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In Windows it is possible to switch between and work with open applications when PowerPoint is open in presenter view. In this mode, the audience sees only the PowerPoint presentation, while you use the other applications.

So the presenter is viewing the presentation via the MacBook and the audience sees it on a projector.

This does not seem possible othe Mac. Does anyone know how this can be achieved?

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Is this on a multiple monitor setup? I do not recall any instances of not seeing when the presenter switches to other applications when also using PowerPoint (in Windows and Mac). The only thing that would make this possible (and that I have seen) is if you had multiple monitors setup as an extended desktop. – Christian Correa Oct 3 '11 at 20:31
@ChristianCorrea - try that as an answer? (I'd upvote.) I was about to say the same thing; system prefs, hardware, displays and turn off mirroring. – DanBeale Oct 3 '11 at 22:01
@ChristianCorrea, one monitor for the presenter (on MacBook) plus projector for audience. – Wikis Oct 4 '11 at 4:19
I too am having the same problem. With my PC laptop I can run multiple programs at the same time and view different ones while my students only see my powerpoint program. I started to switch to using a macbook pro and quickly went back to using my windows laptop because of this. There is no way to have powerpoint work on a mac like it does on a PC. This really stinks and it made me move away from going to a macbook. – Kevin May 1 at 16:17

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Per @DanBeale's suggestion: The way I have seen a presenter switch to an application away from PowerPoint without being displayed on the presentation video output is to do it on a separate screen when you extend your desktop via a projector. This is the same behavior you see on a MacBook when you extend your desktop via an external monitor.

In other words, I do not think that what you are looking for is a PowerPoint feature per se. This behavior should be similar in Windows as well.

For example: Whenever I attach my MacBook to an external video source, say a Vizio television, I typically end up using Apple's mini-DVI to VGA adapter. Using the MacBook's video output port brings up additional options in the Display settings in System Preferences. If I choose to extend my desktop rather than mirror it, then I can use the Vizio television to display anything I want (PowerPoint, Keynote, Hulu over Safari, etc). As I do this, the MacBook's own screen remains free for me to use any way I see fit. This screen is not shown via the television.

You can achieve the same results using a projector rather than a television. Hope this helps.

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When using extended desktops and PowerPoint, presenter mode uses both monitors in full screen, therefore any switch will trigger PowerPoint to close. I have the same issue with doing presentations, and it is a painful experience. Your solution only works if not using the Presenter View, and only having PowerPoint running on the external display, which does not allow you to use Presenter View. – Diago Oct 4 '11 at 6:46
@Diago is correct, this was not what I'm looking for because I'm specifically using presenter view. – Wikis Oct 4 '11 at 18:59
up vote 0 down vote

If you follow this tutorial it will show you how to mirror the displays which is not what you want. Since you don't want them mirrored then just uncheck the box. I hope this helps.

http://www.usingmac.com/2008/6/19/setting-mirror-display-for-your-mac

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Thanks, but the issue is that on Windows I can run other applications simultaneously but on a Mac it quits the presentation. I don't think your suggestion helps, please correct me if I'm wrong. – Wikis Jan 8 '12 at 19:25
It should not quit the presentation it their any way for you to test it on you machine because I do it all the time. I drag my PowerPoint window to the new display and then I press play. It should just play on that external display. – BDGapps Jan 8 '12 at 22:41

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