Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (2024)

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Turn your mouse into a laser pointer

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When you're showing a presentation, you can turn your mouse into a laser pointer to draw attention to something on a slide.

WindowsmacOS

Turn on the laser pointer

  1. Do one of the following:

    • To use the laser pointer in Slide Show view:On the Slide Show tab, click either From Beginning or From Current Slide to start your slide show.

      Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (1)
    • To use the laser pointer in Reading view:On the View tab, click Reading View.

      Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (2)
  2. Press and hold the Ctrl key, and then click and drag the left mouse button to point to the contents on the slide that you want to draw attention to.

    Tip:If you want your audience to see the laser pointer but not your mouse pointer, be sure to press and hold Ctrl before you move your mouse to keep the mouse pointer hidden.

By default, the color of the pointer is red, but green and blue are also available. To change the color of the laser pointer, do the following:

  1. On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click Set Up Slide Show.

  2. In the Set Up Show dialog box, under Show options, select the color that you want from the Laser pointer color list, and then click OK.

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (3)

(For complete details about recording and timing your slide shows, see Record a slide show with narration and slide timings.)

To record your laser pointer movements to enhance a web-based or self-running slide show, do the following:

  1. On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, point to the arrow next to Record Slide Show Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (4).

    Click either Start Recording from Beginning or Start Recording from Current Slide, depending on where you want to start to record your slide show.

  2. In the Record Slide Show dialog box, select the Narrations and laser pointer check box.

  3. Click Start Recording.

    Tip:To pause the narration, in the Recording box, click Pause. To resume, click Resume Recording.

  4. Press and hold Ctrl, and then click and drag the left mouse button to point to the contents on the slide that you want to draw attention to.

  5. To move to the next slide, release Ctrl, and then click the left mouse button.

  6. To end your slide show recording, right-click the slide, and then click End Show.

    The recorded slide show timings are automatically saved and the slide show appears in Slide Sorter view with timings under each slide.

  7. To view the pointer movements and timings you just recorded, on the Slide Show tab, in the Start Slide Show group, click either From Beginning or From Current Slide.

To re-do your pointer movements or slide timings, just repeat these steps.

The pointer is set to Automatic, which means it is hidden automatically after three seconds of inactivity. The pointer appears again when you move the mouse.

Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (5)

During the slide show, in the lower-right corner of the slide, select Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (6) and then do one of the following:

To

Select

Show the pointer automatically

Automatic

Always hide the pointer

Hidden

Always show the pointer

Arrow

Write on the slides

Pen

Select ink color for pen

Pen Color

Tip:To switch between the pointer and pen, press Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (7)+ A and Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (8)+ P .

Turn on the laser pointer

  1. On the Slide Show tab, click either Play from Start or Play from Current Slide to start your slide show.

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (9)
  2. In Slide Show view, four helper buttons appear at the lower left corner of your slide. The second one determines how the mouse pointer appears to viewers:

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (10)

    Click that Pen button, and then choose Laser Pointer from the pop-up menu:

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (11)
  3. Press the Option key, and then click and drag the left mouse button to point to the contents on the slide that you want to draw attention to.

Change the color of your laser pointer

By default, the color of the pointer is red, but green and blue are also available. To change the color of the laser pointer, do the following:

  1. In Slide Show mode, click the Laser Pointer icon at the lower left portion of the slide:

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (12)
  2. On the pop-up menu, point to Laser Color, and then select the color you want.

    Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (13)

The pointer is set to Automatic, which means it is hidden automatically after three seconds of inactivity. The pointer appears again when you move the mouse.

Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (14)

During the slide show, in the lower-right corner of the slide, select Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (15) and then do one of the following:

To

Select

Show the pointer automatically

Automatic

Always hide the pointer

Hidden

Always show the pointer

Arrow

Write on the slides

Pen

Select ink color for pen

Pen Color

Tip:To switch between the pointer and pen, press Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (16)+ A and Turn your mouse into a laser pointer (17)+ P .

See Also

Click through Slide Show by using your Bluetooth pen

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FAQs

Turn your mouse into a laser pointer? ›

Using Shortcuts. To quickly activate the laser pointer feature: Initiate Slide Show: Press F5 (from the beginning) or Shift + F5 (from the current slide) to start your presentation. Activate Laser Pointer: Hold the Ctrl key and click and hold the left mouse button to turn your cursor into a red laser pointer.

How do I turn my mouse into a laser pointer in a team? ›

The first step is to Open Microsoft Teams, and Click Chat in the left side of your screen. Click Meeting Whiteboard towards the top of your screen. Click the ink icon. Click the laser pointer icon.

How do I change my mouse to a pointer? ›

Use the following steps to customize in Windows 10:
  1. Click the Start button. Click Settings.
  2. Select Ease of Access.
  3. Select Mouse pointer on the left.
  4. Select Change how your mouse works or Cursor & pointer.
  5. Depending on your preferences, you can customize the mouse's color, size, or shape.

How to get laser pointer mouse cursor on Chromebook? ›

Use the stylus as a laser pointer or magnifying glass
  1. On your desktop, tap Stylus .
  2. Tap Laser pointer mode or Magnifying glass mode.
  3. Touch the stylus to the screen and move it around.
  4. Optional: To turn off, tap Laser pointer or Magnifying glass .

How does a mouse laser work? ›

How does a laser mouse work? A laser mouse uses a laser diode instead of an LED to illuminate the surface. The laser light is more focused and precise, allowing for higher sensitivity and smoother tracking.

Can you use a laser pointer on a computer screen? ›

A1, No, laser pointer will not damage screen. A2, Red is most easily and cheaply available and probably safest.

Is there a laser in computer mouse? ›

The difference between an optical mouse and a laser mouse

The key difference between an optical mouse and a laser mouse is their illumination source. An optical mouse uses an infrared LED light to illuminate the surface. A laser mouse illuminates the surface with a laser beam.

How can you stimulate a laser pointer using mouse and keyboard? ›

Using Shortcuts

To quickly activate the laser pointer feature: Initiate Slide Show: Press F5 (from the beginning) or Shift + F5 (from the current slide) to start your presentation. Activate Laser Pointer: Hold the Ctrl key and click and hold the left mouse button to turn your cursor into a red laser pointer.

Which mouse uses laser light to move the pointer? ›

Optical mice are often compared to laser mice and mechanical mice. Each have distinct characteristics and different use cases. While optical mice use an LED light source or a laser to track movement, laser mice use laser diodes, enabling greater precision and sensitivity.

Is custom cursor safe? ›

Yes. A custom cursor is safe. However, just because a CSS cursor is safe doesn't mean that your visitor will know that.

Why is my mouse laser pointer not working? ›

A failing laser light can also mean that the mouse's batteries are low or dead. Remove the batteries and replace them with new ones to see if the laser shines again. If that's not the issue, verify that your computer isn't the cause of the problem by plugging the mouse into a different computer.

How to get laser pointer in Google Docs? ›

To show your pointer:
  1. On your computer, open a Google Slides presentation.
  2. Choose an option: At the right side of the toolbar, click Your pointer is hidden . At the top, click View. Live pointers. . Check Show my pointer.

Is there a laser pointer on Google Slides? ›

How to Enable Google Slides Laser Pointer. To enable the laser pointer, go to your slide deck and click Slideshow. Select the three dots icon to expand the menu, select Turn on the laser pointer, or use the L hotkey to enable and disable it.

What is the shortcut key for changing pointer to laser pointer? ›

Control + L Turn the arrow pointer into a Laser pointer. Control + P Activate the Pen tool to write or draw on slides. Repeat the shortcut to deactivate the ink tool.

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