Random slide order

The optimal way for showing a set of slides in random order involves writing a VBA macro. For help doing that, search the web for PowerPoint random slide show.

Another option, described here, involves using the Custom Slide Show feature in PowerPoint to define a random slide order in advance:

1. Select the Slide Show tab, then select Custom Slide Show > Custom Shows.

2. Select New, then give the slide show a name.

3. On the left, select the check box next to a title of one of the slides in the presentation, then select Add to put the slide in the right box. Now that slide becomes the first slide in your custom show.

4. Repeat this process with the other slides listed in the left box, mixing up their order. After you've put slides in the Slides in custom show box, you can also use the Up and Down buttons to Change their order.

5. Select OK.

6. When you want to present your custom slide show, select Slide Show > Custom Slide Show, then select the name you created in step 2.

For more details on custom slide shows, see Create and present a custom show.

The optimal way for showing a set of slides in random order involves writing a VBA macro. For help doing that, search the web for PowerPoint random slide show.

As a workaround, you can define a custom order to slides with Custom Slide Show to emulate a random order:

1. On the Slide Show tab, select Custom Show and choose Custom Slide Show.

2. Select  to define a custom show, then give the slide show a name.

3. On the left, choose slides in the presentation and select Add >> to put the slide in the right box. 

4. Repeat this process with the other slides listed, mixing up their order. To change the position of a slide in the Slides in custom show box, select it and use   ​​​​​​​Up and  Down buttons on the bottom of the list.

5. Select OK.

To present the custom slide show, on the Slide Show tab, choose Custom Show and then select the name created in step 2.

For more details on custom slide shows, see Create and present a custom show.

Random slide order isn't currently possible in PowerPoint for the web. You can, however, create a  random order workaround in the PowerPoint desktop app. Once created, you can then show it in PowerPoint for the web.

• To open the desktop app, at the top of the ribbon, select  Editing and choose Open in Desktop App.

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Don't have the PowerPoint desktop app? Try or buy Microsoft 365.