Slide Numbers in PowerPoint: A How To Step-by-Step Guide

I often find that the simplest features can make the biggest difference in our daily work. If you’re familiar with Microsoft Word, you’ll know how useful page numbers can be. But did you know you can add similar slide numbering to your PowerPoint presentations? Today, I’ll show you exactly how to do add slide numbers, making your presentations more professional and easier to navigate.

Why Add Slide Numbers?

Numbering can be particularly useful when you’re working with larger presentations or when you need to reference specific slides during meetings. They’re also invaluable when collaborating with others or preparing handouts for your audience.

Slide sorter view showing 6 slides and the automatic slides numbers appearing in the bottom right corner of the slide

Method 1: Using Header & Footer

The first method I’ll share uses PowerPoint’s Header & Footer feature. Here’s how to do it:

1. Navigate to the Insert tab on your PowerPoint ribbon

2. Look for the Text group (it’s the third group from the right)

3. Click on Header & Footer

4. In the dialogue box that appears, select the ‘Slides’ tab

5. Tick the box for ‘Slide number’

One crucial tip to remember: you’ll see two options – ‘Apply’ and ‘Apply to all’. If you want numbers on every slide (which is typically what you’ll want), make sure to click ‘Apply to all’. Otherwise, you’ll only add a number to your current slide.

Method 2: The Quick Insert Option

There’s also a faster way to achieve the same result:

1. Still under the Insert tab, look next to the WordArt option

2. You’ll see three small icons – click the middle one that says ‘Insert slide number’

3. This takes you directly to the same numbering options

Customising Your Slide Numbers

A useful feature I often recommend is the option to hide numbers on your title slide. To do this:

– Follow either method above

– Before clicking ‘Apply to all’, tick the box that says ‘Don’t show on title slide’

– Then click ‘Apply to all’

The Beauty of Automatic Numbering

What makes this feature particularly powerful is its automatic nature. When you rearrange your slides (which happens frequently during presentation design and show prep), PowerPoint automatically updates the numbers. This saves you from the tedious task of manual renumbering.

Key Takeaways

– Slide numbers can be added through either the Header & Footer feature or the quick insert option

– Remember to use ‘Apply to all’ for consistent numbering throughout your presentation

– Consider hiding numbers on your title slide for a cleaner look

– Take advantage of automatic updating when rearranging slides

Adding numbers is a simple yet effective way to enhance your PowerPoint presentations. Whether you’re creating a business presentation, educational materials, or any other type of slideshow, this small addition can make a significant difference in how professional and organised your work appears.

Have you found this tutorial helpful? I share more Microsoft Office tips regularly here on my blog and through my email newsletter. Feel free to subscribe to stay updated with the latest productivity tips and tricks.