How to Add Speaker Notes in Prezi: A Complete Guide
Yes, can we add speakers note in Prezi? The answer is a definitive yes. You can easily add, edit, and view speaker notes in Prezi Present to help you stay on track, maintain eye contact with your audience, and deliver a more confident presentation.
I have spent over a decade designing high-stakes presentations for CEOs and keynote speakers. One of the most common “panics” my clients have is forgetting their script during a complex, zooming Prezi transition. Using Prezi Speaker Notes is the professional way to ensure you never lose your place, even when the canvas is moving rapidly.
TL;DR: Quick Summary for Fast Users
- Availability: Speaker notes are available in Prezi Present for users with Standard, Plus, Premium, and Edu Plus plans.
- How to Add: Click the “Speaker Notes” icon (speech bubble) in the bottom toolbar of the editor while selecting a topic or subtopic.
- How to View: Open Presenter View (from the “Present” dropdown) to see your notes on a private window while your audience sees only the slides.
- Prezi Video: Notes also sync with Prezi Video, acting as a built-in teleprompter for recorded or live-streamed content.
Step-by-Step: Can We Add Speakers Note in Prezi?
Adding notes is a straightforward process, but it requires you to be in the Edit mode of Prezi Present. I recommend adding notes as you build each section to ensure the narrative flow matches your visuals.
Open the Speaker Notes Panel
In the Prezi Editor, navigate to the specific topic, subtopic, or frame where you want to add guidance. Look at the bottom toolbar of your screen. You will see a small speech bubble icon titled “Speaker Notes.” Click this to open a side panel on the right.
Enter Your Content
The panel allows you to type or paste text directly. While the formatting options are simpler than a standard Word document, you can use basic spacing to make the text readable.
- Pro Tip: I always use ALL CAPS for stage directions (e.g., “PAUSE HERE” or “CLICK FOR ANIMATION”) and sentence case for the actual script. This visual distinction helps you navigate the notes at a glance during a live talk.
Syncing with Topics and Subtopics
Unlike linear PowerPoint slides, Prezi notes are tied to specific path points. This means when you zoom into a subtopic, the notes panel will automatically refresh to show the text associated with that specific view.
How to Access the Presenter View
Once you have answered “can we add speakers note in Prezi” by filling your deck with content, you need to know how to see them without your audience seeing them. This is achieved through the Presenter View.
Launching the Two-Window Setup
- Click the arrow next to the “Present” button in the top right corner.
- Select “Presenter View.”
- A separate window will open. This window displays:
Using a Second Monitor or Projector
To use this effectively, you must extend your display (not mirror it). Drag the presentation window to the projector/big screen and keep the Presenter View on your laptop screen. I’ve found that this setup significantly reduces “presentation anxiety” because you have a constant safety net right in front of you.
Technical Comparison: Prezi vs. Competitors
When deciding can we add speakers note in Prezi versus other platforms, it is helpful to see how the features stack up.
| Feature | Prezi Present | Google Slides | Microsoft PowerPoint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Note Location | Side Panel (Contextual) | Bottom Bar | Bottom Bar |
| Presenter View | Yes (Separate Window) | Yes (Separate Window) | Yes (Integrated) |
| Teleprompter Mode | Yes (via Prezi Video) | No (Requires Plugin) | Yes (Office 365) |
| Markdown Support | Limited | No | No |
| Offline Access | Yes (Desktop App) | Yes (Offline Mode) | Yes |
Using Speaker Notes in Prezi Video
One of the most powerful ways we can add speakers note in Prezi is for virtual meetings on Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or Google Meet. When you use the Prezi Video desktop app, your notes appear as a transparent overlay on your screen.
The “Teleprompter” Advantage
Because the notes appear directly on your screen (and only you can see them), you can position them right under your webcam. I tell my students that this is the “secret sauce” of professional video conferencing. It allows you to read your script while appearing to maintain perfect eye contact with the camera lens.
Expert Tips for Better Speaker Notes
Writing notes is an art form. If you simply copy and paste a 2,000-word essay into the panel, you will struggle during the presentation.
Use “Trigger Phrases” instead of Full Sentences
Your brain can process a phrase like “Sales Growth 20%” much faster than “As you can see on this chart, our sales grew by twenty percent last year.” Use bold bullet points to guide your speech rather than reading a script verbatim.
Add Timing Cues
I suggest adding time markers in your notes (e.g., [05:00]) to help you manage your pace. If you look at your notes and see you are at the 5-minute mark but your timer says 7 minutes, you know you need to speed up the next section.
Account for the “Zoom”
Because Prezi is non-linear, your audience might feel motion sickness if you move too fast. Add notes like “Wait for zoom to finish” to remind yourself to pause for 1-2 seconds after a transition before you start speaking again.
Troubleshooting Common Note Issues
“I can’t find the Speaker Notes icon!”
If the icon is missing, you are likely using Prezi Classic (the older Flash-based version) or you have a Basic (Free) account. Speaker notes are a premium feature. Ensure you are using Prezi Present and that your subscription level supports it.
“The text is too small to read!”
In the Presenter View, there are “A+” and “A-“ buttons at the top of the notes section. Use these to increase the font size. Based on my experience, a larger font is always better—it allows you to stand a few feet away from your laptop and still see your cues clearly.
“Can I print my speaker notes?”
Currently, Prezi does not have a “Print Notes” button like PowerPoint. To get a hard copy, I recommend exporting your Prezi to a PDF. While this saves the slides, the notes usually require a manual copy-paste into a Google Doc if you need a printed script.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add speaker notes in the free version of Prezi?
No, the Speaker Notes feature is generally reserved for paid tiers (Standard and above). If you are on the “Basic” plan, you will need to upgrade or keep your notes in a separate document.
Will my audience see my notes if I share my screen?
Only if you share your entire desktop. To prevent this, only share the specific window containing the presentation, or use the Presenter View on a separate screen that you are not sharing.
Can I format the text in Prezi Speaker Notes?
Formatting is limited. You cannot use bold, italics, or different colors within the notes panel itself. However, you can use line breaks and bullet points (using a dash or asterisk) to organize your thoughts.
Do speaker notes work in Prezi Design?
No, Prezi Design (the tool for infographics and posters) does not support speaker notes. This feature is exclusive to Prezi Present and Prezi Video for presentation purposes.
