> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sendspark.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to record in PowerPoint in full screen

> Learn how to record PowerPoint presentations in full screen mode by hiding thumbnails and configuring ribbon settings properly.

To record a PowerPoint presentation in full screen, hide the slide thumbnails on the left, then open the ribbon drop-down menu and enable "Single Line Ribbon" and "Automatically Hide." This clears the interface so your slides fill the screen while you record. You only need a free Microsoft account, not a paid subscription.

## Key takeaways

* You do **not** need a paid Microsoft subscription — a free Microsoft account with OneDrive access is enough to use this version of PowerPoint.
* **Hide the image thumbnails** on the left side to clear space.
* Open the ribbon drop-down (arrow in the right-hand corner) and enable **"Single Line Ribbon"** and **"Automatically Hide"** to maximize your slide area.
* To record yourself over PowerPoint in full screen, use the [Sendspark Desktop Recorder](/record-over-powerpoint-pdfs-applications) — the Chrome Extension can't record outside the browser.

Note that you do not need an active subscription to Microsoft in order to access PowerPoint. You simply need a free Microsoft account and log into OneDrive to access this PowerPoint version.

1. Start by hiding the image thumbnails on the left:

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sendspark/s5dU4v067XiRwp4W/images/8444340/24d28129-image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=s5dU4v067XiRwp4W&q=85&s=210764af5c9f20714c6492dbe7a1510d" alt="PowerPoint - Hide Thumbnail" width="1916" height="885" data-path="images/8444340/24d28129-image.png" />

2. Click on the arrow in the right-hand corner to deploy the drop-down menu. Once there, check the "Single Line Ribbon" and the "Automatically Hide"

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sendspark/s5dU4v067XiRwp4W/images/8444340/13729ba8-image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=s5dU4v067XiRwp4W&q=85&s=135fcb0626ead0e6c3ca086d35f4f4c2" alt="PowerPoint - Ribbon Layout and Show Ribbon" width="1920" height="885" data-path="images/8444340/13729ba8-image.png" />

3. You are now ready to record!

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sendspark/s5dU4v067XiRwp4W/images/8444340/82d2ba5e-image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=s5dU4v067XiRwp4W&q=85&s=0ac29bf95542a0e2dcae5664ef7f7a02" alt="PowerPoint - Ready to record" width="1920" height="987" data-path="images/8444340/82d2ba5e-image.png" />

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Do I need a paid Microsoft subscription to record in PowerPoint?">
    No. You only need a free Microsoft account and can log into OneDrive to access this version of PowerPoint.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I hide the PowerPoint interface so slides fill the screen?">
    Hide the image thumbnails on the left, then open the ribbon drop-down using the arrow in the right-hand corner and turn on both "Single Line Ribbon" and "Automatically Hide."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I record myself over PowerPoint with the Chrome Extension?">
    No. The Chrome Extension restricts your camera bubble to the Chrome browser, so it can't record over PowerPoint. Use the [Sendspark Desktop Recorder](/record-over-powerpoint-pdfs-applications) to record over PowerPoint, PDFs, and other applications in full screen.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

*Updated July 2026.*