Show tab in the Ribbon and then click Set Up Slide Show. A dialog box appears.
• Under Show type, if you select Presented by a speaker (full screen), the speaker or those watching the slide show will have control over when they advance slides. This is the default setting for slide shows. If you select Browsed by an individual (window), those watching the slide show do NOT have control over when slides advance. If you select Browsed at kiosk (full screen), those watching the slide show do NOT have control over when slides advance and the presentation automatically loops until those watching press Escape (Esc).
• Under Show options, select Loop continuously until 'Esc'. You will be able to select this option if you selected one of the first two options under Show type.

Below is the Set Up Show dialog box with Presented by speaker selected and looping enabled:

If you want to set specific timings for slides to advance or to add narration, check out the article How to Run a PowerPoint Slide Show Automatically (Set Up a Self-Running Presentation) . If you have audio or video in the presentation, you'll need to set the media to play automatically (on the Playback tab in the Ribbon) and animations will also need to be set to run automatically.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.

More resources

How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint

How to Hide and Unhide Slides in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)

How to Insert Video in PowerPoint (from a File on Your PC or a Shared Drive)

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Play and Control Video During a Slide Show

How to Add Animation in PowerPoint (Animate Images, Text and Other Objects)

Related courses

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers

Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

VIEW MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix ® Learning

You may also like

How to Insert or Type E with an Accent Mark in PowerPoint (È, É, Ê, Ë, è, é, ê, or ë)

You can insert or type e with an accent mark in PowerPoint using built-in tools or keyboard shortcuts (including Alt code shortcuts). The letter e can be inserted with an accent in both upper or lower case in text boxes or placeholders on slides, the slide master or layouts. The following are common accents in upper or lower case – È, É, Ê, Ë, è, é, ê, or ë.

How to Fade a Picture or Part of a Picture in PowerPoint (Using a Gradient)

You can fade a picture in PowerPoint by drawing a rectangle shape on top of the picture and then filling the rectangle with a gradient from opaque to transparent. This technique is often used to fade an image into the background of a slide. Since the rectangle is placed on top of the image and then text may be placed on top of the rectangle, you may need to reorder the objects.

How to Lock an Image, Shape or Other Object in PowerPoint

You can now lock an image, shape or other object in PowerPoint. Objects can be locked in Normal View or Slide Master View. Only PowerPoint 365 users can lock objects to prevent moving and resizing. This is helpful if you want to select and move other objects on the slide or prevent others from moving or resizing an object. You can lock items using the context menu or the Selection Pane.

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at [email protected]

Our Courses

Avantix Learning courses are offered online in virtual classroom format or as in-person classroom training. Our hands-on, instructor-led courses are available both as public scheduled courses or on demand as a custom training solution.

All Avantix Learning courses include a comprehensive course manual including tips, tricks and shortcuts as well as sample and exercise files.

VIEW COURSES  >

Contact us at  [email protected]  for more information about any of our courses or to arrange custom training.

Privacy Overview

Pin it on pinterest.

• Print Friendly

How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Just like an animated GIF or video clip, you can loop a slideshow in Microsoft PowerPoint. This is ideal if you set the presentation to automatically play because it starts at the beginning each time it ends to create an infinite loop.

Here’s how to loop a PowerPoint presentation on Windows and Mac. Currently, PowerPoint on the web doesn’t offer a Loop feature.

Set the Timing to Advance the Slides

Before you set your PowerPoint presentation to loop, you may want to adjust the timing to advance through the slides. You can use the same time for each slide or display particular slides for a longer amount of time.

• Open your presentation in PowerPoint on Windows or Mac and go to the Transitions tab.
• In the Timing section of the ribbon, check the box for After and enter the time in seconds to the right. You can also use the arrows to move the time up or down in small increments.

• To set different times for slides, select the next slide and use the above step to choose the After timing. Continue this process for the remaining slides.
• To set the same timing for all slides in the presentation, select Apply To All in the Timing section.

• If you only want continuous play to advance the slides, you can uncheck the box directly above for On Mouse Click . However, if you want the ability to advance the slides with a mouse click and after a certain amount of time, you can leave the box checked.

Once you have the timings set to advance the slides, you can turn on the Loop setting.

• Go to the Slide Show tab and select Set Up Slide Show in the Set Up section.

• Under Show type , choose an option to play your presentation.
• If you plan to present the slideshow or have an individual view the show, choose one of the first two options. Then, check the box for Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ in the section beneath.

Confirm that the Using timings, if present setting is marked under Advance Slides.

• If you want the slideshow to play automatically , choose the third option, Browsed at a kiosk . You’ll then see the Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ and Using timings, if present settings are automatically marked and disabled for changing.

• Adjust any other options per your preference and use the OK button to save the settings.

When you’re ready to begin the slideshow and let it play, check out our how-to for starting the PowerPoint presentation as well as navigating it if needed.

Just Let It Play

By looping a PowerPoint presentation, you don’t have to lift a finger to advance through the slides. You can display it at a kiosk, in a waiting room, or at a convention booth and just let it play over and over.

For more, look at how to add narration for an engaging PowerPoint presentation .

Sandy Writtenhouse is a freelance technology writer and former Project, Department, and Program Manager. She turned her education, job experience, and love of technology into a full-time writing career. With all sorts of gadgets in her home and her hands, she seeks to help others make life easier through technology. Read Sandy's Full Bio

Read More Posts:

How to loop a PowerPoint slideshow so that it automatically starts over as soon as it ends

• To loop a PowerPoint slideshow, you'll need to enable looping in the "Set Up Slide Show" menu.
• Once you set your PowerPoint to loop, it'll start over from the beginning automatically after playing the last slide.
• Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

If you've designed a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that's meant to be viewed repeatedly, such as on a kiosk or in a museum installation, you can adjust the settings in PowerPoint so that your slideshow "loops" instead of ending after one viewing.

Getting a PowerPoint to loop is easy. Read on to find out how, using PowerPoint for both Mac and PC.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft office (from $149.99 at best buy), apple macbook pro (from $1,299.00 at apple), acer chromebook 15 (from $179.99 at walmart), how to loop a powerpoint presentation.

1. Open the Microsoft PowerPoint presentation that you want to loop.

2. With your PowerPoint presentation open, click on the "Slide Show" tab, then click on "Set Up Slide Show." 

3. In the pop-up window that appears, click on the box next to "Loop continuously until 'Esc'" so that a small checkmark appears inside the box. Feel free to adjust any other settings in this menu as well. Click "OK" when you're finished.

4. To test whether your PowerPoint can loop successfully, click on the "From Beginning" or "Play From Start" button in the Slide Show tab. Click through the slideshow until you reach the end. When your PowerPoint reaches its final slide, it should start over from the beginning automatically. When you're confident that looping is enabled, and you're ready to close the slide show, press the Esc key.

Related coverage from  Tech Reference :

How to add a border to slides in powerpoint, and give your slideshow a sleek design, how to embed a youtube video into your microsoft powerpoint presentations using a mac or pc, how to convert google slides to a powerpoint presentation in 4 easy steps, how to create a custom powerpoint template to use or share with others, how to copy or duplicate a powerpoint slide and put it anywhere in your slideshow.

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

Watch: We compared the $1,200 MacBook Air with the $500 Surface Go, and the results were a mess

• Main content

• Get One: Tornado Alert Apps
• The Best Tech Gifts Under $100

Loop a PowerPoint Slide Show

• Brock University

What to Know

• In PowerPoint, go to Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show > Browsed at a Kiosk (Full Screen ) > OK .
• Set the time each slide appears on the screen by selecting Slide Show > Rehearse Timings on the first slide.
• Use Next to move to the next slide and Pause to pause recording, or type a length of time in the Slide Time box.

This article explains how to loop a PowerPoint slideshow in PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2019 for Mac, PowerPoint 2016 for Mac, and PowerPoint for Mac 2011.

How to Create a Self-Running PowerPoint Slideshow

PowerPoint slideshows are not always used by a live presenter. Slideshows set to loop continuously can run unattended in a booth or kiosk. You can even save a slideshow as a video to share.

To create a continuously looping presentation, you need to set it up and record slide timings.

To run the slideshow unattended, set timings for slide transitions and animations to run automatically.

How to Set Up the Presentation

Open the PowerPoint presentation you want to loop continuously.

Go to Slide Show .

Select Set Up Slide Show . The Set Up Show dialog box opens.

Select Browsed at a Kiosk (Full Screen) . This enables the presentation to loop continuously until the viewer presses Esc .

Select OK .

How to Rehearse and Record Timings

To ensure that your automated presentation is the right length, record timings to set the amount of time each slide appears on the screen.

PowerPoint for Mac does not have the rehearsal option. Instead, go to Transitions , choose the transition you want to use, set the duration you want, and select Apply to All .

Go to the first slide of the presentation.

Select Rehearse Timings . The slideshow starts and records the time spent on the slide. The time appears in the Slide Time box on the Recording toolbar.

Select Next on the Recording toolbar when you want to move to the next slide.

Select Pause any time you want to pause or resume recording.

Type a length of time in the Slide Time box if you want to display a slide for a specific amount of time.

Select Repeat if you want to restart the recording time for the current slide only.

Select Close when you're done recording.

You'll be asked if you want to save the new slide timings. Select Yes to save the slide timings at the end of the presentation.

If you have a microphone (built-in or external), record a voiceover on your PowerPoint presentation that plays as the slideshow loops continuously.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• How to Make a Slideshow on PowerPoint
• Add Hyperlinks to PowerPoint Presentations
• Tips for Memorial PowerPoint Presentations
• Create a Wedding PowerPoint Presentation
• How to Do a Voiceover on PowerPoint
• How to Add Music to PowerPoint
• Adding Sounds, Music or Narration to PowerPoint Slide Shows
• How to Use Speaker Notes in PowerPoint
• How to Add Audio to PowerPoint
• Different Ways to View Slides in PowerPoint
• Resuming Your PowerPoint Show After a Pause
• Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Speed up PowerPoint Presentations
• How to Change a Black-and-White Picture to Color in PowerPoint
• Add, Delete or Change the Order of PowerPoint Slides
• Make the Most of PowerPoint's Slide Transition Options
• How to Print PowerPoint Slides

How to Make Your Presentations Loop in PowerPoint

You might want to make your presentations loop in PowerPoint for several reasons. Regardless of why, this guide will help.

Microsoft PowerPoint is already a useful productivity tool to deliver slideshows and presentations, but it's even more versatile than you may realize. PowerPoint offers the functionality for your presentations to loop so that the slideshow restarts right after it ends. Read on to find out how to enable this in your project and why such a feature can be immensely useful in a variety of situations.

How to Loop Your Presentations in PowerPoint

As you make your presentation the way you would like for it to be seen, setting your slideshow up to loop is relatively easy. It mainly involves changing a single setting within PowerPoint.

1. Within the Ribbon at the top of the window, click Slide Show . This will take you to a menu of options for displaying and presenting your slide show.

2. Click Set Up Slide Show in the middle Set Up section. This button will open up a pop-up window of detailed, advanced settings for your presentation.

3. In the Set Up Show window, click Loop continuously until 'Esc' in the Show options section.

4. Click OK to apply the change.

5. Preview the presentation using the From Beginning or From Current Slide buttons in the Ribbon to see that the looping works.

As you might notice when you preview the slide show, enabling the setting is only half the battle. While the presentation does return to the first slide after displaying the last one, the slides don't progress on their own. If you want your slides to loop automatically, you'll need to set up transitions between each slide.

How to Automatically Loop Your PowerPoint Slides

1. Select the slide you want to apply the transition to if you haven't already.

2. Click Transitions within the Ribbon. This opens up a variety of options for adding animations when changing from one slide to the next.

3. Choose one of the transitions in the Transition to This Slide section to use with this slide. There are a variety of transition options available, from the subtle to the flashy.

While you can play with each transition to your heart's content, it's not necessarily required; you can stick with the default None option or a simple Fade if you'd like.

4. Navigate to the Timing section on the right-hand side of the Ribbon. In order to automate your loop, you'll need to specify when each slide moves to the next one.

5. Under the Advance Slide heading, click the After: checkbox to enable it.

6. Set a time (in minutes or seconds) by entering one in the text box (currently reading "00:00.00") or the arrow buttons nearby.

7. Repeat this process for the other slides you have. Alternatively, you can click Apply To All to set the current slide's transition settings across every slide in the presentation.

8. When you've applied the transitions you want, you can preview the presentation again using the From Beginning or From Current Slide buttons in the Slide Show tab of the Ribbon.

In the preview, you'll see that the slides now transition automatically, and the loop now works without any further interaction. When you need to leave the presentation, press the Esc (escape) key to return to the normal PowerPoint window.

Why Would You Want to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation?

There are a number of reasons why you'd want to run a PowerPoint presentation in a loop, and thus multiple ways this functionality is useful.

You can create a continuous carousel of photos for gatherings with family and friends or a relaxing slideshow of beaches at the end of a stressful day. You can use it to display important information, like rules or schedules, at conferences or conventions.

The integration with the regular transition timings also allows for specialized use cases where you may need to have certain slides displayed longer than others. For example, it can be used to show menu pricing at a kiosk or on a food truck or to offer some entertainment to people waiting in a long line.

Keep Your PowerPoint Presentation Skills in the Loop

Learning how to loop PowerPoint presentations is just one of the many lesser-noticed features of the widely-used tool that can take your slideshows to a new level.

Functionality like this helps keep PowerPoint a versatile, popular program built for a variety of presenting needs. Now, it's time to put these features to work for you.

• Customer Help
• X (Twitter)

How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Looping a PowerPoint presentation so it repeats continuously can be very useful for trade shows, lobbies, or other situations where you want your presentation to play on recur. The process is relatively simple and only takes a few steps. In this article, we’ll walk through how to set up a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to loop automatically. First we’ll discuss why you may want a looping presentation. Then we’ll cover the steps to configure the loop in PowerPoint.

How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Follow these easy steps to set up a looping PowerPoint slideshow in Microsoft PowerPoint 2022 or 365:

• It will repeat, moving from the first slide to the last slide and back to the beginning until you press “Esc”.

With a few mouse clicks, you can easily set up continuous looping for your PowerPoint slide – perfect for unattended presenting.

Tips for How to Loop Slides in PowerPoint

When creating a looping PowerPoint slideshow, keep these tips in mind:

• Time your slides appropriately – 10-20 seconds per slide is ideal. Don’t make them too short or long.
• Use transitions like fades and wipes. Avoid distracting transitions that could disrupt the flow.
• Focus on visuals more than heavy text, which viewers won’t fully read.
• Create a narrative flow from beginning to end, even if it loops.
• Check audio levels if using sound to ensure proper volume.
• Consider adding interactive elements like hyperlinks.
• Preview and test thoroughly to polish schedule and flow.
• Adjust slide timing in the “Set Up Slide Show” menu if needed.

Properly schedule and planning your looping PowerPoint ppt helps create a professional, seamless presentation. See Microsoft’s guide for more tips on perfecting your looping slideshow.

Alternatives to Looping a PowerPoint Presentation

If you want more flexibility than simply looping your PowerPoint slideshow, consider these other approaches:

• Export as a video – Convert your PowerPoint to an MP4 video file that can play on replay on a TV or monitor. This gives you more options for transitions and schedule plan.
• Use presentation software like ProShow Producer to create self-running shows with advanced options for automatically displaying slides.
• Make a self-running PowerPoint using animations and slide timers to move from one slide to the next automatically without needing to loop it.
• Use digital signage platforms like BrightSign to remotely publish and manage your looping presentation.
• Connect your computer to a TV or large monitor and use a media player to display your Presentation on recur.
• Have a presenter show the PowerPoint live if available during your event, rather than pre-recording it.

Consider your specific display needs and venue setup to pick the best approach for looping your content.

In summary, looping your PowerPoint slideshow is an easy way to create a repeating, unattended presentation. Using the “Set Up Slide Show options” in PowerPoint, you can set it to endlessly loop for a certain number of times.

When creating your looping PowerPoint, properly schedule your slides, use transitions wisely, and follow best practices for a professional, polished look. With the right settings, your looping slideshow can run smoothly at events without supervision.

While PowerPoint makes looping easy, you can also export to video or use other software for more advanced presentation options. In the end, looping gives an effortless way to display your slides on continuous repeat.

We encourage you to try looping your next PowerPoint. By following this guide, you’ll be ready to create a seamless, professional replay slideshow for your event.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

• Business articles (22)
• Google Slides (57)
• Keynote (27)
• PowerPoint (83)
• Support (2)

Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Loop a PowerPoint

How to Loop a PowerPoint

When a PowerPoint slideshow ends, the screen turns blank after the last slide. However, you can opt to restart the presentation from the first slide by running the slide deck in loop. You might want to loop a slide if you have created a PowerPoint slideshow that needs to run on a screen in loop, such as a self-running slideshow for a kiosk, a PowerPoint template indicating a break at an event, or when you need to go back to one or more of the previous slides from the start for a quick review of the presentation.

How to Make PowerPoint Loop

To loop PowerPoint, go to Slide Show -> Setup Show .

From the dialog box that appears, select Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ to enable looping your slides. By default, all slides are looped in a sequence.

How to Loop PowerPoint from Selected Slides

To loop specific slides, go to Slide Show -> Setup Show , enable loop, and select the slides to run in a loop via Show Slides .

How to Loop PowerPoint Slides Manually and Automatically

You might want to create a slideshow from break or countdown-themed PowerPoint templates or Google Slides templates to indicate a break during an event.

You can select the time each slide remains on screen via the Transitions tab. The Timings menu provides the option to select the duration for each slide and whether you intend the slides to move automatically or on mouse-click.

To loop PowerPoint slides manually or automatically, go to Slide Show -> Setup Show , enable the loop option, and go to Advance slides . Select Manually for moving slides on mouse click, arrow keys, or PowerPoint remote. Alternatively, select Use timings .

Final Words

Whether you need to loop a PowerPoint presentation manually or automatically for an event or to create a self-running slideshow that loops PPT, you can use the instructions mentioned above to customize the settings for your slide deck according to need.

Like this article? Please share

Microsoft PowerPoint, PowerPoint Tools Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials

Related Articles

Filed under Google Slides Tutorials , PowerPoint Tutorials • April 17th, 2024

Google Slides vs. PowerPoint: A Detailed Comparison

Contrast and pick with presentation software suits your best. Check our guide on how the Google Slides vs. PowerPoint eternal debate.

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • April 16th, 2024

How to Insert an Equation in PowerPoint

Learn how to create easy-to-understand science slides by mastering how to insert an equation in PowerPoint. Step-by-step guide.

Filed under PowerPoint Tutorials • April 9th, 2024

How to Remove Notes from PowerPoint

Make alternative versions of your presentation files by learning how to remove notes from PowerPoint. Step-by-step guide with screeshots.

Leave a Reply

• PowerPoint Themes
• Latest PowerPoint Templates
• Best PowerPoint Templates
• Free PowerPoint Templates
• Simple PowerPoint Templates
• PowerPoint Backgrounds
• Project Charter
• Project Timeline
• Project Team
• Project Status
• Market Analysis
• Marketing Funnel
• Market Segmentation
• Target Customer
• Marketing Mix
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Resource Planning
• Recruitment
• Employee Onboarding
• Company Profile
• Mission Vision
• Meet The Team
• Problem & Solution
• Business Model
• Business Case
• Business Strategy
• Business Review
• Leadership Team
• Balance Sheet
• Income Statement
• Cash Flow Statement
• Executive Summary
• 30 60 90 Day Plan
• SWOT Analysis
• Flow Charts
• Gantt Charts
• Text Tables
• Infographics
• Google Slides Templates
• Presentation Services
• Ask Us To Make Slides
• Data Visualization Services
• Business Presentation Tips
• PowerPoint Tutorials
• Google Slides Tutorials
• Presentation Resources

How To Loop A PowerPoint Slideshow? Detailed Guide

This Blog explains the methods to loop your presentation slideshows in detail. It covers all the techniques to create slideshow loops for PowerPoint as well as Google Slides presentations. We have also included tips to enhance your presentation slideshows.

Microsoft PowerPoint is a popular application for creating and delivering presentations. PowerPoint has numerous options for adding flair and taking your presentations a notch higher, such as the ability to incorporate YouTube videos, GIFs, etc. If you loop your PowerPoint, every slide will display for a predetermined duration. After the presentation, it will automatically resume from the beginning.

But the question is, can you use the looping function effectively? When used correctly, this feature eliminates the need for presenters to click a mouse or computer key to transition between slides. This feature is easy to set up and customize.

Today’s guide will teach us how to loop a PowerPoint slideshow and various tips and tricks for effective looping.

Why You Need to Loop Your Slideshow in PowerPoint?

Before learning how to loop a PowerPoint slideshow, let’s see under what scenarios one needs to loop their slideshow:

One helpful tool in PowerPoint that helps to guarantee a smooth and continuous presentation experience is the ability to loop your slideshow. The constant playback draws and maintains audience attention whether you present information in automated presentations, build interactive kiosks, or show information in exhibitions. Looping makes it possible to communicate information effectively and reinforce essential points for audience members who might join the presentation at different times. 

How to Make a PowerPoint Loop?

You can learn how to make a PowerPoint loop through the instructions below. You can use the loop for various events, such as trade exhibitions, information displays, or kiosks.

• Open the PowerPoint presentation that you wish to loop first.
• Go to the Slide Show Tab: The PowerPoint window has several tabs at the top. To access choices relating to presenting your slides, select the “Slide Show” tab.
• Access Setup Show: Several commands and choices are under the “Slide Show” tab. Search for the “Set Up Slide Show” button or menu item in the group labeled “Start Slide Show.” Click on it.
• Display Type: Select “Presented by a speaker (full screen).”
• Preview slides: If you want the slides to play automatically, select “Manually” or enter the desired duration for each slide’s PowerPoint presentation loop timing.
• Enable your presentation to loop indefinitely unless you manually end it by hitting the Escape (‘Esc’) key by enabling this option.
• Click OK: After adjusting these settings to store your options, click the “OK” button.
• Begin Your Loop: Your slides will be set to loop unless you manually stop it by pressing the ‘Esc’ key. To stop it, click “From Beginning” or “From Current Slide” under the “Slide Show” tab to begin your presentation.

How to Loop a PowerPoint SlideShow from Selected Slides

You can choose which slides you want to loop around in PowerPoint. Eliminating manual intervention and maintaining audience interaction can be achieved by carefully choosing which slides to show throughout the presentation. Follow these steps to learn how to loop a PowerPoint slideshow from selected slides: 

• Select the “Slide Show” option to start a loop for a particular set of slides. To initiate the loop, click the first slide in the thumbnail pane on the left.
• Click the final slide you wish to add to the loop while holding your keyboard’s “Shift” key. Next, select “Setup Show” and turn on the looping feature.
• Choose the “Custom Show” option and give it a name in the “Set Up Show” dialogue box. Navigate to the “Slide Show” menu and select “Custom Slide Show” to begin your looping presentation from the selected slides.

How to Set Up Auto-Loop for Continuous Playback

Now you know how to loop a slideshow in PowerPoint from selected slides, let us see how you can set up auto-loop for continuous playback: 

• Select the Slide Show tab.
• Press the Set Up Slide Show button. You’ll see an options window appear.
• Keep clicking Loop till you reach “Esc.”

Note: Under Show Type, select Presented by a speaker or Browsed by an individual if you want the speaker or individual to continue controlling the presentation and clicking between slides. Clicking “Browsed” at a kiosk checks the Loop until the “Esc” box appears continuously. Moreover, auto-looping may annoy your viewers if your presentation is very repetitive. Use it with discretion and only when it makes sense for your writing subject.

How to Loop A PowerPoint SlideShow Using 2007 Version (older versions).

Use these detailed instructions to loop your slides if you’re using an older version of Microsoft PowerPoint:

• Open your PowerPoint presentation on your 2007 Microsoft PowerPoint .
• Select the tab labeled Slide Show. Select the “Set Up Slide Show” option from the “Set Up” menu.
• Go to the “Show options” section and select “Loop continuously until ‘Esc'” from the dialogue box that appears. Click Ok.
• Select your initial slide from the “Slides” preview side panel. To select your final slide, press and hold Shift. 
• Select the tab labeled “Animations.” Turn off “On Mouse Click” and check the “Automatically After” box.
• The “After” box in the “Timing” panel has up and down arrows that you can use to change the time each slide appears. It will automatically loop back to the first slide when your slideshow reaches the last one.

How to Stop or Pause your Slideshow loop at any point.

Learning how to make a PowerPoint loop is of no use if you don’t know how to stop or pause your slideshow loop at any point: 

You can use simple keyboard commands to pause or stop your slideshow loop at any time during a PowerPoint presentation. You can manually stop the looping slideshow by hitting the “Esc” key (also known as the Escape key) on your keyboard. It gives presenters a simple and quick option to stop the continuous playback so they can answer queries, have conversations, or go to particular slides that are not playing continuously.

Advanced Techniques for Creating a Seamless Loop in PowerPoint

One of the techniques used for creating a seamless loop in PowerPoint is incorporating videos and GIFs. PowerPoint’s animations, transitions, and triggers can create seamless looping. Here is how:

• Select the video you imported and added to a slide.
• Open the “Animations” tab from the main menu.
• Choose “Play” from the animation gallery’s “Media” section after clicking the “ Add Animation ” button.
• On the right side of the screen, click the “Animation Pane” to open it.
• Right-click the “Play” button and choose “Timing” in the “Animation Pane.”
• Choose “Until End of Slide” or “Until Next Click” as the “Repeat” option in the “Timing” tab.
• Use Triggers to adjust the start and stop times of the video.

Tips and Tricks for Effective Slideshow Looping in PowerPoint

As you can see, creating a PowerPoint loop video couldn’t be easier. It only takes three easy steps to complete. Nonetheless, there are always specific tips you may apply to improve the appeal and attention-grabbingness of your videos.

1. Selecting the Right Video

The length and content of the video are the primary considerations when discussing the “right” video. Therefore, consider the duration of your video when creating a continuous loop.

Yes, longer videos can be more captivating, but they may add to the presentation’s file size and degrade performance. Shorter video clips, however, are less likely to affect performance and can loop more naturally. Regarding the video’s substance, make sure it supports the main idea of your presentation and is pertinent to the subject of your talk. The video aims to increase viewer comprehension and engagement without becoming overbearing or intrusive.

2. Compressing Video Files

Large videos can detract from the overall image of your presentation by making it excessively slow and challenging to share. Therefore, consider using a specialized video compression tool or the built-in PowerPoint compression feature to optimize your presentation by compressing the files. It doesn’t always imply that your presentation will look grainy. Still, it can cause a noticeable quality loss, so keep that in mind when creating the presentation in the first place.

3. Examining the Presentation

Make sure the video loops accurately and smoothly by testing it before you deliver your presentation. Go over the entire presentation, looking for any inconsistent or problematic playback. If you complete your testing on time, you can safely make all the required changes and retest it until the loop video functions as planned.

4. Looping Videos to Create Ambience and Background

You can also use videos that loop to set the mood for your presentation. For instance, a natural setting or a soft animation can produce an aesthetically pleasing and captivating ambiance. Nevertheless, the presentation’s general subject and the background clip are complementary rather than distracting.

To sum up, looping your PowerPoint slideshow is simple. PowerPoint’s “Set Up Slide Show options” allow you to program it to loop indefinitely for a predetermined number of times.

Use transitions carefully, arrange your slides in the correct order, and adhere to best practices while making your looping PowerPoint to give it a polished, professional appearance. Your looping slideshow can operate flawlessly at events without supervision with the correct settings.

How to Loop Slideshow In Powerpoint?

To loop a slideshow in PowerPoint, go to the “Slide Show” tab, select “Set Up Slide Show,” check “Loop continuously until ‘Esc’,” and click “OK.”

Can I loop specific slides within my PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, PowerPoint allows you to loop specific slides.

How do I stop or pause a looped slideshow in PowerPoint?

To interrupt a looped slideshow at any point, simply press the “Esc” key on your keyboard.

Can I customize the duration of each slide in a looped PowerPoint presentation?

Yes, you can control the timing of each slide by adjusting the slide transition settings, allowing for a tailored and dynamic looping experience.

Can SlideUpLift templates be used in looped presentations?

Yes, SlideUpLift provides PowerPoint templates that are compatible with looped presentations. These professionally designed templates can enhance the visual appeal of your slides, making your looped presentation more engaging and impactful.

Table Of Content

Related presentations.

Business Review PowerPoint Template

Business Case PowerPoint Deck Template

Project Status Review Deck Template

Related blogs.

10 Bad PowerPoint Slides Examples to Avoid

10 Best Animated PowerPoint Templates

10 Best Business PowerPoint Templates for Presentations

10 Best Free PowerPoint Templates

Tags and categories, privacy overview.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Setting up a PowerPoint slideshow to loop continuously is easy:

• Switch to the Slide Show Ribbon tab.
• Click on Set Up Slide Show .
• Tick the Loop continuously until 'Esc' checkbox.

By default, PowerPoint advances to the next slide only when a mouse click occurs. If you want your slideshow to advance automatically, follow the steps below:

• Select all slides in the navigation pane.
• Switch to the Transitions tab in the Ribbon.
• In the Timing group under Advance Slide tick the checkbox next to After:
• Enter the duration you want each slide to display.

• May 7, 2018

About ShapeChef

Blog Categories

• Slides and Objects
• Video and Audio
• Presentation Tips and Techniques

Copyright © 2024 Wulfsoft. All rights reserved.

• Terms of Service
• Legal Notice

How to: Effortlessly Create PowerPoint Looping Presentations

Looping presentations in PowerPoint can be a game-changer for those needing to display information continuously. It’s a straightforward process: Set up your slides, head to the ‘Slide Show’ tab, click on ‘Set Up Slide Show’, tick the ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc” box, and voila – your presentation is set to loop.

After completing this action, your PowerPoint presentation will automatically replay from the beginning once it reaches the end. This is particularly useful for presentations displayed at kiosks, trade shows, or in waiting areas, ensuring your audience doesn’t miss any content.

Introduction

Ever been to a trade show and noticed how some booths have screens with presentations that seem to run endlessly? That’s the magic of looping presentations, a feature that’s built into PowerPoint but not always used to its fullest potential.

Having a presentation loop can serve multiple purposes. For those in marketing, it means your message is continually being broadcast without the need for manual intervention. For educators, it could mean students have more time to absorb information. And for those in the corporate world, it ensures that important data is consistently on display for stakeholders and team members to see.

Looping presentations are not only efficient but also incredibly simple to set up in PowerPoint. Knowing how to do this is a great skill to have in your back pocket. Whether you’re prepping for an exhibition, setting up a self-running informational display, or just want to make sure your audience can see your presentation in its entirety, no matter when they walk in the room – this article is for you.

PowerPoint Looping Presentations Tutorial

Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand what we’re aiming to achieve. By the end of this tutorial, your PowerPoint presentation will be capable of running on its own, looping endlessly until manually stopped. It’s an excellent way to keep an audience engaged with your content, even if you’re not actively presenting.

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation

Open the PowerPoint presentation you wish to loop.

When you have your presentation open, you’ll want to ensure that all your slides are in the correct order and that any timings, animations, or transitions are set up as you want them. This is crucial because once the presentation starts looping, these aspects will play over and over again.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab

Navigate to the ‘Slide Show’ tab located on the ribbon at the top of PowerPoint.

The ‘Slide Show’ tab is where you’ll find all the settings related to the presentation’s display. It’s your control center for how the presentation will run.

Step 3: Select ‘Set Up Slide Show’

Click on the ‘Set Up Slide Show’ button within the ‘Slide Show’ tab.

This action opens a new window with various options for running your presentation. It’s like the backstage area before a performance, where you make all the necessary tweaks.

Step 4: Choose ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc”

In the ‘Set Up Show’ window, check the box that says ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc”.

This is the setting that transforms your presentation from a one-time run-through to an endlessly looping display. It’s the crucial step in ensuring your content gets maximum exposure.

Step 5: Save your settings

Click ‘OK’ to save your settings and close the ‘Set Up Show’ window.

Once you’ve clicked ‘OK’, your presentation is all set to loop. You can start the slideshow to test it out and see your handiwork in action.

Continuous Display

By looping your PowerPoint presentation, you ensure that no matter when someone walks by or starts watching, they’ll be able to see the whole thing. It’s ideal for environments where you have a rotating audience, like at conferences or informational booths.

Time-Saving

Once set up, you don’t need to stick around to restart the presentation. It loops automatically, freeing you up to do other things – like interacting with your audience or managing other aspects of your event or meeting.

Professionalism

A self-running, looping presentation can make a statement about your professionalism. It shows that you’ve put thought into how your information is presented and that you’re adept at using technology to enhance your message.

Can be Ignored

When people know a presentation is looping, they might not give it their full attention, thinking they’ll catch the next round. This could mean your message isn’t hitting home as strongly as you’d like.

Technical Issues

Technology isn’t foolproof. If your PowerPoint or the device it’s running on experiences issues, your looping presentation could grind to a halt – often at the most inopportune times.

Repetitiveness

For those who are around for a while, a looping presentation can become like that one song on the radio that’s played too often – annoying. Finding the balance between informative and overkill is key.

Additional Information

PowerPoint’s looping feature might seem simple, but it can be incredibly powerful when used correctly. Think about the last time you walked past a looping video or presentation – it probably caught your eye, at least for a moment. That’s the draw of a looping display; it’s always there, always ready to catch the attention of someone new.

One tip is to ensure your presentation is designed with looping in mind. This means avoiding content that could become quickly dated or using language that implies the presentation is a one-time event. Instead, use evergreen content that will be relevant no matter how many times it’s viewed.

Another consideration is the length of your presentation. If it’s too long, viewers might not stick around for the whole loop, missing out on key information. If it’s too short, it could become annoyingly repetitive. Striking the right balance is essential.

When setting up your looping presentation, think about the context in which it will be viewed. Is it in a noisy trade show hall? Consider adding subtitles or visual cues that can be understood without sound. Is it in a quiet waiting area? Maybe a softer, less attention-grabbing approach is needed.

Remember, the goal of a PowerPoint looping presentation is to inform and engage, not to overwhelm or annoy. Keep your audience’s experience in mind, and you’ll be sure to create a looping presentation that adds value and captures interest.

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the ‘Slide Show’ tab.
• Select ‘Set Up Slide Show’.
• Choose ‘Loop continuously until ‘Esc”.
• Save your settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my presentation has videos.

If your presentation contains videos, make sure they’re set to play automatically and check the box ‘Rewind after playing’ to ensure they loop with the rest of the slides.

Can I loop just one section of my presentation?

Yes, you can loop specific sections by using custom shows within PowerPoint. It’s a bit more complex but entirely possible.

Will looping work if I have transition timings set up?

Absolutely. Your slides will transition according to the timings you’ve set, looping back to the beginning when they reach the end.

How do I stop a looping presentation?

Simply press the ‘Esc’ key, and the presentation will stop looping and exit the slideshow view.

Can I loop a presentation on a Mac?

Yes, the steps are the same for PowerPoint on a Mac as they are for Windows.

Mastering PowerPoint looping presentations is like unlocking a new level in your presentation skills. It’s not just about making your slides look pretty; it’s about ensuring your message is always out there, always engaging, and always ready to inform. Whether you’re in the boardroom, at a booth, or in an educational setting, a well-crafted looping PowerPoint can make all the difference.

So go ahead, give it a try – your audience will thank you for it. And remember, the best presentations are those that not only deliver information but do so in a way that’s seamless and ever-present, just like the perfect loop.

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

Share this:

Join our free newsletter.

Featured guides and deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

Related posts:

• How to Loop a Slideshow on Powerpoint 2013
• How to Set Time for Slides in Powerpoint
• How to Save Powerpoint as PDF with Notes
• Can I Convert My Powerpoint to Google Slides?
• How to Add Page Numbers in Powerpoint 2010
• How to Unhide a Slide in Powerpoint 2013
• How to Make a Powerpoint Slide Vertical in Powerpoint 2013
• How to Delete a Slide in Powerpoint 2010
• How to Hide a Slide in Powerpoint 2010
• How to Rotate a Slide in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Loop a Powerpoint Presentation in Powerpoint 2013
• How to Insert Slides from Another Presentation in Powerpoint 2010
• How to End Powerpoint on Last Slide in Powerpoint 2010
• How to Change the Font on All Slides in Google Slides
• How to Delete Multiple Slides in Google Slides
• How to Change Line Spacing in Powerpoint for Every Slide at Once
• How to Insert Check Mark in Powerpoint for Office 365
• How to Change Hyperlink Color in Powerpoint 2010 (An Easy 5 Step Guide)
• What Are Benefits of PowerPoint? A Comprehensive Guide
• How to Embed a GIF in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

• Certifications

PowerPoint Loop Presentations: A Step-by-Step Guide

• December 27, 2022

Presentation skills are an important part of any professional career. In this age of digital media and multimedia presentations, it is more crucial than ever to have a strong command over presentation software programs like Powerpoint. To ensure that your next presentation goes off without a hitch, you need to know how to loop powerpoint presentations easily. Powerpoint is one of the most popular presentation software programs available on the market. It is also used by many professionals as well as students as it can be used for both personal and professional use. You don’t need any advanced skills or training to master this program so you can easily incorporate it into your daily work routine without much hassle. If you are planning to give a presentation at work, college or an event and would like to incorporate some additional effects, then follow along with the following step-by-step guide on how to loop powerpoint presentations easily:

What is a Powerpoint Presentation?

Powerpoint is a presentation software program that has been around for many years. The program allows you to create visual content such as charts, graphs, images, and text that can be used for presentations, training sessions, reports, and more. It’s important to note that PowerPoint is not a video editing program. What it does is help you create visual content based on a template. The template is where you’ll input the information that you want to present. PowerPoint can be used to create any type of content whether it’s an academic paper, a business proposal, a research paper, an investor presentation, a sales pitch, or anything else.

How to Loop a Powerpoint Presentation

A PowerPoint presentation is an excellent way to communicate information. It is also a powerful tool for training and team building. However, when you look back on the day, you’ve probably realized that you didn’t get to show off your presentation skills as much as you’d have liked. The reasons for this might be that you didn’t know how to make the best of your presentation and so you didn’t impress your audience as much as you’d have liked to. There are a few ways to fix this problem. The first one is to know how to make your presentation loop seamlessly. To make a presentation loop seamlessly , you need to understand what a PowerPoint presentation is and what you’re going to do to make it loop seamlessly. By default, a PowerPoint presentation is not going to loop. In order to make a presentation loop seamlessly, you need to add an animation that will make the presentation loop. There are two types of animations that you can add to make a PowerPoint presentation loop seamlessly. The first one is a slide transition animation, which makes the presentation move from one slide to the other one smoothly. The other one is a camera animation, which makes the camera move from one point to the other point while keeping the same slide at the same time.

Loop Effect in Powerpoint Presentations

If you want your PowerPoint presentation to loop seamlessly, you’ll need to learn how to loop a powerpoint presentation. A PowerPoint presentation is an excellent way to communicate information. It is also a powerful tool for training and team building. However, when you look back on the day, you’ve probably realized that you didn’t get to show off your presentation skills as much as you’d have liked. The reasons for this might be that you didn’t know how to make the best of your presentation and so you didn’t impress your audience as much as you’d have liked. There are a few ways to fix this problem. The first one is to know how to make your presentation loop seamlessly. To make a presentation loop seamlessly, you need to understand what a PowerPoint presentation is and what you’re going to do to make it loop seamlessly. By default, a PowerPoint presentation is not going to loop. In order to make a presentation loop seamlessly, you need to add an animation that will make the presentation loop. There are two types of animations that you can add to make a PowerPoint presentation loop seamlessly. The first one is a slide transition animation, which makes the presentation move from one slide to the other one smoothly. The other one is a camera animation, which makes the camera move from one point to the other point while keeping the same slide at the same time.

Create a new presentation

If you’re looking for a new approach to looping your powerpoint presentations , you should consider making a new presentation instead of looping an old one. If you’ve been trying to loop an old presentation and have been unsuccessful, it’s time to start from the beginning. Simply create a new presentation and work with the default templates that are provided for you. Once you’ve created a new presentation, you’re going to need to add an image to it. By adding an image to your new presentation, you’ll be able to loop it as a sequence of images. In order to add an image to your new presentation, follow these simple steps: Press the Insert tab on your Powerpoint program, select the Picture option, and choose Open. Once you’ve added an image to your new presentation, you’re ready to loop it as a sequence of images.

Choose your desired effect

Once you’ve created your new presentation, you can now choose which effect you’re going to use to make your presentation loop seamlessly. The effects that you can use to make your presentation loop seamlessly include the following: River, Wave, Cycle, and Slicing. These are the four PowerPoint effects that are available for making your presentation loop seamlessly. The River effect is the most popular effect among professional and business users. It uses the natural sound of flowing water to create a soothing effect and make it easier for your audience to fall asleep. The Wave effect is a more powerful effect that uses natural sound of crashing waves to create a more dramatic and intense effect. The Cycle effect is the most simplistic among the four effects that are available for making your presentation loop seamlessly. The cycle effect creates a steady and repetitive sound similar to the rotation of a dial or a turntable.

Use the speaker notes feature to add speaker’s notes

Powerpoint presentations can include a speaker note icon on the slide that you can use to add speaker notes to your presentation. You can use this feature to add notes while you’re presenting your information and make it easier for your audience to follow along with what you’re saying. When you’re presenting your information in a Powerpoint presentation, you can simply click on the speaker notes icon on the slide. This will open a note window on the screen that you can use to type notes as you’re presenting your information. You can simply press the Enter key on your keyboard to add a new note to your presentation. You can also press the Tab key on your keyboard to switch between the notes window and your presentation.

Add Loop Effects

Now that you’ve learned how to loop a powerpoint presentation, it’s time for you to add the slide transition effect to make your presentation loop seamlessly. You can use the slide transition effect to create a smooth transition between two images and make it easier for your audience to focus on the message that you’re giving. Once you’ve added a slide transition effect to your new presentation, you can now choose which effect you want to use to make your presentation loop seamlessly. The effects that you can use to make your presentation loop seamlessly include the following: River, Wave, Cycle, and Slicing. These are the four PowerPoint effects that are available for making your presentation loop seamlessly.

Final Words

Powerpoint is a presentation software program that has been around for many years. The program allows you to create visual content such as charts, graphs, images, and text that can be used for presentations, training sessions, reports, and much more.

Share This Post:

8 thoughts on “powerpoint loop presentations: a step-by-step guide”.

Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me.

Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you.

sizde hemen kuşadası escort bayan sayfasına göz atabilirsiniz.

Your blog is a source of light in a world that can sometimes feel dark. I appreciate the positivity and optimism you infuse into your articles. Thank you for spreading positivity through your writing.

very nice submit, i definitely love this web site, carry on it [url=http://www.palmangels.us.com]palm angels[/url]

Great write-up, I am normal visitor of one¦s blog, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

Yay google is my queen aided me to find this great website ! .

Im thankful for the blog.Really thank you! Want more.

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Get A 5X Raise In Salary

Reset Password

Insert/edit link.

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

How To Loop a PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Microsoft PowerPoint is a well-known tool for making and delivering presentations. Do you know how to use the looping feature? This feature makes it easy for presenters to move from slide to slide without having to click a mouse or computer key. Setting up and customizing this feature is simple.

In this article, you will learn the following:

What is PowerPoint looping?

How to set up powerpoint looping, how to stop looping on powerpoint presentations.

Typically, a PowerPoint presentation will only move from one slide to the next when prompted. A presenter will have to press the arrow key on the computer keyboard, right-click on the mouse, or press the button on a hand-held presentation remote in order to move to the next slide.

When you loop a PowerPoint, you set the presentation to move from one slide to the next without being prompted. For presenters, this means that you do not need to click the arrow key on the computer or click a mouse.

PowerPoint looping allows you to display each slide automatically for a certain amount of time, which you determine. Once the slide displays for that set time, the next slide automatically displays. After the final slide of the presentation, the slideshow repeats from the beginning.

To set up looping on a PowerPoint presentation, complete the following steps:

Create your PowerPoint presentation.

In the main menu of your PowerPoint (along the top of the screen), select “Slide Show.”

Click “Slide Show” to begin customizing your presentation’s display

In the menu that pops up at the top of your screen, select “Set Up Slide Show.”

Click “Set Up Slide Show” to begin customizing your presentation’s display

In the box that appears, locate “Show options” and check the box next to “Loop continuously until ‘Esc.’”

Check the box next to “Loop continuously until ‘Esc.’”

Click “OK.”

Setting up timing between slides

Microsoft PPT will automatically set your slides to transition every two minutes, but you can easily customize how long you want each slide to display before moving to the next slide.

In the main menu, select “Transitions.”

Click “Transitions”

Select the slide that you want to customize for the display time. If you would like all of the slides to have the same transition time, select all slides instead of just one.

Select the slide for which you want to customize the display time. If you’d like all of the slides to have the same transition time, highlight all slides instead of just one.

In the “Timing” group under “Advance Slide,” check the box next to “After:.”

Under “Advance Slide,” check the box next to “After:”

In the box next to “After:,” move the arrows up and down to determine how long you’d like the slides to display.

Once you loop your slideshow, it will display on a loop while you present. To stop this looping, simply press “Esc” on your keyboard. This will end your presentation looping.

Enhancing PowerPoint with graphics

Microsoft PowerPoint is just the beginning when it comes to creating useful presentations. If you would like to enhance the visual aspects of your PowerPoint presentations, consider add-on software that will help create graphics such as timelines, Gantt charts, and more.

Disclaimer:

The steps to loop a PowerPoint were researched in November 2021, and desktop screenshots reflect the platform layout of PowerPoint on a desktop PC. Applications and layouts are liable to change; see Microsoft’s “PowerPoint help & learning” page for additional information.

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Presentation Software
• PowerPoint Presentations

How to Loop in PowerPoint on PC or Mac

Last Updated: November 24, 2021

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 20,650 times. Learn more...

Want to create a self-running PowerPoint presentation for your kiosk, trade-show, performance, or event? It's easy to adjust the options in PowerPoint to make your presentation play back in a continuous loop. When you turn on Slide Show Loop in PowerPoint, your presentation will start over again every time it ends, which means you won't need to be present to restart it. This wikiHow article will show you how to make your PowerPoint presentation loop indefinitely.

• If you haven't yet created your presentation, make one and save it as a file before proceeding.

• For example, to change the amount of time spent on each slide to 10 seconds, you would change the 00:00.00 text box to read 00:10.00 .

• Click File in the upper-left side of the window.
• Click Save As on the left side of the page.
• Double-click the This PC tab in the middle of the page.
• Click the "Save as type" drop-down box, then click PowerPoint Show in the drop-down menu.
• Enter a file name and select a save location.
• Click Save .

• If you're unhappy with a slide's display time, you can change the time by opening the presentation, going back to the Transitions tab, and adjusting the "After" text box.
• You can open a Show file in PowerPoint by dragging the Show file into the PowerPoint window.

• For example, to change the amount of time spent on each slide to 10 seconds, you would type 10.00 into the text box.

• Click File .
• Click Save As... .
• Click the "Format" drop-down box.
• Click PowerPoint Show (.ppsx) in the drop-down menu.

Expert Q&A

• If you use Microsoft Office 365, you can save your PowerPoint presentation as a video instead of a PowerPoint file and then loop the video using your computer's video player's "Loop" function. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/create-a-self-running-presentation-57fc41ae-f36a-4fb5-94a3-52d5bc466037#OfficeVersion=Mac
• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/file-formats-for-saving-and-exporting-presentations-in-powerpoint-for-mac-a4b76110-697c-496f-b9c5-e318f2bd6eba

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help:

Tech troubles got you down? We've got the tips you need

How to Create a Looping Slideshow in PowerPoint

You can easily create a looping slideshow using PowerPoint. A looping slideshow displays each slide automatically for a certain amount of time. Once that time has elapsed, the slide automatically continues to the next slide. Once the slideshow reaches the end, it repeats from the beginning.

• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click the [Slide Show] tab > From the "Set Up" group, click "Set Up Slide Show".
• From the resulting dialogue box, check "Loop continuously until 'Esc'" under the "Show options" section > Click [OK].
• From the "Slides" preview side panel, click your first slide > Press and hold [Shift] and click your last slide. This will select all of your slides.
• Click the [Transitions] tab > From the "Timing" group, uncheck "On Mouse Click" and check "After".
• To adjust the time you would like each slide to display, click the up and down arrows in the "After:" field within the "Timing" group. When your slideshow reaches the last slide, it will automatically loop back to the beginning.

Keywords: loop, slideshow, powerpoint, looping slideshow, automatic slideshow, continuous, power point

Posted in Computer Help

Share This Post

How to Loop a Powerpoint Office 365 Slideshow

For typical Powerpoint presentations that you just show to one person, you likely aren’t concerned with what happens when the slideshow is over.

But some situations call for a slideshow to continue playing for an extended period of time.

This means that you will need to learn how to loop a Powerpoint Office 365 presentation so that it plays continuously.

How to Do a Powerpoint for Office 365 Slideshow Loop

• Open the presentation.
• Select the Slide Show tab.
• Choose Set Up Slide Show .
• Check the Loop continuously until Esc box.
• Click the top slide, hold down Shift , then click the last slide.
• Choose the Transitions tab.
• Uncheck On Mouse Click , check After , then set a duration for each slide.

Our guide continues below with more information on how to loop a Powerpoint Office 365 presentation, including pictures of these steps.

Sometimes you will create a presentation in Powerpoint that is going to be shown someplace where it will be unattended.

This could be at a trade show, in an office, or anywhere else where there is a TV or computer screen.

Constantly having to restart that slideshow yourself is often impractical, and would be tedious even if you were physically able to attend to it.

Fortunately, it’s possible to create a slideshow loop in Powerpoint so that the presentation will play continuously once it has concluded.

Our guide below will show you how to create a Powerpoint slideshow loop in Microsoft Powerpoint for Office 365.

Documents with pictures often need some adjustments before they look their best. You can find out more with our how to flip an image in Word article .

How to Make a Powerpoint Slideshow Loop (Guide with Pictures)

The steps in this article were performed in the Microsoft Powerpoint for Office 365 version of the application, but will work in most other versions of the application as well.

Note that the presentation can loop on its own, but you may need to adjust any screensaver or hibernation settings on your computer so that the screen will remain on.

Step 1: Open your slideshow in Powerpoint.

Step 2: click the slide show tab at the top of the window..

Step 3: Click the Set Up Slide Show button.

Step 4: Check the box to the left of Loop continuously until Esc , then click OK .

Step 5: Click your first slide in the column at the left side of the window, then hold down the Shift key, scroll down and click the last slide.

Step 6: Select the Transitions tab at the top of the window.

Step 7: Click the box to the left of On Mouse Click to remove the check mark, check the box to the left of After , then choose the amount of time to display each slide.

I have set my slideshow to display each slide for 5 seconds in the image above.

You can start your slideshow at any time by pressing the F5 key on your keyboard.

You can stop the slideshow by pressing the Esc key on your keyboard.

You should now know how to loop a Powerpoint Office 365 presentation so that it continuously plays on repeat until you press the Esc key on your keyboard to terminate it.

Find out how to change your slide size in Powerpoint if you need a different orientation or slide dimensions for your presentation.

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

• How to Rotate a Powerpoint Slide Presentation
• How to Mirror Image in PPT Files (An Easy 6 Step Guide)
• How to Change Slide Size in Powerpoint 2016
• How to Do a Powerpoint Google Slides Presentation Conversion
• How to Add a Hyperlink on Google Slides
• Can You Print a Google Slide?
• How to Make Google Slides Vertical (5 Quick Steps)
• How to Save a Picture to Your Computer from Powerpoint for Office 365
• How to Stop Hiding a Slide in Google Slides
• How to Skip a Slide in Google Slides
• How to Make Columns in Word Office 365
• How to Make Text Vertical in Google Docs
• How to Set Google Docs Background Image
• Can You Download Google Slides Files?
• How to Save a Single Slide as a Picture in Google Slides
• How to Change Page Color in Word for Office 365 (An Easy 4 Step Guide)
• How to Get the Excel 365 Developer Tab in Microsoft Excel for Office Today
• How to Not Print Comments in Word (An Easy 5 Step Guide)
• How to Double Space in Word Office 365
• How to Bring an Image to the Front in Google Slides

Get Our Free Newsletter

How-to guides and tech deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

TechRepublic

Account information.

Share with Your Friends

How to add a looping introduction to a PowerPoint presentation

Your email has been sent

Displaying an introductory or welcome slide while your audience arrives for a presentation is common. While the audience enters the room and finds a seat, they may chat with one another, help themselves to refreshments, or sit quietly and wait for the show. The one-slide introduction that says welcome and displays pretty flowers is quaint, but it won’t grab anyone’s attention as they enter the room, and it certainly won’t keep anyone’s interest while they wait. Instead, grab their attention from the moment they walk through the door with an introductory presentation that introduces you and/or your presentation’s purpose—call it a mini presentation if you like. That way, you’ll have the attention and interest of your audience before you even begin.

I’m using Office 365 PowerPoint (desktop) on a Windows 10 64-bit system, but you can use an earlier version. This technique can’t be created in the browser edition. You can work with your own presentation or download the .pptx and .ppt demonstration files.

SEE: Choosing your Windows 7 exit strategy: Four options (Tech Pro Research)

Setting it up

This technique uses two shows—the preview and the main presentation–but you’ll store them as one. You control when your audience sees both.

It doesn’t matter where you place the introductory slides within the main presentation. At the beginning makes sense—that’s what we’ll do–but it isn’t necessary. If slide numbering matters, place your introductory slide as the end. Use as many introductory slides as needed but keep it to a minimum. The point is to present material that will interest the audience and enhance your program.

Once you’ve created the main presentation, add introductory slides. Your presentation, if run, would display the introductory slides and then the presentation. That’s not what you want; you want the presentation to repeat the introductory slides without advancing to the main presentation until you’re ready.

I’m using the school project presentation provided by PowerPoint as a demonstration file. As you can see in Figure A , I’ve changed the first two slides a bit; these two slides, slides 1 and 2, represent our introduction. Slides 3 through 7 represent our main presentation. (I’ve not changed the remaining slides.)

Identifying the introduction slides

We now have two presentations in one. To control them as two separate shows, we’ll first identify the introductory slides. To do so:

• In Slide Sorter, select the slides in the introduction—slides 1 and 2. To do so, hold down the Shift key while clicking both.
• Click the Transition slide. In the Timing group, uncheck On mouse click, and click After. Enter the number of seconds you want to pause between slides—3 ( Figure B ).
• Click the Slide Show tab, and then click Set Up Slide Show in the Set Up group.
• In the resulting dialog, check Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ in the Show options section.
• In the Show slides section, enter 1 and 2 for the From and To settings (slides 1 and 2).
• Make sure to check the Using timings, if present option in the Advance slides section ( Figure C ) and click OK.

If you play the presentation as is, it plays slides 1 and 2 continuously, never advancing to the main presentation. Next, we’ll create a custom slide show with the remaining slides.

Name the main presentation

We’ve identified slides 1 and 2 as the introduction. Now, let’s identify the main presentation by create a custom slide show as follows:

• Click the slide Show tab, click Custom Slide Show in the Start Slide Show group, and then choose custom Shows.
• Click New in the resulting dialog.
• In the Define Custom Show dialog, enter Main Presentation in the Slide show name control.
• Check slides 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the left list. Then, click Add to copy those slides to the Slides in custom show list to the right ( Figure D ). PowerPoint will renumber them, but don’t worry about that.
• Click OK and then click Close.

At this point, you have two slides that loop, slides 1 and 2, and a custom slide show named Main Presentation that contains 5 slides (slides 3 through 7). Right now, you can’t get from the looping intro to the main presentation.

How to start the main presentation

Once your audience is ready, you’ll want to start the main presentation. As yet, there’s no way to do so. To that end, we’ll add an action button to slide 2 that starts the main presentation. First, switch to Normal view. Then, select the last slide in the introduction, slide 2. To add the action button, do the following:

• Click the Insert tab, click Shapes (in the Illustrations group), and then choose a shape from the Action Buttons at the bottom of the dropdown. Specifically, choose the second from the left, Go Forward or Next.
• Click on the slide where you want to position the button.
• In the resulting dialog, you’ll assign an action by choosing Custom Show from the Hyperlink to dropdown ( Figure E ). Don’t choose Next Slide, even though it seems to make sense. Doing so will display the next slide in the introduction—slide 1—not the next slide in sequence.
• In the next dialog, choose Main Presentation ( Figure F ).
• Click OK twice to return to Normal view.

At this point, you’re done. However, you might want to make the action button invisible as follows:

• With the action button still selected, click the Format tab. Then click the dialog launcher for the Shapes Styles group.
• In the resulting pane, click Fill to display more options. Set the Transparency option to 100%.

That was easy, wasn’t it? Just don’t forget where the action button is. You can copy the button to slide 1 if you want the option of starting the presentation from either introductory slide. This is less important when you have only a few slides in the introduction. If you have several, consider copying the action button to all the slides or every other slide so you can quickly start the presentation regardless of which slide is up.

Show’s on!

All the hard work is done. Simply press F5 to run the show. PowerPoint will loop through slides 1 and 2. When you’re ready to start the presentation, click the (hidden) action button on slide 2. Because the action button specifies a custom show and not a specific slide, PowerPoint will return to the first slide in that show, slide 3 (slide 1 in the custom show) when you exit the last slide, slide 7. It won’t return to slides 1 and 2 in the introduction.

You can keep your audience mildly entertained or grab their interest early on with a short introductory presentation. Let the slides loop until you’re ready to begin the main presentation.

Send me your question about Office

I answer readers’ questions when I can, but there’s no guarantee. Don’t send files unless requested; initial requests for help that arrive with attached files will be deleted unread. You can send screenshots of your data to help clarify your question. When contacting me, be as specific as possible. For example, “Please troubleshoot my workbook and fix what’s wrong” probably won’t get a response, but “Can you tell me why this formula isn’t returning the expected results?” might. Please mention the app and version that you’re using. I’m not reimbursed by TechRepublic for my time or expertise when helping readers, nor do I ask for a fee from readers I help. You can contact me at [email protected] .

• How to use an image to tell a story in PowerPoint (TechRepublic)
• Office Q&A: Collapsible heading and delay send settings aren’t a cure all, but it’s close
• 10 free alternatives to Microsoft Word and Excel (TechRepublic download)
• Microsoft Office 365 for business: Everything you need to know (ZDNet)
• The 10 most important iPhone apps of all time (Download.com)
• It takes work to keep your data private online. These apps can help (CNET)
• Programming languages and developer career resources coverage (TechRepublic on Flipboard)

Subscribe to the Developer Insider Newsletter

From the hottest programming languages to commentary on the Linux OS, get the developer and open source news and tips you need to know. Delivered Tuesdays and Thursdays

Create a TechRepublic Account

Get the web's best business technology news, tutorials, reviews, trends, and analysis—in your inbox. Let's start with the basics.

* - indicates required fields

Sign in to TechRepublic

Lost your password? Request a new password

Reset Password

Please enter your email adress. You will receive an email message with instructions on how to reset your password.

Check your email for a password reset link. If you didn't receive an email don't forgot to check your spam folder, otherwise contact support .

Welcome. Tell us a little bit about you.

This will help us provide you with customized content.

Want to receive more TechRepublic news?

You're all set.

Thanks for signing up! Keep an eye out for a confirmation email from our team. To ensure any newsletters you subscribed to hit your inbox, make sure to add [email protected] to your contacts list.