Use Poll Everywhere with PowerPoint (Windows)

Use the classic Poll Everywhere Presenter App (v1.0) on Windows to insert and present live activities in PowerPoint using your Chico State SSO. This guide covers installing the app, adding activities to slides, and presenting from a computer where the app is installed and signed in.

Quick Links: | Prerequisites | Instructions | Troubleshooting | Next Steps |

Introduction

Poll Everywhere lets you run live polls, Q&A, and activities directly inside your PowerPoint slides so students can respond from their phones or laptops. This guide shows instructors how to install the classic Poll Everywhere Presenter App for Windows (sometimes called v1.0) and insert activities into PowerPoint, then present them live. It is designed for classroom podium PCs and instructor laptops running Windows. This workflow does not use the newer Office 365 add-in.

Prerequisites

• A Windows computer with Microsoft PowerPoint installed.
• A Poll Everywhere account tied to your Chico State single sign-on (SSO).
• Network connectivity in the classroom or presentation space.
• The classic Poll Everywhere Presenter App for Windows (installed in this guide).
• Optional (for IT/Admins): If you deploy to managed devices, use the MSI from the Enterprise Install Guide.

Set up and present with the Poll Everywhere Presenter App (Windows)

There are several phases to use the classic Presenter App with PowerPoint. First, install and sign in. Next, insert activities into your deck. Finally, present from a computer that also has the app installed and signed in.

Phase 1: Download and install

To install the Poll Everywhere Presenter App on Windows, do the following:

1. Go to the Poll Everywhere Download Page and select Download for Windows.
2. Run the installer you downloaded (for example, polleverywhere.exe).
3. Open Poll Everywhere from your desktop or Start menu.
4. Sign in using your campus SSO credentials.

Phase 2: Insert polls into PowerPoint

To add your Poll Everywhere activities to a slide deck, do the following:

1. Open PowerPoint.
2. Select the Poll Everywhere tab on the ribbon.
3. Select Log In (if prompted) and authenticate with SSO.
4. Select Insert > Activity.
5. Choose an existing activity from your list, or create a new one, then select Insert Activity.
6. (Optional) Insert an Instructions Slide so students see how to join.

Tip: Inserted slides are placeholders while you’re editing. They will appear “live” only during slide show.

Phase 3: Presenting live

To present activities live during class, do the following:

1. On the presentation computer, ensure Poll Everywhere is installed and you are signed in.
2. Open your PowerPoint file.
3. Start your slide show using Slide Show > From Beginning (or press F5).
4. Advance to a Poll Everywhere slide. The slide will unlock and display the live chart as responses come in.

Troubleshooting

• Pre-class quick check:

  • Is the app installed on the computer you are presenting from?
  • Are you signed in to the Poll Everywhere app with SSO?
  • If PowerPoint shows a yellow security bar, select Enable Content so polls can load.

• Activities look static while editing:

  • This is expected. Slides become interactive only in slide show mode.

• Polls don’t load on the podium PC:

  • Confirm the Presenter App is running in the background and logged in with your account.

• Need managed installs or MSI:

  • Use the Enterprise Install Guide for the MSI-based deployment.

Next Steps (Optional)

• Support Guide: Installing Poll Everywhere for Windows

• Support Guide: Inserting Activities

• Support Guide: Presenting Activities