Exporting slides with speaker notes creates a version of your presentation that combines the visual slides with the accompanying text commentary typically meant for the presenter. This is distinct from exporting just the slide images themselves or a handout layout with blank lines. During the export process, software specifically looks for the notes pane content associated with each slide and integrates it below or beside the slide image in the output document.

This function is commonly used in software like Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote. For instance, a corporate trainer might export slides with notes to create a self-study guide for participants, placing the detailed explanations below each slide image. Academics often use this feature to generate lecture notes complete with visual aids for students to review, or to share their presentation narrative with colleagues who couldn't attend the talk.

The major advantage is having a single, consolidated reference document containing both visuals and detailed context. This is invaluable for asynchronous learning, review, or providing comprehensive materials. Key limitations can include potential formatting issues where complex slide designs or long notes might disrupt the output layout, and not all export formats (like basic image files) preserve notes. Always preview the exported file to ensure the notes display correctly before final distribution.