Create Videos and Audio Commentary in PowerPoint

Creating engaging and dynamic PowerPoint presentations can be significantly enhanced through the use of videos and audio commentary.

This article will guide you through the process of recording your slides, whether you want to create a video or simply add audio commentary to your presentation.

1. Prepare the Recording: Screencast and Video in PowerPoint

To begin, open the presentation you wish to enhance. You can choose to add music to the entire presentation or just specific parts. If only certain slides require sound, ensure all other slides are hidden.

In the top menu ribbon, look for options such as Record, Slide Show, or Record Slide Show. If these options are not visible, you may need to customize the ribbon under Settings or Options.

Before starting the recording, check any hardware you plan to use, such as microphones and cameras, to ensure they are functioning properly and correctly configured. PowerPoint needs permission to access these devices, which can be managed in your system’s settings.

Now you’re ready to create your video in PowerPoint!

2. Record with the Screencast Function in PowerPoint

To start recording, select the appropriate option from the menu: Record, Slide Show, or Record Slide Show. The appearance of the window may vary slightly between versions, but the essential function remains the same.

In some versions, the recording will begin immediately when you select the menu item, while in others, an additional click will be required to start. Once recording has commenced, you can add your audio commentary.

PowerPoint presentations consist of multiple slides, and the recording process captures audio on a slide-by-slide basis. Note that the transitions between slides will not be recorded, so it’s best to refrain from speaking during these moments. Wait for each slide transition to complete before continuing your commentary. This may take a little practice, but you’ll soon find your rhythm.

During your recording, you can use tools like the pen, highlighter, and laser pointer to emphasize key points. These features function similarly to physical tools and can enhance your presentation by highlighting important aspects. In some versions, you can save these annotations for future use.

3. Editing the Screencast in PowerPoint

Once the recording is complete, a small speaker icon or video thumbnail will appear on the respective slides, indicating that a recording has been embedded. You can edit each slide individually, allowing for corrections of minor mistakes. If you’re not satisfied with the commentary on a specific slide, you have the option to delete and re-record it via the Insert, Audio, or Media tab.

4. Make a Screen Recording

PowerPoint also provides functionality for recording your screen or a portion of it. This feature is ideal for demonstrating workflows or showcasing application use.

To initiate a screen recording, go to the Record tab and select Screen Recording. A window will appear that allows you to choose the area of your screen to capture. Ensure the selected area is sufficiently large to encompass all actions you wish to demonstrate.

Using the screen recording menu, you can start, pause, or stop the recording. Additionally, you can choose to capture audio during the screen recording, enabling you to provide commentary while demonstrating your processes.

5. Trimming Videos in PowerPoint

If your video ends up being too lengthy, you can easily trim it. Right-click on the video frame and select Trim.

To determine where to trim, play the video and pause at the desired point. To trim the start, click and drag the start point to your new selected position. Similarly, to trim the end, adjust the endpoint accordingly. Confirm your changes by clicking OK.

Keep in mind the importance of maintaining the continuity of your audio commentary while trimming, ensuring that the audio does not get interrupted at awkward moments.

6. Export Your PowerPoint Presentation as a Video

After completing your recording, you can export it as a video. Head to either the Recording or File tab. Under Recording, select Export as Video, or navigate to File and choose Export. While the functions are similar, the naming may differ by version.

Be sure to choose the appropriate video format, such as MP4 or MOV, and configure any additional settings, including video quality, before proceeding with the export.

7. Publish the Video

Once your video has been recorded and exported, sharing it becomes the final step. You can upload your finished video to platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, or Microsoft Stream. To publish on Microsoft Stream from within PowerPoint, select Publish to Microsoft Stream in the Recording section. You will then be prompted to enter a title, description, and other options before finalizing the publish action.

As the upload progresses, a status bar will appear, indicating completion, and allowing you to link directly to the video playback on Microsoft Stream to verify the upload was successful.

Summary: Creating Videos in PowerPoint is Easy

In conclusion, creating videos and audio commentary in PowerPoint is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your presentations. While there can be minor differences across various PowerPoint versions, the capability to record audio or video commentary exists in all current iterations.

Additional Tips for Recording Videos Effectively:

• Changes to recordings can be made by simply editing the corresponding slide.
• To ensure smooth transitions, avoid speaking immediately at the beginning of each slide and pause briefly at the end.
• Commentary recording is available only in desktop versions of PowerPoint.
• Adjust video sizes in the edit view for better presentation layout.
• For the highest quality, consider using external microphones and webcams.
• Finally, play back your first recording for adjustment before finalizing the entire presentation.