Touch or Mouse Mode in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows

Look closely at the interface within PowerPoint 2016 for Windows, particularly the Customize Quick Access Toolbar drop-down menu, as shown in Figure 1, below, and you'll find the Touch/Mouse Mode option, highlighted in red within Figure 1. Essentially, this option is a toggle button that alternates between touch and mouse modes.

Figure 1: Touch/Mouse Mode option

Touch and Mouse Modes

So how are Touch and Mouse modes different? Let us understand them better:

• Touch mode is the default mode when using PowerPoint on a touch device such as the Microsoft Surface or other tablets, and lets you use the program even without a mouse.
• Mouse mode is the default mode for PowerPoint 2016 when working on a non-touch enabled desktop or laptop.

Why Can You Use Touch Mode on a Non-Touch Device?

Here’s the big question: Why on earth can you switch to Touch mode when your device doesn’t even have a touchscreen? If you're working on a desktop computer, what’s the point of Touch mode?

Well, the answer is simpler than you think! Touch mode isn’t just for tapping on a touchscreen. It’s also great for making everything bigger and more spaced out—like buttons, menus, and icons—so it’s easier to click with a mouse. Think of it as giving your desktop a little extra breathing room for your clicks.

Take a look at Figure 2, below. It shows the PowerPoint 2016 interface with Mouse mode turned on. This screenshot was taken on a non-touch device—no swiping or tapping here, just good old-fashioned mouse clicks!

Figure 2: PowerPoint 2016 interface with Mouse mode active

Now, take a look at Figure 3, below. This time, PowerPoint 2016 is in Touch mode. See how the Ribbon and Quick Access Toolbar are bigger? Plus, there’s extra space around the buttons and commands, making it super easy to tap them.

Notice something else? The placeholder on the slide says Tap to add title—compared to Click to add title visible in Figure 2, above. But don’t worry—if you’re using a mouse, you can still just click and start typing like usual. Touch mode is flexible like that!

Figure 3: PowerPoint 2016 interface with Touch mode active

Here’s a neat perk: Even on devices without Touch-enabled hardware, turning on Touch mode makes all the buttons and options bigger. And guess what? That can be a game-changer for accessibility. Larger buttons and more spaced-out option are easier to see and click, making life a little simpler for everyone.

Turn On Touch Mode in PowerPoint 2016

Want to enable Touch Mode? It’s super easy!

1. Look for the little down-arrow at the far-right end of the Quick Access Toolbar, highlighted in red within Figure 4, below.
2. 
   Figure 4: Quick Access toolbar
2. Click that arrow, and a menu will drop down. This is the same Customize Quick Access Toolbar menu; you saw earlier in Figure 1.
3. From the menu, choose Touch/Mouse Mode. You’re all set!

Enabling Touch Mode

The steps explained in the preceding section add the Touch/Mouse Mode button to the Quick Access toolbar, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5, below. Clicking this button brings up a drop-down menu with Mouse and Touch options, shown highlighted in blue within Figure 5.

Figure 5: Touch/Mouse Mode button added to the Quick Access toolbar

Now, you can switch the interface between Touch and Mouse mode.