You want to deliver a polished presentation but struggle with speaking too fast, too slow, or using filler words like um and ah. PowerPoint includes a built-in AI tool called Rehearse with Coach that analyzes your speech in real time and provides feedback on pacing, filler word usage, and more. This article explains how to enable the feature, interpret the results, and improve your delivery.
Rehearse with Coach runs in Slide Show mode and listens to your microphone input. It does not record video or audio for sharing. Your data stays on your device and is deleted after each session. The tool works in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows, Mac, and the web version.
You will learn how to start a rehearsal session, what each metric means, and how to adjust your speaking habits before the actual presentation.
Key Takeaways: Using Rehearse with Coach in PowerPoint
- Slide Show > Rehearse with Coach: Starts a private rehearsal that analyzes your speech and displays feedback in a sidebar.
- Pacing (words per minute): The tool shows a live speed indicator and flags when you speak too fast above 170 WPM or too slow below 100 WPM.
- Filler word counter: Detects words like um, uh, like, you know, and actually, and shows a tally after each slide.
How Rehearse with Coach Works in PowerPoint
Rehearse with Coach is an AI-powered feature available in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 subscribers. It uses speech recognition to listen to your voice through the microphone and analyzes your delivery in real time. The tool does not store recordings or transcripts after you close the rehearsal window. It is designed for private practice only, not for grading or sharing.
The feature requires an internet connection to process speech data. Your microphone must be enabled and set as the default input device in Windows sound settings. If you use a headset, ensure it is selected in PowerPoint under File > Options > Advanced > Speech Properties.
Rehearse with Coach provides feedback in four categories: pacing, filler words, repetition, and culturally sensitive phrases. The pacing metric measures words per minute. Filler words include common crutch words such as um, uh, like, you know, and actually. The repetition check flags when you say the same word or phrase multiple times in a row. The culturally sensitive phrase check alerts you to language that may be considered inappropriate in a professional setting.
After each slide transition, the tool displays a summary card in the sidebar showing your pacing average, filler word count, and a tip for improvement. At the end of the rehearsal, a full report opens with detailed statistics per slide and overall recommendations.
Steps to Start and Use Rehearse with Coach
Follow these steps to run a speech coaching session in PowerPoint. The process is the same on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
- Open your presentation in PowerPoint
Make sure the file is saved to your local drive or OneDrive. The feature works with any presentation file format that PowerPoint supports. - Go to the Slide Show tab
Click Slide Show in the ribbon. Look for the Rehearse with Coach button in the Set Up group. It has an icon of a person with a speech bubble. - Click Rehearse with Coach
A dialog box appears explaining that your speech will be analyzed. Click Start Rehearsing to begin. The presentation opens in full-screen Slide Show mode with a coaching sidebar on the right side. - Speak naturally into your microphone
Present your slides as you would during a live meeting. The sidebar updates in real time. It shows a pacing gauge that turns red if you speak too fast or too slow. Filler words appear in a list with a count each time you use one. - Advance slides normally
Use the mouse, keyboard arrow keys, or a clicker to move to the next slide. After each slide transition, the sidebar displays a summary card with your average pacing, total filler words, and a tip such as Pause more often or Try to slow down. - End the rehearsal
Press Escape on your keyboard to stop the rehearsal early. To finish after the last slide, the tool automatically closes and shows the full report. - Review the rehearsal report
A new window opens with a table listing each slide, your pacing average, filler word count, and repetition count. The report also shows an overall score from 0 to 100. You can close the report or click Rehearse Again to start a new session.
Common Issues When Using Rehearse with Coach
Rehearse with Coach does not start or microphone is not detected
If the button is grayed out or the tool does not respond, check your microphone permissions in Windows. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and ensure Allow apps to access your microphone is turned on. Also confirm that PowerPoint is listed under apps that can use the microphone. Restart PowerPoint after changing permissions.
Filler word detection seems inaccurate or misses words
The AI model is trained on general English speech patterns. It may not detect every filler word if your accent or speaking style is very different from the training data. Speak clearly and at a moderate volume. Background noise, echo, or low microphone volume can reduce detection accuracy. Use a headset microphone in a quiet room for best results.
Pacing feedback appears too sensitive or not sensitive enough
The default pacing threshold flags speeds above 170 WPM as too fast and below 100 WPM as too slow. These values are not adjustable in the current version. If you speak naturally at a faster pace, you may see frequent red warnings. Use the feedback as a guideline rather than a strict rule. Focus on reducing filler words and repetition instead.
Rehearse with Coach is missing from the Slide Show tab
This feature requires a Microsoft 365 subscription. It is not available in the free web version, PowerPoint 2019, or earlier editions. If you have a subscription, sign in to PowerPoint with your Microsoft 365 account. If the button still does not appear, run Office Updates under File > Account > Update Options > Update Now.
Rehearse with Coach vs Manual Self-Recording
| Item | Rehearse with Coach | Manual Self-Recording |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time | Instant, one click from Slide Show tab | Requires external recorder or screen capture software |
| Real-time feedback | Live pacing gauge and filler word counter | No live feedback; review after recording |
| Filler word detection | Automatic AI detection of um, uh, like, you know | Manual review required or third-party transcription |
| Pacing analysis | Words per minute calculation per slide | Manual timing with stopwatch or video timeline |
| Data privacy | Data not stored; deleted after session | Recording saved locally or to cloud |
| Cost | Included with Microsoft 365 subscription | Free if using built-in Windows Voice Recorder |
You can now use Rehearse with Coach to practice your presentation and receive specific feedback on pacing and filler words. Run at least two practice sessions on the same presentation to see if your scores improve. For advanced preparation, combine the coach report with the Presenter Coach summary to identify slides where you pause too long or rush through key points. After each rehearsal, note the slides with the highest filler word count and rewrite those sections to use shorter, clearer sentences.