How to Fix Missing White and Yellow Pen Colors in PowerPoint for iPad Slideshow
Question details
Users are unable to select white or yellow pen colors when annotating slides during a PowerPoint slideshow on an iPad.
- Product
- PowerPoint for iPad
- Device & OS
- iPadOS
- Scenario
- Annotating slides during a presentation, particularly on dark slide backgrounds where standard dark ink is invisible.
- Observed behavior
- The slideshow pen tool offers a limited color palette that notably lacks white and yellow options, making annotations difficult to read on dark backgrounds.
Ensure your PowerPoint for iPad app is updated to the latest version in the App Store, as Microsoft occasionally expands feature sets and color palettes in newer releases.
Use Highlighters or Alternative Visible Pen Colors
Since white and yellow are missing from the standard pen tool, you can use the highlighter tool (which includes yellow) or select high-contrast pen colors like red, orange, or green.
While the standard pen tool on iPad lacks bright yellow and white, the highlighter tool includes a highly visible yellow ink. Alternatively, some of the available bright pen colors can still contrast well against dark backgrounds.
Open your presentation in PowerPoint for iPad and tap the 'Play' icon to enter Slide Show mode.
Tap the screen or swipe down from the top edge to reveal the slideshow navigation and annotation toolbar.
Tap the Highlighter icon instead of the Pen icon. Choose the yellow color from the palette, which shows up brightly on dark slides.
If you strongly prefer the Pen tool, tap the Pen icon and select bright green, orange, or red, which offer better visibility on dark backgrounds than black or blue.
Submit a Feature Request to Microsoft
Requesting the addition of white and yellow pen colors directly helps Microsoft prioritize this much-needed feature for educators and presenters in future iPad updates.
Try WPS Office for Better iPad Presentation Annotations
If limited pen colors in PowerPoint for iPad disrupt your teaching or presenting, WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative. Enjoy comprehensive annotation tools with broader color choices, a familiar interface, and seamless support for your existing presentations.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office for free from the iPad App Store.
- 2. Open your presentation: Launch WPS Office and open your existing PPT or PPTX files directly—no conversion needed.
- 3. Annotate with better colors: Enter Slide Show mode and use the comprehensive pen tool options to select the perfect high-contrast colors for your slide backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are white and yellow pens missing in PowerPoint for iPad?
Microsoft currently provides a restricted color palette for the pen tool in the iPadOS version of PowerPoint compared to the desktop version. This is a known app limitation that many educators have reported.
Can I use Apple Pencil settings to force white or yellow ink in PowerPoint?
No. While you can use the Apple Pencil to draw and annotate on your slides, the color options are entirely restricted by PowerPoint's built-in toolbar. You cannot force unsupported colors through the Pencil's system settings.
Are there third-party tools to add pen colors to PowerPoint on iPad?
Unlike Windows where you can use scripting tools like AutoHotkey to manipulate UI elements, iPadOS does not support background utilities that modify in-app toolbars. You must rely on alternative apps like WPS Office or use the built-in highlighter tool.
