How To View Two Slides Side by Side in PowerPoint?

PowerPoint is a widely used tool for creating professional presentations. Often, while working on a project, you may want to compare two slides side by side to ensure consistency, review content, or transfer information between slides. However, PowerPoint does not offer a straightforward split-screen feature within its application. Fortunately, there are simple techniques to view two slides side by side, both within PowerPoint and through external methods.

In this guide, we will explain step-by-step methods to view and compare two PowerPoint slides side by side. These methods are easy to follow and will help you save time while working efficiently.

Why View Two Slides Side by Side in PowerPoint?

Before jumping into the methods, let’s understand why viewing slides side by side is helpful:

• Content Consistency: Ensure text, images, and layout match across slides.
• Comparing Edits: Compare old and new versions of slides.
• Copying Content: Easily transfer design elements or data between slides.
• Improving Workflow: Save time and effort by referencing both slides simultaneously.

With that in mind, let’s look at the various ways to achieve this in PowerPoint.

Method 1: Use PowerPoint’s “Arrange All” Feature

PowerPoint offers a built-in feature called “Arrange All” to open multiple presentation windows side by side. Here’s how you can use it:

Steps To View Slides Side by Side Using Arrange All

1. Open PowerPoint and Load Your Presentation:
   • Launch PowerPoint and open the presentation you are working on.
2. Open a Duplicate Window:
   • Go to the View tab in the ribbon.
   • Click on New Window.
   • This will create a duplicate of your presentation.
3. Arrange Windows Side By Side:
   • While still in the View tab, click on Arrange All.
   • PowerPoint will split the screen and place both windows side by side.
4. Navigate to Different Slides:
   • In one window, navigate to Slide A.
   • In the other window, navigate to Slide B.

By following these steps, you can easily compare two slides or move content between them.

Method 2: Manually Resize Two PowerPoint Windows

If you need more control over how the windows are displayed, manually resizing the PowerPoint windows works well.

Steps To Manually Resize Windows

1. Open PowerPoint Twice:
   • Launch PowerPoint and open your presentation.
   • Open PowerPoint again and load the same presentation or a different one.
2. Adjust the Windows:
   • Drag the first window to the left side of your screen.
   • Drag the second window to the right side of your screen.
3. Resize the Windows:
   • Manually adjust the width of both windows to ensure they fit comfortably side by side.
4. Navigate Between Slides:
   • Use each window to navigate to the slides you want to compare.

Tip: Use Snap Assist on Windows

If you are using Windows 10 or later, you can use the Snap Assist feature:

• Drag one PowerPoint window to the left until it snaps into place.
• Drag the second window to the right.

This method provides a flexible and straightforward way to view two slides simultaneously.

Method 3: Use Dual Monitors

For users with a dual-monitor setup, comparing two slides becomes even easier.

Steps To Use Dual Monitors For PowerPoint

1. Connect a Second Monitor:
   • Ensure your computer is connected to two monitors.
2. Open PowerPoint Windows:
   • Launch PowerPoint and open your presentation twice (or open two separate presentations).
3. Move Each Window To a Monitor:
   • Drag one PowerPoint window to Monitor 1.
   • Drag the other PowerPoint window to Monitor 2.
4. Navigate to Slides:
   • Use each window to display the slides you want to compare.

With a dual-monitor setup, you can comfortably view both slides at full size, making comparison easier and more effective.

Method 4: Use Windows Split-Screen Feature

If you do not have two monitors, you can use the built-in Windows split-screen feature.

Steps To Split Your Screen On Windows

1. Open Two PowerPoint Windows:
   • Open PowerPoint twice and load your presentation(s).
2. Use Keyboard Shortcuts:
   • Press Windows Key + Left Arrow to snap the first window to the left side.
   • Press Windows Key + Right Arrow to snap the second window to the right side.
3. Adjust The Slide Views:
   • Navigate to the slides you need in each window.

This method works well for quick comparisons without manual resizing.

Method 5: Use PowerPoint Presenter View For Comparison

The Presenter View in PowerPoint can also help you compare slides indirectly.

Steps To Use Presenter View

1. Open PowerPoint:
   • Open your presentation.
2. Start Presenter View:
   • Go to the Slide Show tab.
   • Select From Beginning or From Current Slide.
3. Use Presenter View Tools:
   • In Presenter View, use the navigation tools to quickly switch between slides.
   • You can use this to compare notes and slides effectively.

While this method does not show slides side by side, it is useful for quickly viewing slide content.

Comparison of Methods to View Slides Side by Side

Tips For Efficiently Comparing Slides

Here are some additional tips to enhance your workflow when comparing slides:

1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts:
   • Ctrl + Tab: Switch between open PowerPoint windows.
   • Alt + Tab: Switch between all open windows.
2. Zoom In or Out:
   • Use the Zoom slider at the bottom right of PowerPoint to adjust slide view.
3. Duplicate Slides:
   • Right-click a slide and select Duplicate Slide to make a copy for comparison.
4. Use PowerPoint Sections:
   • Divide your presentation into sections to organize slides for easy comparison.
5. Save Time With Split-Screen Tools:
   • Consider tools like PowerToys on Windows for enhanced window management.

Final Thoughts

Viewing two slides side by side in PowerPoint can greatly improve your productivity and workflow. Whether you use the built-in Arrange All feature, manually resize windows, or take advantage of dual monitors, each method provides an easy way to compare slides effectively. Choose the method that works best for your needs and enjoy a smoother PowerPoint experience.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your slides are consistent, visually appealing, and error-free.

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Trish Dixon

Trish Dixon is the founder of PPTBliss and a PowerPoint expert with over a decade of experience in presentation design. Passionate about visual storytelling, Trish shares her expertise through easy-to-follow tutorials on slide design, animations, transitions, and best practices, helping professionals create impactful presentations across industries.

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