Highlight yourself in a Presentation

Microsoft PowerPoint Tip: You will often find that the room lighting is dimmed during a presentation so that the projection (presentation) is highlighted. This works well when you want your audience to focus on the slides. But now let’s cut to another scenario. There is an important point you want to make or it is a point not covered in the slide. For this you want to spotlight on yourself where audience will focus and not the presentation. One option is to increase lighting and stop the presentation which will break your flow.

Here is the trick – in presentation mode press “W” key – the screen turns white and blank. Now walk in front of the projector; the spotlight is on YOU. If you don’t press “W” and walk in front of the projector, based on the slide content, audience will see text, shapes or images (in different colors) on your face and body. Press “W” again to revert back to the current slide.

Another related key is “B”. In presentation mode pressing “B” will turn the screen dark (no light) and blank. I have seen many times, people place a book or paper in front of the projector for the same purpose. This is very dangerous as the projection light and paper combination  is a great way to start a fire. Also, “B” is useful if you are presenting on a LCD TV screen and lights are not dimmed. Pressing “B” again returns to current slide.