How to Insert and Format Movies in PowerPoint

Movies in PowerPoint can loop, fill the screen, start automatically or with a click. You can select options for movies in your presentation with a few quick clicks. If you haven’t prepared your movie yet, see our tutorial on titles with transparency over movies.

1

Import Your Video

While selecting the slide where you want your movie, choose Insert/Movies and Sounds/Movie from File.

You’ll see the familiar Import File palette, but this time it will say Import Movie.  Just select the file you want and click “import”.

When you insert the movie, PowerPoint will ask you how you want the movie to start. You can have it begin playing as soon as you start your slide show or you can initiate it with a click.  Choose the mode that suits your presentation.

2

Edit Your Movie

Right click on the movie you inserted. You will see a menu. Choose “Edit Movie Object”.

Select your movie option.  You can opt for the movie to loop until you click to the next slide. This could be useful if you want to give introductory comments while the title is on-screen.
You will also see the option to Zoom to Fullscreen.  When you inserted your movie, it probably did not fill the slide. If you select this, PowerPoint will stretch the movie to fill your screen. You should test various resolutions with the movie to ensure that the quality is sufficient at the resolution you choose.

3

Save

Make certain that you save your presentation and your movie in the same folder. When you take the presentation on the road, make sure you take your movie, too!