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How to Make a Slideshow on PowerPoint

Whether for work or private, use slideshows to get your message across

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Before You Begin

Step-by-Step: Make a Slideshow on PowerPoint
Play Music During the Slideshow
Set up the Slideshow
Add Timings to Each Slide
Edit Timings on a Slide
Create a Video Slideshow
Save a Slideshow to a CD or Other Removeable Media

When you're ready to present your PowerPoint slides to others, look no further than PowerPoint's slideshow feature. Use this tool for all kinds of slides, but those containing photos work best for most viewers.

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 , PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2010, and PowerPoint for Mac.

Before you create slides for your slideshow presentation, decide how long to make the slideshow, how it should flow, and the pictures you’ll use.

Length : A slideshow can be as long or as short as you need. The length of the slideshow should be appropriate for the topic and for your audience’s attention span.
Outline : It’s always smart to start with an outline; it helps you visualize your slideshow. An outline can be as simple as the list of topics you want to cover.
Pictures : Choose photos that are clear and tell a story.

With PowerPoint's Photo Album , select the pictures and PowerPoint creates the basic slideshow. Fill your slides with informative text and harmonizing background music, then turn your collection of slides into a self-running photo slideshow with music that can play as a video or be stored on a CD.

When you’re ready to make a photo slideshow with music, PowerPoint gets you up and running quickly. To get started, select Insert > Photo Album > New Photo Album .

Here’s how to add and format pictures for the slideshow using the Photo Album:

Add pictures

Select File/Disk and select the images you want in the picture slideshow.

Enhance photos

Place a checkmark next to the picture you want to enhance and change the orientation, contrast, and brightness. You’ll see the changes in the Preview window.

Add text boxes

To add a slide for text, select the image in the album list you want the text to follow and select New Text Box .

Rearrange slides

Place a checkmark next to the picture you want to move and select the Move Up or Move Down arrows.

Choose a picture layout

Select the Picture layout down arrow and choose how you want the pictures to appear in the slideshow.

Frame the pictures

Select the Frame shape down arrow and choose a frame style. You’ll see a preview in the Album Layout area. This option will not be selectable if the picture layout Fit to slide is enabled.

Select Create when you’re finished.

Your photo slideshow is created in a new file. Add text to the slides and change the look of each slide.

How to Play Music During the Slideshow

Play music in the background during your slideshow to offer an audio counterpoint to all the visuals. The background music starts automatically with the slideshow and plays during all the slides.

To add background music to your presentation, select Insert > Audio > Audio on My PC , choose a music file, then select OK .

The audio icon appears in the middle of the current slide. To move it, drag it to a different place on the slide. When the audio icon is selected, the Playback tab appears. Select Play in Background and make changes to the audio file . Here are some suggestions.

Preview the music : Select Play to hear what the music will sound like during your slideshow.
Shorten the duration : Select Trim Audio to remove parts of the beginning and end of the music file.
Adjust the volume : Select Volume to make the background music louder or softer.

How to Set up the Slideshow

Once your slides are finished, it’s time to set up the slideshow. Start by deciding whether to show the slideshow in a window or full screen.

To set up the slideshow, select Slide Show > Set Up Slide Show and choose one of the following:

Browsed by an individual (window) : Run the slideshow automatically and inside a window. This option works best when you save the slideshow to a CD.
Browsed at a kiosk (full screen) : Run the slideshow automatically and at full-screen size. This option works best when you convert the slideshow to a video.

Select OK when you’re finished.

How to Add Timings to Each Slide in the Slideshow

Now it’s time to decide how long each slide will appear in the slideshow. To begin, select Slide Show > Rehearse Timings . The slideshow displays in full screen with a Recording toolbar and a timer.

While timing your presentation, use the Recording toolbar to advance through the presentation.

Select Next (arrow pointing to the right) to go to the next slide when the desired timing has been reached.

Select Pause to start and stop the timing.

Select Repeat to restart recording the time for the selected slide.

When you’re finished and have set the time for the last slide, close the Recording toolbar.

Select Yes to keep the recorded slide timings.

How to Edit Timings on a Slide

If you need to increase or decrease the time for your slideshow, change how long slides appear during the slideshow.

To change the timing for a slide:

Select View > Slide Sorter .

Select Transitions .

Select a slide.

In the Advance Slide After text box, enter how long the slide should appear in the slideshow before proceeding to the next slide, then press Enter .

The new timing applies to the slide.

How to Create a PowerPoint Video Slideshow

The easiest way to distribute and play your slideshow is in video format. This way, anyone can view your slideshow no matter what computer or device they use.

To convert a slideshow into a video:

Save the file.

Select File > Export .

Select Create a Video .

To force a smaller file size, select the Full HD drop-down list and choose a lower quality.

Select Create Video .

Select the destination folder and give the video a descriptive file name.

Select Save . It may take a few minutes to process the file and create the video.

How to Save a Slideshow to a CD or Other Removeable Media

To create a presentation that can be watched on any computer and can be stored on a CD or other removable media:

Select Package Presentation for CD > Package for CD .

Type a name for the CD.

Select Copy to Folder or Copy to CD and follow the on-screen directions.

When you’re finished, select Close .

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How-To Geek

How to start a powerpoint slideshow.

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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

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Presentations

How to Create a Photo Slideshow with PowerPoint

Last Updated: October 19, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was reviewed by Stan Kats . Stan Kats is a Professional Technologist and the COO and Chief Technologist for The STG IT Consulting Group in West Hollywood, California. Stan provides comprehensive technology solutions to businesses through managed IT services, and for individuals through his consumer service business, Stan's Tech Garage. Stan holds a BA in International Relations from The University of Southern California. He began his career working in the Fortune 500 IT world. Stan founded his companies to offer an enterprise-level of expertise for small businesses and individuals. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 945,304 times.

With so many fun and accessible ways to take photos, there is no wonder why everyone is so photo-happy these days. As easy as it may be to stock up on photos, it can be a challenge to keep them organized. One great way to keep your photos in a convenient place, that is easy to access when you want to reminisce on special memories, is by uploading them into PowerPoint. By doing this, you can create a slideshow that is a fun-filled way to back up the memories in your life.

Creating Photo Slideshows for PC Computers

Step 1 Open PowerPoint and create a new presentation.

Remember to save your presentation after something that will help you to remember what pictures are in the file. This will help you to locate them later on.

Select a layout that will accommodate your image, such as a slide with a title box and an image box, a slide with just an image box, or even a blank slide.

Double-click inside the image box (or go to Insert > Picture > From File ), then browse to the desired image.
Click "Okay" or "Insert" to add the image. If you don't like the way it looks, select the image and click on "Picture" to change it out for a different one. You can also select the image and hit "Delete" to remove the picture.

Step 6 Rearrange the photo order if necessary.

Locate the "Slide Sorter" button near the bottom of the image pane. Then, click and drag the slides to the desired destinations.

Step 7 Add transitions to your slide shows.

To add music, click on the movies and audio icon located under the "Insert" tab. First, go to "Audio from file", and then, click on "Music" to pull up your music. When you choose the song you want, click on the song, and press "Link to file" before pressing "Insert". [9] X Research source
You can choose if the song plays for just one slide or the entire presentation by clicking on "Format Audio" next to the "Home" button, and then, clicking on "Play Across Slides" under "Audio Options". [10] X Research source

Step 10 Save your PowerPoint slideshow before you finish.

Creating Photo Slideshows for Mac Computers

Step 1 Open PowerPoint by double-clicking on the icon.

You can scroll through your photos and choose the ones you want to add to your slideshow by double-clicking on them.

To add music, click on the movies and audio icon located at the top of the PowerPoint screen. Then, click on "Music" and all of your music should appear. When you choose the song you want, drag and drop the file onto one of your slides.
You can choose if the song plays for just one slide or the entire presentation by clicking on "Format Audio" next to the "Home" button, and then, clicking on "Play Across Slides" under "Audio Options".

Sample Slideshow

Community Q&A

Choose a theme for the photo slideshow. If the photos are from a summer vacation, choose a bright yellow background or upbeat music. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-presentation-in-powerpoint-422250f8-5721-4cea-92cc-202fa7b89617
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/save-your-presentation-file-34377c9c-a1e5-44e1-9c3f-e6e72ee6c541
↑ https://tsengcollege.csun.edu/sites/default/files/PDFs/forWindows/Slide_Titles_in_Microsoft_PowerPoint.pdf
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-rearrange-duplicate-and-delete-slides-in-powerpoint-e35a232d-3fd0-4ee1-abee-d7d4d6da92fc
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-picture-in-powerpoint-5f7368d2-ee94-4b94-a6f2-a663646a07e1
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-transitions-between-slides-e89a076e-ed81-404e-9598-021a918fa1ba
↑ https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=283149&p=1886370
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/play-music-across-multiple-slides-in-your-slide-show-b01ded6a-28c8-473a-971a-6dfa92cc9367
↑ http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/officeversion_other-powerpoint/powerpoint-how-to-add-music-throughout-the/10a366a4-9727-4f78-aa06-e9f76c8a5269
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-rearrange-duplicate-and-delete-slides-in-powerpoint-e35a232d-3fd0-4ee1-abee-d7d4d6da92fc#OfficeVersion=macOS
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-picture-in-powerpoint-5f7368d2-ee94-4b94-a6f2-a663646a07e1#OfficeVersion=macOS
↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/play-music-across-multiple-slides-in-your-slide-show-b01ded6a-28c8-473a-971a-6dfa92cc9367#OfficeVersion=macOS

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How To Make a PowerPoint Slideshow? (A Step-By-Step Guide)

Do you want to create a professional-looking PowerPoint slideshow but don’t know where to start? This step-by-step guide will walk you through the entire process, from deciding on a theme and adding content to arranging content, adding design elements, and more.

With this guide, you’ll learn how to create a captivating slideshow that utilizes multimedia and animations to enhance its visual appeal.

So let’s get started and learn how to make a PowerPoint slideshow!

Table of Contents

Short Answer

Creating a PowerPoint slideshow is relatively simple.

First, open the PowerPoint application and create a new presentation.

Then, add text, images, and other elements to your slides.

To make the slideshow more engaging, you can also add animations and transitions between slides.

Finally, when you are done, save your presentation as a PowerPoint file.

Deciding on a Theme

Creating a successful PowerPoint slideshow begins with deciding on a theme that will guide your presentation.

When choosing a theme, consider your audience and the main goal of your presentation.

Are you trying to inform your audience, or persuade them to take action? Knowing this ahead of time will help you choose an appropriate theme.

Other factors to consider when choosing a theme include the overall message you want to convey, the type of content you plan to include, and any underlying concepts that will be part of the presentation.

Its also important to consider the length of the presentation; you may want to choose a more general theme if you only have a few slides, or a more specific theme if you have a larger number of slides.

Choosing a theme will help you focus your presentation and ensure that your slides are cohesive.

Your chosen theme will also help you to choose an appropriate font, color scheme, and design elements later on.

Once youve selected a theme, youre ready to start adding content!

Adding Content

Adding content to a PowerPoint slideshow is a crucial part of creating a successful presentation.

To start, users should decide on the content they want to include and then fill in the information.

Content can come in the form of text, images, and multimedia.

When adding text, users should make sure to include relevant information that will help to support their overall message.

Additionally, users should make sure to keep their text concise and to the point.

Images are also important in a PowerPoint slideshow, as they can help to illustrate a point or add visual interest.

When adding images, users should make sure to choose those that are high quality and relevant to their presentation.

Finally, multimedia can be added to a PowerPoint slideshow to make it more engaging.

This can include videos, audio clips, or other interactive elements.

With the right content, users can easily create a compelling PowerPoint slideshow that will engage their audience.

Arranging Content

When it comes to arranging content in a PowerPoint slideshow, it is important to create a logical flow that will ensure the audience can easily follow the presentation.

This can be done by creating a storyboard of the slideshow, with each slide representing one point in the presentation.

After the storyboard is created, users should arrange the content on each slide in a way that will best communicate the point they are trying to make.

For example, text and images should be placed in a way that allows for easy reading and viewing.

Additionally, users should pay attention to the placement of visual elements and the use of white space to create a visually balanced presentation.

Finally, users should consider the use of transitions between slides to make the presentation flow smoothly.

By arranging content in an organized manner, users can create a professional-looking slideshow that will captivate their audience.

Adding Design Elements

Once the content is added, adding design elements to the PowerPoint slideshow is the next step. This is important as it will not only make the presentation more visually appealing, but it can also help emphasize key points and engage the audience. Here are some tips on how to add design elements to a PowerPoint slideshow:

1. Choose Colors That Compliment Your Theme: When selecting colors for your presentation, it is important to pick hues that will complement the overall theme. There are many online tools that can help you choose the right colors for your slides, and some templates even come with suggested color schemes.

2. Use Bold Fonts to Make Your Points Stand Out: Fonts are an important part of any presentation, and using bold fonts can help draw the audiences attention to key points. When selecting fonts, choose ones that are easy to read and that will not detract from the overall design.

3. Add Animations To Make Your Presentation More Engaging: Animations are a great way to add movement to a presentation and make it more engaging. There are many different types of animations to choose from, including fades, zooms, and transitions. When using animations, it is important to use them sparingly so that they do not become distracting.

By following these tips, users can easily add design elements to their presentation that will create a visually stunning and engaging experience for their audience.

Using Animations

Using animations can help make your PowerPoint slideshow even more engaging and eye-catching.

Animations can be used to help draw attention to certain elements of your presentation, such as important points, or to add movement to your slides.

There are a variety of animation options available to suit your needs.

You can apply animations to text, shapes, images, and other elements.

You can also set the timing and speed of the animation, as well as the direction and effect it will have.

For example, you can have text appear from the bottom of the screen or have an image fade in.

You can also add sound and video to your animations to further engage your audience.

Animations can help make your slideshow more dynamic and interesting, so be sure to take advantage of them when creating your presentation.

Enhancing Visual Appeal

Once the content is added to the PowerPoint slideshow, it is time to enhance the visual appeal of the presentation.

This can be done through the use of colors, fonts, and animations.

When it comes to colors, it is important to create a consistent color palette that fits with the theme of the presentation.

This will help to create a cohesive look and feel.

Try to limit the number of colors used to two or three primary colors, and use them consistently throughout the presentation.

This will help ensure that the presentation looks professional and polished.

When it comes to fonts, it is important to choose fonts that are easy to read and that compliment the look of the presentation.

Try to use one or two fonts throughout the presentation.

This will help to create a sense of continuity.

Additionally, try to steer clear of overly ornate fonts as they can be difficult to read and can be distracting to the audience.

Animations can be used to add visual interest to the presentation.

Animations can be used to transition between slides or to draw attention to certain elements on the slide.

However, it is important to not overdo it with animations.

Too many animations can be distracting and take away from the message of the presentation.

By using colors, fonts, and animations, users can easily enhance the visual appeal of their presentation and create a powerful and engaging experience for their audience.

Utilizing Multimedia

When creating a PowerPoint slideshow, its important to not just rely on text and images, but also include multimedia elements.

Multimedia, such as video clips, music, and audio clips, can greatly enhance the presentation by adding a more dynamic and engaging element.

For example, a short video clip could be used to introduce the topic of the presentation, or a music clip can be used as background music.

Additionally, audio clips can be used to highlight key points or to emphasize certain sections.

When using multimedia, its important to choose the elements wisely and make sure that they are relevant to the presentation.

Additionally, the multimedia elements should be used sparingly, as too much multimedia can be distracting for the audience.

Its also important to be mindful of the file size of the multimedia elements, as large files can take longer to load.

Lastly, its important to make sure that the multimedia elements are properly credited if they have been sourced from outside sources.

By adding multimedia elements to a PowerPoint slideshow, users can create a more engaging and interesting presentation that will captivate their audience.

With a few simple steps, users can easily incorporate multimedia elements into their presentation and create an unforgettable experience for their audience.

Final Thoughts

Creating a PowerPoint slideshow is a great way to present information in a visually appealing and engaging way.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, users can craft a slideshow that is both informative and aesthetically pleasing.

With the right theme, content, design elements, and multimedia, users can create a powerful presentation that will captivate their audience.

So what are you waiting for? Get started and make your own PowerPoint slideshow today!

James Wilson

James Wilson has extensive knowledge in the information technology industry.His second love, besides dealing with computers, is smart home technology. He is continually updating information to better comprehend this problem and has a deep understanding of the apartment’s support system.