Inserting sound files into PowerPoint

PowerPoint can handle a number of different sound files including MIDI, AIFF, and MP3, however it's preferred file format is the WAV, particularly on the Windows platform.

To insert a sound file choose the slide where you wish the sound to start playing. Then in the insert menu choose movies and sounds. PowerPoint will then ask whether you want the sound to play automatically when the slide appears. You can choose Yes or No.

If you choose Yes, the sound is automatically added to the slide's custom animation and you can edit its settings from the Custom Animation menu. A sound icon will also appear on the slide. If the sound is to play automatically you have the option of moving the sound icon off the slide and onto the work area. That way it won't appear over your design and it will still play. To change how the sound will play, select the sound icon and go into the Custom Animation menu where you can change when a sound will start and stop.

If you choose No, a mouse-click on the sound icon will start and stop the sound when you present the slide.


See also:

Record better narration (main article)

Cut down on the noise

Originally published in the January 2003 issue of Presentations magazine. Copyright 2003, VNU Business Media.