Office Settings & Configuration

How to Create Custom Shows in PowerPoint for Short and Full Presentations

Bushra Parveen Oct 22, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to create both a short and a full version of a presentation using a single file.

How to Create Custom Shows in PowerPoint for Short and Full Presentations

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Needing to present different lengths or variations of the same slide deck to different audiences without saving multiple copies.
Observed behavior: The goal is to set up a custom show to selectively present slides while keeping the complete deck intact in one original file.

Before you start

Before creating a custom show, ensure your main presentation contains all the necessary slides in the correct order, and note down the slide numbers you wish to include in your shorter version to make the selection process faster.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Up a Custom Slide Show for a Shortened Presentation

Create a specific sequence of slides from your main presentation to present a shorter version without deleting original slides.

Using the Custom Shows feature allows you to curate different presentations for different audiences while keeping your master slide deck intact. You can jump straight to the relevant slides during your meeting.

Access Custom Slide Shows

Open your presentation, navigate to the 'Slide Show' tab on the top ribbon, and click on 'Custom Slide Shows'.

Create a New Custom Show

Select 'Custom Shows...' from the dropdown menu, and then click the 'New' button in the dialog box.

Select and Add Slides

Give your custom show a recognizable name (e.g., '10-Minute Pitch'). In the 'Slides in presentation' box, check the boxes next to the specific slides you want to include, and click the 'Add' button.

Save and Present

Click 'OK' to save your new custom show. To present this version, go back to 'Custom Slide Shows' and click on the name of your newly created show.

Set Up a Custom Slide Show for a Shortened Presentation

Show Created Successfully: The complete slide deck remains fully available in the original file, while your custom show is safely stored for future use.

Efficient Presentation Tool

Create and Manage Custom Slide Shows in WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation allows you to effortlessly create custom shows, helping you tailor your slide deck for different audiences or time constraints without duplicating files.

1. Open Presentation: Launch WPS Office and open your master presentation file containing all slides.
2. Navigate to Slide Show Tab: Click on the 'Slide Show' tab located on the top navigation ribbon.
3. Select Custom Shows: Click 'Custom Slide Shows' and choose 'Custom Shows' to open the management window.
4. Configure and Save: Click 'New', select your desired slides from the list, click 'Add', name the show, and confirm with 'OK'.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx) formats.Easily manage multiple custom shows within a single, lightweight document.Free, reliable, and features a user-friendly interface for seamless editing.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I edit a custom show after creating it?

Yes. Go to the 'Slide Show' tab, click 'Custom Slide Shows', select 'Custom Shows...', highlight your custom show from the list, and click 'Edit' to add, remove, or reorder the slides.

Will deleting a slide from the main presentation remove it from the custom show?

Yes. If you delete a slide from the master slide deck, it will automatically be removed from any custom shows that include it.

How do I print only the slides in my custom show?

Open the Print dialog (Ctrl + P). Under the print range or 'Print What' settings, select the 'Custom Show' option and choose the specific show you want to print from the dropdown menu.

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