How to Record a PowerPoint Presentation with Narration

Can be helpful in creating a dramatic narrative

Microsoft PowerPoint has a built-in recording tool that allows you to narrate your presentations using recorded audio. You can export and share recorded presentations as video files.

This tutorial covers everything about recording PowerPoint presentations on Windows and Mac computers.

Record PowerPoint Presentation with Narration

Open thePowerPoint file/presentationyou want to record and follow the steps below.

To record from the first slide, select thedown-facing arrowicon below theRecordbutton and selectFrom Beginning.

You can also record a presentation from the Slide Show tab. SelectSlide Showon the ribbon and selectRecord,From Current Slide, orFrom Beginning.

That’ll open PowerPoint’s presentation recorder in a fullscreen window.

PowerPoint records the presentation window and captures your voice and webcam feed as you navigate the slides. Select theleft-facingandright-facing arrowsto move to the previous and next slides in the presentation.

Use your keyboard arrow keys to move back and forth between slides. PressNorSpace Barto move to the next slide or animation in the presentation. PressPorBackspaceto return to the previous slide or animation.

SelectTipsin the top-left corner for more keyboard shortcuts and other presentation tips.

Note:The narration tool doesn’t record slide transitions. When moving between slides, wait for the destination slide to appear on the screen before speaking.

PowerPoint Recorder Control/Settings

You’ll find a handful of controls and options on the recording tool. We’ll show you how to use these controls to include voiceovers or audio recordings in your presentation.

PowerPoint provides several tools to mark up your slides when narrating your presentation. There’s a pen tool, eraser, laser pointer, and highlighter.

With the Pen tool, you can draw on slides during narration/recording. PressCtrl+P(Windows) orCommand+P(Mac) to use the pen tool. You can also select thePen iconto convert the pointer to a pen.

The Laser pointer tool converts your cursor to an onscreen laser. Use the laser pointer to draw attention to something on a slide/presentation.

PressCtrl+L(Windows) orCommand+L(Mac) to use the laser pointer. There’s also aLaser pointer iconon the toolbar.

PressingCtrl+I(or selecting theHighlighter tool) converts your cursor to a highlighter.

Use the Eraser tool to remove inks and highlight from slides. Select theEraser iconor pressCtrl+Eand select the ink to erase.

On macOS, select theErase Penicon (or pressE) to erase all drawings and highlights on the slide.

You can change the pointer tools ink from the color selection boxes. However, one major limitation is that you can’t change the size of these pointer tools.

In Windows, pressIon your keyboard or select thePause buttonin the top-left corner to pause your recording.

PressIagain or select theRecord iconto resume the recording.

If you use a Mac, select thePause iconin the top toolbar to pause the recording.

Check that your microphone is unmuted before recording. Select themicrophone iconin the bottom-right corner to mute or unmute your mic.

PowerPoint for Windows allows you to mute and unmute your microphone in real time while recording video/audio narrations. The macOS version of PowerPoint only lets you configure your camera and microphone settings before recording.

Want to record your presentation with anexternal microphoneor camera? PressCtrl+Mor select theaudio/camera settings iconin the top-right corner and choose your preferred microphone/camera.

In macOS, select themicrophone iconto mute or unmute your microphone. Select thearrow-down iconnext to the microphone or camcorder icons to switch input devices.

The recorder displays your camera or webcam feed in the bottom-right corner of the presentation slides.

Select thecamcorder iconto remove your webcam feed from the recording. Select the icon again to display your webcam feed in the presentation.

You can also use theCtrl+Kkeyboard shortcut on Windows computers to enable or disable your camera.

On Mac computers, you’ll find the video control icon on the top toolbar.

Note:The recording tool greys out the camcorder icon if your microphone is turned off.

PowerPoint allows you to disable the camera preview without turning off your camera or webcam.

PressCtrl+J(Windows) or select theCamera Preview iconin the bottom-right corner to disable or enable the camera preview.

PressSon your Windows keyboard or select theStop iconto end the recording.

When you end a narration, pressVon your keyboard or selectReplayto preview or watch the recording.

The recorded narration will include all pen inks, highlights, and laser pointer gestures made during the presentation.

You can also preview/replay the narration outside the recording tool. Open the Slide Show tab and choose to watch the playbackFrom BeginningorFrom Current Slide.

PowerPoint allows you to preview the playback on individual slides. A speaker/audio icon appears in the bottom-right of PowerPoint slides with narrations.

Choose the slide you want to preview, hover your cursor on thespeaker iconin the bottom-right corner, and selectPlay.

Did you spot an error when previewing your presentation? Want to delete the current narration and start from scratch?

Select theClear existing recordings iconand choose whether toClear Recordings on Current SlideorClear Recordings on All Slides.

On Mac, select theBin iconto delete the entire narration/recording.

Select theX iconon the title bar to close the presentation narration tool and return to Powerpoint.

SelectEnd Showin the top-left corner to close the recording tool on a Mac computer.

Delete Narrations from Slides

Want to delete the narration or timing on an individual slide or the entire presentation? Select the slide with the narration you want to delete and follow the steps below.

Export Recorded or Narrated Presentation

You can export a narratedPowerPoint presentationas a video file. The video output includes ink strokes, recorded audio/video, laser pointer gestures, and webcam/camera recording.

Alternatively, open theFilemenu, selectExporton the sidebar, and selectCreate a Video.

Narrate Your PowerPoint Presentations

The Microsoft PowerPoint web app doesn’t have a recording tool. As a result, you can only record presentations with narrations using PowerPoint for Windows or Mac.

You might meet issues recording a slide show if you use an outdated version of PowerPoint. Also, the recording tool on older versions of PowerPoint has a different interface and lacks some controls.Update PowerPointand restart your computer if you cannot record a slide show.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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How to Record a PowerPoint Presentation with Narration#

Record PowerPoint Presentation with Narration#

PowerPoint Recorder Control/Settings#

Delete Narrations from Slides#

Export Recorded or Narrated Presentation#

Narrate Your PowerPoint Presentations#

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