Ever struggle to stay focused when you’re giving a presentation? Hey, it happens to the best of us! Speaker notes in PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides are a great solution to help you keep your place and key ideas in front of you.
Speaker notes in PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides are powerful cues. Think of them as your silent assistant: always there to help you, but unseen by your audience.
In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to use PowerPoint speaker notes. We’ll also look at their counterparts in Google Slides and Apple Keynote. When you finish reading this guide, you’ll be able to present with confidence on any subject!
What Is Speaker Notes View?
So, what are speaker notes in PowerPoint and other apps? In essence, they’re notes that only you (the presenter) can see. With them, you can build yourself a helpful guide to follow along with as you present. I like to think of PowerPoint speaker notes as a roadmap to follow.
On speaker notes, you can leave yourself reminders about key topics to cover! You can add cues, and even scripts if you need to deliver a precise narration.
The advantage is this: your audience can’t see your speaker notes in PowerPoint or any other app. They’ll never have to know you aren’t presenting from memory!
The advantages are many. Consider this:
- You’ll stay on time and pace more effectively. I like to use speaker notes to add cues and transitions to my slide deck. You can do this, too! With these cues, you’ll know exactly when to move from slide to slide. Instead of remembering exactly where you plan to advance to the next slide, you can reference your notes for this instead.
- You won’t risk losing your train of thought as you speak. Let’s face it: we all get distracted. When speaking to an audience, it’s very easy to lose focus and forget what you are saying. Speaker notes are a vital tool to avoid this. List your key points in speaker notes, and you’ll always have a handy reference if you get lost.
- You’ll gain confidence. Many of us get nervous when presenting or speaking in public. That’s totally natural, but speaker notes help you avoid this. Don’t risk going off memory. Speaker notes give you the confidence you need to deliver an inspiring presentation that your audience will love.
- You can reference extra details and data. It’s easy to succumb to the temptation to clutter slides with data and numbers. But sometimes, you need to reference this detail in your narration. Speaker notes are the solution. Add extra data to them to read from or refer to, without having to place it on an actual slide.
Speaker notes can be added to each individual slide. Again, what are speaker notes if not the perfect sidekick for a winning slide deck?
Speaker Note View Examples (Google Slides, PowerPoint, Keynote)
We answered the question: what are speaker notes? Now, it’s time to see them in action. Speaker notes are a built-in feature in all three top presentation apps: Slides, PowerPoint, and Keynote. Thus, it’s amazingly easy to use them with whichever app you prefer and most enjoy.
Below, we’ll look at speakers notes examples from this trio of apps. All three are similar but be sure to note the key differences. In no time, you will have all the skills you need to start creating speaker notes in all your 2024 slide decks.
Speaker Notes View in Google Slides
What are speaker notes on Google Slides? Just like PowerPoint and Keynote, they’re a built-in feature. Since Google Slides is an online web app, you can really carry speaker notes with you here wherever you go.
Speaker notes in Google Slides are easy to use. To access them, open a Slides presentation deck. Then, find the menu, and from it, click on the View drop-down. From the list of options, you’ll see Show speaker notes. Click this.
Now, you’ll see speaker notes right below each slide. You can type into these. Remember: they are visible only to you. When you share using Google Slides’ Presenter view, the notes will show there as well. This is a great option if you’re sharing on multiple displays, such as a projector or even a second monitor.
What are Speaker Notes on Google Slides? It’s a helpful cue that help you stay focused while presenting. For more about speaker notes in Google Slides, turn to our full tutorial:
Speaker Notes View in PowerPoint
What are speaker notes in PowerPoint? As you’ve been learning, they’re the key to keeping important details at the ready.
Speaker notes in PowerPoint are a vital way to elevate your delivery. They function very similarly to Google Slides speaker notes like those we just reviewed.
To see PowerPoint speaker notes, make sure that you’re working in Normal view. This can be controlled by going to the View tab, then choosing Normal. In this view, the slide that you have open will largely fill your screen. On it, you can make edits and more.
To view PowerPoint speaker notes, click on the Notes button just below your slide. You’ll see a text box pop up below your slide! In it, you can type in or paste your speaker notes.
Just like in Google Slides, notes apply only to the slide you have in view. This way, you can build out a detailed guide for yourself for each specific slide!
Speaker notes in PowerPoint shine when you use Presenter View. What is Presenter View in PowerPoint? It’s a powerful feature that works when you’re sharing on a second screen. Open it by going to Slide Show > Presenter View.
On the left side of the screen, you’ll see the current slide that you’re sharing. And right beside it, you’ll see your speaker notes.
Your audience will see your slide in full screen. They can’t see your speaker notes.
What are speaker notes in PowerPoint? Now you know. You can present with ease and confidence. No one needs to know that you have a cool “cheat sheet” in the form of speaker notes that you made for yourself.
What is Presenter View in PowerPoint? As it turns out, the perfect companion to adding speaker notes. Learn more here:
Speaker Notes View in Keynote
Last but not least, let’s look at speaker notes in Apple’s Keynote presentation app. In Keynote, speaker notes have a slightly different name. They are called Presenter Notes here. But their functionality is almost identical to that in both Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint.
Navigate to Presenter Notes in Keynote by first opening the app. At the top of the screen, you’ll see a menu bar. From it, click on the View button.
The View drop-down will appear. From the list of options, click on Show Presenter Notes. Just like that, you’ll be able to add them. As with Slides and PowerPoint, Keynote Presenter Notes sit right underneath your slides.
You can click into the white box and type in notes of your own. As with the other apps, individual notes apply to specific slides. In other words, you can add a new set of presenter notes to each slide in your presentation deck.
Keynote also has a version of Presenter View. It’s found by going to Play > Play Slideshow in Window. As you navigate through the deck, your notes will be in view – only by you!
For more about Presenter Notes in Keynote, check out our tutorial guide:
We’ve explored three powerful speakers notes examples. You now have the skills you need to add speaker notes in Google Slides, PowerPoint, and Keynote!
No matter which presentation software you prefer, you’re now equipped to present with poise and confidence. In no time, you’ll find that speaker notes become your very best friend as a speaker and presenter. Try them out today.
Learn More About Building Great Presentations (With Stunning Designs)
Speaker notes in PowerPoint, Keynote, and Google Slides help you deliver successful presentations. But they’re just one of many tools that you can use to do exactly that.
To help you, we’ve collected some of our top presentation design tutorials. Explore these to level up your presentation game in moments!
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Use Speaker Notes in Your Next Presentation Today
We just answered the question: what are speaker notes? And we looked at speakers notes examples in three major presentation apps. No matter your app of choice, keep this feature in mind.
When paired with preparation and practice, speaker notes streamline your presentation’s delivery. They help you master any subject, without having to memorize. Speaker notes are like an assistant that stands by your side, ready with key info.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to Envato Elements and choose a premium presentation template from their vast library. Then, launch it in your favorite presentation app and start adding speaker notes! They are the best companion imaginable for any presentation. Add speaker notes to your next presentation today!