Office Settings & Configuration

How to Change PowerPoint Swiping Direction to Right-to-Left on Android

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to change the presentation swipe direction in PowerPoint for Android from left-to-right to right-to-left.

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Presenting slides containing right-to-left text languages on an Android mobile device.
Observed behavior: The presentation displays right-to-left text correctly, but swiping between slides remains left-to-right. Additionally, there is no in-app language or swiping option available to adjust this.

Before you start

Save your current presentation and close the PowerPoint application completely, as you will need to modify your Android device's system-wide settings to apply this change.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Android System Language to a Right-to-Left Language

PowerPoint for Android relies entirely on the device's default system language. Changing your Android system language to a right-to-left language (such as Arabic or Hebrew) will adjust the app's swiping behavior to match.

Since Microsoft PowerPoint for Android lacks an internal language toggle, the app automatically inherits the language and layout direction of your operating system.

Open Android Settings

Navigate to your Android device's home screen and open the 'Settings' application.

Access Language Settings

Scroll down and tap on 'System' or 'General Management', then select 'Language and input'.

Change System Language

Tap on 'Languages'. Add or select your preferred right-to-left language (such as Arabic or Hebrew) and drag it to the top of the list to make it your primary system language.

Restart PowerPoint

Reopen the PowerPoint app on your Android device. Launch your presentation in slide show mode and verify that the swiping direction is now right-to-left.

System-Wide Impact: Keep in mind that changing the primary system language will affect the text direction, layout, and language of all apps on your Android device, not just PowerPoint.

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Experience Seamless Presentations with WPS Office

If PowerPoint's strict reliance on system-wide language settings disrupts your workflow on Android, try WPS Office. It provides an intuitive, highly compatible mobile presentation experience without the hassle of missing in-app configurations.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the Google Play Store on your Android device.
2. Open Your Presentation: Launch the WPS app and select your .pptx presentation file to open it instantly.
3. Play Your Slideshow: Tap the 'Play' icon at the bottom of the screen to enter presentation mode and navigate your slides.

Highly compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) formats and layouts.Lightweight Android app that won't drain your device's storage or battery.User-friendly mobile interface for seamless presentation viewing and swiping.Built-in settings that simplify navigating multilingual presentations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why can't I find the language option inside the PowerPoint Android app?

Microsoft PowerPoint for Android does not include a built-in language toggle in its settings menu. It is designed to automatically mirror the default language set in your Android device's core system settings.

Will changing my phone's language to right-to-left affect other apps?

Yes, modifying the primary system language on Android will change the text direction and display language for the entire operating system and almost all installed applications.

Can I change the swiping direction in PowerPoint without changing my device language?

Currently, you cannot. PowerPoint for Android requires the device's system language to be explicitly set to a right-to-left language in order to alter the default swiping direction during a presentation.

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