How to Highlight Words in PowerPoint

How to Highlight Words in PowerPoint Using Highlighter

Updated on:

May 25, 2026

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Use this interactive demo to learn how to highlight words in PowerPoint using the Draw tool.

Quick summary

PowerPoint's built-in Highlighter tool, found in the Draw tab, lets you highlight words directly on a slide without selecting text first. You can customize the brush size and highlight color before dragging across any word to apply the effect instantly.

Steps

Inside the slide canvas, go to the top menu bar and click 'Draw'.
Access the Pens Gallery in the ribbon and select 'Highlighter'.
Click the drop-down arrow below the Highlighter to configure it based on your preference.
Choose your preferred brush size and highlight color.
Place the cursor beside the word you want to highlight, then drag your mouse across it.
The selected word in your PowerPoint presentation will be highlighted accordingly.

📌 Why this matters

Highlighting words directly in PowerPoint using the Draw tab's Highlighter tool gives presenters a fast, flexible way to emphasize key content without relying on text formatting options. Unlike the standard text highlight color, the Draw Highlighter works like a freehand marker, letting users highlight any word or phrase on a slide with a custom color and brush size. This feature is especially valuable for educators, trainers, and business presenters who need to draw audience attention to specific slide content during live or recorded sessions. Mastering this built-in PowerPoint feature eliminates the need for third-party annotation tools and keeps slide design workflows entirely within Microsoft Office.

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