Using Poll Everywhere with Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows
Presenting with Poll Everywhere
Poll Everywhere (PE) can be used by opening it through Cardinal Apps or by adding it to PowerPoint. Using PE through Cardinal Apps is great for events where you want to engage the audience but do not plan to show a slide deck. However, when incorporating Poll Everywhere in a slide deck you will need Poll Everywhere installed on the computer you'll present from and must sign in with your UIW credentials within PowerPoint. This guide will walk you through using activities with PowerPoint and some troubleshooting considerations.
Before you begin...
-
This guide is intended for Windows, for macOS devices check out the following: Using Poll Everywhere with PowerPoint on macOS.
- Do not use the Poll Everywhere Add-in found within the ‘My Add-ins’ menu (Pictured below). This is a different version of the tool that is being retired and is not recommended for use.
Sign into Poll Everywhere through PowerPoint
Step 1
On the computer you'll present from, find the Poll Everywhere app. Poll Everywhere should be installed on all UIW-issued devices, including classroom computers. Open PowerPoint and look for the Poll Everywhere tab towards the top of the app.
If you cannot find the Poll Everywhere app, contact the UIW Help Desk to have it installed on your device. If you are able, you may install them through the links below.
Step 2
On the computer you'll present from, log into the Poll Everywhere app with your UIW credentials. To do this, within the Poll Everywhere tab in PowerPoint, use the 'Log In' button and follow the login prompts by using your UIW email credentials.
Step 3
No matter what type of computer you’re presenting from, Poll Everywhere with display the same steps (Pictured below) to log in. Enter your UIW email when prompted and continue through the prompts.
NOTICE: If you receive an error upon signing in, you might not have a Poll Everywhere account. Contact a Software Specialist at software@uiwtx.edu to request Poll Everywhere access.
Inserting activities and presenting
Step 4
Once you're logged into Poll Everywhere, you may insert activities into your slide deck from the Poll Everywhere app. Click on 'Insert' button within the Poll Everywhere tab, then choose 'Activity'
Next, insert activity slides into PowerPoint by selecting your activities within the Poll Everywhere area on your respective device and using the ‘Insert’ button.
Step 5
To use your activity during your presentation, switch to Slide Show/Presentation mode as usual to begin your presentation. You can do this three different ways:
- Press the F5 key on your keyboard.
- Select the Start From Beginning command on the Quick Access toolbar.
- Click the Play Slide Show command at the bottom of the PowerPoint window.
Tips
- You’ll need to login to the Poll Everywhere app on each computer you plan to present from. If you teach in multiple classrooms, it’s best practice to log into Poll Everywhere via PowerPoint before your first class taught in that space.
- An activity will remain locked and unavailable for response until you navigate to that slide during your presentation. Once you do, the live activity will be displayed and (by default) unlocked and ready to receive responses. Once you navigate away from the slide, the activity will be closed to further responses.
- You cannot use embed code collected from pollev.com to record responses in PowerPoint. Activities must be added through the Poll Everywhere app.
- PE slides can be re-arranged in your presentation after they’re inserted without breaking the activities.
- macOS users must keep the separate Poll Everywhere app open during their presentation for your activities to function properly and accept responses.
Troubleshooting and Fixes
Issue:
PowerPoint slide displays correctly but doesn’t show the live activity or allow responses.
Possible solutions:
- Make sure you’re in Slide Show/Presenter mode.
- Try deleting the current activity slide and using the Poll Everywhere area to insert the activity again.
- On a Windows device…
- Make sure you are logged into the Poll Everywhere tab in PowerPoint.
- On a macOS device…
- Make sure the Poll Everywhere application is open and running in the background.
Issue:
Slide doesn’t display correctly when in Slide Show/Presenter mode, Slide has static preview image only, or the activity is offset/running off the screen.
Possible solutions:
Issue:
Poll Everywhere works on a personal device but not a classroom/meeting room computer
Possible solutions:
- Make sure Poll Everywhere is installed on that computer.
- You can check by logging into the computer > repeating Step 1 in this guide to find the Poll Everywhere tab within PowerPoint.
Issue:
“I adjusted my display resolution, but the activity slide is still wonky and doesn’t display properly.”
Possible solutions:
If you have a different issue with Poll Everywhere or you cannot resolve the problem, consider the following support options: