Try These Handy PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts in Outline View
by Avantix Learning Team | September 18, 2021
Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)
The outline has been an integral part of Microsoft PowerPoint for many years. It is dynamically linked to slide placeholders and is organized in a hierarchical way. For example, the first level in an outline is linked to the title placeholder, the second level is linked to the body placeholder and is a level one bullet, the third level is a level two bullet and so on. In this article, we'll review 10 shortcuts for working in the Outline View.
In 2010, the outline could be accessed easily in Normal View by clicking on the Outline tab. In 2013 and 2016, it's more difficult to find the outline. One way to display it is by clicking on the View tab in the Ribbon and then clicking on Outline View.
Recommended article: How to Quickly Remove All Animations in PowerPoint
The following are some useful shortcuts when you're working with the Outline View.
1. Switch between Outline View and Normal View
Press Ctrl + Shift + Tab.
2. Promote the selected paragraph
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + left arrow or Shift + Tab (if the cursor is at the beginning of the text).
3. Demote the selected paragraph
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + right arrow or Tab (if the cursor is at the beginning of the text).
4. Move selected paragraphs up in the outline
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + up arrow.
5. Move selected paragraphs down in the outline
Select or click in a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + down arrow
6. Display outline level 1
Position the cursor in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + 1.
7. Expand outline text below the selected paragraph
Select a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + plus sign (+).
8. Collapse outline text below the selected paragraph
Select a paragraph in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + minus sign (-).
9. Show all text in the outline
Position the cursor in the outline and then press Alt + Shift + A.
10. Go to the beginning or end of the outline
Position the cursor in the outline and press Ctrl + Home to go to the beginning of the outline or press Ctrl + End to go to the end of the outline.
These keyboard shortcuts can be very helpful when you're working in the outline in PowerPoint.
This article was first published on October 8, 2016 and has been updated for clarity and content.
Subscribe to get more articles like this one
Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.
More resources
How to Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint
PowerPoint Slide Show Shortcuts (50+ Shortcuts)
How to Remove the Background of a Picture in PowerPoint (2 Ways)
Change the Background of PowerPoint Slides to a Color, Gradient or Picture
How to Add Animation in PowerPoint (Animate Images, Text or Other Objects)
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp
Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.
Copyright 2025 Avantix® Learning
You may also like
How to Highlight Text in PowerPoint (5 Ways)
You can highlight text in PowerPoint in many different ways. If you have PowerPoint 2019 or a later version, Text Highlight Color is available on the Home tab in the Ribbon. For those with older versions without a Highlight command in the Ribbon, you'll need to use other strategies to highlight text. In this article, we'll review five ways to highlight text in PowerPoint. Most of these strategies will work in all versions.
How to Curve Text in PowerPoint
You can curve text in PowerPoint using WordArt Transform options on the Shape tab in the Ribbon. The text can be WordArt text or text in a text box or in a placeholder. Using Transform text effects, you can curve or bend selected text. The text can be curved around a circle or other shape if you want. Typically, curved text is inserted in Normal View and can be a word or a line of text.
How to Link to Another Slide in PowerPoint (3 Ways)
You can easily add a link or hyperlink to another slide in the same PowerPoint presentation. In this article, we'll review 3 ways to link to another slide – using a link or hyperlink, adding an action setting or using the Zoom feature (Zoom & Link) to add a Slide Zoom. In order to make it easier to link to another slide, it's best to add a title in the title placeholder on each slide in the presentation. In PowerPoint, links become active when you run a slide show (click the Slide Show button on the bottom right of the screen). When you run a slide show and click a link, PowerPoint will jump to the link.
Image credit(s) / application screenshot(s): Microsoft
Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.
Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca
