Recent Issues with PowerPoint Notes Section

Question

My PowerPoint recently started having issues with the notes section on slides. Frequently, I will try to type in the notes section, but PowerPoint will automatically click away. I have to either close the app or click into a new view to add notes. And if I'm able to change the view and add notes, a few minutes later it will be the same issue again.

Answer 1

Hi Nick,

Thanks for posting back.

For your concern, yes, you can delete the moved folder. If the issue happens again or you have any updates, please feel free and come back to share with us.

Regards,

George

Answer 2

Hi there,

Thanks for the help. Here are responses to your questions:

1. May I know if the issue happens when you type notes or it happens even you haven’t done anything? — It normally happens when I've gone back to editing the slide or maybe I switch between applications. It's almost like the app won't let me click in the notes area. I can see the curser in the notes section for a section and then it clicks away. Weirdly, I sometimes notice the same issue with the Find function. I'll be in a PowerPoint and try to use the Find function to get to a certain slide, and it won't let me type anything. I see the curser there for just a moment before it clicks away.
2. Does the issue exist in editing a specific presentation or also in other presentations? Please create a new presentation to test. — it happens in all presentations. It's just random. Sometimes I can get into the notes section and type what I need. Other times it won't let me. I usually have to click to a different view, such as Slide Sorter, and then click back into Normal to be able to get into the Notes section.
3. Does the issue (the application will automatically click away) exist in other applications, like typing notes in Excel? — I haven't noticed it in other apps

And per your suggestions, the app is updated, I checked the keyboard shortcuts, and moved the cache folder to the Desktop. I'm still seeing if moving the cache folder fixed it. What should I do with that folder on the Desktop now? Delete it?

Thanks!

Answer 3

Hi Nick,

I'm writing this reply to follow up on this thread, may I know if you have checked my reply? When you have time, you are welcome to come back and share any updates with us.

Regards,

George

Answer 4

Hi Nick,

Thanks for posting in the community.

According to your description, when you add speaker notes in the slides, PowerPoint will automatically click away from the Note section. If so, to better understand the situation, I would like to collect some information.

1. May I know if the issue happens when you type notes or it happens even you haven’t done anything?
2. Does the issue exist in editing a specific presentation or also in other presentations? Please create a new presentation to test.
3. Does the issue (the application will automatically click away) exist in other applications, like typing notes in Excel?

Also, here are the suggestions that may help you to troubleshoot the issue.

1. Please make sure your PowerPoint is the latest version.
2. If the issue happens when you type notes, please check the existing customized keyboard shortcut.
3. If the issue exists in other presentations, please try to move the cache folder to Desktop and check again

Close PowerPoint, use Finder, click Go> Go to, paste the path ~/Library/Containers/, move the folder Microsoft PowerPoint to Desktop, then reopen PowerPoint and test again

4. If the issue also exists in other applications, please try to set Mac into Safe Mode and check whether the issue is caused by the startup items.

When you have any updates, please feel free and come back to share with us.

Regards,

George