Creating professional, engaging, and visually appealing presentations takes time—but knowing the right keyboard shortcuts can significantly streamline your workflow. Whether you’re a student, business executive, educator, or creative professional, mastering shortcuts in PowerPoint 2016 for Mac can help you design slides faster, present more smoothly, and maximize productivity.
If you’re using Microsoft Office for Mac 2016, this guide will give you a complete breakdown of the most valuable keyboard shortcuts specifically designed for PowerPoint on macOS.
Why Keyboard Shortcuts Matter
PowerPoint 2016 for Mac offers a powerful slide creation environment, but reaching for the mouse constantly can slow you down. Here’s why using shortcuts is essential:
- Speed: Complete tasks in seconds rather than minutes.
- Efficiency: Keep your hands on the keyboard and reduce mouse fatigue.
- Professionalism: Impress during live presentations with quick commands.
- Creativity: Focus more on design and content, less on navigation.
Getting Started: Shortcut Basics on Mac
Before diving in, here are a few modifier keys to remember:
| Key Symbol | Key Name |
| ⌘ | Command |
| ⌥ | Option (Alt) |
| ⇧ | Shift |
| ⌃ | Control |
| ⇪ | Caps Lock |
| ⏎ or ↩ | Return/Enter |
These will be used in combination with letters or numbers to create time-saving shortcuts.
1. General PowerPoint Shortcuts
These are essential for opening, saving, and managing presentations.
| Function | Shortcut |
| New Presentation | ⌘ + N |
| Open File | ⌘ + O |
| Save Presentation | ⌘ + S |
| Print Presentation | ⌘ + P |
| Close Presentation | ⌘ + W |
| Undo Action | ⌘ + Z |
| Redo Action | ⌘ + Y or ⇧ + ⌘ + Z |
| Cut | ⌘ + X |
| Copy | ⌘ + C |
| Paste | ⌘ + V |
| Select All | ⌘ + A |
| Find/Replace | ⌘ + F |
2. Slide Navigation & View Controls
Navigate through your slides quickly, switch views, and organize your deck efficiently.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Next Slide | → or Page Down |
| Previous Slide | ← or Page Up |
| Go to First Slide | ⌘ + Home |
| Go to Last Slide | ⌘ + End |
| Normal View | ⌘ + 1 |
| Slide Sorter View | ⌘ + 2 |
| Notes Page View | ⌘ + 3 |
| Slide Show (from beginning) | ⌘ + Shift + Return |
| Slide Show (from current) | ⌘ + Return |
| End Slide Show | Esc |
3. Text Editing Shortcuts
Formatting and editing text efficiently helps in designing content-rich presentations.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Bold | ⌘ + B |
| Italic | ⌘ + I |
| Underline | ⌘ + U |
| Increase Font Size | ⌘ + ⇧ + > |
| Decrease Font Size | ⌘ + ⇧ + < |
| Center Align | ⌘ + E |
| Left Align | ⌘ + L |
| Right Align | ⌘ + R |
| Justify | ⌘ + J |
| Superscript | ⌘ + ⇧ + + |
| Subscript | ⌘ + = |
4. Slide Editing & Design Shortcuts
Quickly insert, delete, and format slides using these helpful combinations.
| Action | Shortcut |
| New Slide | ⌘ + ⇧ + N |
| Duplicate Slide | ⌘ + D |
| Delete Slide | fn + Delete |
| Move Slide Up | ⌘ + ↑ |
| Move Slide Down | ⌘ + ↓ |
| Insert Text Box | ⌘ + Option + T |
| Group Objects | ⌘ + Option + G |
| Ungroup Objects | ⌘ + Option + ⇧ + G |
| Bring to Front | ⌘ + Option + ↑ |
| Send to Back | ⌘ + Option + ↓ |
| Align Objects Center | ⌘ + Option + C |
| Align Objects Middle | ⌘ + Option + M |
5. Presenting Shortcuts (Slide Show Mode)
These commands make live presentations smooth and professional.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Start Slide Show (from current) | ⌘ + Return |
| Go to Slide # | Type number + Return |
| Black Screen On/Off | B or . |
| White Screen On/Off | W or , |
| Pause/Resume Narration | S |
| Hide Pointer | Ctrl + H |
| Show Pointer | Ctrl + A |
| End Show | Esc |
6. Advanced Shortcuts and Power User Tips
These shortcuts take your productivity to the next level.
| Action | Shortcut |
| Spell Check | ⌘ + ; |
| Format Painter | ⌘ + ⇧ + C (copy format), ⌘ + ⇧ + V (paste format) |
| Zoom In/Out | ⌘ + = / ⌘ + – |
| Jump Between Slides (Edit View) | Control + Tab |
| Toggle Ruler | ⌘ + Option + R |
| Toggle Gridlines | ⌘ + Option + D |
| Toggle Guides | ⌘ + Option + G |
| Start Dictation (macOS) | fn + fn (press twice) |
7. Creating Your Own Shortcuts
PowerPoint allows users to customize shortcuts via macOS:
- Go to System Preferences → Keyboard → Shortcuts
- Select App Shortcuts
- Click +, choose Microsoft PowerPoint, and enter the exact menu command name.
- Assign your preferred shortcut.
This is especially useful if you use a feature that doesn’t have a built-in shortcut.
8. Accessibility and Universal Access Shortcuts
Make your presentation more inclusive or easier to manage with these:
| Action | Shortcut |
| macOS VoiceOver | ⌘ + F5 |
| Increase Contrast | Control + Option + ⌘ + . |
| Invert Colors | Control + Option + ⌘ + 8 |
| Zoom (System-wide) | Option + Command + 8 (toggle) |
Best Practices for Using Shortcuts
- Learn 5 at a time – Master a few each week.
- Use sticky notes or cheat sheets as reminders until memorized.
- Practice during real presentations to build muscle memory.
- Customize keys for your workflow using macOS shortcut settings.
Summary: Why It Matters
| Area | Shortcuts Help With |
| Speed | Save time when designing |
| Accuracy | Reduce misclicks and lag |
| Flow | Keep creative momentum alive |
| Presentation | Look professional and polished |
Using keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 isn’t just about being faster—it’s about working smarter and presenting with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Mastering keyboard shortcuts in PowerPoint 2016 for Mac empowers you to work more efficiently, think more creatively, and deliver smoother presentations. By integrating even a few of these commands into your daily workflow, you’ll be saving time and enhancing your professional edge.
For the best experience, ensure you’re using a licensed version of Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 from a reliable source—so you get full access to features without subscription hassles.
Would you like a printable shortcut cheat sheet or infographic? I can create that too!
FAQs
1. Do these shortcuts work in Office 365 or newer versions?
Most do. However, newer versions may have added features or modified shortcuts. Always check version-specific documentation.
2. Can I change the default shortcuts in PowerPoint 2016 for Mac?
PowerPoint itself doesn’t allow it, but macOS lets you customize shortcuts via System Preferences.
3. Are there shortcut differences between Mac and Windows?
Yes. Mac uses the Command (⌘) key instead of Control (Ctrl) used in Windows. Some shortcuts are platform-specific.
4. Is PowerPoint 2016 for Mac still supported?
Mainstream support has ended, but it’s still functional and secure for many users, especially with the standalone Microsoft Office for Mac 2016 license.
5. How can I access a full list of shortcuts in the app?
You can find them in the PowerPoint Help menu by searching for “keyboard shortcuts” or visit Microsoft’s official documentation.
