Microsoft PowerPoint has been the top choice for creating professional presentations and slides. Its early versions featured simple slides with basic transitions like wipes and fades revolutionary for their stage. Today, PowerPoint offers far more advanced capabilities. It includes embedding videos directly into slides for richer yet more engaging display.
Are you learning how to embed a video in PowerPoint? How to insert it into PowerPoint from your files? Or even embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint, the software comes about. The modern versions support high quality multimedia, smooth playback controls and cloud integration. It transforms static slides into dynamic storytelling gears.
PowerPoint's evolution ensures users can easily create polished and interactive decks from business presentations to educational lectures. Get ready to enhance your next presentation because mastering video embedding is a great place to begin!
Need help adding videos to your slides? Check out our step by step guide on embedding videos in PowerPoint!
How to Add a Video to PowerPoint on Windows
Step 1: Choose Your Slide
Open Microsoft PowerPoint on your Windows PC and either:
- Start with a blank presentation, or
- Open an existing PowerPoint file
Navigate to the specific slide where you want your video to appear. Then, click on the Insert tab in the top menu bar to access media options. Make sure your slide layout has enough space for the video before inserting!
Step 2: Insert Your Video File
Go to the Insert tab, click on Video, and then choose This Device. It lets you add a video stored on your computer. Alternatively, you can select an online video from platforms like YouTube if you prefer to embed web content.
1. From the dropdown options, select This Device to insert a video file stored locally on your PC.
2. Thus, PowerPoint works best with MP4 videos that use H.264 encoding and AAC audio versions. It also accepts other common formats, including M4V, MOV, ASF, AVI, and WMV files, along with MPG/MPEG formats. You will need to convert your video to one of these compatible types for smooth playback if your video is in an unsupported format.
3. Modify the dimensions on the slide to customize your video's display size without full screen playback.
For maintaining a perfect aspect ratio:
Navigate to Format (PowerPoint 2013+) or Options (2010) in the Size section
Select the dialog box launcher icon
Choose Size and enable Lock aspect ratio in Scale settings
Specify either:
- Exact measurements under Size and rotate, or
- Percentage values in Scale fields
4. Next, click Video Format to customize your video with borders, effects, and other styling options. Right-click the video for additional settings. PowerPoint's Designer feature (available under the Design tab) also offers professionally designed templates to enhance your slides.
(Alternative approach: Right-click the video → Format Video → Size & Properties for quick access to these settings.)
5. Next, navigate to the Playback tab to customize your video settings. Here you can:
- Trim the video length
- Insert captions
- Configure playback options (play automatically, on click, or in sequence)
Important Compatibility Note:
For PowerPoint 2016 (version 1709+) and Microsoft 365 users, the In Click Sequence feature allows your video to synchronize with other slide elements perfectly. It will integrate with your pre-set animations and transitions, like any other media element in your presentation sequence.
To embed an online video, click the Insert tab and choose Online Video from the Video dropdown menu.
Step 3: Click Insert
If you include an online video, duplicate the URL and insert it into the provided space. The video preview will then display in the pop-up window for online videos.
1. Click the Insert button to embed the video in your presentation.
2. PowerPoint will now embed the video onto your chosen slide. You can adjust the size by dragging the corners of the video frame, then apply styling through Video Format tools, including frames, outlines, and visual enhancements.
For playback settings
1. Switch to the Playback tab to add subtitles or configure start options (autoplay or manual triggering).
2. Click the Slide Show tab to view your video with applied formatting.
3. Then save to your device or select Share to transfer to cloud storage.
How to Add Videos to PowerPoint on Mac
For Mac users, PowerPoint requires your video file to be saved in the exact location as your presentation file.
Step 1: Pick your slide
Start PowerPoint and either create a new file or open an existing one. Choose the slide where your video should appear.
Click Insert.
Step 2: Navigate to Insert > Video > Movie from File
The Video dropdown offers these choices:
- Video browser
- Movie from file
- Stock clips
- Web video
Choose a Movie from the file to select a video stored on your Mac.
Step 3: Finalize insertion
1. Pick your video in the file selection window and click Insert to place it on your slide.
2. Select Show Options in the window's bottom corner to link rather than embed the video.
3. Check the Link to the file and click Insert.
4. Use Format options to customize the appearance and set playback preferences.
Note: PowerPoint 2016+ handles multi-track audio and supports embedded subtitles.
The Playback tab lets you:
- Adjust video length
- Apply fades
- Set display preferences
- Add captions
- Choose the start method
- Enable looping
- Reset playback position
How to Insert YouTube Videos in PowerPoint for Windows
First choose the video from YouTube and copy the URL.
Step 1: Add YouTube link
Copy the video's URL either by:
- Right-clicking the YouTube video
- Using the Share button
Step 2: Access the Insert tab
Begin with your PowerPoint file open and navigate to the slide for your video.
1. Choose Insert > Video.
2. Paste the link in the provided field.
3. The preview will appear in the dialog box. Select Insert to add it to your slide.
4. Adjust the video size as needed, then use formatting tools for enhancements.
5. Set playback preferences (auto/manual start) or add captions under Playback. Test your changes before saving or sharing.
Note: While most YouTube formats work (MP4, MOV), some, like WebM, HEVC, or ProRes, may require conversion for PowerPoint compatibility. Check your video format if playback fails.
How to Add YouTube Videos in PowerPoint for Mac
Step 1: Open the Insert tab
Launch PowerPoint and pick the slide where your video should appear. Select Insert > Video.
Step 2: Choose Online Video
1. Click Online Film from the dropdown.
2. A dialog box will appear requesting the video URL.
Step 3: Insert YouTube link
1. On YouTube:
- Right-click the video to copy its URL/embed code
- Or click Share to get the link
2. Paste what you copied into PowerPoint's URL box and click Insert.
3. Resize the video frame as needed, then save your presentation.
Key Notes:
Use YouTube's "Share" option for clean links. The video will appear as an embedded player. Always test playback before presenting
How to Create Video Links in PowerPoint
Step 1: Capture a video thumbnail
Locate your video source and take a representative screenshot:
- Windows: Use Snipping Tool or press ⊞ Win + PrtScn
- Mac: Press ⌘ Command + ⇧ Shift + 3 (full screen) or 4 (selection)
Step 2: Add the screenshot to your slide
1. Go to your target slide and choose: Insert > Pictures > This Device
2. Select your screenshot, then adjust its size and crop as needed.
Step 3: Create the video link
1. Right-click the image and choose Hyperlink
2. Paste the address in the link field and confirm.
3. The link will attach specifically to your image. Test in Slide Show mode - clicking will launch the video in your default browser.
Key Notes:
- Links only work during presentation mode
- Use clear thumbnails for better UX
- Always verify links before presenting
Lights, Camera, PowerPoint!
https://www.pdfagile.com/Now that you've mastered embedding and linking videos in PowerPoint, your presentations are ready to shine! Whether using YouTube clips, local files, or hyperlinked thumbnails, dynamic videos can transform your slides into engaging, professional experiences.
Pro Tip: Want to level up your Office skills even further? Check out more Excel tips to boost your productivity!
Your Turn! Try these techniques in your next presentation and watch your audience stay hooked from start to finish. Lights, camera, action—your PowerPoint just got a major upgrade! Need to convert files for smoother embedding? Explore PDF Agile for easy document solutions!
