PC Doctor September 14, 2020

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Dear PC Doctor:

When I used to give presentations in person (pre-COVID), I would bring along a laser pointer to highlight portions of my PowerPoint slides. Now, I’m mostly speaking via Zoom or similar platforms and, while I’m able to share my computer screen and slides with viewers, I feel like wiggling the mouse around doesn’t have the same attention-focusing effect as the laser pointer had. Do you have any recommendations for me?


Signed,

Speaking from Afar


Dear Afar:

Power Point has a built in laser pointer! To use it, open your PowerPoint presentation and click Slide Show > From the Beginning. Once you’re in your slide show, look on the bottom left.

You should have six faint circles. They are controls which let you go back one slide, advance one slide, use a pen tool, see all your slides at once, a magnifier, and a presenter’s view with notes, a preview of the next slide and a timer.

Click the pen tool. You will see that you can use it as a fine point pen, a highlighter, or a laser pointer! The laser pointer defaults to red. If you would like to use a different color laser pointer, go to Slide Show > Set Up Show, and choose the color you want.


I hope this helps!
Until next time,

Happy Computing!
PC Doctor


Editor's Note: Questions should be directed to PC Doctor, care of the Athol Public Library, info@athollibrary.org or Athol Public Library, 568 Main St., Athol, Mass. 01331, or dropped off at the library.

Posted: to Athol Library News on Mon, Sep 14, 2020
Updated: Mon, Sep 14, 2020