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  • Proven Guide on How to Turn PowerPoint into Notes | 4 Methods

Proven Guide on How to Turn PowerPoint into Notes | 4 Methods

  • By Steven
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  • Updated on November 20, 2025
Introduction:
Using PowerPoint presentations is an effective way to deliver information visually. However, they are not always perfect for studying or reviewing. Compared to notes, slides often contain key points rather than full explanations, making it hard to revisit the content later without additional context. In that case, converting PowerPoint into notes is necessary. Keep reading to learn how to turn PowerPoint into notes with different methods.
summary

There are multiple benefits of converting PowerPoint slides into notes, such as better comprehension, improved retention, cleaner review materials, easier sharing, and better printing. Whether you are a student preparing for exams, a teacher creating study guides, or a professional summarizing meeting decks, you can read the following content to master how to convert PowerPoint into notes through multiple methods, including using Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, or even PDF tools (like SwifDoo PDF). Let’s check them one by one.

Method 1. Turn PowerPoint into Notes via Note Page View

The first method you can try is to use PowerPoint’s built-in Notes Page view. If you want neat, structured note pages with slide previews, this method is worth a try.

Step 1: Locate and open your PowerPoint presentation file on your PC.

Step 2: Click the View option from the top menu bar and select Note Page. Then, each slide shows at the top with a large blank area beneath it for writing notes.

Go to View and click the Notes Page option in Microsoft PowerPoint

Step 3: Click inside the notes area to type additional information or references.

Step 4: Click File and select Print. Open the dropdown under Slides and click the Note Pages option.

Click the Print option and select the Notes Pages option in Microsoft PowerPoint

Step 5: Finally, you can set the Printer to “Microsoft Print to PDF” to save the notes as a PDF or choose a real printer to print the notes on paper.

Method 2. Turn PowerPoint into Notes by Exporting Slides with Notes to Word

Instead of exporting notes as a PDF, some of you prefer to convert the PowerPoint to a flexible, editable Word file. Meanwhile, if you prefer typing notes in Word rather than editing them in PowerPoint, try this method to export slides with notes to Word.

Step 1: Open your presentation, then go to File and select the Export option.

Step 2: Click the Create Handouts option and click the Create Handouts button under the Create Handouts in Microsoft Word section.

Click Export and click the Create Handouts option in Microsoft PowerPoint

Step 3: Select a layout. Here are 5 options for you:

  • Notes next to slides
  • Blank lines next to slides (ideal for reviewing)
  • Notes below slides
  • Blank lines below slides
  • Outline only

Select a page layout for the slides with notes in Microsoft PowerPoint

Step 4: Finally, click OK. Then, PowerPoint will create a Word file with your slides and notes in a structured layout. Once created, the Word file will open automatically. You can edit text, add comments, or print the notes as a study guide.

Method 3. Turn PowerPoint into Notes via Printing Notes Pages to PDF

You can also use Method 3 to export notes as a PDF. It is quite easy.

Step 1: Open your presentation in Microsoft PowerPoint, click File, and select the Save As option.

Step 2: Select a folder to save the upcoming PDF file and set PDF as the export format.

Step 3: Click the Options button. Under Publish What, open the dropdown to choose Notes Pages, and click OK to save the changes.

Save the PowerPoint as a PDF file and click Options to choose the Notes pages option in Microsoft PowerPoint

Step 4: At last, click the Save button.

Method 4. Turn PowerPoint into Notes AI

Are you seeking an AI-powered method to turn PowerPoint into notes effortlessly? If so, consider SwifDoo PDF, an AI-powered PDF editor. Its SwifDoo AI feature enables you to summarize, translate, rewrite, proofread, explain, and analyze PDFs with ease. With its AI feature, you can extract key points from the PowerPoint presentations.

Additionally, as a PDF converter and editor, SwifDoo PDF lets you convert PowerPoint files to PDF and add notes manually. Here, let’s learn how to turn PowerPoint into Notes with the AI feature. Before getting started, you need to save PowerPoint as a PDF with notes in advance.

Step 1: Click the button below to download and install SwifDoo PDF on your PC. Then launch it to get to its main UI.

Step 2: Click Open to import your presentation PDF file into SwifDoo PDF. If you don’t export a PowerPoint file as a PDF, go to Convert, select Office to PDF to import your PowerPoint file, and click Start to turn the file into a PDF. Then, the PDF file will automatically open in SwifDoo PDF.

Step 3: Hit the SwifDoo AI option under the Home tab. Select the Summarize option, then paste the text from the presentation into the box. Then, press Enter to activate the summarize process. Then, you can get the key information from this PowerPoint file.

Click the SwifDoo AI option under the Home tab and select the Summarize option to summarize the PDF in SwifDoo PDF

Alternatively, you can use the annotation features to add notes to the PDF file. Then, save the file.

Go to Annotate and click Note to add notes for the presentation PDF file in SwifDoo PDF

Conclusion

How to turn PowerPoint into notes? The above shows 4 effective methods, including via Note Page view, exporting slides to Word, printing notes pages as PDF, or using AI-powered SwifDoo PDF. Whether you choose which method, there is one that fits your workflow. By transforming a PowerPoint file into a clean, structured set of notes, you can make reviewing easier and retain information effectively. Now it’s your turn to choose one method and give it a try.

FAQs

  • Q: Can ChatGPT turn a PowerPoint into notes?
    Yes, ChatGPT can help turn a PowerPoint presentation into notes by summarizing its content into concise and readable bullet points. However, this feature of uploading a PPTX file for summarizing is only available in its paid plan, but not in its free version.
  • Q: How to convert PowerPoint to PDF and keep notes?
    It is quite easy to convert a PowerPoint presentation to a PDF with notes. Go to File > Save As to choose a folder to save the file. Then click Options and open the list under “Publish what” to choose Notes pages. Finally, click OK and Save.
  • Q: How to convert PPT to OneNote?

    1. Open your PowerPoint presentation file.

    2. Click File and select Print.

    3. Open the Printer dropdown and choose the Send to OneNote option.

    4. Personalize other print settings and click Print.

Steven is a dedicated contributor at Swifdoo.com. He possesses a deep understanding of various technology domains, including PDF software, program components, and video recording software technologies. He is committed to providing you with the latest insights and solutions to technology-related issues.

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