How to Make a Presentation in Teams

What You’ll Need

A Microsoft Teams account (free or work/school)
The Teams desktop app or web browser access
A PowerPoint file if you want to upload an existing presentation

Step-by-Step

Open Teams and start a meeting: In the Teams app, go to Calendar, select “New meeting” or click “Meet now” to start an instant meeting. Give the meeting a name and invite participants if needed.
Share your screen or use the presentation mode: Once in the meeting, find the share icon in the meeting controls (it looks like an upward arrow in a rectangle). Click it to see options. Choose “Share screen” to show your whole desktop, or select “PowerPoint Live” if you want to present a file directly.
Upload your PowerPoint file: If you chose PowerPoint Live, click “Browse” to find your .pptx file on your computer or OneDrive. Select it and click “Open”. The presentation will load in the share tray.
Create a new presentation from scratch: If you don’t have a file, you can create one right in Teams. In the share tray, select “PowerPoint Live” and then click “Create a new presentation”. This opens a blank PowerPoint in your browser where you can add slides, text, and images.
Edit your slides: While presenting, you can edit slides in real time. Use the editing tools at the bottom of the screen to add text, change layouts, or insert pictures. Your changes are saved automatically to the file.
Navigate through slides: Use the arrows on the screen or your keyboard’s arrow keys to move to the next or previous slide. You can also see a filmstrip of all slides at the bottom to jump to any slide.
Use presenter view: Click the “View” button to switch between the current slide and your speaker notes. This shows your notes to you but not to the audience.
End and share the file: When you’re done, click the red “Stop presenting” button. The file is saved in your OneDrive, and you can share it with participants by sending a link in the chat.

Common Mistakes

Not checking if your PowerPoint file is compatible – old .ppt files may not work; convert them to .pptx first.
Sharing your entire screen instead of just the presentation, which can expose private notifications or other windows.
Forgetting to enable audio or video before presenting, so participants can’t hear you.
Using a browser that’s not supported – Teams works best on Chrome, Edge, or the desktop app.

Tips

Practice with PowerPoint Live before your actual meeting to get comfortable with the controls.
Use the laser pointer or pen tools during the presentation to highlight important points.
If you have speaker notes, keep them visible in presenter view so you don’t lose your place.
Make sure your internet connection is stable – a wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi.
Test the file on the same device you’ll present from to avoid last-minute compatibility issues.

Troubleshooting

Can’t find the PowerPoint Live option: Make sure you’re in a meeting and have clicked the share icon. If it’s still missing, update Teams or use the web version.
Presentation won’t load: Check if the file is too large (over 2GB) or corrupted. Try uploading it to OneDrive and then opening it from there.
Audio not working: Check your device settings in Teams – go to Settings > Devices and test your microphone and speakers.
Participants can’t see the presentation: Ensure you clicked “Share” and not just “Start presenting” in the meeting controls. Also, confirm you’re sharing the correct screen or window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I present a PDF in Teams?

Yes, you can share your screen and open the PDF, or use PowerPoint Live to import a PDF as a slide deck (it converts to editable slides).

Do participants need PowerPoint installed?

No, they can view the presentation in the meeting without any software.

Can I edit my presentation while presenting?

Yes, with PowerPoint Live you can edit slides in real time, and changes appear live for everyone.

How do I share the presentation after the meeting?

The file is saved to your OneDrive. You can share a link in the meeting chat or via email.

Can I present from my phone?

Yes, the Teams mobile app supports screen sharing and PowerPoint Live, but editing is limited.

What if I don’t have a PowerPoint file?

You can create a new presentation directly in Teams using the “Create a new presentation” option.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.