How to Insert and Format Video Backgrounds 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. 

Learn to put a title on top of a video background in your presentations using Movie Maker.

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 Insert 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 Video

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

Select your movie options. You can opt for the video to loop until you click to the next slide. This can 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.  If you select this, PowerPoint will stretch the video to fill your screen.  PowerFinish Video Backgrounds look best if you set your slide show to 800X600 resolution.  If you choose to use another resolution, you should test  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. That way, when you take the presentation on the road, you’ll remember to take your movie, too!