Add, Delete or Change the Order of PowerPoint Slides

Two women using a laptop

mentatdgt / Shutterstock

 

by Wendy Russell
Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software.
Updated August 04, 2019

PowerPoint presentations are not always set in stone. When information changes or you want to improve your slideshow, update your presentation. Quickly modify an existing PowerPoint presentation by adding, removing, or reordering slides in the slideshow.

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2019 for Mac, PowerPoint for Mac 2011, PowerPoint for Office 365, and PowerPoint Online.

Add a New Slide in PowerPoint

When you want to add more information to your PowerPoint presentation, add a new slide. Select an appropriate slide layout for the new slide and enter your information.

To add a new slide to a presentation:

  1. Go to the slide you want a new slide to follow.

  2. Select Home.

  3. Select the New Slide down arrow to display a list of slide layouts.

    A screenshot of adding a new slide in PowerPoint.

  4. Choose the layout you want for the new slide.

Delete a Slide

Sometimes information in a presentation isn't needed any longer. When you don't need a slide, delete it.

To delete a slide in a presentation:

  1. Right-click on a slide in the Slide pane and choose Delete Slide.

    A screenshot of deleting a PowerPoint slide.

  2. To delete multiple slides, hold the Ctrl key (Cmd key in Mac), select each slide you want to delete, release the Ctrl or Cmd key, right-click and select Delete Slides.

Move Slides in the Slides Pane

If you need to quickly rearrange a couple of slides in your presentation, use the Slides pane.

To move a slide in the Slides pane:

  1. Select the slide you want to move.

  2. Drag the slide to the new location.

    A screenshot of moving a slide in PowerPoint.

  3. A horizontal line appears as you drag the slide. When the horizontal line is in the correct location, release the slide. The slide is now in the new location.

Move Slides in Slide Sorter View

Sometimes a presentation needs a major make-over. Use Slide Sorter view to reorganize the slides in a presentation.

To use Slide Sorter view to move slides:

  1. Select View.

  2. Select Slide Sorter.

    A screenshot of the Slide Sorter view in PowerPoint.

  3. Select the slide you wish to move.

  4. Drag the slide to the new location.

  5. A vertical line appears as you drag the slide. When the vertical line is in the correct location, release the slide. The slide is now in the new location.

You can also delete slides in Slide Sorter view.