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PPT Slide Design Trends: What’s Hot and What’s Not

In the world of presentations, PowerPoint slides are essential tools for delivering impactful messages and engaging audiences. However, not all slides are created equal. The design of your PPT slides plays a crucial role in capturing attention, conveying information effectively, and leaving a lasting impression on your viewers. In this article, we will explore the latest trends in PPT slide design and highlight what’s hot and what’s not in the industry.

Minimalism – Less is More

In recent years, minimalism has become a dominant trend in PPT slide design. Gone are the days of cluttered slides with excessive text and busy graphics. Today, simplicity is key. Minimalistic designs focus on clean layouts, ample white space, and concise content to enhance readability and visual impact.

One popular technique is to use large bold headlines combined with minimal text to convey key messages effectively. This allows viewers to grasp the main idea at a glance without feeling overwhelmed by unnecessary details. Additionally, minimalist designs often incorporate striking visuals or simple icons that complement the content rather than distract from it.

Custom Typography – Adding Flair

Typography plays a significant role in PPT slide design as it sets the tone and enhances readability. While default fonts may be convenient, they lack uniqueness and can make your presentation appear generic. That’s where custom typography comes into play.

Custom fonts allow you to inject personality into your slides while maintaining professionalism. Creative typography choices can make your presentation stand out from the crowd and create a memorable visual experience for your audience. However, be cautious not to overdo it – stick to one or two custom fonts throughout your presentation for consistency.

Multimedia Integration – Engaging Visuals

The integration of multimedia elements into PPT slides has become increasingly popular as it helps captivate audiences’ attention and make presentations more engaging. While images have always been a staple in slide design, the use of videos, animations, and interactive elements has taken presentations to a whole new level.

Videos can be used to demonstrate product features, show customer testimonials, or present complex concepts in an easily digestible format. Animations and transitions can add a touch of dynamism and make your slides visually appealing. Interactive elements like clickable buttons or embedded quizzes encourage audience participation and create an immersive experience.

Responsiveness – Mobile-Friendly Presentations

With the growing reliance on mobile devices for accessing information, ensuring that your PPT slides are mobile-friendly has become crucial. A responsive design allows your presentation to adapt seamlessly to different screen sizes without compromising its visual appeal or readability.

To make your PPT slides mobile-friendly, consider using larger fonts and graphics, simplifying complex layouts, and optimizing slide transitions for smaller screens. Additionally, test your presentation on various devices to ensure that it looks and functions flawlessly across different platforms.

In conclusion, staying up-to-date with the latest trends in PPT slide design is essential for creating impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Embrace minimalism by simplifying your content and utilizing bold headlines. Experiment with custom typography to add flair and uniqueness to your slides. Incorporate multimedia elements like videos and animations to engage viewers’ attention. Finally, optimize your presentation for mobile devices to reach a wider audience effectively. By following these trends and avoiding outdated practices, you can elevate the effectiveness of your PPT slides and deliver exceptional presentations every time.

This text was generated using a large language model, and select text has been reviewed and moderated for purposes such as readability.

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how to delete slides in powerpoint

How to delete a slide in PowerPoint.

A woman deletes a slide in PowerPoint using her laptop.

Want to remove a slide or two without altering the rest of the presentation? Learn how to delete a slide in PowerPoint using two different methods.

Not every slide in your presentation is a winner, so it’s no surprise you may need to learn how to delete a slide in Microsoft PowerPoint. Luckily, it’s easy to delete a slide (or several) using PowerPoint or an online PDF editor.

Is removing and deleting a slide in PowerPoint the same?

Removing and deleting a slide is the same task. When you delete a slide in PowerPoint, it is eliminated from the presentation and no longer able to be edited.

Options for how to delete a slide in PowerPoint.

If you need to delete a slide in PowerPoint, there are a couple of different methods you can try. You can remove the slide by using the PowerPoint editor or delete a slide online with Acrobat online services. Read on to learn how to delete a slide in PowerPoint.

Option 1: How to delete a slide in PowerPoint by removing it.

The easiest way to delete a slide in PowerPoint is to simply use the PowerPoint editor. When you open your presentation in PowerPoint, you should see a numbered list of the slides on the left side of your screen. If not, click the View tab on the top toolbar and choose Normal.

To delete a slide, highlight the slide you want to delete by clicking it in the left slide list and pressing either delete or backspace on your keyboard. You can also right-click the slide you want to remove and choose the Delete Slide option.

To remove multiple slides at a time, hold the Ctrl key and click on the slides you want to remove. Then, just press the delete or backspace key. It’s as simple as that.

Option 2: How to delete a PowerPoint slide online.

If you don’t have access to PowerPoint, that’s okay. You can still delete PowerPoint slides online using a PDF editor like Adobe Acrobat online services, our online tool that allows you to delete pages from PDF files once converted — no PowerPoint download necessary. Just follow these easy steps for how to delete a PowerPoint slide:

  • Visit the Delete PDF pages editor tool.
  • Upload the PowerPoint you want to edit.
  • Highlight the page thumbnail or thumbnails you want to delete.
  • Press the trash icon on the top toolbar.
  • Click Save and rename your file.

These steps will delete the highlighted slides and resave your PowerPoint as a shareable PDF document.

Will slide numbers update when I delete a slide in PowerPoint?

If you have already added slide numbers in PowerPoint, they should update once you have deleted a slide. Otherwise, follow these steps to add slide numbers:

  • In the View tab, under the Presentation Views group, click Normal.
  • On the left side of your screen, in the pane with the slide thumbnails, click the first slide thumbnail in your presentation.
  • In the Insert tab, under the Text group, click the icon labeled “Header & Footer.”
  • A dialog box will open, in which you can do one of the following:
  • To add slide numbers, click the “Slide tab” and then select the “Slide number” checkbox.
  • To add page numbers to notes, click the Notes and Handouts tab, then select the “Page number” checkbox.
  • To add page numbers to all of the slides or notes in your presentation, click Apply to All.

Can I delete multiple slides in PowerPoint?

You can delete multiple slides in PowerPoint by taking the following steps:

  • Press and hold Ctrl.
  • In the thumbnail pane, choose the slides.
  • Release the Ctrl key, then right-click the selection and select Delete Slide.

What if I accidentally delete a slide in PowerPoint?

If you accidentally deleted a slide in PowerPoint, you can recover it using the following steps:

  • If you have not closed PowerPoint after deleting the slide, click Undo to recover the slide.
  • If the file is saved in OneDrive for business, you can restore an older version of the file.

Is there a keyboard shortcut to delete a slide in PowerPoint?

To delete a slide in PowerPoint, you can hit the Backspace or Delete button on your keyboard.

What else can I do with PowerPoint?

After you learn how to delete a slide in PowerPoint without worrying that you’ll remove the wrong one, learn how to work with PowerPoint in other useful ways:

  • Need to send your presentation as a PDF? Use our tool to convert PPT to PDF and share with ease.
  • Export images from PowerPoint files .
  • Learn how to convert PowerPoint to Word .
  • Need to print your PDF and include your slide notes? Learn how to print a PowerPoint with notes .
  • Learn how to insert a PDF into PowerPoint .

Discover what more you can do with Acrobat online services to make editing and sharing your PowerPoint presentations a breeze.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

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How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint

Last Updated: January 14, 2022

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Nicole Levine, MFA . Nicole Levine is a Technology Writer and Editor for wikiHow. She has more than 20 years of experience creating technical documentation and leading support teams at major web hosting and software companies. Nicole also holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Portland State University and teaches composition, fiction-writing, and zine-making at various institutions. This article has been viewed 137,463 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow teaches you how to delete a slide from a PowerPoint presentation on a PC or Mac.

Open your presentation in PowerPoint

You can usually do this by double-clicking the file on your computer.

Switch to Normal/Editing View

If you're in the correct view, thumbnails for each slide in the presentation will appear along the left side of the screen.

  • When you hover the mouse cursor over the correct icon, you will see “Editing View” or “Normal View.”

Right-click the slide thumbnail you want to delete

You'll see the slide thumbnails in the left column.

Select the "Delete Slide" option

Click Delete Slide to remove the slide from your presentation.

  • If you don’t want to delete the slide but don’t want it to appear in you presentation, select Hide Slide instead.
  • If you decide you want the slide back, press Command + Z (macOS) or Control + Z (Windows) to undo the delete.

Community Q&A

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wikiHow Video: How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint

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Hide a Slide in PowerPoint Presentation

  • ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/choose-the-right-view-for-the-task-in-powerpoint-21332d8d-adbc-4717-a2c6-e25a697b40e9
  • ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/add-rearrange-duplicate-and-delete-slides-in-powerpoint-e35a232d-3fd0-4ee1-abee-d7d4d6da92fc#OfficeVersion=Windows

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Nicole Levine, MFA

1. Open the presentation in PowerPoint. 2. Right-click the slide in the left column. 3. Click Delete Slide . Did this summary help you? Yes No

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how to delete slides in powerpoint

Add, rearrange, duplicate, and delete slides in PowerPoint

When creating your presentation, you’ll typically add new slides, move your slides around, and delete the slides you don’t need.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

Select the slide you want your new slide to follow.

Select  Home  >  New Slide .

Select a layout.

Select the text box and type.

Delete slides

For a single slide: Right-click the slide in the thumbnail pane on the left, and select Delete Slide .

For multiple slides: Press and hold Ctrl, and in the thumbnail pane on the left, select the slides. Release the Ctrl key. Then right-click the selection and choose Delete Slide .

For a sequence of slides: Press and hold Shift, and in the thumbnail pane on the left, select the first and last slides in the sequence. Release the Shift key. Then right-click the selection and choose Delete Slide .

Duplicate a slide

In the thumbnail pane on the left, right-click the slide thumbnail that you want to duplicate, and then click Duplicate Slide . The duplicate is inserted immediately after the original.

Rearrange the order of slides

In the pane on the left, click the thumbnail of the slide that you want to move, and then drag it to the new location.

To select multiple slides : Press and hold Ctrl, and in the pane on the left, click each slide that you want to move. Release the Ctrl key, and then drag the selected slides as a group to the new location.

What is a slide layout?

Use vertical (portrait) slide view for your presentation

Reuse (import) slides from another presentation

Basic tasks for creating a PowerPoint presentation

Add a new slide

In Normal view, on the left slide thumbnail pane, click the slide that you want your new slide to follow.

On the Home tab, click the arrow next to New Slide .

In the gallery of layouts, click the layout that you want for your new slide.

Your new slide is inserted, and you can click inside a placeholder to begin adding content.

Adding a slide

Tip:  To select multiple slides, press and hold the Command key while you click each slide that you want to move, and then drag them as a group to the new location.

Delete a slide

In the pane on the left, Ctrl+click or right-click the slide thumbnail that you want to delete, and then click Delete Slide .

Deleting a slide

Alternatively, click the slide you want to delete, and then press Delete.

In the pane on the left, Ctrl+click or right-click the slide thumbnail that you want to duplicate, and then click Duplicate Slide .

Screenshot shows a slide selected and the Duplicate Slide option selected in the right-click menu.

(To add a slide from another presentation, see  Reuse (import) slides from another presentation .)

Another way to see all your slides at once and rearrange them is by using Slide Sorter view. Read about it in Switch to different views in PowerPoint .

Use sections in a PowerPoint for Mac presentation

Design in PowerPoint

Create or change slide layouts in PowerPoint for Mac

Create a basic presentation in four steps in PowerPoint for Mac

Discover more courses like this at LinkedIn Learning

In the slide thumbnail pane on the left, click the slide that you want your new slide to follow.

On the Home tab, click New Slide .

In the New Slide dialog box, select the layout that you want for your new slide.

Learn more about slide layouts .

Select Add Slide .

The New Slide dialog box in PowerPoint Online has several slide layouts to choose from

Tip:  To select multiple slides, press and hold Ctrl while you click each slide that you want to move, and then drag them as a group to the new location.

In the pane on the left, right-click the slide thumbnail that you want to delete (press and hold Ctrl to select multiple slides, or press and hold Shift to select multiple sequential slides), and then click Delete Slide .

Right-click a slide and then select Delete Slide

In the pane on the left, right-click the slide thumbnail that you want to duplicate, and then click Duplicate Slide .

Right-click a slide and then select Duplicate Slide

Pick a layout for your slides 

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How to Add, Duplicate, Move, Delete or Hide Slides in PowerPoint

How to Add, Duplicate, Move, Delete or Hide Slides in PowerPoint | Quick Tips & Tutorial for your presentations

When working on a presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, you will most likely perform actions such as creating new slides, changing their order, arranging them by theme, deleting unnecessary slides or even temporarily hiding slides. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to do all of this to turn any of our templates into your own presentation.

How to add a new slide in PowerPoint

How to duplicate a slide in powerpoint, how to delete a slide in powerpoint, how to move slides in powerpoint, how to hide slides in powerpoint.

First, let’s see how to  create a new slide . There are several ways to do this:

  • Select any slide and press Ctrl + M in Windows, or Cmd + M in Mac. A new slide will be created with the same design as the selected slide. 

how to delete slides in powerpoint

  • Go to the Slides section of the Home tab and click on New Slide (if you click on the little arrow, you’ll also be able to choose the design for this new slide).

Creating a new slide might not be always the best option for you. You might want to keep a certain clipped image or part of a text from a previous slide in a new one. In this case, it’s best if you duplicate a slide.

To  duplicate a slide , select it, right-click on it and choose Duplicate Slide.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

You might also need to delete a slide from your presentation because you do no longer want it. To  delete a slide , select it, right-click on it and choose Delete Slide. You can also select it and just press the Delete or Backspace key. Remember that you can select multiple slides by holding the Ctrl key (Cmd in Mac) while clicking on them. This might be useful if you want to remove several slides at the same time.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

You can also  rearrange the slides , that is, moving them from one position to another. To do that, select the ones you want to move and drag them to the desired position. As I mentioned before, to select multiple slides, hold the Ctrl key (Cmd in Mac) while clicking on them.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

To do this, select the slide or slides that you want to hide, right-click on them and choose  Hide Slide . They will no longer be visible in your presentation. Any hidden slide will have its number crossed out, so you can identify them easily.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

We’ve reached the end of the tutorial. If you want to keep learning about PowerPoint, stay tuned for more Slidesgo School content. We also have tutorials on how to work with presentations in Google Slides, so check them out too. Learn with us and use our templates to create awesome presentations!

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how to delete slides in powerpoint

How to Delete Slide in PowerPoint

how to delete slides in powerpoint

PowerPoint is a valuable tool for creating presentations that effectively communicate key messages and deliver information to an audience. However, sometimes the need to delete slides arises. It may be to streamline the presentation or to rectify errors in the slides. Regardless of the reason for deleting a slide, it is incredibly easy to do this task, and this guide will step-by-step instructions to do so.

Table of Contents

Step-by-Step Guide to Deleting a Slide in PowerPoint

Deleting a slide in PowerPoint is a straightforward process. Follow the steps below to make quick work of your slide deletion needs:

  • Open the PowerPoint presentation you wish to edit.
  • Navigate to the slide you want to delete.
  • Right-click on the slide you want to delete.
  • Select "Delete Slide" from the dropdown menu.
  • The slide will be permanently deleted from the presentation.

It is important to note that deleting a slide permanently removes it from the presentation. Ensure you have a backup of the slide if you think you may need it in the future, or consider making a copy of the presentation before performing a bulk delete.

Additionally, if you have already deleted a slide and want to retrieve it, you can use the "Undo" function by pressing "Ctrl+Z" on your keyboard immediately after deleting the slide. This will restore the deleted slide to its original location in the presentation.

Finally, if you want to delete multiple slides at once, you can select multiple slides by holding down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard while clicking on each slide you want to delete. Once you have selected all the slides you want to delete, right-click on one of the selected slides and choose "Delete Slide" from the dropdown menu. This will delete all the selected slides at once.

Understanding the Importance of Deleting Slides in PowerPoint

Deleting unnecessary or unwanted slides in a presentation can help to streamline the message and key information of your presentation. Reducing clutter and focusing on the most important points can make your presentation more effective and easier for an audience to understand. Additionally, deleting slides could increase the speed of your presentation and allow you to convey your information in less time.

Another benefit of deleting slides is that it can help you to stay on track and avoid going off-topic. When you have too many slides, it can be tempting to include information that is not directly related to your main message. By deleting unnecessary slides, you can stay focused on your main points and ensure that your presentation stays on track.

Furthermore, deleting slides can also help to improve the overall design and aesthetics of your presentation. When you have too many slides, it can be difficult to maintain a consistent design and layout. By deleting unnecessary slides, you can ensure that your presentation looks polished and professional, which can help to enhance your credibility and authority as a presenter.

Common Reasons for Deleting Slides in PowerPoint Presentations

There are numerous reasons a presenter may decide to delete a slide in their presentation. Some of the most common reasons include:

  • The information on the slide is incorrect. If the slide contains information that is no longer relevant, it may be best to delete it.
  • A mistake was made during the creation of the slide. If there was a typo or an error in the content on the slide, it may need to be deleted to rectify the mistake.
  • The slide is no longer needed. If the slide does not contribute relevant information to the presentation, deleting it could help streamline the overall message.

Another reason a presenter may choose to delete a slide is if it is redundant. If the information on the slide is already covered in another slide, deleting it can prevent repetition and keep the presentation concise.

Additionally, a presenter may delete a slide if it is too complex or confusing for the audience. If the slide contains too much information or is difficult to understand, it may be best to remove it and simplify the message for the audience.

How to Identify the Right Slide to Delete in PowerPoint

Identifying which slide to delete can seem overwhelming, but there are a few questions you can ask yourself that can help you determine which slides you should delete. These include:

  • Does the slide contribute vital information to the presentation? If not, it may not be worth having it in the presentation.
  • Does the slide have any errors or incorrect information? If yes, it should likely be removed to avoid any confusion with the audience.
  • Is the slide redundant in relation to other slides or topics? If yes, it may be best to delete it to avoid repetitiveness.

Another factor to consider when deciding which slide to delete is the time limit of your presentation. If you are running out of time, it may be necessary to remove some slides to ensure that you can cover all the essential information within the allotted time.

Additionally, you may want to consider the flow of your presentation. If a particular slide disrupts the flow or does not fit in with the overall theme, it may be best to remove it to maintain a cohesive and engaging presentation.

Techniques for Selecting Multiple Slides to Delete in PowerPoint

If you need to delete multiple slides simultaneously, you can use the following process:

  • Hold down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard.
  • Click on each slide you want to delete, one at a time.
  • Once you have selected all desired slides, right-click on any one of them.
  • The selected slides will be permanently deleted from the presentation.

Understanding the Different Options for Deleting Slides in PowerPoint

Delete Slide vs. Cut Slide: It is important to note that the "Cut" function of PowerPoint only removes a slide from the presentation temporarily. "Deleted" slides are removed permanently and cannot be retrieved using the "Undo" button or "Ctrl + Z."

Using the Slide Sorter: Another option for deleting slides in PowerPoint is to use the Slide Sorter view. This view allows you to see all of the slides in your presentation at once and easily select the ones you want to delete. Simply click on the slide you want to delete and press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.

Recovering Deleted Slides: If you accidentally delete a slide in PowerPoint and need to retrieve it, there are a few options available. One option is to check the "Recycle Bin" on your computer to see if the deleted slide is still there. Another option is to use a file recovery program to try and retrieve the deleted slide. However, it is important to note that these options may not always be successful and it is best to regularly save your presentation to avoid losing important information.

How to Delete a Single Slide vs. Multiple Slides in PowerPoint

The process for deleting a single slide or multiple slides in PowerPoint has already been detailed above. However, utilizing the "Ctrl" key and left-clicking to highlight multiple slides you wish to delete is another option, but this may be slow and require more precision.

It is important to note that when deleting multiple slides, you should always double-check to ensure that you have selected the correct slides. Accidentally deleting the wrong slide can be frustrating and time-consuming to fix.

Additionally, if you have already added animations or transitions to the slides you wish to delete, you may need to adjust the remaining slides to ensure a smooth transition between them. This can be done by selecting the remaining slides and adjusting the timing and order of the animations and transitions.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts to Delete Slides in PowerPoint Quickly and Efficiently

Utilizing keyboard shortcuts can ultimately save time and make the slide deletion process much quicker. To delete a single slide using keyboard shortcuts, follow these steps:

  • Click on the slide you want to delete to make sure it is selected.
  • Press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.

However, if you want to delete multiple slides at once, using keyboard shortcuts can be even more efficient. Here's how:

  • Select the first slide you want to delete by clicking on it.
  • Hold down the "Ctrl" key on your keyboard and continue clicking on the other slides you want to delete. Each slide you click on will be selected.
  • Once you have selected all the slides you want to delete, press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.
  • All the selected slides will be permanently deleted from the presentation.

It's important to note that once a slide is deleted, it cannot be recovered unless you have previously saved a backup copy of the presentation. Therefore, it's always a good idea to save a backup copy before making any major changes to your presentation.

By using keyboard shortcuts to delete slides in PowerPoint, you can streamline your workflow and save valuable time that can be better spent on other tasks. Give it a try and see how much more efficient your presentation creation process can be!

How to Recover Deleted Slides in PowerPoint Presentations

Unfortunately, there is no method to recover deleted slides from a PowerPoint presentation once they have been permanently removed. It is essential to have a backup of the presentation file before performing any irreparable deletion actions.

Tips for Streamlining Your PowerPoint Presentation by Deleting Unnecessary Slides

The following tips will help you decide which slides to remove to streamline your presentation and effectively communicate information to your audience:

  • Eliminate slides that are redundant in relation to other slides or topics and promote repetition.
  • Remove slides that contain irrelevant or irrelevant information.
  • Eliminate slides that contain outdated information or information likely to change soon.
  • Eliminate slides that do not contribute much to your message or the objectives of your presentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Deleting Slides in PowerPoint

It is important to exercise caution when deleting slides from a presentation. The following mistakes are common and should be avoided:

  • Forgetting to back up your presentation before performing any irreparable deletion actions.
  • Deleting a slide by accident or without considering if it is necessary.
  • Deleting slides that may be necessary later or provide context to other slides.

How to Customize Your Slide Deletion Process in PowerPoint

You can customize your slide deletion process in PowerPoint by utilizing keyboard shortcuts instead of the right-click menu. This method can save time and increase efficiency when deleting multiple slides simultaneously. However, always ensure to exercise caution so that you do not accidentally delete essential slides or information.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Deleting Slides in PowerPoint

If you encounter any difficulties when trying to delete slides from a PowerPoint presentation, ensure that you have full permissions to edit the presentation. Additionally, check that the presentation is not corrupted. If you cannot fix the issue, consider creating a new presentation and copying over the required content.

Deleting slides in PowerPoint presentations can streamline the message and help to convey key information to an audience effectively. Follow this guide to delete slides accurately and efficiently.

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How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint

how to delete slides in powerpoint

How to Delete Multiple Slides in PowerPoint

how to delete slides in powerpoint

How to Delete a Text Box in PowerPoint

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How to Delete Slides in PowerPoint? A Beginner’s Guide!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

How to Delete Slides in PowerPoint? A Beginner’s Guide!

When you start using Microsoft PowerPoint, most of your effort will be spent trying to learn the various features and in creating slides for your presentation. But, what happens when you don’t like a slide design and you want to delete it? How do you delete slides in PowerPoint?

To delete a slide in PowerPoint, simply select the slide from slide preview on the left part of your screen. Then, from the options, click “Delete Slide”. You can also press the “Delete” key on your keyboard after selecting the slide from the slide navigation pane.

In this article, I will share with you not just how to delete your slides, but also how to recover slides that you may have accidentally deleted! Plus, you’ll also get to understand everything in a step-by-step manner so that you can implement this in your presentation.

So, let’s get started!

[ Please note – in this article, I will be using one of the presentation templates from Envato Elements . With Envato Elements, you get access to thousands of presentation designs with unlimited downloads so you never run out of options again. Plus, you get free previews so you know exactly what you’re getting before buying! Check out their pricing here ]

1. How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint? 

Let’s understand how to delete a in your PowerPoint presentation. This can be achieved in the following 2 easy steps mentioned below –

Step-1: “Right-click” and Select the Slide

how to delete slides in powerpoint

The first step to deleting a slide on your PowerPoint presentation is to move your cursor on the slide which you want to remove and “ Right-click ” on it using the mouse of your computer.

Step-2: Click the “Delete Slide” Option

After “ Right clicking ” on the slide, click on the “ Delete Slide ” option from the drop-down menu. It is located in the middle of the menu with an icon of a square with a red ‘x’ mark on it.

1a. How to Delete Slides in PowerPoint on Mac? 

Deleting a slide from a PowerPoint presentation is the same on Mac as it is on Windows. Simply follow the two steps described above from your Mac device and you will be able to delete any slide in your PowerPoint presentation.

1b. How to Delete a Slide in PowerPoint without Right-click? 

Sometimes, when you have too many slides to delete from time to time, you don’t want to end up using the right-click option as this does take a bit of time. So, to delete a slide in PowerPoint without “ Right-clicking ” the mouse on your computer, you have to use the keyboard instead.

Below is a step-by-step guide of the whole process.

Step-1: Select the slide you want to delete

At first, you have to select the slide you want to delete from the “ Slide Navigation ” bar at the left of your screen. (just the way it is shown in the previous section above)

Step-2: Press the “Delete” button on your keyboard.

Keeping the slide selected in the “ Slide Navigation ” bar, hit the “ Delete ” button on the keyboard of your computer. It is located at the upper right corner of the keyboard right above the “ Backspace ” key.

Alternatively, you can press the “ Backspace ” key on your keyboard which will also delete the slide from your presentation. Furthermore, for Mac users, simply press the “Delete” key since there is no backspace key on Mac.

2. How to Delete Multiple Slides in PowerPoint? 

To delete multiple slides in your PowerPoint presentation, you have to use the ‘ Ctrl ” key on your keyboard to select multiple slides at the same time.

Here’s the detailed process to delete multiple slides in PowerPoint –

Step-1: Hold the “Ctrl” key and select all the slides you want to delete.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

To delete multiple slides on your PowerPoint presentation, first, hold the “ Ctrl ” key on your keyboard and simply “ Left-click ” on the slides you want to delete to select them together.

Step-2: “Right-click” on one of the slides and press the “Delete Slides” option.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

Once you have selected the slides that you want to remove from your PowerPoint presentation, “ Right-click ” on it using the mouse of your computer to open the drop-down menu and click on the “ Delete Slides ” option. However, make sure that the slides remain selected when you right-click (you will see a red border around the selected slides in the slide navigation pane)

Alternatively, you can also press the “Delete” button on your keyboard while. All the selected slides will be deleted instantly.

3. How to Delete Hidden Slides in PowerPoint? 

The easiest way delete hidden slides in your PowerPoint presentation is to use the “ Slide Sorter ”. A step-by-step description of the process is given below.

Step-1: Go to the “View” tab on the ribbon.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

To access the “ Slide Sorter ” you have to first go to the “ View ” tab on the ribbon of your PowerPoint window. It is the second to last tab on the ribbon.

Step-2: Click on the “Slide Sorter” button

The next step to deleting hidden slides is to click on the “ Slide Sorter ” button which is the third button from the left at the “ Presentation View ” section.

Step-3: Select the hidden slides using the control key

After opening the “ Slide Sorter ” view, select the slide or multiple hidden slides that you want to delete and

Step-4: Right-click and Press the “Delete Slide” option

how to delete slides in powerpoint

After you have selected all the hidden slides, simply “ Right-click ” on one of them using the mouse. Then, from the drop-down menu, simply press the “ Delete Slides ” option and all the hidden slides will be deleted from your PowerPoint presentation.

4. How to Delete Unused Master Slides in PowerPoint? 

Deleting an unused master slide is quite helpful to reduce the size of you PowerPoint file if it becomes too large. Below is a step-by-step guide on how to delete unused master slides in your PowerPoint presentation:

Step-1: Go to the “View” tab in the ribbon

how to delete slides in powerpoint

To access the “ Slide Master Navigation ” bar, at first you have to click on the “ Slide Master ” option located at the “ Master Views ” section in the “ View ” tab of the ribbon.

Step-2: Hover over the slides to see which ones are unused

how to delete slides in powerpoint

To see which master slides are unused, hover your cursor over the slides to see which ones have not been used.

Step-3: Select the slide and delete it

how to delete slides in powerpoint

Once you have found the master slides that you want to delete, simply “ Right-click ” on one of them and press the “ Delete ” button.

5. How to Recover Deleted Slides in PowerPoint? 

To recover deleted slides in PowerPoint, you have to use the “ Undo ” button. Once you have mistakenly deleted a slide in your presentation., click on the icon that looks like a curved arrow directing to the left, which is the “ Undo ” button.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

It is located at the top left corner of your PowerPoint software window. By clicking on it, your deleted PowerPoint slide will be recovered. Alternatively, you can press “ Ctrl + Z ” on your keyboard.

Another way of recovering deleted slides is to close the Microsoft PowerPoint application without saving the changes. You can do that by clicking on the ‘ x ’ icon at the top right corner of your screen and selecting the ‘Don’t Save’ option.

Now when you open your PowerPoint file again, you will find that the deleted slide is back to its place! 

6. How to Delete a Slide Layout in PowerPoint? 

Deleting a slide layout in PowerPoint is just the same as deleting unused master slides. So, you can follow the exact steps mentioned in the section 4 of this article.

However, one thing that you do need to remember is that a slide layout that is being used in one of your PowerPoint presentation slides cannot be deleted.

how to delete slides in powerpoint

If you try to delete a layout that is being used the “ Delete Layout ” option will be greyed out indicating that it cannot be deleted (as shown in the image above).

To get around this issue, follow the 5 easy steps given below.

Step-1: Identify the slide using the layout

how to delete slides in powerpoint

At first go to the “ Slide Master ” and hover your cursor over the layout that you want to delete. This will show you which of the slides in your PowerPoint presentation are using that layout.

Step-2: Exit Slide Master and go to the specific slide

how to delete slides in powerpoint

  After finding out which slide is using the layout you want to delete, you have to go back to the “ Slide Navigation ” bar and “ Right-click ” on the slide to open the drop-down menu.

Step-3: Change the layout of the slide

how to delete slides in powerpoint

Once you have opened the drop-down menu, go to the “ Layout ” option, and change the layout of the slide to a different style. This will allow you to delete the layout that this slide was previously using.

Step-4: Go back to “Slide Master”

Once you have changed the layout of the slide that was using the layout you want to delete, go back to the “ Slide Master ” option, and “ Right-click ” on the layout. Now you will see that the “ Delete Layout ” button is no longer greyed out.

Step-5: Delete the layout

how to delete slides in powerpoint

Finally, select the “ Delete Layout ” option and the layout will be removed from your PowerPoint Presentation.

7. Why Can’t I Delete Slides in PowerPoint?

On some occasions, you may not be able to delete slides. This is an extremely rare occurrence, but it can happen!

The main reason why you may not be able to delete a slide in PowerPoint is that your PowerPoint may have faulty macros in it. Perhaps you may have added a macro command that has bugs. This may create such an issue or prevent you from deleting slides even when the slide is blank with no data in it.

If you have indeed added a macro in your PowerPoint Presentation, it will be saved with a “.pptm” extension instead of a “.pptx” extension.

To solve this issue, all you have to do is save the presentation back as a ‘.pptx’ file, which will essentially kill all the macro commands. Once it is saved as a ‘ .pptx’ , opening it will allow you to delete any slide you want!

Another culprit could perhaps be an add-on that you may have recently added to your PowerPoint application. If so, try disabling or deleting the add-on, restart PowerPoint and try once again to see if you are able to delete the slide.

More PowerPoint Related Topics

  • How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint? [Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial!]
  • How to Give a Presentation on Zoom? A Helpful Resource!
  • How to Convert a PowerPoint to PDF? [A Simple Guide!]
  • PowerPoint vs Google Slides: Which is Better? [ULTIMATE Test!]
  • How to Change Bullet Style in PowerPoint? A Complete Guide

Credit to Lookstudio for the featured image (designed by Freepik) of this article

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SlideUpLift

How To Delete A Slide In PowerPoint

How To Delete A Slide In PowerPoint

Whether you are giving a presentation at work, school, or to friends and family, ensuring it is polished and professional is crucial. Working with slides is fundamental to making any presentation look the best. You want to ensure it’s flawless to attract and amaze your audience.

A presentation comprises multiple slides, and to make your presentation a winner, you need to learn how to insert or delete slides. Your presentation should be short and simple and contain only the information that is needed. Hence, you should remove redundant and unnecessary slides to make an effective presentation. 

In this article, we will learn how to delete a slide in PowerPoint . Deleting a slide in PowerPoint is a relatively easy operation, but it can be difficult for you if you are a new PowerPoint user. Don’t worry; we got you covered. Let’s hop right into it.

How to Delete A Slide In PowerPoint On Windows?

To delete a slide in PowerPoint in Windows, follow the steps below:

  • Open your presentation in PowerPoint. You can do this by double-clicking the desired file on your computer.
  • In the left preview pane, browse the slide you wish to delete.
  • If you do not see the left preview pane, go to the “View” Tab and select “Normal”.
  • Right-click on the slide and go to the “Delete Slide” option to delete that slide.
  • If you wish to delete multiple slides simultaneously, hold the CTRL button and select the ones you want to delete. You will see that the slides that you are selecting are being highlighted. Then right-click and select “Delete Slides”.
  • If you want to delete a sequence of slides, hold the SHIFT button and select the first slide of your sequence and then the last slide. Right-click on any slide and select the “Delete Slide” option.  

How to Delete A Slide In PowerPoint On Mac?

 To delete a slide in PowerPoint on MAC, follow the steps below:

  • Open your presentation in PowerPoint on Mac.
  • Switch to “Normal” or “Editing View” by going to the “View” tab and selecting “Normal”. You will now see the thumbnails of each slide on the left of your screen.
  • Select the file that you wish to delete and right-click on it. 
  • You’ll see a whole menu appear in front of you. To remove that slide, choose “Delete Slide” from the menu that appears.
  • You can also hide any slide by clicking on the “Hide Slide” option if you wish to remove it from your slideshow but want to keep it in your presentation.
  • If you want to delete more than one slide that is not next to each other, hold down the COMMAND key and select the slides you want to remove.
  • Once selected, right-click on any slide and hit the “Delete Slide” button.
  • To delete a whole section of slides, hold down the SHIFT button and select your section’s first and last slide. Once selected, hit the DELETE key or right-click and select the “Delete Slide” option.

READ MORE: How To Add A New Slide In PowerPoint

How to Delete A Slide In PowerPoint On the Web?

To delete a slide in PowerPoint on Web, follow the steps below:

  • Open your PowerPoint Web presentation.
  • You’ll see the slide thumbnails on the left side of your screen.
  • Click on the slide that you want to delete from your presentation.
  • Select the “Delete” option to remove that slide.
  • Hold the CTRL key to delete multiple slides in your presentation and select the ones you want to remove. Hit the delete key to erase these slides.

Here is a short video tutorial:

You can significantly change your presentation by inserting, deleting, or moving around your slides. Having a good PowerPoint presentation is essential to leave an impact on your audience, and performing these basic things can help you a lot to make your presentation stand out.

We have covered all the information you need about deleting a PowerPoint slide . Hope it helps! And don’t forget to read our articles to get tips on using PowerPoint efficiently. 

How To Delete More Than One Slide In PowerPoint?

What if i accidentally delete a slide in powerpoint, can i hide a slide from my presentation instead of deleting it.

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