Set Action Return to Previous Slide? Explained

Yes, “Set Action Return to Previous Slide” is a PowerPoint feature that makes a selected object (like a button, image, or text) act as a link that jumps back to the slide you were on before the current one. You add it via the Insert > Action or Insert > Link menu, and it is especially useful for interactive presentations, quizzes, or navigation menus where you want to let viewers go back without using the keyboard or mouse buttons.

What Does “Return to Previous Slide” Actually Do?

In PowerPoint, the “Return to Previous Slide” action is a special kind of hyperlink that remembers the last slide you viewed and jumps back to it when clicked. Unlike a regular hyperlink that always goes to a fixed slide, this one is dynamic: it tracks your navigation history within the current slideshow session. For example, if you are on slide 5 and click a button that goes to slide 12, then click the “Return” button on slide 12, PowerPoint will take you back to slide 5—not to slide 11, not to the beginning, but exactly to the slide you came from.

This behavior is built into PowerPoint for Windows and Mac, and it also works in PowerPoint for the web (with some limitations). The action is stored with the object, so it survives saving and reopening the file. It only works in Slide Show mode; in the editing view, clicking the object does nothing.

How to Add the Action (Step-by-Step)

Adding the action takes less than a minute. Here is the standard method for PowerPoint 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365:

1. Select the object (text box, shape, picture, or icon) that you want to be clickable.
2. Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Links group, click Action (or Action button in the Link drop-down on Mac).
4. In the dialog box that opens, go to the Mouse Click tab (or Click on Mac).
5. Select the radio button next to Hyperlink to:.
6. From the drop-down list, choose Return to Previous Slide.
7. Click OK.

You can also use the Mouse Over tab to trigger the action when the pointer hovers over the object—useful for self-running kiosks. The action works the same way, but it fires on hover instead of click.

When to Use This Feature (and When Not To)

The “Return to Previous Slide” action shines in non-linear presentations where you jump around. Common use cases include:

• Quizzes and training modules: A question slide links to an answer slide; the “Back” button returns to the question.
• Menu-driven presentations: A main menu links to sections; a “Back to Menu” button returns to the menu, but if you entered from a different slide, it returns to that slide instead.
• Interactive tables of contents: Clicking a topic jumps to that slide; a “Back” button returns to the TOC.
• Appendix or reference slides: A link goes to a detailed chart, and the “Back” button returns to the slide that referenced it.

However, it is not the same as a simple “Back” button that always goes to the previous slide in sequence. If you want a fixed back arrow that always goes to slide 3, use a regular hyperlink to slide 3 instead. The “Return to Previous Slide” action is dynamic—it depends on where the viewer came from.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Users often run into a few issues with this feature. Here are the most frequent ones and their solutions:

• The action does nothing in Slide Show. Make sure you are in Slide Show mode (press F5 or click the Slide Show button). In editing view, actions are disabled. Also check that the object is not covered by another shape—right-click and choose Bring to Front if needed.
• The button works but goes to the wrong slide. That is expected: the action goes to the last viewed slide, not the previous one in sequence. If you want a fixed destination, use a regular hyperlink.
• The action is missing in the drop-down. In some older PowerPoint versions, the option is labeled “Last Slide Viewed” instead of “Return to Previous Slide.” Both do the same thing.
• It works in PowerPoint but not in a PDF export. Actions are not preserved when you export to PDF. You need to keep the file in PPTX format for interactivity.
• On Mac, the Action dialog looks different. The Mac version has a simpler dialog, but the option is still under Hyperlink to > Return to Previous Slide.

Comparison: Action vs. Hyperlink vs. Zoom

PowerPoint offers several ways to navigate, and it is easy to confuse them. Here is a quick comparison:

• Insert > Link (Hyperlink): You can link to a specific slide, a web page, or an email. The destination is fixed. Good for a table of contents.
• Insert > Action (Hyperlink to: Return to Previous Slide): The destination is dynamic—it goes to the last slide you were on. Good for back buttons.
• Insert > Zoom (Summary Zoom / Section Zoom): Creates a visual thumbnail that jumps to a section, and you can enable “Return to Zoom” on the zoom object. This is a more visual alternative, but it only works with the Zoom feature, not with arbitrary objects.

In practice, you might combine them: use a hyperlink for the main menu, and use “Return to Previous Slide” for a back button on content slides.

Tips for Effective Interactive Presentations

To make the most of the “Return to Previous Slide” action, follow these best practices:

• Always add a visible label: A button that just says “Back” is clear. Avoid using the action on an image with no text—users may not realize it is clickable.
• Consistent placement: Put the back button in the same corner on every slide so viewers know where to look.
• Test in Slide Show: Run through the presentation and click every button to ensure the navigation works as intended.
• Use the Mouse Over tab sparingly: Hover-triggered actions can be annoying if the pointer accidentally crosses the button. Reserve it for kiosk-style presentations.
• Combine with keyboard shortcuts: Remind users that they can also press the Backspace key (or Left Arrow) to go to the previous slide, but that goes to the previous slide in sequence, not the last viewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does “Return to Previous Slide” work in PowerPoint Online?

Yes, but with a catch: the action is preserved when you open the file in PowerPoint for the web, and it works in Slide Show mode. However, you cannot add the action in the web version—you must add it in the desktop app. The web version only plays it.

Can I use this action on a video or audio clip?

No. The Action feature is only available for shapes, pictures, text boxes, and similar objects. You cannot assign an action to a video or audio file. Instead, you can place a transparent shape over the media and assign the action to that shape.

What is the difference between “Return to Previous Slide” and “Last Slide Viewed”?

They are the same feature. In newer versions of PowerPoint, the option is labeled “Return to Previous Slide.” In older versions (like PowerPoint 2010), it was called “Last Slide Viewed.” Both do exactly the same thing: they jump to the slide you were on before the current one.

Why does my back button sometimes skip a slide?

That happens because the action remembers the last slide you visited, not the previous slide in the deck. If you jump from slide 2 to slide 10, the “back” button on slide 10 goes to slide 2, not slide 9. If you want a linear back button, use a regular hyperlink to the previous slide number.

Can I set the action to return to a specific slide, not the previous one?

Yes. Instead of choosing “Return to Previous Slide,” choose “Slide…” from the same drop-down and then pick the slide you want. That creates a fixed hyperlink that always goes to that slide, regardless of where the viewer came from.

Will the action work if I convert the presentation to Google Slides?

No. Google Slides does not support PowerPoint’s Action feature. When you import a PPTX file, the action is ignored. You would need to recreate the navigation using Google Slides’ link feature, which only supports fixed destinations.

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