Two monitors, two presentations, one PowerPoint that only wants to show one
You have a second screen or a projector connected, and you want a different presentation running on each one. PowerPoint itself generally runs one slideshow at a time. PowerPoint Slideshow on Multi-monitor is a small Windows utility from Apinsoft that sends slideshows to the monitor numbers you choose. You can run several copies of it side by side.
Quick facts
- Platforms: Windows XP, 2003, Vista and 7, both 32-bit and 64-bit
- Formats: PPT, PPTS, PPTX and PPSX
- Needs: Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, 2007 or 2010, or PowerPoint Viewer 97, 2003, 2007 or 2010
Key features
Pick the monitor your slideshow plays on
You type in the monitor number. Enter 2 and the slideshow goes to your second monitor.
Use full PowerPoint or the free Viewer
You point the program at the PowerPoint executable on your system. For the Viewer that is PPTVIEW.EXE. For full PowerPoint it is POWERPNT.EXE. If PowerPoint isn't installed, the Viewer is enough.
Build a play file list
You add presentation files to a play list and run them one by one. You can also play a single slideshow from the list whenever you want.
Run several copies for several screens
You can open multiple instances at once, each aimed at a different monitor, so every screen shows its own presentation. The number of slideshows and monitors is limited only by your system resources.
How it works
- Set the monitor number you want to use.
- Select the PowerPoint or Viewer executable.
- Add your presentation files to the play list.
- Click Play All to start the slideshow on the chosen monitor.
Who it's for
It suits you if you run presentations at a booth, in a lobby or in a meeting room and need different content on each display. It also suits you if you simply want a slideshow pinned to the second screen without fiddling with PowerPoint's own settings.
Pros and cons
- Pro: Simple four-step workflow.
- Pro: Works with the free PowerPoint Viewer, so you don't need the full program.
- Pro: Several instances can run side by side.
- Con: It needs PowerPoint or the Viewer installed. It doesn't render slides itself.
- Con: Support is listed only up to PowerPoint 2010 and Windows 7.
FAQs
Do I need PowerPoint installed?
You need either PowerPoint or Microsoft's PowerPoint Viewer. The Viewer is enough.
Which file types can it play?
PPT, PPTS, PPTX and PPSX.
Can I show different presentations on different monitors?
Yes. Run one instance of the program per monitor and give each its own monitor number.
Does it run on 64-bit Windows?
Yes, both 32-bit and 64-bit editions are supported.
System requirements
Windows XP, 2003, Vista or 7, plus Microsoft PowerPoint 2003, 2007 or 2010, or PowerPoint Viewer 97, 2003, 2007 or 2010.