// GUIDE · UPDATED OCTOBER 2026
How to draw on PowerPoint slides while presenting on a Mac
In PowerPoint for Mac, start the Slide Show and press ⌘P for the pen or ⌘L for the laser pointer. That only works inside the slideshow. To draw over anything else, like a demo or a spreadsheet, use a screen annotation app like Overlaid.
Good news first: PowerPoint on the Mac already has a pen and a laser pointer. Most people just don't know the shortcuts.
The limit is that they only exist inside Slide Show. The moment you switch to a live demo, you lose them.
METHOD 01
PowerPoint's own pen and laser
Free with PowerPoint
Built into Slide Show on Mac. Ink stays on the slide until you erase it or leave the slide.
- 1Start the Slide Show.
- 2Press ⌘P for the pen and draw on the slide.
- 3Press ⌘L for the laser pointer.
- 4Use the pointer options in the slide show toolbar to change colour or erase.
GOOD
- +Free, already there
- +Pen and laser in one place
NOT SO GOOD
- −Only inside Slide Show
- −No zoom, keystrokes or cursor effects
METHOD 02THAT'S US
Overlaid
$11.99 once, 7-day free trial
The same drawing works in the slideshow and in whatever you switch to next: a live demo, a spreadsheet, a browser.
- 1Present from PowerPoint as normal.
- 2Press ⌃⌥D for draw mode, then pick a tool with one key (P, H, A, E, T).
- 3Switch to your demo app. Draw mode and your tools come with you.
GOOD
- +Works across every app you present from
- +Spotlight, keystrokes and zoom when you switch to a demo
NOT SO GOOD
- −Paid after the trial
- −PowerPoint's own tools are enough if you never leave the slides
// WORTH KNOWING
THREE TIPS.
Learn two shortcuts
⌘P and ⌘L cover most of what you'll need inside PowerPoint on a Mac.
Present on the whole screen
If you're sharing on a call, share the entire screen so viewers see whichever tool you draw with.
Don't fight the slide
If you find yourself drawing the same arrow every time, put it on the slide instead.
// FAQ
QUICK QUESTIONS.
⌘P during a Slide Show. The laser pointer is ⌘L.
PowerPoint's presenting pen only exists while the slideshow is running. Outside it, you'd use a screen annotation app instead.
// COMPARE
// GUIDES
// YOUR NEXT CALL
Draw on your screen in the next five minutes.
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