Day 1 setup

From purchase to first shortcut.

Five steps, ~3 minutes start to finish. Pick your platform below.

Find your license email

Right after checkout you'll get an email from keys@slideshortcuts.com. If you don't see it within 2 minutes, check spam — corporate Outlook is the most common offender. Reply to support@slideshortcuts.com if it's still missing.

Your license key is in the dark navy box near the top. Keep this email — you'll need the key for activation.

Download & run the installer

Click the Windows installer link in the email. Right-click the downloaded install_slideshortcuts.bat → Run as administrator. The installer copies the add-in into PowerPoint's startup folder and registers it.

Click the Mac installer link in the email. Double-click SlideShortcuts.pkg. The macOS Installer wizard launches — click Continue through the screens, then Install, and enter your Mac password when prompted.

The installer will also set up Hammerspoon (a free helper app — required for Mac shortcuts). This adds about 30 seconds.

Grant permissions

PowerPoint may ask you to enable macros on first launch — click Enable Content. If you see "Macros disabled" in the message bar, go to File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings → Macro Settings and select Disable all macros with notification. Restart PowerPoint.

macOS will open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility. Toggle Hammerspoon on. This is what lets keyboard shortcuts work — without it, nothing fires.

PowerPoint will also prompt for Automation permission the first time you trigger a shortcut. Click OK to allow.

Activate with your license key

Open PowerPoint. The SlideShortcuts activation dialog appears (if it doesn't, look for the SlideShortcuts ribbon tab and click Activate). Paste the license key from your email. Done — shortcuts are live in every presentation you open.

Test it

Open any PowerPoint file. Press the QuickKeys reference card shortcut:

CtrlAltQ on Windows.

CmdOptionQ on Mac.

If the reference card appears, you're all set. Try CtrlAltCCmdOptionC on a selected shape — it should center on the slide.

Common gotcha: If shortcuts don't fire after activation, restart PowerPoint completely (close all windows, then reopen). The keyboard hook only loads on a fresh PowerPoint launch.If shortcuts don't fire after granting Accessibility permission, restart Hammerspoon (click the hammer icon in your menu bar → Reload Config). The permission grant is sticky once you've done it once.
Working on a corporate laptop? Some IT setups block macro execution or restrict app installs. If the installer fails or shortcuts don't fire, email support@slideshortcuts.com with your error and we'll work through your IT requirements together. We've handled it for big-firm customers many times.
Watch the demos See all 50+ shortcuts

Stuck? support@slideshortcuts.com