We’ve all been there. You’re in a Teams meeting with a client or your legal team, and the slides are going fine…until they’re not. One person is talking, another is running the presentation, and suddenly you’re in that awkward “next slide, please” loop.
It breaks the rhythm, slows down the conversation, and makes your firm look less polished than it actually is.
Thankfully, Microsoft has finally addressed this small but frustrating issue with a surprisingly powerful update: Slide Control in PowerPoint Live.
Let’s break it down.
What’s Been the Problem?
Meetings at law firms are often collaborative. You might have a partner leading the legal strategy, an associate outlining case timelines, and a finance team member explaining billing structures – all in one slide deck.
But until now, only the person who shared the presentation could control it. If someone else was speaking, they had to rely on cues like:
“Can you go back one?”
“Wait, not that slide.”
“Can you scroll forward a few?”
It’s inefficient and disruptive, especially when you’re trying to project professionalism to a client or keep your internal team engaged.
The Fix: Teams Adds Slide Control
Microsoft Teams now includes a feature called Slide Control, which gives other meeting participants the ability to move through PowerPoint slides during a presentation. If someone shares a deck using PowerPoint Live, anyone else in the meeting will see a “Take control” button. Click it, and you’re driving the presentation from that point forward.
The original presenter can still take back control at any time, so you’re not handing over the whole show permanently. But it means multiple people can navigate the presentation seamlessly, without those awkward handoffs.
You can see the feature update yourself on Microsoft’s roadmap here, and other tech outlets like TechRadar are calling it long overdue.
Why It Matters for Your Firm
This change might seem minor on paper, but in practice, it’s a big win for law firms. Here’s why:
Collaborative Presentations Run Smoother
Legal presentations are rarely one-person shows. With Slide Control, each speaker can advance their own section without stopping the conversation to ask for help.
You Look More Polished to Clients
Presenting in front of clients? You only get one chance to make a confident impression. This feature helps your team stay in sync and maintain flow. No more clunky transitions.
Internal Meetings Stay on Track
From training new hires to reviewing cases, your internal meetings benefit from better collaboration. Multiple people can guide the discussion without delay or confusion.
Supports Remote and Hybrid Teams
Whether you’re in the office or joining from home, Slide Control lets everyone participate more actively in the conversation. It’s a small step toward more inclusive and flexible teamwork.
Less Wasted Time, More Focused Discussions
Every second spent saying “next slide” adds up. With Slide Control, your meetings are tighter, more productive, and easier to stay engaged in.
So, What Should You Do?
If your firm is already using Microsoft Teams and PowerPoint Live, this update is ready to go. Just start using it in your next meeting and let your team know how it works. If you’re not sure whether your setup is optimized (or if you’re still using screen sharing for slide decks) it might be time to revisit how you’re using Teams overall.
This feature is one of many small enhancements Microsoft keeps rolling out that, when added up, can make a noticeable difference in your daily workflow. It’s a great reminder that tech should make your life easier instead of adding more friction.
And if your meetings still feel clunky, maybe it’s not the people, it’s the tools. Ready to fix that?