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How to Find and Replace Text in PowerPoint

In comparison to programs such as Word, Microsoft PowerPoint makes it more difficult to write an article. However, slideshows can still contain thousands of words particularly if you're presenting on a complex subject such as science or history. Additionally, creating a large slideshow can make it easy to lose track of what you're saying.

Fortunately, PowerPoint includes a feature that enables you to search for and locate any piece of text within the entire file.

  • On a PC, press Control + F to locate text in a PowerPoint presentation; on a Mac, press Command + F.
  • Simply tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen if you're using the PowerPoint mobile app.
  • PowerPoint can locate any typed text, but not text that is embedded in an image.

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How to Find and Replace Text in PowerPoint

The exact procedure will vary depending on the version of PowerPoint you are using: The desktop version is available for PCs and Macs, while the mobile version is available for iPhones, iPads, and Android devices.

While PowerPoint's Find feature can locate text typed into the presentation, it cannot read text that is embedded in a photo or video.

How to Find and Replace Text in PowerPoint Windows and Mac

You can find text in PowerPoint's desktop version by pressing Control + F (PC) or Command + F (Mac) on your keyboard.

When this shortcut is pressed, a small menu appears. Enter the text you're looking for and then click Find Next. Continue clicking it to cycle through all of the find in your slideshow where the text appears.

Microsoft PowerPoint's Find menu.

This keyboard shortcut enables you to quickly locate text in the majority of applications.

Additionally, you can check the box for Match case, which will limit the results to locations with capitalization matching what you typed. And Find whole words only will return results for anything you typed that is a word on its own it will not return results for anything you typed that is a part of a larger word (for example, "the" in "weather").

Finally, click Replace. This feature enables you to completely alter the appearance of that text. It's ideal for correcting misspelled names or other common typos.

And after clicking it once, you'll see the Replace All option, which will replace all instances of the text simultaneously.

Microsoft PowerPoint's Find and Replace menu.

You can replace specific words or all instances of the word simultaneously.

How to Find and Replace Text in PowerPoint phone

The majority of the same features are available in PowerPoint's mobile app.

  • Simply tap the magnifying glass icon at the top of the screen and type your search term into the resulting text box.
  • Additionally, if you tap the gear icon next to the text box, you'll see options to match case and search for only whole words. Regrettably, there is no option to replace text in the mobile app.

The PowerPoint iPhone app's Find icon and feature.