How-To Geek

How to add slide numbers in powerpoint.

If you want to keep track of your PowerPoint presentation slides, you could think about adding page numbers. Here's how.

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Add slide numbers to a powerpoint presentation, remove slide numbers from a powerpoint presentation, format slide numbers in powerpoint.

When you're presenting a PowerPoint presentation, it can be easy to lose track of what slide you're currently on---especially if it's a large one. To help, you can add slide numbers in PowerPoint to know your position.

You could, of course, add slide numbers manually to each of your slides using text boxes. This isn't an option we'd recommend because any changes you make (for instance, by adding new slides) would require you to update your slide numbers manually, too.

Instead, you can add slide numbers that update automatically on all of your slides, including any hidden slides. By default, these slide numbers will appear in your slide footer, but you can move and format your slide numbers by editing the "Slide Master" for your presentation.

To add slide numbers, open a PowerPoint presentation with several slides added and then click the "Insert" tab.

Click the In

From here, you'll need to select the "Header & Footer" button in the "Text" section.

Click the Header & Footer button

This will bring up the "Header and Footer" options box. To add slide numbers to your PowerPoint slides, click the "Slide Number" checkbox in the "Slides" tab.

Press the "Apply to All" button to add slide numbers to all of your slides.

In your header and footer options, click the Slide number checkbox, then press Apply to all

Once applied, your slide numbers will appear on each of your slides in the bottom-right corner. If you've split your PowerPoint presentation into sections, you'll need to repeat this action for each section.

To  remove slide numbers from a PowerPoint presentation , you can follow similar steps to those shown above.

Related: How to Remove Slide Numbers from PowerPoint Slides

Press Insert > Header & Footer to bring up the PowerPoint header and footer options. In the "Header and Footer" box, uncheck the "Slide number" checkbox option.

You can remove the page number from only the currently selected slide by clicking "Apply" or to all of your slides by clicking the "Apply to All" button instead.

In your header and footer options, uncheck the Slide number checkbox, then press Apply or Apply to all

You can format your slide numbers using the PowerPoint Slide Master  to make them appear in a different font, size, color, or position.

Related: How to Create a Slide Master in Microsoft PowerPoint

To do this, click View > Slide Master from the ribbon bar.

This will load the Slide Master editing screen. You'll see the current position of your page number as a text box in the bottom-right section of the slide.

The slide number text box in the PowerPoint slide master editing view

You can move the text box to another position to move your slide number across all of your slides.

To edit the text formatting of the slide number, select the text box and then select the "Home" tab on the ribbon bar.

You can then edit the text formatting options using the available options in the "Font" and "Paragraph" sections.

Formatting options in the Home tab in PowerPoint

For instance, pressing the "Bold" button will make the slide numbers appear in bold across all slides.

Once you've formatted your slide numbers, return to the "Slide Master" tab on the ribbon bar and then select the "Close Master View" button.

Click the Close Master View button to close the slide master view mode in PowerPoint

Your slide numbers will update with new formatting across all of your slides, depending on the changes you made.

Art of Presentations

How to Add & Fix Slides Numbers in PowerPoint? [An EASY Guide!]

By: Author Shrot Katewa

How to Add & Fix Slides Numbers in PowerPoint? [An EASY Guide!]

Isn’t it annoying when you add a new slide within a sequence of slides in your PowerPoint presentation, and all your slide numbers go for a toss! If you are in this boat, then you’ve come to the right place!

Adding slide numbers can be confusing even after you’ve been using PowerPoint for quite some time. However, with the proper process of adding slides numbers in PowerPoint, you won’t go wrong. But, the question really is, what is the correct way to add slides numbers in PowerPoint?

To add slide numbers in PowerPoint, click on the “Insert” tab and click on the “Slide Number” option from the ribbon. Then, enable the “Slide Number” checkmark. Finally, click on the “Apply to All” option to apply slide numbers to all slides in your presentation.

This article will walk you through the complete details of adding slide numbers in PowerPoint in a step-by-step manner with visual references so that you can easily understand the process! You’ll also learn to add slide numbers in the “1 of X slides” format.

Furthermore, I’ll also show you how to exclude slide numbers from specific slides. In the end, I’ll help you troubleshoot some of the most common issues that you may be facing with slide numbers in PowerPoint. That, and much more!

So, let’s get started!

1. Adding Slide Numbers the Wrong Way! [Don’t Do This!] 

First, let’s talk about what you shouldn’t do!

The easiest (and most common incorrect way) to add a slide number is by manually adding a text box on each slide, manually inputting the slide number, and placing it at the bottom of the slide. However, this is the wrong way to add slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation.

If you add slide numbers this way, you have to add the slide number to each slide individually. Moreover, if you decide to place a new slide in the middle of your presentation, it messes up the sequence numbers for all the slides you just inserted slide numbers. Don’t do this!

The following part of this article discusses the different ways you can add slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation efficiently.

2. How to Add Slides Numbers in PowerPoint? [Correct Way] 

There are multiple ways to add slide numbers in PowerPoint. However, I’ll share the most straightforward method in this article with you.

A quick heads up – if you prefer watching the tutorial rather than reading about it, then check out my video below with the step-by-step instructions. However, if you prefer to read the instructions, continue with the article below.

Adding a Slide Number in PowerPoint Using the “Insert” Tab

Although you will see people talk about using the “Slide Master” to add slide numbers to your presentation, using slide layouts in PowerPoint can be confusing!

The easiest method is to use the “Insert” tab to add slide numbers to your slide. You can use this method even if you are a beginner!

So, what do you need to do? Let’s take a look –

Step-1: Insert a Blank Slide Layout

powerpoint slide numbers

The first step of the process is to insert a blank slide in your presentation. This step is only optional. It is not necessary to do this every time. Don’t do this step, especially if you use a presentation template. But, for the sake of explanation and practice, this will be a helpful step.

Click on the “Home” tab to add a blank slide layout. Then, click on “ Layout “, and from the options, click on the “ Blank ” slide option.

This will convert the slide layout of your current slide to a blank layout. You can also add a slide to your presentation and then convert it to a blank slide layout using the steps I just mentioned.

Step-2: Click on the “Slide Number” option

powerpoint slide numbers

Now, click on the “ Insert ” tab. Then, from the options, click on the “ Slide Number “. This will open a new pop-up window with more options.

Step-3: Add the Slide Numbers to the Slides

powerpoint slide numbers

First, make sure that you enable the “Slide Number” option in the next step. Next, make sure that add a checkmark to the check box. You can choose to start the number at “ 1 “.

Then, click on the “ Apply ” option to add the slide number to just the current slide. However, if you wish to add slide numbers to all the slides, click on the “ Apply to All ” option.

Don’t worry. We’ll look at how to disable slide numbers for specific slides slightly later in the article.

Step-4: Duplicate the Slide with the Slide Number

This is, again, an optional step.

Once you have the slide number added by clicking on “Apply” in the previous step, you need to copy and paste the slide in PowerPoint .

Make sure that you format the slide number on this slide before you start duplicating this slide. (check the rest of the article to know how to format the slide number)

However, duplicating the slide with a slide number is only helpful when starting with a new presentation. If you already have a bunch of different slides that have been designed especially using a presentation template, this step 4 won’t work.

If you are in that situation, select the “Apply to All” option in step 3. Then, check the section below to format the slide number in PowerPoint.

3. How to Remove Slide Number from Specific Slides

If you don’t want specific slides to show the slide number, you can easily toggle it off.

To remove slide numbers from specific slides in PowerPoint, first, select the slide. Then, click on the “Insert” tab, and click on the “Slide Number” button. Next, “Uncheck” the slide number option in the pop-up that appears, and click on “Apply” to remove the slide numbers from the selected slides.

I’m hopeful that the process mentioned above is self-explanatory. Nevertheless, here’s a step-by-step process to disable slide numbers for specific slides in your PowerPoint presentation.

Step 1 – Select the Slides to Remove the Slide Number

powerpoint slide numbers

First, select the specific slides on which you wish to remove the slide numbers. You can use the “Ctrl” on your keyboard (or Cmd key for Mac) and click on the slides on the left part of the screen to select multiple slides at once.

Then, click on the “ Insert ” ribbon, and click on the “ Slide Number ” option from the ribbon. This will open a pop-up.

Step 2 – Uncheck the Slide Number Option

powerpoint slide numbers

From the pop-up window that appears, uncheck the box for the “ Slide Number ” option and click on “ Apply “. This will remove the slide number just on the selected slides.

4. How to Remove Slide Number from Title Slide in PowerPoint?

One common problem that you may encounter once you add the slide numbers to all your slides is that the title slide of your presentation also now shows a slide number!

Most of us usually don’t want the slide number visible on the title slide. So, how do you remove the slide number from the title slide of your PowerPoint presentation?

Well, there are three different methods you can use. Let’s take a look at them one by one.

Method 1 – Manually Removing the Slide Number

The easiest way is to remove the slide number from the title slide manually. Simply select the slide number on the title slide and hit the “Delete” key on your keyboard, and the slide number will be deleted.

This method works well for the title slide only since the title slide will always remain as the first slide in the presentation and won’t change its position in the sequence.

If you use this method on other slides, chances are you may want to move the slides around and may want the slide numbers back on the slide later. And, that may just complicate things for you. Instead, just follow the steps mentioned in the previous section to delete slide numbers on other slides.

However, sometimes, PowerPoint just doesn’t allow you to select the slide number field on the slide! In such a scenario, you can’t just delete the slide number.

This is where the other two methods come in handy!

Method 2 – Uncheck the Slide Number Option on the Title Slide

powerpoint slide numbers

This method works just the same way as per the steps described in the previous section (section 3 above) of the article that describes the process to remove slide numbers from specific slides.

All you need to do is select the title slide by clicking on it. Then, click on the “ Insert ” tab. Next, click on the “ Slide Number ” option. From the pop-up that appears, uncheck the box for “Slide Number”, and click on “ Apply “.

Just as before, this will remove the slide number from the selected slide.

Method 3 – Use the “Don’t Show on Title Slide” Option

powerpoint slide numbers

You can also use the “Don’t show on title slide” option when adding the slide numbers to your presentation in order to avoid the slide number on the title slide!

To do so, repeat the steps of adding the slide number to your presentation. Then, enable the checkmark on the “Don’t show on title slide” option to remove the slide number from the title slide.

5. How to Remove Slide Numbers on All Slides in PowerPoint?

powerpoint slide numbers

Removing slide numbers from all slides is just as easy as adding slide numbers to your slides!

To remove slide numbers from your PowerPoint presentation, click on the “Insert” tab. Then, click on the “Slide Number” option. From the pop-up that appears, uncheck the box for “Slide numbers”, and click on the “Apply to All” option.

Check the steps on the image shared above in case you need any further clarification.

Once all the steps are complete, you will notice that the slide number disappears from all slides!

6. How to Make Slide Numbers “1 of X Slides” in PowerPoint?

If you have a really long presentation that contains more than 50 slides, then you may want to use the “1 of X Slides” format! [Where “X” is the total number of slides that your presentation contains]

Doing so allows the audience to estimate the number of slides remaining in the presentation. So, how do you do that?

Let me share with you a ninja tip in this section! Here’s a step-by-step explanation of what you need to do!

Step 1 – Insert a Text Box on the Slide

powerpoint slide numbers

The first step is to insert a text box on the slide. To do that, click on the “ Insert ” tab. Then, click on the “ Text Box ” option from the ribbon. Next, just drag the cursor on the bottom right corner of your slide (or wherever you wish to have the slide number).

Step 2 – Insert the Slide Number

powerpoint slide numbers

The next step is to insert the slide number. But, don’t add the slide number manually.

Instead, first, click inside the text box to make it active. Then, click on the “ Insert ” tab and click on the “ Slide Number ” option from the ribbon.

This will automatically insert the slide number inside the text box.

Step 3 – Add Text After the Slide Number

powerpoint slide numbers

Now, simply add the text that you wish to appear after the slide number. In this case, I’ve added “of 20 Slides” after the slide number (as shown in the image above).

Step 4 – Copy and Paste the Text Box

Now, all you need to do is simply copy and paste this text box on all the slides!

Once you copy and paste the text box on other slides, you will notice that the slide number within the text box will change with the changing slide. However, “of 20 Slides” will remain constant!

Thus, it is advised to add such a slide number format to all slides once you’ve completed creating the presentation as it will provide you with a clear understanding of the exact number of slides in your presentation.

Don’t worry! Even if you move the slides around and change the sequence, the slide numbers will still change with the specific slide!

7. How to Format Slide Numbers in PowerPoint?

Formatting slides numbers is quite easy if you know what to do!

PowerPoint allows you to change the font color, font size, and even the font that is used for the slide numbers. Formatting a slide number works just like formatting text in PowerPoint .

There are two key processes to know when formatting a slide number in PowerPoint! Let’s take a look at both of them –

7.1 How to Format Slide Numbers for a Specific Slide Layout?

Formatting slide numbers of a specific slide layout will affect only those slides that use a particular type of slide layout. Here’s what you need to do –

Step 1 – Add Slide Numbers to the Slides

The first step is to add the slides numbers to your slide. Obviously, in order to edit the slide numbers and see the effect, the slide numbers need to be present on the slide.

So, if you haven’t added the slide numbers already, follow the steps mentioned earlier in the article and add the slide numbers first.

Step 2 – Check the Slide Layout

powerpoint slide numbers

The next step that we need to take is to check the slide layout that is currently in use for the specific slide on which we intend to format the slide number.

To check the slide layout, first, select the slide. Then, click on the “ Home ” tab and click on the “ Slide Layout ” option from the ribbon.

The highlighted slide layout will indicate the layout the current slide uses.

Step 3 – Open the Slide Master View

powerpoint slide numbers

In the next step, we need to open the Slide Master View in PowerPoint .

To do that, first, click on the slide for which you wish to change the slide number format. Then, click on the “ View ” tab, and click on the “ Slide Master ” option from the ribbon.

This will open the slide master view in PowerPoint.

Slide 4 – Format the Slide Number for the Specific Slide Layout

powerpoint slide numbers

Now, first, make sure that you have the correct layout selected. By default, PowerPoint will open the slide layout of the slide that was selected before opening the slide master view.

Then, to make changes to the format of the slide number, select the slide number field present on the slide. Click on the “ Home ” tab, and make the changes as per your preference.

You can change the font, text alignment, text styles, font size, and much more! For the sake of this example, let’s change the alignment to left, and add a “Bold” style.

Slide 5 – Exit the Slide Master

powerpoint slide numbers

Once you’ve made the desired formatting changes, click on the “ Slide Master ” tab once again, and click on the “ Close Master ” option to exit the slide master.

Once you exit the slide master and open the normal view, you will notice that the formatting of the slide number on the current slide layout is different from other slides.

7.2 How to Format Slide Numbers on All Slides in PowerPoint?

If you wish to change the format of the slide number on all slides instead of specific slide layouts, you can do so just as easily. And, no! You don’t need to individually change the format of slide numbers on each slide!

Here’s what you need to do to change the slide numbers on all slides in PowerPoint –

Step 1 – Open the Slide Master View

powerpoint slide numbers

First, you need to open the slide master view in PowerPoint. Just as before, click on the “ View ” tab. Then, click on the “ Slide Master ” option from the ribbon.

Step 2 – Format the Slide Number Field on the “Master Slide”

powerpoint slide numbers

Once you open the slide master view, click on the “ Master Slide ” i.e. the first slide in the sequence (which is also larger in size than the other slides).

Next, make sure you select the slide number field on the bottom right of the slide. Then, click on the “ Home ” tab. Here you can make all the formatting changes that you need.

For the sake of this example, I’ll click on the “ Bold ” option and change the font color to red.

You can see the change taking place on the selected slide number field on the master slide.

Step 3 – Exit the Slide Master

powerpoint slide numbers

The last step is to exit the slide master.

Once you have made all the changes to the slide number formatting, click on the “ Slide Master “. Then, click on the “ Close Master ” options.

When you return to the normal view, you will notice that the formatting changes have been applied to all the slide numbers in your presentation.

Using the method described above, you can make changes to font color, font size, type of font, text alignment, and other formatting changes that you can normally make to text in PowerPoint!

8. How to Change the Position of Slide Numbers in PowerPoint?

To change the position of the slide numbers in your PowerPoint presentation, at first, select the text box of the slide number. After that click and hold the text box and drag it to your preferred position anywhere on the slide.

Once you’ve dragged it to where you want the slide numbers to be let go of the mouse button and the position of the slide number will change accordingly.

In order to change the position of slide number on all the slides, make sure that you use the method described in the previous section of the article (section 7.2)

9. Troubleshooting Slides Numbers in PowerPoint

While adding slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation you may encounter some difficulties as some users of PowerPoint has.

There may be problems like the slide numbers not, showing the slide number may not be showing as “#”, you may have difficulty removing the slide number, or maybe you want the slide number to start from 0.

All these issues and possible reasons why you are encountering them are described in the following section.

9a. Slide Numbers Not Showing in PowerPoint 

Sometimes you may find it difficult to add slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation. Some of the reasons why you’re having this problem and possible ways to get around them are described below.

1. There may be a shape inserted over your slide number: Sometimes, there may be a shape or an image placed over the location where you inserted your slide number.

To solve this issue, click on the area where the slide number should be, and if there is a shape over it, “Right-click” on the shape and select the “Send to Back” option.

2. Make sure you have used the right layout: Some layouts don’t include the “ Slide Number ” placeholder in the slide. In that case, you won’t be able to see the slide number in slides using that layout.

To get around this issue, either insert a slide number placeholder in that layout or use a different layout that has a page number placeholder.

9b. Slide Number Showing as “#” 

If the slide number is not showing as “#” in your PowerPoint presentation, then the presentation may be using multiple layouts.

To resolve this issue either use a different layout or manually insert a “ Footer ” in your PowerPoint presentation. After that that you should be able to see the “#” sign in the slide number placeholder.

9c. Can’t Remove Slide Number in PowerPoint? 

You can’t remove slide numbers from your PowerPoint presentation by simply deleting them. This would only remove the slide number from the single slide where you deleted the slide number.

To remove slide number from all the slides in your PowerPoint, follow the instructions of excluding a slide from being number described earlier in this presentation, but instead of selecting the “ Apply ” button, select the “ Apply all ” button.

9d. Make Slide Number Start at 0

To make the slide number start from zero, follow the instructions given below.

Step-1: Select the “Customize Slide Size” option

The first step of the process is to select the “ Customize Slide Size ” option. To do that simply go to the “ Design ” tab from the ribbon of your presentation, click on the “ Slide Size ” button located in the “ Customize ” section of the “ Design ” tab.

After that, a dropdown menu will appear on your screen. From the dropdown menu, click on the “ Customize Slide Size ” option.

Step-2: Type in 0 in the “Number starts from” box

Finally, type in ‘0’ in the “ Number starts from ” box which is the last box in the “ Slide Size ” pop-up window, and then hit the “ Ok ” button. This will make the slide numbering start from zero.

Credit to drobotdean (on Freepik) for the featured image of this article (further edited)

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How to add slide numbers in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)

  • PowerPoint Tutorials
  • Shortcuts & Hacks
  • January 11, 2024

Adding slide numbers in PowerPoint should be an easy and straightforward task, but it is not. The way that PowerPoint manages your slide numbers is confusing.

While confusing and frustrating, the last thing you want to do – and I have done this before myself – is manually add the page numbers to the slides yourself.

Manually adding slide numbers is a classic 101 timewaster that you will instantly regret for two reasons.

The first reason is, manually doing anything in PowerPoint that PowerPoint can automatically do for you (even if it requires a little research), is never an effective use of your time. If you want to have a life outside of the office slaving away in PowerPoint, you will want to push as many of these types of tasks as possible back on to PowerPoint.

The second reason is, after you manually add your slide numbers in PowerPoint, you will have to manually update them again as you add or remove slides from your presentation. If you thought it was tedious to manually add the slide numbers in the first place, believe me when I say that it is ten times as tedious to have to manually update them again, and triple-check that all your slides are numbered correctly.

Follow along with me below and see the advanced trouble shooting video at the bottom of the page if you are still having issues.

NOTE: When printing your slides as handouts, be aware that it is your slide number (NOT the page number) that displays for each page of the speaker notes you print. To learn how to add speaker notes to PowerPoint (and some of the tricks to working with them), read my guide here .

Table of Contents

[watch] how to add slide numbers in powerpoint.

Adding slide numbers in PowerPoint is one of those things that should be simple and easy (like it is in Microsoft Word) …but it’s not.

And just so we are on the same page, in this article you can use the term slide number and page number interchangeably. They are the same thing in this case.

While a lot of people can “properly” add them to the PowerPoint  Slide Master , they still can’t get them to properly show up in the  Normal View . And if you work in the professional services industry, this is something you’ll want to get right! The last thing you want to do is torpedo the overall quality of your presentation simply because you can’t get your slides properly numbered.

Take your PPT skills to the next level

Setting up your slide numbers in the slide master view.

When you are adding slide numbers to PowerPoint, or troubleshooting your slide numbers, the first place to check is your Slide Master.

That is because the Slide Number field is driven and controlled by your Slide Master.

Continue reading to see how this is done. If your Slide Numbers are already set up properly on your Slide Master, you move to the next section.

1. Navigate to your Slide Master

In all versions of Microsoft PowerPoint, the slide numbers (or page numbers) for your presentation are driven from the Slide Master View. As such, this is one of the best places to check first if you are having trouble adding slide numbers in PowerPoint, or if your slide numbers are not properly displaying.

To navigate to the Slide Master view in PowerPoint, click the View tab and then select the Slide Master button.

To navigate to the Slide Master view in PowerPoint, simply:

  • Navigate to the View tab in your Ribbon
  • Select the Slide Master command

If you frequently need to use your Slide Master, you can use the Shift + Normal icon shortcut to jump to the slide master.

2. Navigate to your Parent Slide (the big slide)

Example of the Parent Slide (the larger slide) in the Slide Master View of PowerPoint

In the Slide Master view, navigate to the Parent slide on the top left. This will be the first and largest the slide listed on the left side of your screen.

3. Open the Master Layout dialog box to find the Slide Number field

On the Slide Master tab, select the Master Layout command

To open the Master Layout dialog box in PowerPoint, simply:

  • Navigate to the Slide Master tab in your Ribbon
  • Click Master Layout to open the dialog box

The Master Layout dialog box is where you set the Title, Text, Date, Slide number, and Footer for your PowerPoint presentation. To expand your knowledge and learn how to create a template in PowerPoint, read our guide here .

NOTE: PowerPoint is a contextual program, in that it only displays tabs for the views you are in, or the objects you have selected. If you do not see the Slide Master tab in the ribbon, that means that you have not properly navigated to your Slide Master yet. See step #1 above.

4. Select the Slide Number field

In the Master Layout dialog box, make sure you have a check mark next to Slide number . Selecting this option adds the slide number object to the Parent Slide, that you can then use to automatically add and update all the slides numbers in your presentation (instead of manually adding them yourself).

You can additionally add the Title, Text, Date and/or Footer objects if you don’t already have them on your Parent Slide. These are the fields you will want to set up and properly format if you are building a PowerPoint template for your team or company.

After you select which elements you want to appear on your slides, click OK .

On the Parent Slide of the slide master, make sure you have the Slide Number option ticked

5. Place and format your Slide Number

With the slide number added to your Master Slide , you can now format and/or place it wherever you want. In this case, I’ve placed mine in the upper right-hand corner of my slide.

Where you place it on your Parent Slide determines where the numbers show up (by default) on all of your Child Slides. In the below picture, you can see I placed my slide number in the upper right hand corner of my slide.

Example of the slide number placeholder placed in the upper right-hand corner of the slide on the Parent Slide of the slide master

NOTE: By default, your slide numbers populate to all the  Child Slides (the little slides in the Slide Master view) in your presentation. If they do not, you will need to cycle through the Child Slide layouts and delete the old page numbers individually, and then click the Footers icon in the Ribbon to add them back (another area where slide numbers in PowerPoint can be a pain).

To learn how to set up and format the Parent Slide and Child Slides for your PowerPoint template , read my guide here .

6. Close out of the Slide Master view

To return to the Normal View, on the Slide Master tab, click the close master view command on the far right of the Ribbon.

Before you exit out of the Slide Master view, I recommend double-checking that your slide numbers are properly set up both on the Parent Slide, and all the individual Child Slides. If you accidentally missed one, now is the time to catch it.

Once you are sure the slide numbers are all where they are supposed to be, you can click out of the Slide Master View:

  • Click the Slide Master tab
  • Select Close Master View

Applying your slide numbers in the Normal View

Once you’ve set up and formatted the Slide Number field in the Slide Master view, you are ready to move on and add them to your presentation.

As an analyst or associate who is in charge of the deck, it is important to keep in mind that just because the Slide Number field is properly set up in the Slide Master, DOES NOT mean they will automatically show up in your presentation.

Continue reading to see the next steps to make sure your slide numbers properly display in PowerPoint.

1. Open the Slide Number dialog box

From the Insert tab, select the slide number command to open the header and footer dialog box

Now that you have setup (or double-checked) that your slide numbers are set up properly in the Slide Master view, now we can add them here in the Normal View of PowerPoint (woo-hoo). Let’s start by opening the Header and Footer dialog box as follows: 

  • Navigate to the Insert tab
  • Select the Slide Number command

You can alternatively use the Alt + Shift + D keyboard shortcut to open the Header and Footer dialog box. If you want to learn additional PowerPoint shortcuts like this that will save you time, read my shortcut guide here .

Regardless of how you get to the Header and Footer dialog box, this is the best and proper place to add, remove, and/or manage your presentations:

  • Date and time
  • Slide numbers

The goal again is to get PowerPoint to do the heavy lifting for you here. Even if this dialog box is new and a little confusing to you, it is worth getting this right as it will save you a ton of time in the future.

2. Apply your Slide Numbers

In the Header and Footer dialog box, select Slide Number and then click apply or apply to all to add them to your slides.

NOTE: The option to “Don’t show on title slide” can easily catch you off guard. That’s because the title slide in PowerPoint is NOT what you probably think it is. For more information, on what the title slide actually is in PowerPoint, read my guide here .

Within the Header and Footer dialog box, make sure there is a checkmark next to the Slide number .

With it selected, you get a preview of where your slide numbers will appear in the upper right-hand corner of the dialog box. After that, select either:

  • Apply , applies your slide number to the individual slide you are working on.
  • Apply to All , applies slide numbers to all of the slides within your presentation (assuming that each of the Child Slide layouts has your slid number on it).

Assuming you want to add slide numbers to all your slides in PowerPoint, click Apply to All . Clicking Apply to All, PowerPoint automatically adds the slide numbers to all your slides, based on the formatting and positioning you set up on the slide master.

As you can see in the picture below, the slide numbers now display (just as I set them up on the Slide Master).

Example of a slide number in the upper right-hand corner of a PowerPoint slide

Troubleshooting slide numbers that won't show up

If you followed along with me above and you still can’t get your slide numbers to properly display in PowerPoint, I have you covered.

In the following video, I highlight a few extra steps you can take to make sure your page numbers show up in PowerPoint.

If you still can’t figure out what is happening with your slide numbers, leave a comment or send me a note and I will do my best to help you out.

Final thoughts

You did the right thing by looking up how to add slide numbers in PowerPoint. The worst possible thing you can do is get so fed up with the PowerPoint page numbering system, that you manually add them yourself.

Another good point to remember is that you can use the Header and Footer dialog box to quickly remove all the slide numbers from your presentation. Simply unselect the Slide number option and click Apply to All and PowerPoint will automatically remove them all from your presentation.

While we all wish that adding page numbers in PowerPoint was as easy as it is in Word, that’s why you are paid the big PowerPoint bucks.

If you enjoyed this slide number tutorial and want to take your PowerPoint skills to the next level, check out our online training courses and other PowerPoint tutorials here .

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This Post Has 9 Comments

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Thanks for your guidance but it doesn’t completely work. I have one Master and two layouts. It will only add the page number to one of the layouts. No matter how many times I try to insert the slide number and apply to all, when ever I add a new slide, it only puts the slide number on one layout but not the other! Very frustrating because I followed all of your steps perfectly.

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Thank you thank you thank you. Have been desperately trying to populate a submaster with slide numbers for a day now. The trick of RE-clicking on Title and Footers boxes up in the Maser Slide menu, while selecting my submaster slide, finally did the trick !

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So happy to be able to help, Fran! Those little slide numbers can be tricky, despite appearances. Cheers!

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Great vid. thanks.

Thanks for commenting, and happy this was a help to you! Cheers!

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Thanks for the super-concise speed training on this – I was starting to pull my hair out! Again Microsoft prove they are the most clumsy legacy software developers on the planet!!

Hi Mathias! Glad to have been able to help. Yes, this is still a trickier issue than it should be, but luckily, there is a solution! Cheers

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WOW! What an amazing and fast video. I will definitley bookmark this site!!

So happy to hear that, Anna! Thank you and let us know if there’s any other nagging problem we can solve for you. Cheers

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How to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Last Updated: January 22, 2024 Fact Checked

How to Add Slide Numbers

How to format slide numbers.

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 fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 40,509 times. Learn more...

This wikiHow guide teaches you how to number the slides in your PowerPoint presentation on your Windows PC or Mac. You can add slide numbers easily on the Insert tab and change the look and position of each number on your master slide.

Things You Should Know

  • To add slide numbers to your presentation, click the "Insert" tab, select "Header & Footer," check the box next to "Slide number," and click "Apply All."
  • The position, font, size, and color of your slide numbers is determined by your slide master.
  • To format your slides, click the "View" tab, select "Slide Master," click the first master slide, and edit the placeholder (the hashtag symbol) as needed.

Step 1 Click the Insert tab in your presentation.

  • If you don't want a slide number to appear on the first (title) slide, check the box next to "Don’t show on title slide" at the bottom-left corner.
  • All slides, including hidden slides, are included in the slide count. You'll also see slide numbers when you print your presentations. [2] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source

Step 4 Click the Apply to All button.

  • If slide numbers aren't showing up, the slide number placeholder was removed from your slide master . Skip down to this method to learn how to insert them if they're not showing up.
  • To remove all slide numbers, return to Insert > Header & Footer , uncheck "Slide Number," and click Apply to All .
  • To remove just one slide number, select the slide in the left panel, go to Insert > Header & Footer , uncheck "Slide Number," and click Apply .

Step 1 Open Slide Master view.

  • Click the Insert tab, then click Text Box in the toolbar.
  • Click and drag a text box in any blank area of the slide. You can always reposition it later.
  • Click inside the text box.
  • Click Slide Number in the toolbar. You'll now see the hash symbol in the text box—the slide number placeholder.

Step 3 Select the slide number placeholder.

  • Click the Home tab.
  • Click the slide number placeholder to select it.
  • To change the color, click the "A" with a line under it in the toolbar, then select a color.
  • To change the font face and size, use the drop-down menus in the toolbar.
  • You can also make slide numbers bold, italicized, or underlined as you would other text. [3] X Trustworthy Source Microsoft Support Technical support and product information from Microsoft. Go to source
  • To return to your presentation, click Normal on the View tab.

Expert Q&A

  • You can also change the position of headers, footers , text boxes, and other elements when editing the master slide. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

powerpoint slide numbers

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  • ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-page-numbers-date-and-time-or-footer-text-to-all-slides-in-powerpoint-for-mac-abb23f0c-760a-46ef-940e-be5074d3f287
  • ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/office/change-the-fonts-in-a-footer-on-a-slide-ad433255-2de8-441e-99c8-b26a99b04d74

About This Article

Nicole Levine, MFA

To add slide numbering to your PowerPoint presentation, start by opening your presentation in PowerPoint. Then, click the "Insert" tab and select "Header & Footer" on the toolbar. Check the box next to "Slide number"—the preview in the upper-right corner of the window will update to display where the slide number will appear on each slide. If the first slide in your presentation is a title slide and you don’t want a number on it, place a checkmark next to "Don't show on title slide." Click "Apply to All" to add the slide number to each slide in your presentation. If the slide number doesn't look right on one of your slides, you can move it to a different location—just hover the mouse cursor over the slide number until it turns to a crosshair, then click-and-drag it somewhere that looks a little better. You can also change the position of your slide number on all slides at once by editing the Slide Master. Click the "View" tab, click "Slide Master" on the toolbar, and then click your Slide Master at the top of the left panel. Hover the mouse cursor over the slide number until it turns to a crosshair, then drag it to another location. Another thing you can do while editing the Slide Master is to change the size, font, or color of the slide number—double-click the slide number to select it, highlight the number, and then use the font face, size, and color options on the small menu above your cursor. Click "Close Master View" when you're finished. Any changes you made to the slide numbers in the Slide Master will apply to all slides in the presentation. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Presentations (Step-by-Step)

Add or insert slide numbers in PowerPoint represented by number blocks.

Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint using Slide Layouts

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated April 5, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert slide numbers on some or all of your PowerPoint slides using slide layouts. If your slide layouts contain slide number placeholders, you can then apply those layouts to your slides and insert slide numbers in the placeholders. If the placeholders have been deleted, slide numbers will not display.

It's best not to type slide numbers in text boxes on slides in Normal View. If slide numbers are entered manually in text boxes on your slides, you won't be able to edit or format them easily and they will not renumber if the slides are rearranged.

In order to insert slide numbers on a slide, you will need to do two things:

  • In Normal View, apply layouts that include a slide number placeholder to slides.
  • In Slide Master View, click the Insert tab in the Ribbon, click Header & Footer in the Text group, check Slide number and click Apply to apply to the current layout or Apply to All to apply to all layouts. Most slide numbers tend to appear in the footer position at the bottom of a slide.

Recommended article: How to Change Slide Size or Dimensions in PowerPoint

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person PowerPoint courses >

Applying slide layouts

In PowerPoint, every slide is based on a slide layout (which is part of a set of layouts with a slide master or parent). Slide layouts are created and edited in Slide Master view.

To view the slide master and the layouts for the current presentation:

  • Click the View tab in the Ribbon and click Slide Master in the Master Views group.
  • In the thumbnails on the left, the first thumbnail is the slide master and below it are the associated slide layouts.
  • Click a layout such as Title and Content. Placeholders should appear in the slide layout on the right. These placeholders usually include footer, date and slide number. If you haven't inserted headers or footers, the placeholders are empty.

On the left side of the screen in Slide Master View, the slide master and its associated layouts appear in the thumbnails area:

Slide master with slide layouts in PowerPoint with placeholders to add slide numbers.

To apply a slide layout to a slide in Normal View:

  • If necessary, click the Normal button on the bottom right of the screen.
  • Select or display a slide.
  • Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  • In the Slides group, click the Layouts drop-down menu and click a layout to apply it to the current slide. Common layouts include Title Slide, Title and Content and Title Only.

In Normal View, Layouts appear in the Layouts drop-down menu:

Slide layouts in PowerPoint Normal View.

If the layout does not seem to apply correctly, click Reset in the Slides group. If text boxes (not placeholders) have been added to the slide, you may need to delete them.

Ensuring the slide number placeholder appears on the slide master

By default, slide layouts include placeholders such as a title placeholder, body placeholder, footer placeholder, date placeholder and slide number placeholder. If the slide number placeholder has been removed from a layout in Slide Master view, the slide numbers have no place to go.

Slide layouts are part of a set which includes a slide master or parent and multiple layouts. Initially, slide layouts follow the slide master so if the slide number placeholder has been deleted on the slide master, this affects its layouts as well.

If the slide number placeholder has been deleted on the slide master (or parent), to add it to the slide master:

  • Click the slide master (or parent) on the top left in the thumbnails (this normally appears with a number 1 beside it and is the first and largest thumbnail on the left).
  • If the slide number placeholder does not appear in the slide on the right, click the Slide Master tab in the Ribbon and click Master Layout in the Master Layout group. A dialog box appears.
  • In the Master Layout dialog box, check slide number and any other check boxes to display the desired placeholders.

Below is a slide master with title, body, date, footer and number placeholders:

Slide Master with footer, date and slide number placeholders.

Ensuring the slide number placeholder appears on layouts

To ensure that the slide number placeholder appears on a layout or layouts:

  • In the thumbnails on the left, click a layout such as Title and Content. Placeholders should appear in the slide layout on the right. These placeholders usually include footer, date and slide number. If you haven't inserted headers or footers, the placeholders are empty in Normal View.
  • If the footer, date and slide number placeholders are not on the slide layout, click the Slide Master tab in the Ribbon and click the Footers check box in the Slide Master group. You may need to check and uncheck the Footer check box multiple times until the placeholders appear.
  • Repeat for other layouts.

Note the Footers check box below (which is enabled only if you have selected a slide layout in the thumbnails on the left):

Footers check box on Slide Master tab in PowerPoint.

Below is a slide layout with title, body, date, footer and number placeholders:

Slide layout in Slide Master View in PowerPoint with footer, date and number placeholders.

Inserting slide numbers into the slide number placeholder

As long as a slide number placeholder appears on a layout or layouts, you can insert slide numbers using the Header & Footer command:

  • In Slide Master View, click a layout on the left in the thumbnails.
  • Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon and click Header & Footer in the Text group. A dialog box appears.
  • If necessary, click the Slide tab in the dialog box.
  • Click the check box for Slide number (a checkmark appears). You can also check Footer and Date if required. You may also want to check Don't show on title slide.
  • Click Apply to apply to the current layout or Apply to All to insert slide numbers on every layout where a slide number placeholder appears.

Below is the Header & Footer dialog box:

Header and Footer dialog box in PowerPoint to insert slide numbers, footers and dates into placeholders.

In Slide Master View, the slide number placeholder does not display the slide numbers. You'll need to return to Normal View to view the slide numbers. To return to Normal View, click the Normal button on the bottom right or click the View tab in the Ribbon and click Normal in the Presentation Views group.

Formatting slide number placeholders

You can format the slide number placeholder on the slide master or on individual layouts.

To format a slide number placeholder:

  • Click the View tab in the Ribbon.
  • Click Slide Master in the Master Views group.
  • Click the slide master or the layout with the slide number placeholder you wish to format (in the thumbnails on the left).
  • Click the edge of the slide number placeholder in the slide area on the right.
  • Select a different font size, font color and other formats from the Home tab in the Ribbon.
  • Repeat for other layouts if necessary.

You can also move a placeholder by clicking its edge and pressing the arrow keys on your keyboard or by dragging the edge of the placeholder. The number placeholder can appear in different locations on different layouts.

Changing the starting slide number

PowerPoint automatically numbers slides starting at 1 (whether they are displayed or not on your slides).

To change the starting slide number in Normal View:

  • Click the Design tab in the Ribbon.
  • Click Slide Size and then Custom Slide Size or click Page Setup (depending on your PowerPoint version).
  • Enter a new starting number.

The Slide Size dialog box appears as follows:

Slide Size dialog box in PowerPoint.

Removing all slide numbers

If you decide that you want to remove all slide numbers in your presentation, you don't need to delete the placeholders in Slide Master view. Simply turn off slide numbers in the Header & Footer dialog box.

To turn off slide numbers for all slides:

  • In Normal View or Slide Master View, click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
  • Click Header & Footer in the Text group.
  • In the dialog box, uncheck Slide Number (and Date and Footer if necessary).
  • Click Apply to All. The slide numbers will be removed but the placeholders will remain in Slide Master view so it will be simple to insert slide numbers again.

For many PowerPoint users, slide numbering is an ongoing problem so it's important to learn how to work with placeholders in Slide Master view to ensure that numbering can be added or removed easily.

Slide numbers still not working? Check out the article Troubleshoot Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Decks .

This article was originally published on September 20, 2018 and has been updated for clarity and content.

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How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Presentations (Step-by-Step)

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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint and Google Slides

How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint and Google Slides

How Ro Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint and Google Slides Cover

To help organize your presentations, both Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Sides have a feature called Slide numbers.

Most of your presentations can sometimes be difficult to keep track of—especially if they’re composed of many slides. In these situations, Slide numbers can help you effectively. Besides the tedious way of manually adding slide or page numbers, we’ll teach you how to insert page numbers in PowerPoint and Google Slides.

How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

To insert slide or page numbers in your PowerPoint presentation, follow these steps:

1) Go to the Insert tab.

2) Under the Text group, select Header & Footer.

Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Header and Footer Menu

3) From the dialog box, tick the Slide number checkbox. Then, click Apply to All to add page numbers to your ppt presentation.

Insert Slide Numbers through header and footer popup menu

Tip: If you want it to be applied on selected slides, follow the same steps, then click Apply .

4) To remove the page numbers, go to Header & Footer > Slide. Uncheck the Slide number option, then, select Apply to All .

Add Slide Numbers via Slide Master

Slide Master view is designed to have control over the entire presentation, including formatting, fonts, themes, and layouts such as footers. Here, you also can insert slide numbers easily. Here’s how:

1) Go to the View tab, then, select Slide Master .

Insert Slide Number in Slidemaster

2) You’ll be taken to a structured set of slides that you can use to create your presentation.

3) On the bottom-right of each slide is where you can insert your Slide numbers.

Insert Slide Number in SlideMaster Footer.

4) If the slide number is not showing, go to Master Layout and check the Slide number checkbox. Then, select OK.

Insert slide number through master slide in slidemaster

5) To close the Slide Master view, click Close Master View .

Insert slide number Close Master View

Add Slide Numbers in Google Slides

Google Slides has a feature of adding Slide Numbers. So how do you add slide or page numbers in a Google Slides Template ? Follow these steps:

1) Go to Insert, then, select Slide numbers.

Google Slides Insert Menu Slide Numbers

2) On the dialog box, click the On button.

Google Slides Insert Slide Numbers Popup Menu

3) Click Apply. Once successful, slide numbers will be shown on the bottom-left corner of each slide. Tip: To apply on selected slides, first select the slides you want to apply for slide numbers. Next, select Apply to selected. You can also select the Skip title slides checkbox to skip title slides from the slide number.

4) To turn it off, go to Insert > Slide numbers. Then, select the Off button, and click Apply.

Add Slide Numbers in Google Slides via Slide Master

1) Go to Slide , and select Edit theme .

Google Slides Edit Theme Menu

2) You’ll see a structured set of slides that you can follow—on the bottom-left corner is the text box for Slide numbers .

3) Once you enter the side numbers, you can also choose to customize the font settings and their placement on each slide.

4) To close, click the X button on the top-right corner of the slide master window.

Google Slides Edit Theme Feature

Final Thoughts

To make your presentations well-organized, you can use slide numbers. It also makes things easier between you and your audience by inserting a page number for every slide, which you can use as a reference. 

powerpoint slide numbers

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How to Add or Remove Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

It sometimes makes sense to number your slides in PowerPoint, especially if you have a long presentation. Here's how you can do so.

If you use Microsoft products like Word and Excel, there's also a good chance that you use PowerPoint for presentations. Depending on the purpose, such presentations can either be short or long.

Whereas one-page slides do not need numbering, you cannot say the same for longer and larger presentations which usually run into tens or hundreds of pages. In such cases, it makes perfect sense to number the slides for easy reference.

So, we'll show you how to add, format, and remove slide numbers from your PowerPoint presentation.

Adding Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Adding slide numbers in PowerPoint is easy and straightforward. Here's how to go about it:

  • Launch PowerPoint on your desktop.
  • Open the PowerPoint presentation you want to number.
  • Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon area.
  • Then click on Header and Footer .

Dialog box to add slide number in PowerPoint

  • To add a page number to the current slide only, click on Apply .
  • To add slide numbers to all the pages, click Apply to All instead. There's also the provision to add the current date and time .
  • If your first page also doubles as your title page, you definitely don't want a slide number there. To prevent that, simply check the Don't show on title slide box.

If you want to be a little adventurous, you can also add the Zoom effect .

Repositioning Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

If, for some reason, you don't like the placement of the slide number, you can easily reposition it to your liking. You can do this two ways—for specific or all slides.

Repositioning Slide Numbers for a Specific Slide

To reposition the slide number for a particular slide in PowerPoint:

Slide number box being epositioned in PowerPoint

  • Now drag the Slide Number box to any location of your choice. This can be the header, footer, or even side panels; it's up to you.

Repositioning Slide Numbers for All Slides

To reposition the slide numbers for all slides in PowerPoint:

  • Click on the Slide Number box.
  • Go to the ribbon and click on the View tab.

Slide numbers being repositioned for all slides in PowerPoint

  • Now, drag the Slide Number box to your desired location.
  • When done, click on Close Master View .

Formatting Slide Numbers

You can change the font type, size, and color of your slide numbers in PowerPoint. You can even use special characters like Roman, Chinese, or Hebrew numerals and more. To do so:

Slide number being formatted in PowerPoint

  • From the popup toolbar options, select your font and size. You can also bolden, underline, or italicize the slide number to your taste.

Removing Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Removing slide numbers in PowerPoint is also easy and straightforward. You can equally do it in two ways for short and long presentations.

Removing Slide Numbers from a Specific Slide

To remove the slide number from a particular slide:

  • Open the PowerPoint presentation.

Slide number being removed from specific slide in PowerPoint

  • Press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Removing Slide Numbers from All Slides

If you want to remove slide numbers from all pages:

  • Open the PowerPoint presentation in question.

Slide number being removed in PowerPoint

  • On the Header and Footer dialog box, uncheck the Slide number box.
  • Now click on Apply to All .

You can add, format, and remove PowerPoint slide numbers across all platforms, including online and mobile. It's essentially the same process.

Keep Track of Your PowerPoint Slides.

If your PowerPoint presentation runs into dozens or hundreds of slides, you'll be better off numbering it. This way, you can easily reference a particular page. It also makes it easier for your viewers to keep track of your slides as they read or study. It helps them track their progress and not get lost along the way.

Adding, formatting, and removing slide numbers is another simple way of optimizing your PowerPoint presentations for maximum impact.

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Insert Slide Numbers PowerPoint to Your Slides

Slide Numbers on PowerPoint Slides: Here’s How You Add Page Numbers to Your PPT!

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Inserting numbers on your PowerPoint slides helps to order and structure your presentation. This is especially true for longer presentations.

Setting Slide Numbers PowerPoint is actually pretty simple – we’ll show you how!

Inserting PowerPoint Slide Numbers – Why they’re Useful

So why might you need slide numbers? On a basic level, they keep your presentation well structured , and give your audience a thread to follow through your ideas .

Slide numbers are also helpful for queries which arise later – you can jump directly to the relevant slide.

Inserting PowerPoint slide numbers

  • In the Insert tab, click the Header & Footer option.

Slide Numbers PowerPoint 1

  • In the window that opens up, use the cursor to check the Slide number box.

Slide Numbers PowerPoint 2

  • Now you have several options:

a.            If you just want to assign a page number to the current slide, click Apply .

b.           If you want to insert PowerPoint page numbers on all your slides, click Apply to all .

c.            If you want to omit the page number on the title slide, check the Don’t show on title slide box.

  • Page numbers will now appear on the slides you’ve chosen. If you don’t like way they’re automatically aligned, due to your chosen layout and design, you can change this. We’ll show you how below.

Deactivating PowerPoint Page Numbers

To remove slide numbers, open the Header & Footer option again and simply uncheck Slide number . You can apply this to all your slides or just the current slide.

Repositioning Slide Numbers PowerPoint

If you don’t like where the page number appears automatically, you can change it as follows:

  • In the View tab, select the Slide Master option.

Slide numbers PowerPoint 3

  • In the thumbnails that appear, click on Slide Master .
  • Now click on the placeholder for the page number. Hold it down until the crossed arrow icon appears. Then drag the placeholder to where you’d like your numbering to appear

Slide Numbers PowerPoint 4

  • Save by selecting Close Master View .

Starting Your Slide Numbers PowerPoint from a Particular Number

You might find it makes sense to start slide numbers from a number other than 1. This can be done as follows:

  • In the Design tab, select Slide size and then Custom slide size .

Slide numbers PowerPoint 5

  • A window will open: click the up or down arrows for the Number slides from option until you reach the starting point you want.

Slide numbers PowerPoint 6

  • Confirm with OK .

Bonus Tip: Inserting Additional Information

It’s not just page numbers that PowerPoint allows you to add; other useful information like the author of the presentation, your company name/logo, the date or the topic can also be inserted. This reinforces structure and continuity in your presentations.

It also adds another layer of professionalism – especially important when delivering business presentations.

Adding the date/time to your PowerPoint slides:

  • In the View tab, select Normal in the Presentation Views section.

Slide numbers PowerPoint 7

  • Select the first slide in the thumbnail view on the left.
  • Switch to the Insert tab and select Header & Footer .
  • Click on the Slide tab here and activate Date and time by checking the box.

slide numbers PowerPoint 8

  • You can now choose for the date to be updated whenever you open the presentation, or to remain fixed. For the former, select Update automatically . Next, choose the format for the date and time you want. For a fixed date, click the Fixed option and enter the date in the field below.

Tip: Handing out printed notes and want to include the date and time on those as well? Select the setting for date and time in the Notes and Handouts tab. Confirm with Apply . If you want the information to appear on every page of your notes, just click Apply to all .

slide numbers PowerPoint 9

To add information such as author or subject, simply follow the steps below:

  • Go to the Slide tab, then activate the Footer checkbox.
  • Type the information you want to appear in the field under Footer

slide numbers powerpoint  10

Deleting Additional Information

To remove this additional information from your presentation:

  • Open the Insert tab and select Header & Footer .
  • In the dialog box that opens, click Slide .
  • To delete all additional information your slides, uncheck the Footer box and confirm with Apply to all . To delete it just from the current slide, confirm with Apply .

Inserting a Copyright Notice

It can be sensible to add a copyright notice, especially in presentations for large companies and brands.  To do this:

  • Click on Header & footer in the Insert tab.
  • Select the Slide tab and check the Footer box.
  • In the blank field under Footer , type in your copyright notice: © symbol, name of copyright holder, year of first publication, plus the statement “All rights reserved”.
  • Select Apply to All so that this copyright notice appears on all slides.

Inserting Logos in PowerPoint

As well as a copyright notice and basic information, you might find it useful to insert your company logo. This detailed article covers where and how to place the logo.

Conclusion Slide Numbers PowerPoint: Add Structure and Order to Your Presentations

Numbering your PowerPoint slides just makes basic sense; it adds structure to your presentations, makes them easier for your audience to follow, and allows you to refer back quickly to a particular slide. Additional information can also be useful, adding the finishing touch to your presentation. We’ve shown you above just how easy it is to add numbers and useful information to your PowerPoint slides, even if you’re a PowerPoint beginner – why not give it a try?

Still have questions about Slide Numbers PowerPoint or about PowerPoint in general? Then please feel free to email us on [email protected] . We’re always happy to help!

If you’d prefer us to create a presentation including page numbers and additional information for you or your company, just get in touch – we’re here for you.

These articles might also be of interest to you:

  • Insert Your Logo in PowerPoint
  • Insert Notes in PowerPoint
  • PowerPoint Presenter View

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How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint the Easy Way? 

(Note: This tutorial on how to add slide numbers in PowerPoint is suitable for PowerPoint 2013 and later versions including  Office 365 )

Page numbers are great visual cues for reference. When referring to a book or a document, page numbers are integral for searching through and locating a particular piece of information easily.

Even in Microsoft applications like Excel and Word, page numbers are helpful for a variety of purposes. The same is true for PowerPoint presentations, too. Here, the page numbers are called “Slide Numbers”.

When it comes to numbering slides in PowerPoint, most people use unconventional ways to add them. For example, they add a text box and enter the page number manually on every slide. This can be a little time-consuming and might not be aesthetically pleasing.

In this article, let us see how to add slide numbers in PowerPoint efficiently and conventionally. You’ll also learn how to customize the slide numbers.

You’ll Learn:

Using the Insert Option

Customize and format the slide numbers, how to remove slide numbers in powerpoint, how to add slide numbers in powerpoint.

There are a variety of ways using which you can insert a slide number in PowerPoint. However, not all ways are foolproof. Some might work sometimes, and some won’t. So, let us see all the ways to add slide numbers in PowerPoint.

This is a fairly straightforward way to insert slide numbers in PowerPoint.

  • Open the PowerPoint presentation.
  • Navigate to Insert . Under the Text section , click on Slide Numbers .

Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint using the Insert option

This opens a Header and Footer dialog box.

  • Click on the Slide tab and check the checkbox for Slide number . You can check the preview in the Preview pane on the right side of the dialog box.

Select Apply to All

  • Click on Apply to All . This adds the slide numbers to all the pages in the presentation.

You can see the slide number towards the bottom-right corner of each slide.

The slide number is inserted

When you click on Apply, the page number will populate only on the current slide leaving the rest of the slides empty.

When you check the “Don’t show on title slide” checkbox, the slide numbers won’t be applied to all the slides which bear the title.

Note: The slide numbers only populate in the bottom-right corner of the slide. The bottom-left and the center of the slide are occupied by Date and Time and Footer data, respectively.

The Slide Master option gives you in-depth customization and functionalities to your PowerPoint slides. However, you cannot find the Slide Master option from the usual main menu ribbon.

  • Navigate to View . Under Master Views, click on Slide Master .

Click on Slide Master

This opens the Slide Master setup. You can see a variety of customization and personalization options for each slide.

The Slide Master edit window opens

  • Go to the parent slide. This can be seen as the first slide on the left preview pane.
  • By default, the Footers checkbox will be checked. If not, in the Master Layout section, check the checkbox for Footers.

Check on Footers

  • To change the font style and size of the slide numbers, select the Slide Number footer on the bottom-right of the slide. Navigate to Home. Under the Font section, choose the size, color, and font of the slide number.

Change the Font and Size of the Slide Numbers

  • In the Slide Master window, you can move or resize the slide number.
  • To move or resize the slide number, click on the # symbol. Using the outline and anchor points, you can move or resize the slide number respectively. In this case, let us move the slide number to the top-right of the slide.

Move the slide number

  • After you have made customizations to the slide, go back to the Slide Master tab. To save all the settings, click on Close Master View .

Close the Slide Master

  • Now, add the slide numbers using the Insert main menu.

The slide numbers are added

There might be some instances where you have to start numbering pages from a different number other than 1. In such cases, you can use the following method.

  • To number slides from a particular number , navigate to Design.
  • Under Customize , click on the dropdown from Slide Size and click on Custom Slide Size . This opens a Slide size dialog box.

Click on Custom Slide Size

  • In the Number slides from the textbox, either enter the slide number or use the buttons to set the starting slide number.

Enter the number

  • Click OK . The pages are numbered starting from the set number and increments with each page.

Related Reads:

How to Add Notes to PowerPoint? 6 Easy Steps

How to Make a Flowchart in PowerPoint? 2 Easy Methods

How to Insert PDF into PowerPoint? 3 Easy Ways

So far, we have seen how to add slide numbers to a PowerPoint presentation. Sometimes, you might not need the slide numbers populating the slides for various reasons. In such cases, you will need to remove the slide numbers.

  • First, select the slide you want to remove the page number from. You can either remove slide numbers from particular slides or for all the slides.
  • Navigate to Insert . Under the Text section, click on Slide Number .
  • In the Header and Footer dialog box, click on the Slide tab .
  • Uncheck the checkbox for Slide number. 

If you want to remove the slide number for the selected slide , click on Apply . If you want to remove the slide number for all the slides in the presentation , click on Apply to All .

Remove Slide Numbers

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the slide numbers show up when in slideshow mode.

Yes. Once you insert the slide numbers, they will appear even in slideshow mode. Also, they will show up when you export the PowerPoint file as PDF and when you print them.

Why aren’t the slide numbers showing up in my PowerPoint slides?

When you have the Slide Number checkbox unchecked in the Header and Footer dialog box, the slide numbers will not show up in the PowerPoint slides.

Where is the Slide Master option located?

In the View main menu, under the Master Views section, you can find the Slide Master option. This option gives you additional customizations to your PowerPoint slide.

Closing Thoughts

Slide Numbers are an effective way to keep track of the slides and to refer to them. Additionally, they also help in providing visual cues and aid the presenter or listener manage their time while presenting. More importantly, slide numbers greatly help maintain the order when printing the slides onto paper.

In this article, we saw how to add slide numbers in PowerPoint. We also saw how to customize the slide numbers in PowerPoint slides and how to remove them when they’re not needed.

If you need more high-quality PowerPoint guides, please check out our  free resources center .

Ready to dive deep into Excel? Simon Sez IT has been teaching Excel for over ten years. For a low, monthly fee you can get access to 140+ IT training courses. Click  here  for advanced courses with in-depth training modules.

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How To Add Slide Numbers To PowerPoint

How To Add Slide Numbers To PowerPoint

Adding slide numbers to PowerPoint presentations is an important aspect of creating effective presentations. Slide numbers not only help you organize your presentation but also allow your audience to follow along and refer to specific slides easily. In this tutorial, we will cover everything you need to know about adding slide numbers in PowerPoint.

Why Is it Important to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint?

Inserting slide numbers into PowerPoint serves as a roadmap for your audience, enabling them to keep track of where they are in your presentation. Adding slide numbers is especially crucial for lengthy presentations, allowing the audience to take notes and return to specific slides for reference. Additionally, slide numbers help the presenter to stay organized and on track.

How to Add Page Numbers in PowerPoint to All Slides?

Adding slide numbers to all slides in your PowerPoint presentation is simple. Here are the steps:

image_2023_05_15T13_08_45_414Z

  • Click on the “Slide Number” option in the “Text” group.
  • Check the “Slide number” box and select the location on the slide where you want the slide number to appear.

image_2023_05_15T13_08_17_267Z

How to Insert Slide Number in PowerPoint to Specific Slides in PowerPoint?

If you only want to add slide numbers to a specific slide in your presentation, here is how you can do it:

image_2023_05_15T13_08_23_723Z

  • Click on the “Insert” tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.

image_2023_05_15T13_08_10_803Z

How to Format Slide Numbers in PowerPoint?

Formatting slide numbers in PowerPoint can help you make them visually appealing and prominent. Here’s how to format slide numbers in PowerPoint:

image_2023_05_15T13_08_52_397Z

  • Click on the “Slide” tab and select the desired format for your slide numbers, such as font size, color, and style.

image_2023_05_15T13_08_59_091Z

How to Change the Starting Number for Slide Numbers in PowerPoint?

By default, slide numbers start at “1” in PowerPoint. However, you can change the starting number for slide numbers in your presentation. Here’s how:

  • Click on the “Design” tab in the customizable group.

image_2023_05_15T13_09_28_570Z

Tips for How to Insert Page Numbers in PowerPoint

Here are some tips for using slide numbers effectively in your presentation:

  • Keep slide numbers consistent throughout your presentation to avoid confusion.
  • Make sure slide numbers are large enough and visible to the audience.
  • Avoid placing slide numbers in the footer if your presentation includes footnotes.
  • Consider placing slide numbers in the corner of the slide so that it is not too distracting.
  • Use slide numbers as a reference when answering questions from the audience.

Troubleshooting Issues When Add Slide Numbers to PowerPoint

Issues/challenges can arise when attempting to add slide numbers, causing frustration and delays in the presentation process. Here are some of the most common issues you can encounter and how to tackle them:

Advanced Techniques for Customizing Number Slides in PowerPoint

If you want to take your slide numbers to the next level, consider these advanced techniques for customizing slide numbers:

  • Create your slide numbers using PowerPoint shapes or images instead of the default slide number format.
  • Add animation effects to your slide numbers to make them more dynamic.
  • Use a different color or font for slide numbers to make them stand out.
  • Create a custom background for your slide numbers to make them more visually appealing.

Wrapping It Up

Adding slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation is an easy way to organize your presentation and help your audience follow along. With the steps and tips outlined in this tutorial, you can easily add and customize slide numbers in your presentation. Remember to keep your slide numbers consistent and visible, and consider using advanced techniques to make them stand out.

Can I add slide numbers to my PowerPoint presentation without using the “Slide Number” feature?

How can i make my slide numbers more visually appealing.

People Are Also Reading:

  • How To Add Superscript And Subscript In PPT?
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How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation

Never add or fix manually again

Author avatar

Here are two common problems related to slide numbers in PowerPoint and how to fix them.

Scenario A: You’ve finished building a PowerPoint deck for the Big Meeting tomorrow, and you get an email from your boss asking you to add one more slide to the beginning of the deck. You create the slide but then notice that all the subsequent slide numbers are off by one.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 1

Since you manually added slide numbers to every slide using text boxes, now you have to go through the entire presentation, slide by slide, and update the slide number on each slide individually. What a pain. 

Scenario B: You were savvy enough to use PowerPoint’s built-in slide number functionality, but despite having checked Slide Numbers in the Header and Footer dialog box, the slide numbers don’t appear anywhere on your slides. What’s happening?

How to Add Slide Numbers to PowerPoint

Here are the steps to follow to add slide numbers to PowerPoint the right way so they appear where you want them to, and you never have to renumber slides again.

  • Open the Slide Master . Select the View tab, and then select the Slide Master icon. 

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 2

  • Select the Parent Slide . The Parent Slide will be at the very top of the list of slides on the left, and it will be the biggest slide on the list. You may have to scroll to the top of the list.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 3

  • Select the Master Layout icon to open a dialog box.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 4

  • Check the box next to Slide Number .

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 5

  • On the Slide Master tab in the ribbon, click on the red X icon to Close Master View . 

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 6

  • Select Slide Number . 

Note : Even though you selected Slide Number in Step 5 above, you’ve only indicated that you want the option to add slide numbers to your deck. That’s why the dialog box in Step 5 says “Placeholders.” In this step you have to tell PowerPoint to actually insert slide numbers. Then you can specify where you want the slide numbers to appear and how you want them to look. 

  • Select the Insert tab, and then click on the Slide Number icon to open the dialog box with Header and Footer options.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 7

  • Check the box next to Slide Number . Make sure there’s a checkmark in the box next to Slide Number. 

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 8

  • Check the box next to “Don’t show on title page.” Best practices say that your title slide should not have a slide number on it. Check the box highlighted below to hide the slide number on the title slide. 

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 9

  • Select Apply or Apply to All , and you’re done!

Note : Remember, suppressing the slide number on the title slide will only work correctly if you’ve chosen the Title Slide layout for that slide. You can double-check this by right-clicking on your title slide, choosing Layout and confirming that the title slide layout is selected.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 10

  • Format and reposition slide numbers. If you would like to change the appearance and/or position of slide numbers, go to the Slide Master to do that. Follow steps 1 and 2 above to navigate to the Parent Slide. Find the slide number placeholder. It will look like this: (#). Select that text and format it however you wish. You can also select the bounding box around the placeholder and move the slide number placeholder element wherever on the slide you like.

How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation image 11

Similarly, if you want the slide number to appear in different positions depending on which slide layout you’ve applied, you can adjust the position of the slide number placeholder on individual layouts within the Slide Master. 

To do this, navigate to the Slide Master , choose the slide layout you want to modify in the list on the left, and reposition or reformat the slide number placeholder for that specific layout.

Adding Slide Numbers to PowerPoint

By now, you have realised that the Slide Master is useful for so much more than just adding slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation. Just as adding and positioning slide numbers on the slide master affects all slides in the deck, you can use different layouts in the Slide Master to apply different elements and formatting to slides throughout the presentation. 

If you change one element in a layout master slide, that change will cascade throughout all the dependent slides. Learn more about master slide layouts and become a Slide Master master! 

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How to Change Slide Number in PowerPoint

A powerpoint slide with a number in the corner

If you’re creating a PowerPoint presentation, it’s important to include slide numbers for easier navigation and reference. But what if you need to change the slide number format, location, or starting number? In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about changing slide numbers in PowerPoint.

Table of Contents

PowerPoint Slide Number Basics: A Quick Overview

Before we dive into changing slide numbers, let’s quickly review what slide numbers are and why they’re important. Slide numbers are a way to reference and navigate through your presentation. They typically appear in the footer or header of each slide, but can also be placed in different locations on the slide.

It’s important to note that slide numbers can also be used to keep track of the progress of your presentation. By displaying the current slide number and the total number of slides, you can give your audience an idea of how much longer the presentation will last. Additionally, slide numbers can be useful when collaborating with others on a presentation, as they provide a way to easily reference specific slides during discussions or revisions.

The Importance of Accurate Slide Numbers in Your PowerPoint Presentation

Having accurate slide numbers is essential for a successful presentation. They help you and your audience keep track of where you are and where you’re going. It also helps if you need to go back to a particular slide during the presentation or when reviewing the slides afterward.

In addition to helping with navigation during the presentation, accurate slide numbers can also make it easier for your audience to follow along with your content. If you reference a specific slide number in your speech or notes, having the correct number displayed on the screen can prevent confusion and keep your audience engaged. Furthermore, if you plan on sharing your presentation with others, having accurate slide numbers can make it easier for them to reference specific slides or sections.

How to Add and Remove Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Adding and removing slide numbers in PowerPoint is a simple process. To add slide numbers, go to the Insert tab, click on the “Slide Number” button, and check the “Slide Number” box in the Header and Footer dialog box. To remove slide numbers, you need to uncheck the “Slide Number” box in the Header and Footer dialog box.

It is important to note that slide numbers can be added to individual slides or to the entire presentation. To add slide numbers to the entire presentation, select the “Apply to All” option when adding slide numbers. This will ensure that slide numbers are added to every slide in the presentation.

Additionally, slide numbers can be customized to fit the design of your presentation. To customize slide numbers, go to the “Header & Footer” option under the Insert tab. From there, select the “Slide” tab and choose the desired format for your slide numbers. You can also choose to add a date and time stamp to your slides.

Customizing Your PowerPoint Slide Number: Fonts, Colors, and More

PowerPoint offers a variety of customization options for your slide numbers. You can change the font, font size, color, and even add effects such as shadows or embossing. To customize your slide numbers, simply select the slide number placeholder, go to the Home tab, and use the formatting options to make your changes.

Additionally, you can also choose to display slide numbers on only certain slides or exclude them from specific slides. This can be useful if you have a title slide or a slide with a full-screen image where you don’t want the slide number to be displayed. To do this, go to the Insert tab, click on the “Slide Number” button, and within the Header and Footer dialog box, uncheck the slide number for the selected slides.

How to Change the Position of Your Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

If you want to change the location of your slide numbers, PowerPoint offers several options. You can place slide numbers in the footer, header, or even directly on the slide. To move your slide numbers, go to the Insert tab, click on “Header & Footer,” and in the Header and Footer dialog box, you can adjust the position of the slide number placeholder.

It’s important to note that if you choose to place slide numbers directly on the slide, they may interfere with the content of your presentation. It’s recommended to use the footer or header options to avoid any potential issues. Additionally, you can customize the appearance of your slide numbers by going to the “Slide Number” option in the “Header & Footer” menu and selecting a format that suits your needs.

Adding a Footer with Slide Number in PowerPoint

If you want to add a footer with slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation, you can easily do so using the Header/Footer tool. Simply go to the Insert tab, click on “Header/Footer,” and select “Footer.” From there, you can choose the desired slide number format, position, and even add text or graphics.

Adding a footer with slide numbers can be especially useful when presenting to a large audience. It allows viewers to keep track of where they are in the presentation and how much longer it will last. Additionally, if you plan on sharing your presentation with others, having slide numbers in the footer can make it easier for them to reference specific slides.

It’s important to note that while adding a footer with slide numbers can be helpful, it’s also important to keep it visually appealing and not too distracting. Make sure to choose a font and position that complements the overall design of your presentation and doesn’t take away from the content on each slide.

Using Master Slides to Manage Your PowerPoint Presentation’s Slide Numbers

PowerPoint’s Master Slides feature allows you to apply consistent formatting and design to all slides in your presentation. This includes slide numbers. To use Master Slides to manage your slide numbers, simply go to the View tab, click on “Slide Master,” and make your desired changes to the slide number placeholder.

One of the benefits of using Master Slides to manage your slide numbers is that it saves you time and effort. Instead of manually adding slide numbers to each slide, you can make changes to the Master Slide and have those changes automatically applied to all slides in your presentation.

Another advantage of using Master Slides is that it allows you to create a consistent look and feel throughout your presentation. By applying the same design and formatting to all slides, your presentation will look more professional and polished.

Adjusting the Starting Number for Your PowerPoint Presentation’s Slides

By default, PowerPoint starts slide numbers at 1. But what if you want to start at a different number? You can easily change the starting number by going to the Design tab, selecting “Slide Size,” and then clicking on “Custom Slide Size.” In the dialog box that appears, you can set the number you wish to start from in the “Number slides from” field.

This feature can be particularly useful if you have a title slide or introduction that you don’t want to include in the slide numbering. By adjusting the starting number, you can exclude the title slide from the numbering sequence and start the numbering on the second slide. This can help to make your presentation look more professional and organized.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with PowerPoint Slide Numbers

If you’re encountering issues with your slide numbers, such as incorrect numbering or missing numbers, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure that your slide numbers are applied to all slides in your presentation. You can also try adjusting the starting number or using the Master Slides feature to ensure consistency.

Another common issue with slide numbers is when they appear in the wrong location on the slide. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as overlapping text boxes or incorrect placement in the Master Slide. To fix this, try adjusting the placement of the slide number placeholder or rearranging the layout of your slide.

If you’re still experiencing issues with your slide numbers, it may be helpful to check for any updates or patches for your version of PowerPoint. Additionally, you can try reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance in troubleshooting the issue.

How to Hide or Show Slide Numbers on Specific Slides in PowerPoint

If you don’t want slide numbers to appear on certain slides in your presentation, such as your title slide or section dividers, you can easily hide them. Simply go to the slide in question, go to the “Header & Footer” menu, and uncheck the “Slide Number” box for that particular slide.

However, if you want to show slide numbers on only specific slides, you can also do that in PowerPoint. First, go to the slide where you want to show the slide number. Then, go to the “Header & Footer” menu, check the “Slide Number” box, and apply it to the selected slides only.

Another useful tip is to customize the appearance of your slide numbers. You can change the font, size, color, and position of the slide numbers to match your presentation’s theme or style. To do this, go to the “Header & Footer” menu, select “Slide Number,” and make the desired changes to the appearance of your slide numbers.

Using Hyperlinks and Navigation in Conjunction with Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Hyperlinks and navigation can make your PowerPoint presentation more interactive and engaging. You can use hyperlinks to jump to specific slides or sections, and combine them with slide numbers to create a seamless navigation experience. To add a hyperlink, simply select the object or text you want to turn into a hyperlink, go to the Insert tab, and choose “Hyperlink.”

Another way to enhance your PowerPoint presentation with hyperlinks and navigation is to use them to create a non-linear presentation. This means that instead of going through your slides in a linear order, you can create a branching path that allows your audience to choose their own path through the presentation. This can be especially useful for interactive presentations or training sessions where you want to give your audience more control over their learning experience.

How to Change the Style of Your PowerPoint Presentation’s Slide Numbers

If you want to change the look and feel of your slide numbers, such as changing the color or font, you can use the formatting options in PowerPoint. Simply select the slide number placeholder, go to the Home tab, and use the formatting options to make your desired changes.

Best Practices for Managing and Presenting Your PowerPoint Presentation’s Slides and Numbers

To ensure a smooth presentation experience for you and your audience, it’s important to follow best practices for managing and presenting your PowerPoint slides and numbers. This includes using consistent formatting, adjusting the starting number if necessary, and ensuring that slide numbers are visible and accurate.

With these tips and tricks, you’ll be able to easily change slide numbers in PowerPoint and create a more polished and professional presentation.

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How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint A Comprehensive Guide

Creating engaging and organized PowerPoint presentations is crucial for effective communication. One essential element is slide numbers, which provide a clear path through your content. In this guide, we'll walk you through the process, ensuring a seamless experience for both you and your audience.

Part 1: What Are Slide Numbers

Slide Numbers

Slide numbers are a way to reference and navigate through a presentation. They typically appear in the footer or header of each slide, but can also be placed in different locations on the slide. Slide numbers can be used for a variety of purposes, including:

Helping the presenter stay on track and organized

Allowing the audience to follow along and take notes

Making it easy to reference specific slides during the presentation or later on

Giving the presentation a more professional look and feel

Number Format:

Slide numbers can be formatted in a variety of ways, including:

Arabic numerals: 1, 2, 3

Roman numerals: I, II, III

Alphabetic characters: A, B, C

Custom formats: For example, you could use slide numbers to represent different sections of your presentation, such as "Section 1.1," "Section 1.2," and so on.

Slide numbers are an important part of any presentation. They make it easier for the presenter and audience to follow along and reference specific slides.

Part 2: A step-by-step guide on adding Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

Creating a seamless and informative presentation involves incorporating slide numbers for easy navigation. Follow these steps to effortlessly add slide numbers to your PowerPoint presentation:

To add slide numbers in PowerPoint:

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation.

Open PowerPoint

Step 2: Click the Insert tab.

the Insert tab.

Step 3: In the Text group, click Slide Number.

 click Slide Number.

Step 4: In the Header and Footer dialog box, click the Slide tab.

 the Header and Footer dialog box

Step 5: Select the Slide number check box.

Step 6: If you don't want a number to appear on the title slide, also select the Don't show on title slide box.

Step 7: Click Apply to All.

Click Apply to All.

Your slide numbers will now appear on each slide in the bottom-right corner.

To customize the slide numbers:

Step 1: Click the Slide Number button in the Header and Footer dialog box.

the Slide Number button

Step 2: In the Slide Number dialog box, you can change the font, size, color, and alignment of the slide numbers.

Edit Slide Number

Step 3: You can also choose to display the slide number with or without the total number of slides in the presentation.

Step 4: Click OK when you're finished.

To update slide numbers after adding or removing slides, click the Slide Number button in the Header and Footer dialog box and select Update Slide Number.

To add slide numbers to specific slides, select the slide(s) you want to add slide numbers to and then click the Slide Number button in the Header and Footer dialog box.

If you're using a template, note that the slide numbers may already be formatted for you. However, you can still customize them as needed.

Part 3: How to Removing Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

When it comes to removing slide numbers in PowerPoint, you have two options: you can either temporarily hide them or permanently remove them. Follow these steps with accompanying images for both methods:

Temporarily Hiding Slide Numbers

Step 1: Open your PowerPoint presentation and go to the slide containing the numbers you want to hide.

Step 2: Click on the slide to select it.

Step 3: Navigate to the "Insert" tab in the ribbon at the top.

Navigate to the

Step 4: Select "Header & Footer" from the drop-down menu.

select

Step 5: In the Header and Footer dialog box, uncheck the box next to "Slide number."

uncheck the box next to

Step 6: Click "Apply" to hide the slide numbers on the selected slide.

This method allows you to quickly hide slide numbers for a clean and focused presentation. However, remember that if you need to bring them back, you'll have to revisit the Header and Footer settings.

Permanently Removing Slide Numbers

Step 2: Navigate to the slide sorter view by clicking on the icon at the bottom-right corner of the PowerPoint window.

 the slide sorter view

Step 3: Select the slides from which you want to permanently remove slide numbers.

Step 4: Right-click on the selected slides and choose "Delete Slide."

 choose

Step 5: Confirm the deletion if prompted.

This option provides a clean slate for specific slides, ensuring an uncluttered look. Just be cautious, as this action is irreversible. Always consider if it aligns with your overall presentation strategy.

Part 4: Solving Common Problems with Slide Numbering in PowerPoint

Slide numbers can sometimes be a bit finicky. Here are solutions to some of the most common issues you might encounter:

Slide Numbers Not Appearing: If your slide numbers aren't showing up, it could be due to a few reasons. First, make sure they're enabled in the Header and Footer settings. Check if they're set to appear on the title slide as well. Additionally, ensure that there's no overlapping text or graphics obscuring the numbers.

Slide Numbers Not Updating: Sometimes, after making significant changes, slide numbers may not update automatically. To fix this, click on the "Insert" tab, go to "Header & Footer," and then tick the box that says "Slide Number." After that, click "Apply to All" to update all slides.

Slide Numbers Appearing on Specific Slides Only: This issue might arise if certain slides have unique master layouts. To rectify this, select the affected slides, go to the "View" tab, and choose "Slide Master." From there, ensure that the slide numbers are set to appear uniformly across all slides.

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WPS Office is a great alternative to Microsoft Office, and it offers a number of advantages, including:

Free to use:  WPS Office is free to download and use for personal and commercial purposes.

Powerful PDF toolkit:  WPS Office includes a built-in PDF editor that allows you to create, edit, and convert PDF files.

Rich template store:  WPS Office offers a rich template store with a wide range of templates for presentations, documents, and spreadsheets.

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Can I add slide numbers to only some slides?

Yes, you can indeed add slide numbers to specific slides in PowerPoint. Simply follow these steps:

Step 1:  Select the slides to which you want to add slide numbers.

Step 2:  Go to the "Insert" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.

Go to the

Step 3:  Click on "Slide Number" in the "Text" group.

Step 4:  Check the box that says "Slide Number".

Step 5:  Optionally, you can choose to apply to "All" slides or "Selected" slides.

This flexibility allows you to customize slide numbering to suit your specific presentation needs.

How do I change the format of slide numbers?

To change the format of slide numbers in PowerPoint, follow these steps:

Step 1:  Go to the "Insert" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon.

Step 2:   Click on "Slide Number" in the "Text" group.

 Click on

Step 3:   In the "Header and Footer" dialog box, click the "Slide Number" checkbox if it's not already checked.

Step 4:   Click the "Format" button.

This comprehensive guide has walked you through the importance of adding slide numbers in PowerPoint presentations, aiding in navigation and organization for both presenters and audiences. The step-by-step tutorial covers everything from initial setup to customizing slide numbers, ensuring a seamless process. The guide also addresses common problems related to slide numbering, providing practical solutions. A standout feature is the introduction of WPS Office , a powerful and modern office tool with advantages like free access to essential software, a robust PDF toolkit, and a rich template store. Lightweight and secure, WPS Office offers a versatile alternative for optimized presentations.

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page numbers not showing on slides

the page numbers i try to place using footer and slide numbers boxes will not show.  background appears to be blocking it.

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IR-2024-45, Feb. 21, 2024

WASHINGTON — During the busiest time of the tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service kicked off its 2024 Tax Time Guide series to help remind taxpayers of key items they’ll need to file a 2023 tax return.

As part of its four-part, weekly Tax Time Guide series, the IRS continues to provide new and updated resources to help taxpayers file an accurate tax return. Taxpayers can count on IRS.gov for updated resources and tools along with a special free help page available around the clock. Taxpayers are also encouraged to read Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals) for additional guidance.

Essentials to filing an accurate tax return

The deadline this tax season for filing Form 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax Return , or 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors , is April 15, 2024. However, those who live in Maine or Massachusetts will have until April 17, 2024, to file due to official holidays observed in those states.

Taxpayers are advised to wait until they receive all their proper tax documents before filing their tax returns. Filing without all the necessary documents could lead to mistakes and potential delays.

It’s important for taxpayers to carefully review their documents for any inaccuracies or missing information. If any issues are found, taxpayers should contact the payer immediately to request a correction or confirm that the payer has their current mailing or email address on file.

Creating an IRS Online Account can provide taxpayers with secure access to information about their federal tax account, including payment history, tax records and other important information.

Having organized tax records can make the process of preparing a complete and accurate tax return easier and may also help taxpayers identify any overlooked deductions or credits .

Taxpayers who have an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN may need to renew it if it has expired and is required for a U.S. federal tax return. If an expiring or expired ITIN is not renewed, the IRS can still accept the tax return, but it may result in processing delays or delays in credits owed.

Changes to credits and deductions for tax year 2023

Standard deduction amount increased. For 2023, the standard deduction amount has been increased for all filers. The amounts are:

  • Single or married filing separately — $13,850.
  • Head of household — $20,800.
  • Married filing jointly or qualifying surviving spouse — $27,700.

Additional child tax credit amount increased. The maximum additional child tax credit amount has increased to $1,600 for each qualifying child.

Child tax credit enhancements. Many changes to the Child tax credit (CTC) that had been implemented by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 have expired.

However, the IRS continues to closely monitor legislation being considered by Congress affecting the Child Tax Credit. The IRS reminds taxpayers eligible for the Child Tax Credit that they should not wait to file their 2023 tax return this filing season. If Congress changes the CTC guidelines, the IRS will automatically make adjustments for those who have already filed so no additional action will be needed by those eligible taxpayers.

Under current law, for tax year 2023, the following currently apply:

  • The enhanced credit allowed for qualifying children under age 6 and children under age 18 has expired. For 2023, the initial amount of the CTC is $2,000 for each qualifying child. The credit amount begins to phase out where AGI income exceeds $200,000 ($400,000 in the case of a joint return). The amount of the CTC that can be claimed as a refundable credit is limited as it was in 2020 except that the maximum ACTC amount for each qualifying child increased to $1,500.
  • The increased age allowance for a qualifying child has expired. A child must be under age 17 at the end of 2023 to be a qualifying child.

Changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The enhancements for taxpayers without a qualifying child implemented by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will not apply for tax year 2023. To claim the EITC without a qualifying child in 2023, taxpayers must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2023. If a taxpayer is married filing a joint return, one spouse must be at least age 25 but under age 65 at the end of 2023.

Taxpayers may find more information on Child tax credits in the Instructions for Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) .

New Clean Vehicle Credit. The credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles has changed. This credit is now known as the Clean Vehicle Credit. The maximum amount of the credit and some of the requirements to claim the credit have changed. The credit is reported on Form 8936, Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit , and on Form 1040, Schedule 3.

More information on these and other credit and deduction changes for tax year 2023 may be found in the Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals) , taxpayer guide.

1099-K reporting requirements have not changed for tax year 2023

Following feedback from taxpayers, tax professionals and payment processors, and to reduce taxpayer confusion, the IRS recently released Notice 2023-74 announcing a delay of the new $600 reporting threshold for tax year 2023 on Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions . The previous reporting thresholds will remain in place for 2023.

The IRS has published a fact sheet with further information to assist taxpayers concerning changes to 1099-K reporting requirements for tax year 2023.

Form 1099-K reporting requirements

Taxpayers who take direct payment by credit, debit or gift cards for selling goods or providing services by customers or clients should get a Form 1099-K from their payment processor or payment settlement entity no matter how many payments they got or how much they were for.

If they used a payment app or online marketplace and received over $20,000 from over 200 transactions,

the payment app or online marketplace is required to send a Form 1099-K. However, they can send a Form 1099-K with lower amounts. Whether or not the taxpayer receives a Form 1099-K, they must still report any income on their tax return.

What’s taxable? It’s the profit from these activities that’s taxable income. The Form 1099-K shows the gross or total amount of payments received. Taxpayers can use it and other records to figure out the actual taxes they owe on any profits. Remember that all income, no matter the amount, is taxable unless the tax law says it isn’t – even if taxpayers don’t get a Form 1099-K.

What’s not taxable? Taxpayers shouldn’t receive a Form 1099-K for personal payments, including money received as a gift and for repayment of shared expenses. That money isn’t taxable. To prevent getting an inaccurate Form 1099-K, note those payments as “personal,” if possible.

Good recordkeeping is key. Be sure to keep good records because it helps when it’s time to file a tax return. It’s a good idea to keep business and personal transactions separate to make it easier to figure out what a taxpayer owes.

For details on what to do if a taxpayer gets a Form 1099-K in error or the information on their form is incorrect, visit IRS.gov/1099k  or find frequently asked questions at Form 1099-K FAQs .

Direct File pilot program provides a new option this year for some

The IRS launched the Direct File pilot program during the 2024 tax season. The pilot will give eligible taxpayers an option to prepare and electronically file their 2023 tax returns, for free, directly with the IRS.

The Direct File pilot program will be offered to eligible taxpayers in 12 pilot states who have relatively simple tax returns reporting only certain types of income and claiming limited credits and deductions. The 12 states currently participating in the Direct File pilot program are Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington state and Wyoming. Taxpayers can check their eligibility at directfile.irs.gov .

The Direct File pilot is currently in the internal testing phase and will be more widely available in mid-March. Taxpayers can get the latest news about the pilot at Direct File pilot news and sign up to be notified when Direct File is open to new users.

Finally, for comprehensive information on all these and other changes for tax year 2023, taxpayers and tax professionals are encouraged to read the Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax (For Individuals) , taxpayer guide, as well as visit other topics of taxpayer interest on IRS.gov.

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powerpoint slide numbers

Add slide numbers, page numbers, or the date and time

You can add slide numbers and the date and time to your presentation.

1. Date and time

2. Slide number

To add header and footer information to handouts , see Edit page numbering, footers, and headers for Handouts in PowerPoint .

Add slide numbers or notes page numbers

On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, click Normal .

On the left of your screen, in the pane that contains the slide thumbnails, click the first slide thumbnail in your presentation.

On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Header & Footer .

Insert tab

In the Header and Footer dialog box, do one of the following:

If you want to add slide numbers, click the Slide tab, and then select the Slide number check box.

If you want to add page numbers to notes, click the Notes and Handouts tab, and then select the Page number check box.

Header and footer dialog box

If you want to add page numbers to all of the slides or notes pages in your presentation, click Apply to All .

Change the starting slide number

You can change the starting slide number, number only one slide, or omit the slide number from the first slide. Here's how.

On the Design tab, in the Customize group, click Slide Size > Custom Slide Size.

In the Slide Size box, in the Number Slides from drop-down list, select a starting number.

Number only one slide or number all slides but the first slide

In the Header and Footer dialog box, click the Slide tab.

Do one of the following:

To number the slide that you have selected, select the Slide number check box, and then click Apply . Repeat this step for each individual slide that you want to number.

To number all slides but the first slide, select the Slide number check box, select Don’t show on title slide , and then click Apply to All .

For information about how to rearrange the slides in your presentation, see Change the order of your slides .

Add the date and time

On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Date & Time .

In the Header and Footer box, do one of the following:

If you want to add the date and time to your slides, click the Slide tab.

If you want to add the date and time to your notes pages, click the Notes and Handouts tab.

Select the Date and time check box, and then do one of the following:

If you want the date and time to reflect the current date and time each time you open or print the presentation, click Update automatically , and then select the date and time format that you want .

If you want to set the date and time to a specific date, click Fixed , and then in the Fixed box, type in the date that you want.

By setting the date on your presentation so that it is Fixed , you can easily keep track of the last time you made changes to it.

If you want to add the date and time to all of the slides, notes pages, or handouts in your presentation, click Apply to All .

Insert or remove slide numbers

Go to View > Normal .

Go to Insert > Slide Number .

Select Slide Number and enter the starting slide number. Preview shows the location.

To add or remove the slide number from just the title page, clear or select Don’t show on title slide .

Select Apply to all or Apply .

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IMAGES

  1. 1 to 10 Numbered Slides Template for PowerPoint

    powerpoint slide numbers

  2. 1 to 10 Numbered Slides Template for PowerPoint

    powerpoint slide numbers

  3. Customizing Slide Number Options in PowerPoint

    powerpoint slide numbers

  4. How to add slide numbers in PowerPoint

    powerpoint slide numbers

  5. Numbers PowerPoint Template

    powerpoint slide numbers

  6. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Presentations (Step-by-Step)

    powerpoint slide numbers

VIDEO

  1. How To Add Slide Numbers In Powerpoint (2023)

  2. How to add page/slide numbers in PowerPoint

  3. how to create power point slide

  4. How to insert new slide in PowerPoint

  5. How To Add Slide Number In Powerpoint 2022

  6. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

COMMENTS

  1. Add slide numbers, page numbers, or the date and time

    Learn how to customize your presentation with slide numbers, page numbers, or the date and time in PowerPoint. Follow the steps to insert the header and footer information, change the starting slide number, and set the date and time format.

  2. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

    To add slide numbers to your PowerPoint slides, click the "Slide Number" checkbox in the "Slides" tab. Press the "Apply to All" button to add slide numbers to all of your slides. Once applied, your slide numbers will appear on each of your slides in the bottom-right corner.

  3. Insert or change the slide numbers, date, or footer for on-screen

    In PowerPoint you can add or remove automatic slide numbers, hide numbering on the title slide, and move slide numbers. You can also add the date and time to slides. If you'd like to suggest improvements to the slide numbering feature, you can do that by clicking Help > Feedback > I have a suggestion.

  4. How to Add & Fix Slides Numbers in PowerPoint? [An EASY Guide!]

    Learn the correct way to add and fix slide numbers in PowerPoint with a step-by-step guide and visual references. Find out how to use the "Insert" tab, the "Slide Master", and the "Slide Number" option to format and customize your slide numbers. Also, discover how to remove slide numbers from specific slides or the title slide.

  5. How to add slide numbers in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)

    Adding slide numbers in PowerPoint should be an easy and straightforward task, but it is not. The way that PowerPoint manages your slide numbers is confusing. While confusing and frustrating, the last thing you want to do - and I have done this before myself - is manually add the page numbers to the slides yourself.

  6. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint on Windows & Mac

    To add slide numbers to your presentation, click the "Insert" tab, select "Header & Footer," check the box next to "Slide number," and click "Apply All." The position, font, size, and color of your slide numbers is determined by your slide master.

  7. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint Presentations (Step-by-Step)

    Learn how to insert slide numbers on some or all of your PowerPoint slides using slide layouts that have slide number placeholders. Follow the step-by-step instructions to apply layouts, format slide number placeholders and view the slide numbers in Normal or Slide Master view.

  8. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

    Learn how to add slide numbers in powerpoint with this guide from wikiHow: https://www.wikihow.com/Add-Slide-Numbers-in-PowerPointFollow our social media cha...

  9. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint and Google Slides

    1) Go to the Insert tab. 2) Under the Text group, select Header & Footer. 3) From the dialog box, tick the Slide number checkbox. Then, click Apply to All to add page numbers to your ppt presentation. Tip: If you want it to be applied on selected slides, follow the same steps, then click Apply.

  10. How to add slide numbers in PowerPoint (The Right Way!)

    See how to add your slides numbers in PowerPoint so they show up correctly (it's harder than it should be).🚀 UNLOCK the critical PowerPoint shortcuts truste...

  11. How to Add or Remove Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

    Adding slide numbers in PowerPoint is easy and straightforward. Here's how to go about it: Launch PowerPoint on your desktop. Open the PowerPoint presentation you want to number. Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon area. Then click on Header and Footer. On the dialog box, check the Slide number box.

  12. Slide Numbers PowerPoint: Here's how You Add them to Slides!

    Inserting PowerPoint slide numbers. In the Insert tab, click the Header & Footer option. In the window that opens up, use the cursor to check the Slide number box. a. If you just want to assign a page number to the current slide, click Apply. b. If you want to insert PowerPoint page numbers on all your slides, click Apply to all. c. If you want ...

  13. Show the slide number and total number of slides on every slide

    PowerPoint can automatically add numbers to your slides, but it can't automatically show a count (such as "slide 2 of 12"). You have to do that manually. This article describes how. On the View tab, in the Master Views group, click Slide Master, and then click the slide master thumbnail. Slide master Slide layouts associated with the slide master

  14. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint the Easy Way?

    Under the Text section, click on Slide Numbers. Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint using the Insert option. This opens a Header and Footer dialog box. Click on the Slide tab and check the checkbox for Slide number. You can check the preview in the Preview pane on the right side of the dialog box. Select Apply to All.

  15. How To Add Slide Numbers To PowerPoint

    Open your PowerPoint presentation and click on the "Insert" tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen. Click on the "Slide Number" option in the "Text" group. Check the "Slide number" box and select the location on the slide where you want the slide number to appear. Click on "Apply to All" to add slide numbers to all ...

  16. How to Add Slide Numbers to a PowerPoint Presentation

    Select the Master Layout icon to open a dialog box. Check the box next to Slide Number. On the Slide Master tab in the ribbon, click on the red X icon to Close Master View . Select Slide Number . Note: Even though you selected Slide Number in Step 5 above, you've only indicated that you want the option to add slide numbers to your deck.

  17. Slide numbers in PowerPoint slides

    Learn how to insert slide numbers in PowerPoint 2021 for Microsoft 365. Learn more at https://kaceli.com. Learn more and master PowerPoint: PowerPoint 202...

  18. How to Change Slide Number in PowerPoint

    Adding and removing slide numbers in PowerPoint is a simple process. To add slide numbers, go to the Insert tab, click on the "Slide Number" button, and check the "Slide Number" box in the Header and Footer dialog box. To remove slide numbers, you need to uncheck the "Slide Number" box in the Header and Footer dialog box.

  19. How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint A Comprehensive Guide

    To change the format of slide numbers in PowerPoint, follow these steps: Step 1: Go to the "Insert" tab in the PowerPoint ribbon. Step 2: Click on "Slide Number" in the "Text" group. Click on "Slide Number". Step 3: In the "Header and Footer" dialog box, click the "Slide Number" checkbox if it's not already checked.

  20. How To Add Slide Numbers In Powerpoint

    How To Add Slide Numbers In Powerpoint - Full Guide GuideRealm 642K subscribers Join Subscribe Subscribed 53 Share 9.5K views 10 months ago I show you how to add slide numbers in...

  21. Add slide numbers, page numbers, or the date and time

    1. Date and time 2. Slide number To add header and footer information to handouts, see Edit page numbering, footers, and headers for Handouts in PowerPoint. Newer versions Office 2010 macOS Add slide numbers or notes page numbers On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, click Normal.

  22. page numbers not showing on slides

    Check to see if the page number placeholder is truned on on the Master - View -> Slide Master -> Slide Master tab -> Master Layout -> check 'Slide Number' is ticked. If it is and you still can't see it it may be behind another element on the slide master - select the 'mother' master (the big one at the top) then Home -> Select drop down ...

  23. Tax Time Guide 2024: What to know before completing a tax return

    IR-2024-45, Feb. 21, 2024 — During the busiest time of the tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service kicked off its 2024 Tax Time Guide series to help remind taxpayers of key items they'll need to file a 2023 tax return.

  24. Add slide numbers, page numbers, or the date and time

    1. Date and time 2. Slide number To add header and footer information to handouts, see Edit page numbering, footers, and headers for Handouts in PowerPoint. Newer versions Office 2010 macOS Add slide numbers or notes page numbers On the View tab, in the Presentation Views group, click Normal.