Office Settings & Configuration

How to Use Two External Monitors for PowerPoint Presenter View

Natalie Taylor Oct 14, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to configure PowerPoint so that the slideshow appears on one external monitor and the Presenter View (with speaker notes) appears on a second external monitor, completely bypassing the laptop's built-in display.

How to Use Two External Monitors for PowerPoint Presenter View

Product: Microsoft PowerPoint
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Presenting a slideshow using a laptop connected to a dual external monitor setup.
Observed behavior: By default, PowerPoint forces Presenter View or the slideshow onto the laptop screen instead of utilizing both connected external displays.

Before you start

Ensure both external monitors are properly connected to your laptop (via HDMI, DisplayPort, or a docking station) and that Windows detects both screens in the Display Settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Laptop Lid Settings and Extend Displays

This solution sets your Windows laptop to remain awake when closed, allowing the two external monitors to act as your primary and secondary displays for PowerPoint.

By closing the laptop lid, you force the operating system to disable the built-in screen and route all display outputs to the connected external monitors. This ensures PowerPoint only detects the two external screens when assigning the Presenter View and Slide Show.

Access Power Options

Open the Windows Control Panel, navigate to 'Hardware and Sound', and click on 'Power Options'.

Change lid close action

Click on 'Choose what closing the lid does' in the left-hand menu. Under the 'When I close the lid' row, change the settings for both 'On battery' and 'Plugged in' to 'Do nothing', then click 'Save changes'.

Close the laptop lid

Physically close your laptop lid. Your two external monitors will blink and reconfigure to become your active displays.

Configure PowerPoint Presenter View

Open your presentation in PowerPoint, navigate to the 'Slide Show' tab, ensure 'Use Presenter View' is checked, and select your preferred external monitor from the 'Monitor' drop-down list.

Setup Complete: Once configured, starting the slideshow will automatically place the presentation on one external monitor and the Presenter View with your speaker notes on the other.

Seamless Multi-Monitor Presentation

Easily Manage Dual Monitors with WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation provides excellent built-in support for multi-monitor setups. You can easily route your slideshow and presenter notes to distinct external displays using its highly intuitive interface, offering a smooth alternative for professional presentations.

1. Connect Monitors: Ensure your dual external monitors are connected and set to 'Extend desktop' in Windows Display settings.
2. Open WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Office and open your presentation file.
3. Navigate to Slide Show: Click on the 'Slide Show' tab located in the top ribbon menu.
4. Set Up Monitors: Click 'Set Up Show', select your desired external monitor for the slideshow, and ensure 'Show Presenter View' is checked for the secondary monitor.

Fully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt and .pptx) formatsIntuitive Display Settings panel for quick Presenter View configurationLightweight performance that runs smoothly on any Windows setupFree to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Presenter View still showing on my laptop screen after connecting monitors?

If your laptop lid is open and the screen is active, PowerPoint may default to using the built-in display as the primary screen. You need to either close the laptop lid (with 'Do nothing' enabled in Power Options) or change your Windows display settings to 'Second screen only' before extending to the other external monitor.

Can I swap the monitors if Presenter View opens on the wrong screen?

Yes. While in Presenter View, click on 'Display Settings' at the top of the screen and select 'Swap Presenter View and Slide Show'. This instantly reverses which monitor displays the audience view and which shows your speaker notes.

Can I use two external monitors with the laptop lid open?

Yes, but you must manually disable the laptop display. Press the Windows key + P, select 'Second screen only', and then go into Windows Display Settings to 'Extend desktop' across your two connected external monitors.

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