When presenting a PowerPoint slideshow, the mouse cursor often stays visible on screen. This can distract your audience by drawing attention away from your content. PowerPoint includes a built-in setting that hides the cursor after a few seconds of inactivity. This article explains how to enable that auto-hide feature and how to control cursor behavior during your presentation.
Key Takeaways: Hiding the Cursor in PowerPoint Slideshows
- Set Up Show > Show Options > Show Pointer Options > Automatic: Hides the cursor after a few seconds of idle time during a slideshow.
- Keyboard shortcut Ctrl+I during a slideshow: Toggles the cursor between hidden and visible instantly without leaving the presentation.
- Right-click menu > Pointer Options > Arrow Options > Hidden: Manually hides the cursor for the rest of the current slideshow.
Why the Cursor Stays Visible During a Slideshow
PowerPoint shows the cursor by default during a slideshow so you can click to advance slides, use laser pointer tools, or navigate to other apps. The cursor remains visible even when you stop moving the mouse. This design helps presenters who need quick access to on-screen controls. However, if you stand still while speaking, the unmoving cursor becomes a visual distraction. The auto-hide feature solves this by making the cursor disappear after a short idle period and reappear as soon as you move the mouse again.
How to Enable Auto-Hide Cursor in PowerPoint Slideshow
You can set the cursor to auto-hide from the Slideshow tab. This setting applies to all future presentations on this computer. The idle time is not configurable — PowerPoint uses a built-in delay of approximately three seconds.
- Open the Set Up Show dialog
Go to the Slide Show tab on the ribbon. Click Set Up Slide Show in the Set Up group. - Locate the Show Pointer Options
In the Set Up Show dialog, find the section labeled Show pointer options. The default setting is Automatic. - Select Automatic
If Automatic is already selected, the cursor will auto-hide after a few seconds of idle time. If Hidden is selected, change it to Automatic. - Confirm the setting
Click OK to close the dialog. The change takes effect immediately for the next slideshow you start.
To test the setting, start a slideshow with F5 or Slide Show > From Beginning. Move the mouse to see the cursor, then stop moving it. After about three seconds, the cursor fades away. Move the mouse again to bring it back.
Alternative Methods to Hide the Cursor During a Slideshow
If you need to hide the cursor only for a specific moment or slide, use one of these methods during the live presentation.
Using the Ctrl+I Keyboard Shortcut
While in slideshow mode, press Ctrl+I on your keyboard. This toggles the cursor between visible and hidden. Each press switches the state. This shortcut does not change the permanent setting — it only affects the current slideshow session.
Using the Right-Click Pointer Options Menu
- Right-click anywhere on the slide
During the slideshow, right-click to open the context menu. - Select Pointer Options
Hover over Pointer Options in the menu. - Choose Arrow Options > Hidden
Click Hidden to hide the cursor for the rest of this slideshow. The cursor stays hidden until you press Escape or end the show.
What Happens When the Cursor Is Hidden
When the cursor is hidden, you cannot click to advance slides or use the laser pointer. To advance slides when the cursor is hidden, you can still use keyboard keys: press the right arrow key, down arrow key, Page Down, Spacebar, or Enter to go to the next slide. Press the left arrow key, up arrow key, Page Up, or Backspace to go to the previous slide. Press Escape to end the slideshow.
If the Cursor Does Not Auto-Hide After Changing the Setting
If you set Show pointer options to Automatic but the cursor still stays visible, check these items.
PowerPoint Version and Windows Version
The auto-hide feature works in PowerPoint 2013 and later on Windows 10 and Windows 11. Older versions of PowerPoint do not support this setting. If you are using PowerPoint 2010 or earlier, the cursor will remain visible unless you hide it manually with Ctrl+I.
Mouse Driver or Third-Party Overlay Software
Some mouse drivers or screen recording tools override PowerPoint’s cursor behavior. For example, Logitech Options or Corsair iCUE may force the cursor to stay visible. Close these applications or disable their overlay features before starting the slideshow.
Presentation Mode in Windows Display Settings
Windows 11 includes a Presentation mode in Settings > System > Display > Graphics that can affect cursor behavior. Turn off any custom cursor settings or presentation profiles that might interfere.
PowerPoint Slideshow Cursor Behavior Comparison
| Setting | Automatic (Default) | Hidden |
|---|---|---|
| Cursor visibility after idle | Fades after ~3 seconds | Always hidden |
| Cursor visibility when moving mouse | Reappears immediately | Stays hidden |
| Click to advance slides | Works only when cursor is visible | Does not work |
| Keyboard navigation | Works at all times | Works at all times |
| Laser pointer tool | Available when cursor is visible | Not available |
The Automatic setting is the best choice for most presenters. It keeps the cursor out of sight during pauses but makes it available instantly when you need to point at something or click.
You can now hide the cursor automatically in PowerPoint slideshows by using the Set Up Show dialog. For temporary control during a presentation, use Ctrl+I to toggle visibility. If you present on a touch screen, you can also use a finger tap to advance slides without the cursor appearing at all. Try the Automatic setting in your next presentation to see how much cleaner your slides look without a stationary cursor on screen.