powerpoint autostart presentation

• Start the presentation and see your notes in Presenter view Article
• Add speaker notes to your slides Article
• Rehearse and time the delivery of a presentation Article
• Record a slide show with narration and slide timings Article
• Print your PowerPoint slides, handouts, or notes Article
• Create a self-running presentation Article

Create a self-running presentation

You can use a self-running presentation to run unattended in a booth or kiosk at a trade show or convention, or you can save it as a video and send it to a client.

On the Slide Show tab, click Set Up Slide Show .

Under Show type , pick one of the following:

To allow the people watching your slide show to have control over when they advance the slides, select Presented by a speaker (full screen) .

To present your slide show in a window, where control over advancing the slides is not available to the people watching, select Browsed by an individual (window) .

To loop your slide show until the people watching press Esc, select Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) .

Rehearse and record slide timings

When you choose the following show types: Presented by a speaker (full screen) and Browsed at a kiosk (full screen), you’ll want to rehearse and record timings for effects and slides.

On the Slide Show tab, click Rehearse Timings .

Note:  The presentation timer begins immediately when you click Rehearse Timings .

The Rehearsal toolbar appears and the Slide Time box begins timing the presentation.

Figure: The Rehearsal toolbar

While timing your presentation, you can do one or more of the following on the Rehearsal toolbar:

To move to the next slide, click Next .

To temporarily stop recording the time, click Pause .

To restart recording the time after pausing, click Pause .

To set an exact length of time for a slide to appear, type the length of time in the Slide Time box.

To restart recording the time for the current slide, click Repeat .

After you set the time for the last slide, a message box displays the total time for the presentation and prompts you to do one of the following:

To keep the recorded slide timings, click Yes .

To discard the recorded slide timings, click No .

Slide Sorter view appears and displays the time of each slide in your presentation.

Add narration or sound

To record a narration, your computer requires a sound card and a microphone, and a microphone connector if the microphone is not a part of your computer.

On the Slide Show tab, in the Set Up group, click the arrow on the Record Slide Show button.

Select one of the following:

Start Recording from Beginning

Start Recording from Current Slide

In the Record Slide Show dialog box, select the Narrations and laser pointer check box, and if appropriate, select or deselect the Slide and animation timings check box.

Click Start Recording .

To pause the narration, in the Recording shortcut menu in Slide Show view, click Pause . And to resume your narration, click Resume Recording .

To end your slide show recording, right-click the slide, and then click End Show .

The recorded slide show timings are automatically saved and the slide show appears in Slide Sorter view with timings beneath each slide.

You can record a narration before you run a presentation, or you can record it during the presentation and include audience comments. If you do not want narration throughout your entire presentation, you can record separate sounds or comments on selected slides or objects. For more details, see Record a slide show with narration and slide timings .

To present your slide show in a window, where control over advancing the slides is available to the people watching, select Browsed by an individual (window) .

Note:  Selecting this option automatically selects the Loop continuously until 'Esc" check box and causes your slide show to run in a loop.

Set up slide transitions

If you want a slide show to run automatically at a kiosk, you can control when and how the slides advance. To do this, you can apply the same transition to all slides in the presentation and set the transition to automatically advance after a certain time interval.

On the Transitions tab, click the transition that you want.

Do the following on the Transitions tab:

To set the amount of time that each slide is displayed, select After and enter the number of seconds you want.

To set the duration of each transition between slides, enter the amount of time in the Duration box.

Click Apply to All .

Export a presentation to video

You can export a presentation as a movie file. See Save a presentation as a movie file for more details.

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How to Use Autoplay in a PowerPoint Presentation

So you can snooze off more easier

When you must give a presentation at work, Microsoft PowerPoint is the standard tool most people use. However, without some creativity, PowerPoint presentations can end up dull. Learning how to autoplay PowerPoint slides can add some spice to your presentations.

In this article, you’ll learn how to autoplay content in PowerPoint slides. You can automatically play an embedded video when a slide appears or autoplay animations. Finally, you can create a self-running presentation that moves through the next slide using specific timing that you’ve set up and even loop the presentation for continuous play.

Note : The following tips will work on PowerPoint, whether running on a Windows or a Mac computer.

How to Create a Self-Running PowerPoint Presentation

Why create a self-running PowerPoint presentation? You may not want to get distracted by clicking to move your presentation to the next slide. Or you’d like to set up your presentation on a kiosk at a convention. Some presentations that can run themselves may not even need a speaker.

Set Up the Slide Show

By default, PowerPoint presentations are configured to run as “Presented by a speaker”, where you have to click through each slide to trigger transitions throughout the presentation.

To set up Autoplay, first configure the presentation to autoplay how you would like.

• Select Slide Show tab from the menu, then select Set Up Slide Show from the ribbon.

• Use the options on the pop-up window to configure how your presentation will behave during autoplay.

Here’s how each option works:

• Presented by a speaker : The speaker must click through each slide using the mouse click. However, automatic slide timing is still an option if you select it on the right.
• Browsed by an individual : The viewer will need to press Play to start the presentation, but after that, it’ll play on its own.
• Browsed at a kiosk : This option will continue to loop through the presentation until you press the Esc key on the keyboard. This will automatically enable the Loop Continuously option at the bottom of the window.

Rehearse and Set Slide Times

The next step is to set up the slide timing and rehearse your presentation to ensure the time spent automatically on each slide is appropriate.

Using this rehearsal option is also a great way to practice your presentation and ensure that the overall runtime is within your limitations.

To do this:

• Select Slide Show from the menu and choose Rehearse Timings from the ribbon.

• This will start the “Recording” session. In this mode, you’ll need to speak normally using the script you will use during your presentation. When done speaking on a specific slide, select the “Next” arrow to continue to the next slide.

Note : Use the “Pause” button to pause the time for the current slide if you need to collect your thoughts or take a break for any reason. This small window will also show you the overall time for your entire presentation.

• Continue to do this through all of the slides. Finally, press the “x” at the upper right corner to finish recording on the last slide. You’ll see a pop-up message asking if you’d like to save your new slide timings.

Once you’ve saved these changes, your PowerPoint presentation is ready to use. If you’ve kept the default Presented by a speaker setting and enabled the Using timings, if present select under “Advance Slides,” you can start your presentation manually and then let slides advance automatically as you speak.

Record Slide Show (Fully Automated)

If you want to create a fully self-running presentation for a kiosk or send people to run themselves, select the correct option in the “Set Up Show” window described above.

Then, record your presentation by selecting Slide Show from the menu and selecting Record in the ribbon. Next, select From Beginning in the drop-down menu to start recording your presentation in full screen from the first slide.

You can skip this step if you don’t want to record your voice narrating the slideshow. Just make sure you’ve enabled the Show without narration check box in the Set Up Show window.

How to Embed and Autoplay a Video

Another thing you can automate in your PowerPoint presentations is triggering an embedded video file when you click on the slide where you’ve placed it.

In the editing view, right click the video you want to automate and select the down arrow to the right of the Start button.

Select Automatically from the dropdown menu.

Save the PowerPoint presentation. Now, it’ll start playing automatically when you advance to the slide with your embedded video while in presenter view.

Should You Use a Self-Running PowerPoint Presentation?

The option to have your PowerPoint slide show advance automatically can be handy. However, it isn’t always the right approach. For example, a complete, recorded presentation is great if you’re emailing your presentation or offering a download. But a self-running presentation could backfire if you’re drawn into a side conversation or have other things you want to say on the fly. As a result, you may find yourself fumbling to pause your presentation.

If you want more control over your presentation flow, sticking with a manually run presentation might be best for your situation.

Ryan has been writing how-to and other technology-based articles online since 2007. He has a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering and he's worked 13 years in automation engineering, 5 years in IT, and now is an Apps Engineer. Read Ryan's Full Bio

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PowerPoint: How to Launch a Presentation Automatically as a Slide Show

What is a PowerPoint Show?

By default, PowerPoint saves your slide presentation as a PowerPoint presentation file with the .pptx file extension which, when double-clicked, launches PowerPoint. The presentation opens in whatever view was open when you saved it, such as the Normal view or Slide Sorter view. If you want your slide show to immediately launch in the Slide Show view, however, you need to save your file as a PowerPoint Show. In this article, find out how to create a PowerPoint slide show file and learn 2 bonus tips .

To Save a PowerPoint Presentation as a PowerPoint Show:

• Choose the  File  tab.
• Select  Save As .
• Pick the  Save as type  as  PowerPoint Show .
• Type a name for your slide show in the  File name  text box (you can use the same name and location as your .pptx/presentation file) and click  Save . Your PowerPoint slide show file is saved with a .ppsx extension.

Now, the next time you or anyone else opens your presentation from outside of PowerPoint, your slide show immediately launches in Slide Show view. When you navigate past the last slide, the file automatically closes. To open the file for editing, launch PowerPoint first and open it as you would a standard presentation. If you have access to the original presentation, you may prefer to open the .pptx file to edit and save it again as a slide show file. Most importantly, make sure to manage your files, so you are working with the most current version.

PowerPoint Presentation Tips

BONUS TIP:  When I save my presentations as a PowerPoint Show, I save the file to my desktop for easy access during speaking and training engagements. If needed, I can also quickly close and re-open the file without launching PowerPoint and without showing everyone all of my slides. Working with a PowerPoint Show also saves a number of steps because it automatically launches with a simple double-click of the mouse.

To move to a specific slide in a presentation while in the slide show view (as either a presentation or show format), just type the slide number and press  [Enter] . To make these moves easier, print out a handout of your presentation, which includes slide numbers of each slide for quick navigation. Or, create a simple manual cheat sheet to reference when you want to jump to different slides.

BONUS TIP #2: In addition to saving PowerPoint shows to my desktop, I also add a generic slide to the beginning. For instance, a slide with your organization logo or simply a black slide. Although this may not apply to your presentations, I often navigate in and out of my slide show as I am also demonstrating software features and facilitating discussions within my training classes and conference sessions. With a generic or simple slide at the start, I can launch the slide show with a neutral, blank slide and then use the keyboard shortcut to type the slide number and press [Enter]  to move to a specific slide within the presentation.

Were these PowerPoint tips helpful? Grab your handout of other quick and easy PowerPoint shortcuts and discover more PowerPoint techniques  here .

© Dawn Bjork, MCT, MOSM, CSP®, The Software Pro® Microsoft Certified Trainer, Productivity Speaker, Certified Speaking Professional

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How to Loop a PowerPoint Slide Show to Repeat Automatically

Set up a PowerPoint Presentation That Loops or Repeats Continuously

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated November 12, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft ®  PowerPoint ®  2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can set up a PowerPoint slide show to loop or repeat automatically. A looping presentation can be used at events, trade shows or even in a reception area in an office. The easiest way to set up a slide show to loop or replay continuously is to apply automatic transitions and then configure Slide Show settings.

Recommended article: 5 PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Run a Slide Show

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person PowerPoint courses >

Screenshots in this article are from PowerPoint 365 but are similar in older versions of PowerPoint.

Step 1: Apply transitions to automatically advance slides during a slide show

Transitions occur between slides when you run a slide show.

To apply transitions to automatically advance slides during a slide show:

• In Normal View or Slide Sorter View, display or select a slide.
• Click the Transitions tab in the Ribbon.
• Select a transition in the Transitions gallery (such as Fade).
• Click Effect Options and choose the desired option. Effect Options change depending on the transition you selected.
• In the Timing group, click the arrows beside Duration to set the timing you want (in seconds) for the transition. You may also type a duration.
• In the Timing group, under Advance Slides, deselect or uncheck On mouse click and beside After, select or click the up and down arrows to set the timing to transition to the next slide. You may also type a duration.
• In the Timing group, click Apply to All.

In the Transitions tab in PowerPoint, you can select the type of transition (such as Fade) as well as timing options:

Step 2: Set up a presentation to loop during a slide show

To set up a PowerPoint presentation to loop during a slide show:

• Click the Slide Show tab in the Ribbon and then click Set Up Slide Show. A dialog box appears.
• Under Show type, if you select Presented by a speaker (full screen), the speaker or those watching the slide show will have control over when they advance slides. This is the default setting for slide shows. If you select Browsed by an individual (window), those watching the slide show do NOT have control over when slides advance. If you select Browsed at kiosk (full screen), those watching the slide show do NOT have control over when slides advance and the presentation automatically loops until those watching press Escape (Esc).
• Under Show options, select Loop continuously until 'Esc'. You will be able to select this option if you selected one of the first two options under Show type.

Below is the Set Up Show dialog box with Presented by speaker selected and looping enabled:

If you want to set specific timings for slides to advance or to add narration, check out the article How to Run a PowerPoint Slide Show Automatically (Set Up a Self-Running Presentation) . If you have audio or video in the presentation, you'll need to set the media to play automatically (on the Playback tab in the Ribbon) and animations will also need to be set to run automatically.

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More resources

How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint

How to Hide and Unhide Slides in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)

How to Insert Video in PowerPoint (from a File on Your PC or a Shared Drive)

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Play and Control Video During a Slide Show

How to Add Animation in PowerPoint (Animate Images, Text and Other Objects)

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How to Create an Auto-Playing PowerPoint Presentation

Table of Contents

Creating a self-running PowerPoint, as Microsoft calls it, can be a great addition to your company’s booth at conventions or industry-wide conferences. By featuring photos, infographics and key points in a continuous loop, PowerPoint becomes an effective communication tool to inform others about your company, its goals, and your products or services.

Auto-playing presentations are also great for employee training, meetings where the speaker is absent, and reaching remote clients or customers. Microsoft provides easy steps to turn your PowerPoint into an autoplay presentation.

Setting up the presentation

There are several options for creating a PowerPoint presentation automatically. All of these can be accessed under the Slide Show tab.

Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show

There are three options under this menu:

• Presented by a speaker : This first option requires the viewer to click through each slide. This is the default setting that most PowerPoint presentations are already in and is the mode with which you’re likely most familiar.
• Browsed by an individual : This option will create a slideshow where the viewer cannot control when slides advance. This is an autoplay feature, but the viewer will still have to hit Play to get it started.
• Browsed at a kiosk . Once selected, this option will loop the slide show until a viewer presses the escape button.

If you don’t want your viewers to have access to when the slideshow starts and stops, select the third option. The Loop Continuously option underneath will be automatically selected.

Experts estimate that there are about 30 million PowerPoint presentations created every day !

Recording slide timing

Before you begin recording your presentation, it’s important to set the slide time using the rehearsal toolbar. This will give you an idea of how long each slide will run before advancing to the next one. It will also allow you to practice your presentation and understand how long the runtime will be. Like setting up the slide show, this window can be accessed via the Slide Show tab.

Slide Show > Rehearse Timings

The recording window allows users to advance to the next slide, pause the presentation, view the current slide’s time, restart the recording for a slide and view the total runtime of the presentation.

After recording the last slide, PowerPoint will ask whether you want to keep the slide timings or not.

Recording your presentation

Once your slide timings are set, you can record your slide show.

Navigate to Slide Show > Record Slide Show to begin your recording. Click End Show and save your file once you are done recording. After saving, your presentation is ready to be sent to clients, customers or played at your convention or conference booth.

Here are some quick tips to check for before recording your presentation:

• Before beginning your recording, make sure you adjust the Play Narrations and the Use Timings checkboxes.
• If you want all narration and slide transitions included, both boxes should be checked.
• To create a silent sequence of slides, make sure the Play Narrations button is deselected.

What is PowerPoint autoplay?

Autoplay allows you to keep a PowerPoint presentation running. In typical PowerPoint presentations, presenters click from slide to slide manually using a clicker or spacebar on a keyboard.

Luckily, PowerPoint autoplay allows users to set up their slides, so they automatically change. That way, they can focus on their presentation without interruptions. There are options to have slides timed to music or voiceovers and make each slide the same length.

You can use autoplay in any number of situations where a continuous, unattended loop is called for, such as photos at an event, displaying information at a trade show booth or using the changing slides as a visual cue while rehearsing a timed presentation.

Why is PowerPoint autoplay beneficial?

Autoplay is great for several uses, from delivering announcements throughout a company’s office or a school, to giving speeches and presentations at conventions or work. Presenters can rehearse the timings of the slides and then present without worry. Here are some of the reasons why someone may use PowerPoint’s autoplay features:

• Rehearsal . Practicing your presentation involves timing, and autoplay can be a great tool for learning how to fill time or keeping it short. For example, many teachers and professors require presentations to fill a certain amount of time for class projects. While rehearsing timings, users can determine how much time to spend on each slide. This keeps presenters on track during their presentations, even when they want to speed up due to nerves or pressure.
• Convention booths and exhibits. Trade shows , conventions and networking events are great for companies and salespeople who want to showcase a variety of products and services. People who walk by can look at the presentation and not have to ask employees for information. In addition, a good PowerPoint presentation with eye-catching visuals and information can attract potential customers and clients, which could turn into sales.
• Music videos and tribute presentations. Whether it is a presentation of family vacation photos to the soundtrack of the summer or a lyric video to your favorite song, autoplay allows users to create appealing presentations and videos. These could even be downloaded into MP4 files to share with family and friends.
• Replay and loop at events or other occasions. This is great for offices that have a slideshow of information for their clients or patients. They can show a variety of pictures, information about services, and even the company’s latest news and contact information. Because of this, employees can set up the presentation, walk away and know that their announcements are being made public without even saying a word.

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How do I set a Powerpoint presentation to start automatically when opened?

Once you have completed a presentation in Powerpoint, you can save it as a PowerPoint Show.

This means your audience will see the slide show run when they open the file, rather than seeing the slides in edit mode.

• With your presentation open, click  File ,  Save as .
• Name your presentation, and then click the  Save as type  dropdown menu underneath.
• Select Powerpoint Show (*ppsx)

You can then share your presentation with others. When the file is double-clicked, it opens as a slide show.

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How to Auto Play PowerPoint

With Microsoft PowerPoint, you can create a complete self-running presentation and set it to auto play by double-clicking on the presentation file. This allows you to send a presentation via email or a CD and know that regardless of the recipient's technical proficiency, he will be able to see your presentation. PowerPoint self-running presentations include a copy of Microsoft PowerPoint viewer, so the presentation will play on a computer whether it has PowerPoint is installed or not.

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Open the PowerPoint presentation that you want to auto play in Microsoft PowerPoint.

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Select the "Slide Show" tab at the top of the screen and click "Set Up Slide Show." Select "Browsed At A Kiosk (Full Screen)" under "Show Type." Click "OK."

Click "Rehearse Timings" in the "Slideshow" tab.

Pause for as long as you want the current slide to be displayed during the presentation, then click the right arrow to advance to the next slide in your presentation. Repeat this step until you've moved through your entire presentation.

Select "Package Presentation for CD" from the "Save & Send" section of the "File" menu. Click "Package for CD."

Click "Copy to Folder." Browser for a location on your computer and enter a name for the presentation. Click "OK."

Double-click on the file to auto play the presentation in full-screen mode.

• Microsoft Office: Create A Self-Running Presentation
• Microsoft Office: Package A Presentation For CD

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How to Make a Video Automatically Play in PowerPoint

PowerPoint presentation is one of the most commonly used mediums for sharing information, whether it’s for a school project or a business presentation. One of the best ways to make a PowerPoint presentation more engaging is to add a video. This not only adds a dynamic visual element but also breaks up the monotony of text and images. To take it a step further, you can even set the video to automatically play when the slide appears. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to make a video automatically play in PowerPoint.

Table of Contents

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Video to PowerPoint

Before we can make a video automatically play in PowerPoint, we first need to add the video to our slide. Here’s how to add video:

• Open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to add the video.
• Click on the slide where you want the video to appear.
• Go to the “Insert” tab and click “Video”.
• You can choose to add the video from your computer, online, or from a recording. Select the option that applies to your video.
• Select the video you want to add and click “Insert”.
• You can now resize and reposition the video on the slide as needed.

It’s important to note that when adding a video to PowerPoint, you should always test it out beforehand to ensure that it plays correctly. You don’t want to run into any technical difficulties during your presentation. Additionally, if you plan on presenting your PowerPoint on a different computer, make sure to bring the video file with you or embed it into the presentation to avoid any playback issues.

How to Embed Video into Your PowerPoint Presentation

If you’re presenting your PowerPoint presentation on another computer, it’s important to embed the video into the presentation. Here’s how:

• Select the video you want to embed.
• Go to the “Playback” tab.
• Under “Video Options”, select “Automatically”.
• This means the video will play automatically when the slide appears. You can change this by selecting “Start After Previous” or “Start On Click”.
• Save your PowerPoint presentation.

It’s important to note that embedding videos into your PowerPoint presentation can increase the file size significantly. This can cause issues when sharing the presentation via email or uploading it to a website. To avoid this, consider compressing the video file before embedding it into your presentation. Most video editing software, such as Adobe Premiere or iMovie, have options to compress video files without sacrificing too much quality.

Tips for Creating Engaging Video Content in PowerPoint

Now that we’ve added the video to our PowerPoint slide, we need to make sure it’s engaging and adds value to our overall presentation. Here are some tips for creating engaging video content in PowerPoint:

• Choose a topic that’s relevant to your audience.
• Keep the video short and to the point.
• Add captions or graphics to help convey your message.
• Use high-quality footage and sound.
• Consider adding a call-to-action at the end of the video.

Another important tip for creating engaging video content in PowerPoint is to practice your delivery. Rehearse your script and make sure you’re comfortable with the pacing and tone of your voice. This will help you come across as confident and knowledgeable, which will keep your audience engaged throughout the video. Additionally, consider using humor or storytelling to make your video more memorable and relatable to your audience.

Understanding the Benefits of Auto-Playing Videos in Your Presentation

Auto-playing videos in your presentation can have several benefits:

• It can catch the audience’s attention and keep them engaged.
• It can break up the monotony of text and images.
• It can help visually demonstrate a concept or idea.

Additionally, auto-playing videos can also save time during your presentation. Instead of having to pause and manually start a video, it can seamlessly play on its own, allowing you to focus on delivering your message. Furthermore, auto-playing videos can be especially useful in situations where you may not have a lot of time to present, as they can quickly convey information in a visually appealing way.

How to Customize the Autoplay Settings for Videos in PowerPoint

If you want to customize how your video plays in your PowerPoint presentation, you can change the autoplay settings. Here’s how:

• Select the video you want to customize.
• Directly under the “Playback” tab, click “Start”.
• Select the option you want under “Start” (e.g. “Automatically”, “On Click”, “After Previous”).
• You can also choose to loop the video or hide it after it’s finished playing.

Customizing the autoplay settings for videos in PowerPoint can greatly enhance your presentation. By choosing the right autoplay option, you can ensure that your video plays at the right time and in the right context. For example, if you want to emphasize a particular point in your presentation, you can set the video to play automatically when you reach that slide.

Another useful feature of the autoplay settings is the ability to loop the video. This is particularly useful if you have a short video that you want to play continuously in the background while you present. By setting the video to loop, you can ensure that it plays seamlessly and without interruption.

Troubleshooting Common Issues When Adding Videos to PowerPoint

There can be a few issues when adding videos to PowerPoint presentations. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

• The video doesn’t play or displays an error message: Make sure the video is in a compatible format (e.g. MP4, WMV).
• The video is too large or takes too long to load: Compress the video or use lower-quality settings to reduce the file size.
• The video doesn’t play automatically: Make sure the autoplay settings are set correctly as outlined in this article.

Another common issue when adding videos to PowerPoint is that the audio and video may become out of sync. This can be caused by a variety of factors, such as the video file being corrupted or the computer’s processing power being insufficient. To fix this issue, try converting the video file to a different format or reducing the video’s resolution. Additionally, make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running PowerPoint and that all necessary updates have been installed.

Using Video as a Dynamic Visual Aid in Your Presentation

Video can be a powerful tool to help reinforce your message and keep your audience engaged. Consider using video as a dynamic visual aid in your presentations.

When selecting a video to include in your presentation, it’s important to choose one that is relevant to your topic and enhances your message. The video should also be of high quality and appropriate length to maintain your audience’s attention. Additionally, be sure to test the video and audio beforehand to ensure it plays smoothly during your presentation.

Importance of Choosing the Right Video Format for PowerPoint Presentations

Choosing the right video format for your PowerPoint presentation can be crucial to ensuring the video plays correctly and looks its best. The most common video formats supported by PowerPoint are MP4 and WMV.

Best Practices for Incorporating Video into Your Next Presentation

Here are some best practices for incorporating video into your next PowerPoint presentation:

• Ensure the video is in a compatible format (e.g. MP4, WMV).
• Customize the autoplay settings as needed.

By following the steps outlined in this article and implementing best practices for incorporating video, you can create engaging PowerPoint presentations that leave a lasting impression on your audience.

Another important aspect to consider when incorporating video into your presentation is the placement of the video. It is recommended to strategically place the video within your presentation to enhance the overall flow and impact of your message. For example, you may want to use a video to introduce a new topic or to provide a visual demonstration of a concept. By placing the video at the right moment, you can capture your audience’s attention and reinforce your message.

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How-To Geek

How to start a powerpoint slideshow.

Let the slideshow begin!

Quick Links

Start a slideshow in powerpoint's desktop app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's web app, start a slideshow in powerpoint's mobile app, key takeaways.

To start a PowerPoint slideshow on your desktop, open your slideshow and click "Start Slide Show" in the "Slide Show" tab. If you're using the web app, select "From Beginning" in the "Slide Show" tab. On mobile, simply tap the Monitor icon at the top of your screen.

There's nothing quite like finishing a presentation after spending hours getting it just right. Now, show off your hard work by starting your Microsoft PowerPoint slideshow on desktop, web, and mobile using the methods below.

Related: How (and Why) to Start Microsoft PowerPoint from the Command Prompt

To play a slideshow in PowerPoint's desktop app, all you have to do is click an option or press a shortcut on your keyboard .

Start the process by opening your presentation with PowerPoint. Then, in the app's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

In the "Slide Show" tab, from the "Start Slide Show" section, choose "From Beginning" (or press F5). Now your presentation will play from the very first slide.

If you'd like to start the slideshow from your current slide, choose the "From Current Slide" option. Alternatively, press Shift+F5 on your keyboard.

While your presentation is playing, you can perform various tasks, like moving to the next slide or ending the show. You can reveal these options by right-clicking anywhere on the slide.

Alternatively, you can use the following keyboard shortcuts while viewing your slideshow:

• Spacebar or Right Arrow Button: Go to the next slide in the presentation.
• Left Arrow Button: Go to the previous slide in the presentation.
• Esc: End the show.
• W: Hide your current slide and display a white screen. Press the same key again to bring back the slide's content.
• B: Hide your current slide and display a black screen. Revert back to the slide's content by pressing the same button.
• Ctrl+Left Mouse Button: Activate the laser point tool to point at things in your slides.
• Ctrl+P: Launch the pen tool to annotate your slide's content during your show. You can choose if you'd like to keep these annotations when you end the show.
• Ctrl+i: Access the highlighter tool to highlight items in your slides.

If you'd like to jump to a specific slide while presenting, press that slide's number on your keyboard and hit Enter. For example, press 12 and hit Enter to access that slide quickly.

To access the Presenter view, where you can see the upcoming slides and other options, right-click anywhere on your slide and choose "Show Presenter View."

With these options, you can start a slideshow and have it play exactly how you want.

To play a slideshow on the web, launch your preferred web browser and access PowerPoint on the web . Then, open your presentation.

From PowerPoint's ribbon at the top, select the "Slide Show" tab.

In the "Slide Show" tab, start your slideshow from the first slide by clicking the "From Beginning" option. To have your show play from your current slide, choose "From Current Slide."

Your presentation is now playing.

To reveal the options for moving slides, annotating items, and using Presenter Coach , bring your cursor to your screen's bottom-left corner. Then, click the appropriate icon.

Related: How to Practice Your Presentations with PowerPoint's Presenter Coach

To start a slideshow in the PowerPoint mobile app , launch the app on your phone and open your presentation.

On the presentation screen, at the top, tap the Monitor icon to play the slideshow.

Your presentation has now begun.

To move to the next slide, swipe left on your screen. To go to the previous slide, swipe right.

You can reveal PowerPoint's presentation options, like annotation and black screen tools, by tapping at the top of your presentation. Then, choose the option you'd like to use.

And that's it. Happy presenting!

Want to learn a few tips to help you make the best PowerPoint presentations ? If so, check out our guide.

Related: 8 Tips to Make the Best PowerPoint Presentations

How to autostart PowerPoint presentations

Sometimes we need to share presentations but we want to make these presentations in PowerPoint to run automatically when the user click on the file. Fortunately there is an easy way to achieve this task, and you can make autorun PowerPoint presentations easily.

In order to autostart PowerPoint presentations when someone clicks on the presentation .ppt file or icon we need to save the PowerPoint file as .pps instead of .ppt

Renaming the file to pps we tell Microsoft Windows that we want to let users open the files automatically. This is because the .pps extension is associated with PowerPoint to run the presentation automatically.

Additionally you can check the settings in the presentation, and in in the slideshow setup and settings page you can select to autoplay and the options you want. This is an alternate method to achieve the same effect.

If you already have the file saved as .ppt then you can start the presentation by right clicking the file in Windows and click the Show option. This will play the presentation file instead of opening PowerPoint editor, unless you have the PowerPoint Viewer installed as a player.

This method will let you autorun PPT files with a click.

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Android Police

How to wrap text in google slides.

Make an attention-worthy presentation by wrapping text in slides

You must strike the right balance between media files and text to create an engaging presentation. When you insert several photos in a slide, wrap the text around them to enhance its visual appeal. It also adds a professional touch and conveys the message better.

When you add text and images to a slide, you may need to change the text position so that it doesn't overlap with the inserted media. Whether you use Google Slides on a desktop or rely on the company's apps on your iPhone, budget Android phone , or tablet to make last-minute tweaks, check the tips below to wrap text around images in no time.

What is text wrap in Google Slides?

Text wrapping is a common feature in popular Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 apps, like Docs, Sheets, Word, Excel, and Google Slides. It wraps text around other slide content like photos and videos. You can resize text content and place it in a relevant position on a slide.

How to add transparency to an image in Google Slides

Wrap text in google slides on the web.

Since most Google Slides users prefer a web version, let's start with it. Follow the steps below to insert an image and add text around it.

• Launch Google Slides on the web and sign in with your account details.
• Create a new presentation or open an existing one.

Now, it's time to wrap the text around your image. Unlike Google Docs, there isn't a one-click solution to adjust your text automatically. You'll rely on a workaround.

• Move to a new slide when you are satisfied with the outcome.

Tweak wrap text effect in Google Slides

You can also play with text formatting options in Google Slides. This is a neat way to improve the text wrap effect.

• Open a slide in your presentation and select a text box.
• Click Format at the top and expand Align and indent .

The option produces a clean edge on the left and right. It takes care of uneven gaps and rivers in the text.

Wrap text in Google Slides apps

The ability to wrap text in Google Slides is available on mobile and tablet. We use Google Slides for iPad in the screenshots below.

• Launch Google Slides on your tablet and open a presentation.
• Use the blue border to place your text box anywhere on a slide.

How to add a timer to Google Slides

Benefits of wrapping text in google slides.

Unlike Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides isn't smart enough to show design ideas based on your added text, images, and other graphical elements. When you add images and text, you must manually adjust them for a cohesive look. Here are some of the advantages of wrapping text in Google Slides.

• Creates a solid presentation with lots of images and relevant text content.
• Conveys your pitch in a meaningful manner.
• Simplifies your busy slide.
• Cuts down the number of slides in a presentation.

Improvise your pitch

Your presentation may look busy, cluttered, and unprofessional without text wrapping. It only requires a few clicks and small adjustments to make your text look organized with other slide elements. You can also tweak text from the Google Slides mobile apps.

If you don't want to deal with text wrapping and other formatting options, start with a top Google Slides template and make the required changes quickly to complete a presentation.

PowerPoint parties are still bringing friends together, one hyper-specific subject at a time

For McCall Mirabella’s 21st birthday party last month, she asked guests to bring only one gift: A PowerPoint presentation.

Mirabella, a TikTok and YouTube personality with over 1.3 million followers across both platforms, assembled her closest friends and asked them to present a slideshow on anything they could think of. The only criteria was “the sillier, the better.”

Her guests delivered. One attendee ranked the attractiveness of 10 animated characters while another humorously explored the disparate stages of being high. Mirabella herself presented her predictions for how long her friends would survive in the Hunger Games (and how they’d meet their violent ends , seemingly a popular template for a PowerPoint party).

Such are the delights of PowerPoint presentation nights, which boomed in popularity during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic but are still charming partygoers (this, in spite of its regular use in corporate offices the world over). Through a silly slideshow, groups of friends get to know each other’s niche interests, secret pastimes and frequently hilarious takes on their friends’ quirks and strengths.

Seeing the people she loves get worked up over assigning each other Taylor Swift songs that match their personalities or fictional crimes that would land them in prison is a joy specific to slideshow-centric parties, Mirabella said.

“They’re so unserious,” she said of PowerPoint nights she’s attended and hosted. “Most of the time, people are left crying from laughing so hard, or bent over wheezing.”

PowerPoint parties got popular during the pandemic, but they’ve delighted friends for years

PowerPoint nights involve little more than an HDMI-compatible TV, a slideshow and a willingness to razz your friends or reveal your hidden passions. The software itself is nearly 40 years old , and it’s since become a staple in many offices and classrooms, but the ingenious PowerPoint party turns the familiar tech into a medium for comedy and comradery.

The concept of the PowerPoint party was formalized in 2012, when three students at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, hosted a “Drink, Talk & Learn” event. Guests of these early parties had to show up with a presentation on the arcane subject of their choice, like the moral alignment of Sonic the Hedgehog character Shadow, per Buzzfeed News .

The theme steadily grew more popular and by 2018, more PowerPoint enthusiasts in the US had caught on. Soon, everyone from software engineers in Seattle to students in Boston were presenting slides on hyper-specific subjects to a small crowd, often with a drink in hand.

In the Harvard Crimson’s account of one local PowerPoint party, a student presented his argument for why King Claudius is the true hero of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” a divisive take if there ever was one. The presenter told the school paper that his zeal for the topic had been relegated to “a rant to my friends up until now. Finally, I can present it to strangers.”

When Covid-19 arrived in 2020 and millions of Americans isolated in their homes, virtual PowerPoint parties became a safe, distanced way for friends to update each other on their lives and provide much-needed levity. Groups separated by the pandemic shared their screens on Zoom or even rallied their housemates to turn an ordinary night in isolation into an opportunity for a private TedTalk.

Tantalizing snippets from these presentations landed on TikTok (users rarely spill the juicy contents of the slideshows beyond their uproarious titles),  inspiring other users to host their own get-togethers. The subjects are typically zany, lighthearted takes on the idiosyncrasies of a group of friends — like how they’d each fare during a zombie apocalypse — and minor passions or dubious theories like the “real” (read: fictional) reason the dinosaurs died .

Since the party format took off in 2020 (and has since amassed over 40 million views on TikTok under related hashtags ), TikTok users have tested crafty new variations of the typical slideshow gathering and polled users on different platforms, like Reddit , for unique suggestions for presentations. Take the host who ambushed their guests by forcing them to present someone else’s PowerPoint on a subject they knew nothing about, like the hapless friend who bluffed their way through a presentation on how to pick stocks. A group in Philadelphia creates slideshows for their single friends to catch fellow singles’ attention. One creative TikTok-er even came out to their family in a PowerPoint on Christmas.

Though Microsoft PowerPoint software isn’t a requirement for these presentations — competing services like Prezi, Canva and Google Slides are also popular — Microsoft issued its own advice for hosting a premier PowerPoint party. Among its suggestions: Take advantage of those wacky transitions so photos can boomerang across the screen and titles can disappear with a click.

Since her cousins introduced her to PowerPoint parties during a sleepover eight months ago, Mirabella’s presentations have only improved in quality and theatricality. Her recent Hunger Games-themed slideshow included multimedia elements like Taylor Swift entering the fictional arena for a brief halftime performance to break up the bloodshed. Her friends voted it the best presentation of the night.

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