How to Use Microsoft PowerPoint for Digital Whiteboarding

At a Glance

Microsoft PowerPoint on iPad or other tablets is an easy way to get started with digital whiteboarding. It lets you write directly on slides as you teach, sketch ideas on blank slides, and share your content wirelessly from anywhere in a classroom.

Best For

Beginners who want to annotate directly onto existing presentation slides.

Why Use It

PowerPoint integrates seamlessly into existing lecture slides—sketch on diagrams, highlight formulas, or brainstorm on blank slides. Everything you create can be saved and shared so students can review it later.

Key Features

• Annotate slides in Slideshow mode with Pen and Highlighter tools
• Remove all annotations with Clear Pen Markings or erase select areas with Eraser tool
• Export annotated slides as PDF

Download & Login

1. On your tablet, download the Microsoft PowerPoint app from the app store.
2. Tap Sign in.
3. Log in using your MIT Kerberos credentials.

Share Your Content Wirelessly

You can present your content wirelessly while moving freely around the classroom.

Annotate in Slideshow Mode

Start the Slideshow

1. Tap on the Slideshow tab.
   
2. Choose From Start or From Current Slide.
   

Open the Annotation Toolbar

1. Tap at the top of the screen to reveal the Annotation toolbar.
   

Select a Drawing Tool

1. Tap the Pen Settings icon.
   
2. Choose a color next to the Pen or Highlighter tool.
   

Draw or Write on the Slide

1. Tap the Pen icon.
   
2. Use your finger or stylus to annotate live on the slide.

Erase Annotations

1. To remove all annotations on the slide, tap the Pen Settings icon > Clear Pen Markings.
   
2. To erase specific areas, tap the Pen Settings icon and choose an Eraser size next to the Eraser tool.
   

Exit Slideshow Mode

1. Tap the X in the top-left corner of the toolbar.
   
2. When you exit, PowerPoint will ask if you want to keep or discard your annotations.
   

Export Annotations

After annotating your slides, you can export them as a PDF to share with your students:

1. Tap the X in the top-left corner of the toolbar.
   
2. When prompted, tap Keep if you want to save your annotations.
   • Note: Tapping Discard will remove your annotations.
     
3. Tap the Share icon.
   
4. Tap Send a Copy.
   
5. Tap Share as PDF.
   
6. Select where you’d like to save the file (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive, Files).
7. Optional: Upload the PDF to your Canvas site so students can access the annotated slides later.

How to Get Support

Sloan Technology Services (STS) Help Desk

If you need help downloading, logging into, or accessing Microsoft PowerPoint on an iPad, contact the Sloan Technology Services (STS) Help Desk at 617-253-2000 or stshelp@mit.edu.

Microsoft

Explore Microsoft’s guides and tutorials for PowerPoint on iPad:

• Training videos for PowerPoint for iPad
• PowerPoint for iPad Help
• PowerPoint for iPad touch guide
• Draw and write with ink in Office

MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies

Search our Knowledgebase articles and/or submit a support request for any questions related to digital whiteboarding for teaching and learning.