Ending a PowerPoint presentation on the last slide is simple yet crucial. It ensures that your audience is left with a lasting impression and that your presentation ends smoothly without any abrupt cut-offs or awkward silences. Let’s dive into how you can achieve this in a few easy steps.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to End PowerPoint on Last Slide
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s understand what we’re aiming for. Following these steps will help you set up your PowerPoint so that it ends on the last slide, without automatically reverting to the first slide or showing a black screen.
Step 1: Open Your PowerPoint Presentation
Open the presentation you want to end on the last slide.
When you open your PowerPoint, make sure you’re on the final slide you want your presentation to end on. This will be the slide your audience sees last.
Step 2: Access the Slide Show Tab
Click on the "Slide Show" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.
This tab has all the settings you need to control how your presentation plays out.
Step 3: Set Up Slide Show
Click on the "Set Up Slide Show" button within the Slide Show tab.
A dialogue box will pop up with several options to customize your slide show settings.
Step 4: Choose Browsed at a Kiosk
In the "Set Up Show" options, select "Browsed at a kiosk (full screen)" under the "Show options" section.
This option prevents the presentation from looping back to the beginning after the last slide.
Step 5: Save Your Changes
Click "OK" to save your changes and close the dialogue box.
Make sure to save your PowerPoint presentation after making this change so it’s ready for your next presentation.
After completing these steps, when you reach the last slide of your presentation, it will stay on the screen until you manually exit the presentation. This gives you control over when to end your presentation and engage with your audience afterward.
Tips: Enhancing Your PowerPoint Presentation’s Last Slide
- Use a strong closing slide with a call to action or summary to reinforce your message.
- Consider adding a "Thank You" or "Questions?" slide to prompt audience interaction.
- Make sure your last slide is visually appealing and consistent with your presentation’s theme.
- Practice transitioning into your conclusion to ensure a smooth end to your presentation.
- Double-check your slide show settings before presenting to avoid any technical mishaps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I’m using PowerPoint Online?
For PowerPoint Online, the steps are similar, but make sure you’re connected to the internet to access the Slide Show settings.
Can I customize what happens after the last slide?
Yes, you can add a custom action, like going to a specific slide or hyperlink, by using the "Action" feature on the last slide.
Will these settings work if I’m sharing my presentation?
Yes, as long as you save your presentation with these settings, they’ll work when shared or presented on a different computer.
Can I still manually advance slides with these settings?
Yes, you can still click or use arrow keys to advance slides if needed.
What if I want to loop my presentation?
If you want your presentation to loop, don’t select the "Browsed at a kiosk" option. Instead, choose "Loop continuously until ‘Esc’".
Summary
- Open your PowerPoint presentation.
- Click on the Slide Show tab.
- Open the Set Up Slide Show dialogue box.
- Select Browsed at a kiosk.
- Save your changes.
Conclusion
In today’s digital age, delivering a powerful presentation is key to leaving a lasting impression. Whether you’re a student, teacher, or professional, knowing how to end PowerPoint on the last slide is an essential skill. With this simple guide, you can ensure your PowerPoint presentation ends precisely when and how you want it to—on your terms. So, go ahead and give your audience a polished and professional finale they won’t forget. And remember, the last slide is your final chance to make an impact, so make it count! If you’re looking to enhance your presentation skills further or explore more PowerPoint tips, plenty of resources and tutorials are available online. Keep exploring and happy presenting!
Matt has been working with WordPress and creating content using this powerful content management system for years. While he has written about many other tech topics, WordPress is one of his favorites.
You can read his full bio here.