Online presentations have become a normal part of work, education, and business. Whether you’re teaching a class, hosting a meeting, giving a sales pitch, or presenting a project, knowing how to present slides online is an essential skill today.
Presenting online is a little different from presenting in person. You’re not standing in front of a room—you’re sharing your screen, managing audio, watching chat messages, and keeping your audience engaged at the same time. The good news is that modern tools make online presentations simple, smooth, and professional when used correctly.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to present slides online step by step, the best tools to use, common mistakes to avoid, and practical tips to deliver confident and engaging online presentations. This article is written in simple, natural, human-friendly language, perfect for beginners.
What Does It Mean to Present Slides Online?
Presenting slides online means sharing your presentation on the internet so others can view it in real time. Your audience can join from different locations using their computers or mobile devices.
Online presentations are commonly used for:
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Virtual meetings
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Online classes
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Webinars
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Team discussions
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Client presentations
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Remote training sessions
Tools You Can Use to Present Slides Online
You don’t need advanced software to present slides online. Here are the most common tools:
Presentation Tools
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Google Slides
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Microsoft PowerPoint
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Canva
Online Meeting Platforms
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Google Meet
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Zoom
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Microsoft Teams
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Skype
Most people combine Google Slides + Google Meet or PowerPoint + Zoom.
Method 1: How to Present Google Slides Online Using Google Meet
This is one of the easiest and most popular methods.
Step 1: Open Your Google Slides Presentation
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Go to Google Slides
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Open the presentation you want to present
Step 2: Start or Join a Google Meet
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Open Google Meet
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Start a new meeting or join an existing one
Make sure your microphone and camera are working.
Step 3: Click “Present Now” in Google Meet
In the Google Meet window:
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Click Present now
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Choose A tab, A window, or Your entire screen
Best option:
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Choose A tab
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Select the Google Slides tab
This gives smoother performance and better audio control.
Step 4: Start Presentation Mode in Google Slides
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Click Present in Google Slides
Use arrow keys or mouse clicks to move between slides.
Method 2: Present PowerPoint Slides Online Using Zoom
If you’re using PowerPoint, Zoom works great.
Step 1: Open PowerPoint
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Open your PowerPoint presentation
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Keep it ready in the background
Step 2: Start or Join a Zoom Meeting
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Open Zoom
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Start or join a meeting
Step 3: Share Your Screen
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Click Share Screen
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Select the PowerPoint window
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Click Share
Your audience will now see your slides.
Step 4: Start Slideshow Mode
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Press F5 or click Slide Show
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Navigate through slides normally
Method 3: Present Slides Directly Online Without Meetings
Sometimes you may not need live meetings.
You can:
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Share a Google Slides link
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Publish slides to the web
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Present asynchronously
Steps (Google Slides):
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Click Share
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Set access to Viewer
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Send the link
This is useful for self-paced viewing.
How to Use Presenter View During Online Presentations
Presenter view helps you stay confident.
Presenter view shows:
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Current slide
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Next slide preview
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Speaker notes
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Timer
How to Enable:
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Click Present → Presenter view (Google Slides)
Your audience will not see your notes.
How to Share Audio and Video Properly
Audio clarity is very important online.
Tips:
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Use a headset or external mic
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Mute notifications
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Test sound before presenting
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Choose “Share tab audio” when needed
If your slides include videos, always test audio sharing.
How to Keep Your Audience Engaged Online
Online audiences get distracted easily.
Try these tips:
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Speak clearly and slowly
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Use visuals instead of heavy text
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Ask questions
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Pause between slides
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Use chat or polls
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Keep slides simple
Engagement matters more online than in person.
Common Problems When Presenting Slides Online
Here are common issues and how to fix them:
Screen Not Sharing
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Recheck screen sharing settings
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Restart meeting if needed
Audio Not Working
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Check microphone settings
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Select correct input device
Slides Lagging
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Close unnecessary apps
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Use browser tab sharing
Audience Can’t See Slides
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Confirm you’re sharing the correct window
Best Practices for Online Slide Presentations
Follow these best practices for professional results:
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Test everything before starting
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Use presenter view
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Keep slides uncluttered
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Speak with energy
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Use simple animations
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Stick to time limits
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End with a clear conclusion
Preparation makes a huge difference.
Online Presentation Etiquette
Good presentation habits matter.
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Join early
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Keep background clean
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Dress appropriately
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Mute when not speaking
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Avoid reading directly from slides
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Thank the audience at the end
These small details build credibility.
Who Should Learn to Present Slides Online?
This skill is useful for:
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Students
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Teachers
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Professionals
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Freelancers
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Business owners
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Trainers
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Remote teams
If you attend online meetings, this skill is essential.
Advantages of Presenting Slides Online
Online presentations offer many benefits:
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Save travel time
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Reach global audiences
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Easy recording
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Cost-effective
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Flexible scheduling
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Simple collaboration
They are here to stay.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Presenting slides online doesn’t have to be stressful or complicated. With the right tools and a little preparation, anyone can deliver smooth, professional, and engaging online presentations. Whether you’re using Google Slides or PowerPoint, the process is straightforward once you understand screen sharing and presenter view.
The key is preparation—test your setup, keep slides simple, speak clearly, and stay focused on your message. As you gain experience, online presentations will start to feel just as natural as presenting in person.
If you’re new to online presenting, start small, practice once or twice, and you’ll quickly build confidence.