Try These Handy PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts in Outline View
by Avantix Learning Team | September 18, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
The outline has been an integral part of Microsoft PowerPoint for many years. It is dynamically linked to slide placeholders and is organized in a hierarchical way. For example, the first level in an outline is linked to the title placeholder, the second level is linked to the body placeholder and is a level one bullet, the third level is a level two bullet and so on. In this article, we'll review 10 shortcuts for working in the Outline View.
In 2010, the outline could be accessed easily in Normal View by clicking on the Outline tab. In 2013 and 2016, it's more difficult to find the outline. One way to display it is by clicking on the View tab in the Ribbon and then clicking on Outline View.
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The following are some useful shortcuts when you're working with the Outline View.
1. Switch between Outline View and Normal View
Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab.
2. Promote the selected paragraph
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + left arrow or Shift + Tab (if the cursor is at the beginning of the text).
3. Demote the selected paragraph
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + right arrow or Tab (if the cursor is at the beginning of the text).
4. Move selected paragraphs up in the outline
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + up arrow.
5. Move selected paragraphs down in the outline
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + down arrow
6. Display outline level 1
Position the cursor in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + 1.
7. Expand outline text below the selected paragraph
Select a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + plus sign (+).
8. Collapse outline text below the selected paragraph
Select a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + minus sign (-).
9. Show all text in the outline
Position the cursor in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + A.
10. Go to the beginning or end of the outline
Position the cursor in the outline and press Ctrl + Home to go to the beginning of the outline or press Ctrl + End to go to the end of the outline.
These keyboard shortcuts can be very helpful when you're working in the outline in PowerPoint.
This article was first published on October 8, 2016 and has been updated for clarity and content.
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More resources
How to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint
PowerPoint Slide Show Shortcuts (50+ Shortcuts)
How to Remove the Background of a Picture in PowerPoint (2 Ways)
Change the Background of PowerPoint Slides to a Color, Gradient or Picture
How to Add Animation in PowerPoint (Animate Images, Text or Other Objects)
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
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