How to Change the Display Monitor for a PowerPoint Presentation

Guide Created With: Microsoft PowerPoint

Guide Created On: 11.10.2025 Version 1.0

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This guide explains how to choose which monitor your PowerPoint presentation appears on, and how to set up Presenter View so that your notes show on one screen while the presentation displays on another.

Step 1: Change the Display Monitor in PowerPoint

Open PowerPoint.
Click on the “Slide Show” tab at the top of the screen.
In the “Monitor” section, select the monitor you want the PowerPoint to display on.

✅ Tip: This setting lets you control which screen the presentation appears on, which will help if you’re using two displays..

Step 2: Set Up Presenter View (Optional)

Presenter View allows you to see your presentation notes on one monitor (e.g. your laptop screen) while the audience sees only the slideshow on another (e.g. the projector).

In PowerPoint, go to the “Slide Show” tab.
In the “Monitors” group, tick “Use Presenter View.”
Your Windows Display Settings should open automatically.

Step 3: Choose Which Monitor Shows What

In the Display Settings window, go to the “Monitor” tab.
Click the monitor icon you want to use for your speaker notes.
Tick “This is my main monitor.”
- If this box is already selected and greyed out, that monitor is already set as your main one.
Select the monitor icon for the second monitor (the one your audience will see).
Tick “Extend my Windows Desktop onto this monitor.”

✅ Extra Tip:

Your main monitor will display your notes and controls.
The secondary monitor (ActivPanel or second screen) will show your PowerPoint slides to the audience.