PowerPoint Live in Teams: dark mode, arrow keys, notes pane

Microsoft has added three controls to PowerPoint Live, the way you present slides inside a Microsoft Teams meeting. You can now present in a light, dark or high contrast look, move through slides with the up and down arrow keys or Page Up and Page Down, and resize or hide the speaker notes. Microsoft says the changes roll out over time.

What is PowerPoint Live?

When you share a PowerPoint file in a Teams meeting through the PowerPoint Live option, instead of sharing your whole screen, Teams shows the slides to everyone and gives you a presenter view with your notes. Attendees get sharper slides, and you can see your notes without a second monitor.

What changed?

• Theme. PowerPoint Live now follows the theme you pick in Teams: Light, Dark, Classic or High contrast. Dark helps in a dim room, and high contrast helps staff with weaker eyesight.
• Keys. Up and down arrows and Page Up and Page Down now move through slides. Most presentation clickers send these keys, so a clicker should work without any setup.
• Notes pane. You can drag the divider to make the notes bigger, smaller or fold them away when you have none.

What to do

1. In Teams, click the three dots next to your profile picture, then Settings and Appearance, and choose a theme.
2. In your next meeting, share your file with PowerPoint Live and try the arrow keys or your clicker.
3. Drag the line between the slide and the notes to resize them. Drag it to the right edge to hide them.
4. If the new controls are missing, update Teams. The rollout is gradual, so some accounts get it later.

How SyncTech can help

If Teams or Microsoft 365 apps on your office PCs are not updating, the Synctech help centre explains how to reach our support team for a hand.

Source and credit

We are sharing this news from Microsoft. This summary is written by Synctech in our own words.

• Personalize PowerPoint Live with Theme, Navigation, and Notes pane controls, Microsoft 365 Insider Blog, 27 October 2026: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/microsoft-365-insider-blog/personalize-powerpoint-live-with-theme-navigation-and-notes-pane/ba-p/4567855 Retrieved 3 November 2026. Microsoft, Microsoft 365, Teams and PowerPoint are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Synctech is not connected with Microsoft. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. If anything here is wrong, email support@synctech.com.my and we will correct it.