loop a presentation in powerpoint

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How to loop a powerpoint presentation.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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How To Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Learn how to loop a PowerPoint in 3 easy steps! Usually, once you’re finished with your presentation, PowerPoint goes back to the slide editor. But if you want your presentation to go back to the start, this quick tutorial will show you how to loop any PowerPoint presentation and set it to run automatically.

Why Learn How to Loop a PowerPoint

It can be very awkward to have your audience looking at the black screen after going through all your slides. Or even worse, at the slide editor. If you’re planning on going back on some of your previous points, learning how to loop your PowerPoint presentation can be a useful tool. Sure, you can go back using the Back key. But this way can make it easier and more polished, especially if you have a long presentation with many slides.

Learning how to loop a PowerPoint can also be extremely useful for those making a pictured-based presentation. Slides don’t necessarily have to have a lot of information on them. PowerPoint can also be used just to present images and examples or to provide a background for the speaker. Looping your presentation will make sure that you’re never left with an empty screen.

In short, it’s a nice detail to make your presentation look more clean and polished. So, are you ready to learn how to loop a PowerPoint presentation?

How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Luckily, learning how to loop a PowerPoint is very easy! Just follow these 3 steps:

1. Open your presentation and go to the Slide Show tab.

2. Select the Set Up Slide Show option for the Set-Up Options window to appear.

3. In this window, go to the “Show options group” and tick the Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ (the first option). Don’t forget to click OK to apply the new set-up!

And that’s all! Try putting your presentation on Slide Show mode. You’ll see that your presentation keeps going on until you press the ESC key in your keyboard.

How To Make a Self-Running PowerPoint Presentation

If you’re making a PowerPoint presentation to be used only as a background, then this information might be useful too. Usually, PowerPoint presentations only advance to the next slide when a mouse click occurs. But you can set your presentation to run automatically. This way, you don’t have to keep worrying about moving to the next slide since your presentation will do it on itself!

This is a great option for presentations that are only images on a loop, like in a Pecha Kucha presentation . You will be able to focus much better on what you have to say rather than in clicking on your slides to avoid boring your audience with only one picture.

1. Go to the Transitions tab.

2. In the “Timing” group (in the far right), tick the After option. In the timer on its side, enter how much time you want between slide and slide.

3. Select the Apply To All option so every slide follows the same set-up.

If you want different times for each slide, you can also customize it like so. You just have to go one at a time changing how much time you want to spend on each slide and ignore the last step. Don’t forget to practice before your presentation! Only then you’ll know if the times you set for each slide are right. Good luck!

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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

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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.

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Loop a PowerPoint Slide Show

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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.

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How to Make Your Presentations Loop in PowerPoint

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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.

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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.

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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.

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How To Loop A PowerPoint Slideshow? Detailed Guide

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.

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How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation?

Table of Contents

PowerPoint presentations are a go-to for clear and informative content delivery. But what if you want your presentation to run on repeat, like at a kiosk or digital sign? The good news is, that PowerPoint has a built-in feature to loop your slideshow, ensuring your message stays on display without interruption. 

This blog post will guide you through the simple steps to set your presentation on a loop, keeping your audience engaged and informed around the clock.

What is PowerPoint Looping?

Normally, in a PowerPoint presentation, you have to manually move from one slide to the next by pressing keys on the keyboard or clicking buttons on a mouse or presentation remote.

However, when you enable looping in PowerPoint, the presentation progresses automatically from one slide to the next without requiring manual input. This eliminates the need for the presenter to interact with the computer or mouse during the presentation.

With PowerPoint looping, you can also set each slide to display automatically for a specified duration, determined by you. Once the preset time elapses, the next slide seamlessly appears. Additionally, upon reaching the final slide, the slideshow automatically starts over from the beginning.

Why Do You Need to Loop Your Slideshow in PowerPoint? 

There are several reasons why you might want to loop your slideshow in PowerPoint:

• Unattended Presentations: Looping is ideal for situations where the presentation runs without a presenter. This could be at a kiosk, trade show booth, or in a waiting room. Looping ensures the information is continuously displayed for viewers to come and go as they please.
• Automated Playback: Looping allows for a hands-off presentation experience. Once started, the presentation progresses automatically, freeing you up to greet attendees or answer questions.
• Self-Paced Learning: Looping can be useful for self-paced learning environments. Viewers can revisit slides or take breaks without needing someone to control the flow.
• Continuous Engagement: Looping keeps the audience engaged with a constant stream of information. This can be beneficial for displaying menus, directions, or other ongoing updates.

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How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation loop?

Ready to loop your presentation? Here’s how it’s done:

Step 1:  Open your PowerPoint and head over to the “Slide Show” tab.

Step 2:  Click the button that says “Set Up Slide Show.” A new window will pop up.

Step 3:  Under “Show options,” find the magic checkbox that says “Loop continuously until ‘Esc’.” Check that box to make your presentation run on repeat.

Step 4:  Want to control how long each slide shows? Look for the option “Automatically advance slides” and check it. Then, use the up and down arrows to set the display time for each slide.

Step 5:  Once you’re happy with the settings, click “OK” to save them.

Step 6: Time to loop! Go back to the “Slide Show” tab and click “From Beginning” (or “From Start”). Your presentation will start playing and keep going until you press the “Esc” key.

How To Loop a PowerPoint SlideShow from Selected Slides?

PowerPoint lets you loop a customized selection of slides, creating engaging presentations that run unattended. This eliminates the need for manual slide changes while maintaining audience interest. Here’s how to loop specific slides:

Step 1:  Select Slides: In the Slide Sorter view, hold “Shift” and click the first and last slides you want to loop.

Step 2:  Enable Looping: Go to the “Slide Show” tab and click “Set Up Show.” Check the box for “Loop continuously until ‘Esc'” and choose “Show slides” from the dropdown menu. Select “From” and enter the slide number where your loop should begin.

Step 3:  Create Custom Show (Optional): For easier access, name your looped sequence as a “Custom Show” within the “Set Up Show” dialog.

Step 4:  Start Looping: Navigate back to the “Slide Show” tab and choose “Custom Slide Show” to launch your looped presentation.

Closing Thoughts

Looping your PowerPoint presentation is a simple yet powerful technique that unlocks a variety of use cases. By following these steps, you can ensure your message runs continuously, keeping your audience informed and engaged, whether it’s at a kiosk, trade show booth, waiting room, or any other scenario that demands unattended playback. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

My presentation has animations and transitions. will they loop as well.

Absolutely! When you loop your presentation, animations and transitions will also repeat continuously, regardless of the looping method you choose.

Does looping affect animation timing?

There’s a possibility. Looping might affect how your animations play out, especially if they have specific timings set. To avoid any hiccups, be sure to thoroughly test your looped presentation. This will ensure your animations sync smoothly with the slide transitions.

Can I loop specific slides in my PowerPoint presentation?

Yes! PowerPoint gives you the flexibility to loop a selected group of slides, creating engaging presentations that run unattended.

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

Need a break? Simply press the “Esc” key on your keyboard to interrupt the looped slideshow at any time.

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

Yes, you can! PowerPoint allows you to adjust the slide transition settings for each slide. This lets you control how long each slide displays, creating a tailored and dynamic looping experience.

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Create a self-running presentation

You can use a self-running presentation to run unattended in a booth or kiosk at a trade show or convention, or you can save it as a video and send it to a client.

On the Slide Show tab, select  Set Up Slide Show .

Under Show type , pick one of the following:

Presented by a speaker (full screen)  Allows the people watching your slide show to have control over when they advance the slides.

Browsed by an individual (window)  Presents your slide show in a window, where control over advancing the slides is not available to the people watching.

Browsed at a kiosk (full screen)  Loops your slide show until the person watching presses Esc.

Rehearse and record slide timings

When you choose the following show types: Presented by a speaker (full screen) or  Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) , you’ll want to rehearse and record timings for effects and slides.

On the Slide Show tab, select  Rehearse Timings .

Note:  The presentation timer begins immediately when you click Rehearse Timings .

The Rehearsal toolbar appears and the Slide Time box begins timing the presentation.

Figure: The Rehearsal toolbar

While timing your presentation, you can do one or more of the following on the Rehearsal toolbar:

To move to the next slide, click Next .

To temporarily stop recording the time, click Pause .

To restart recording the time after pausing, click Pause .

To set an exact length of time for a slide to appear, type the length of time in the Slide Time box.

To restart recording the time for the current slide, click Repeat .

After you set the time for the last slide, a message box displays the total time for the presentation and prompts you to do one of the following:

To keep the recorded slide timings, click Yes .

To discard the recorded slide timings, click No .

Slide Sorter view appears and displays the time of each slide in your presentation.

Add narration or sound

To record a narration, your computer requires a sound card and a microphone, and a microphone connector if the microphone is not a part of your computer.

On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click the arrow on the Record Slide Show button.

Select one of the following:

Start Recording from Beginning

Start Recording from Current Slide

In the Record Slide Show dialog box, select the Narrations and laser pointer check box, and if appropriate, select or deselect the Slide and animation timings check box.

Click Start Recording .

To pause the narration, in the Recording shortcut menu in Slide Show view, click Pause . And to resume your narration, click Resume Recording .

To end your slide show recording, right-click the slide, and then click End Show .

The recorded slide show timings are automatically saved and the slide show appears in Slide Sorter view with timings beneath each slide.

You can record a narration before you run a presentation, or you can record it during the presentation and include audience comments. If you do not want narration throughout your entire presentation, you can record separate sounds or comments on selected slides or objects. For more details, see Record a slide show with narration and slide timings .

Browsed by an individual (window)  Presents your slide show in a window, where control over advancing the slides is available to the people watching.

Browsed at a kiosk (full screen)  Loops your slide show until the person watching presses Esc. (Selecting this option automatically selects the Loop continuously until 'Esc'  check box and causes your slide show to run in a loop.)

A  Rehearsal toolbar appears, and the Slide Time box begins timing the presentation. The toolbar includes a timer, a pause/play button, and Repeat button

To restart recording the time after pausing, click Play .

On the view tab, you can then switch to Slide Sorter view to see the time allotted for each slide in your presentation.

Set up slide transitions

If you want a slide show to run automatically at a kiosk, you can control when and how the slides advance. To do this, you can apply the same transition to all slides in the presentation and set the transition to automatically advance after a certain time interval.

On the Transitions tab, click the transition that you want.

Do the following on the Transitions tab:

To set the amount of time that each slide is displayed, select After and enter the number of seconds you want.

To set the duration of each transition between slides, enter the amount of time in the Duration box.

Click Apply to All .

Export a presentation to video

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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.

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How to Loop a PowerPoint Slideshow so It Automatically Starts Over

Looping a PowerPoint presentation is an effective way to display slides continuously without manual intervention. Whether you want to run a slideshow at an event, museum, or office lobby, setting up a seamless loop can enhance the viewing experience.

Why Loop a PowerPoint Presentation

Here are some common reasons for looping a PowerPoint slideshow:

By enabling loop functionality, you can set up an automated, hands-free slideshow viewing experience.

How to Loop a Slideshow in PowerPoint

Step 1: open your powerpoint file, step 2: access slideshow settings.

Go to the “Slide Show” tab and click on “Set Up Slide Show.” Alternatively, you can right-click on any slide thumbnail and select “Slide Show Settings.”

Step 3: Enable Looping

Step 4: select slideshow range.

By default, PowerPoint loops all slides in the presentation. To customize the looping range, click on “Show Slides” and choose the specific slides you want to loop.

Step 5: Set Up Slide Timings

Step 6: start the slideshow, powerpoint looping tips and tricks.

Here are some additional pointers for creating seamless loops:

Present a Looping Slideshow

Once you’ve set up a looping presentation in PowerPoint, here is how to present it:

For best results, customize slide order, transitions and timings to ensure smooth flow between slides. Rehearse your looping presentation and test equipment compatibility to iron out any kinks. Finally, impress your audience with a continuously running PowerPoint slideshow!

About The Author

Vegaslide staff, related posts.

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How to Loop a PowerPoint Presentation in 60 Seconds

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Have you ever wanted your PowerPoint file to keep on looping and showing the slides over and over? Maybe it's set up on display for visitors and you want to keep it repeating. In today's tutorial, let's learn how to loop a PowerPoint presentation.

We also have a helpful compliment to this tutorial. Download our FREE eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations .  Grab it now before you read on. 

How to Loop Your PowerPoint Presentations (Quickly)

Note : Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below, that compliment this video.

1. Select Your PowerPoint Slides to Loop

You can make PowerPoint run on a continuous loop easily. I'll click on the Transitions tab here on PowerPoint's ribbon and make sure all of my slides are selected here on the left side.

Note : In this tutorial we use the  Simplicity PowerPoint Template . You can find more  great PPT presentation templates  on GraphicRiver  or in our  Ultimate Guide to the Best Microsoft PowerPoint Templates .

2. Set Timing of PowerPoint Presentation Loop

Let's start off by selecting how much time we want each slide to show. Let's tick the After box here and I'll put in 2 seconds , just to test the feature out. Now the slides will advance on their own, each after two seconds. Let's turn on the loop feature now.

3. Set Up the Slide Show Loop in PowerPoint

I'll click the Slide Show tab on the ribbon, and then click Set Up Slide Show. The option that we need to turn on is Loop continuously until 'Esc' . Let's go ahead and press OK to turn that feature on. Let's check to make sure this is all working.

Finishing Up!

I'll click on the first slide in my presentation, and then start the presentation in the lower right corner. After a couple of seconds, it goes to the next slide, then the next slide, and then back to the beginning. So you can see this is working perfectly. The loop feature works great to keep your presentation rolling continuously.

Discover More Great PowerPoint Tutorials

Learn more in our  PowerPoint tutorials  and quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+. We have an assortment of PowerPoint material to help you make a great presentation: 

Make Great Presentations ( Free PDF eBook Download )

We also have the perfect compliment to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully. 

Download our new eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter. 

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.

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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 22,827 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

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• ↑ 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

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How to Loop a PowerPoint in 5 Simple Steps

May 17, 2024

Public speaking isn’t for everyone.

And if you’re anything like me, the idea of standing up in front of a group of people and presenting a PowerPoint can seem like its own circle of hell.

There are ways to make the nightmare less scary, and that includes putting the PowerPoint on loop, so you can sit back, relax, and let your slides present themselves. If you’re unsure how to loop a PowerPoint, it can be done in just a few steps.

Let’s break it down!

Looping a PowerPoint

There’s a lot you can do in PowerPoint to make it more exciting, like inserting a GIF and embedding a YouTube video . When it comes to looping your PowerPoint, each slide will automatically be shown for a specific amount of time, and when the entire presentation ends, it’ll start from the beginning completely on its own.

How to loop a PowerPoint:

• Click Slide Show from the top menu.
• Click Set Up Slide Show.
• Click Loop continuously.
• Select all slides and click Transitions from the top menu.
• Uncheck “On Mouse Click” and adjust timing.

For more in-depth instructions on how to loop your PowerPoint, including screenshots, keep reading!

1. Click Slide Show

From your PowerPoint presentation, select Slide Show from the top menu.

2. Click Set Up Slide Show

From the Slide Show list of options, click Set Up Slide Show .

3. Click Loop continuously

Under “Show options”, choose Loop continuously until ‘Esc’ , then click OK.

4. Select all slides and click Transitions

Next, select all of your slides from the left-hand menu. Then, click Transitions from the top menu.

5. Uncheck “On Mouse Click” and adjust the timing

Uncheck the box that says “On Mouse Click.” This will allow the slides to move from one to the other without you having to click the mouse.

Then, adjust how long you would like each slide to display before automatically moving onto the next slide. In the below example, each slide will show for two minutes before moving on.

Create an infinite loop

Some things are better on loop, like when your favorite band releases a new song and you can’t wait to memorize the lyrics. Or, a PowerPoint that you’d like to restart completely on its own while you’re busy doing more important things, like listening to that song.

If you frequently use PowerPoint at work, share your thoughts about the popular presentation and leave a review!

Mara Calvello is a Content Marketing Manager at G2. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Elmhurst College (now Elmhurst University). Mara works on our G2 Tea newsletter , while also writing content to support categories on artificial intelligence, natural language understanding (NLU), AI code generation, synthetic data , and more. In her spare time, she's out exploring with her rescue dog Zeke or enjoying a good book.

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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

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