How to Inserting Audio in PowerPoint

PowerPoint allows you to add audio to your presentation. For example, you could add background music to one slide, a sound effect to another, and even record your own narration or commentary. You can then edit the audio to customize it for your presentation.

To insert audio from a file:

In our example, we'll insert an audio file saved locally on our computer.

1. From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Audio on My PC...

2. Locate and select the desired audio file, then click Insert.

3. The audio file (represented by a speaker icon) will be added to the slide.

Recording your own audio

If you want to include narration, you can record audio directly into a presentation. Make sure you have a microphone connected or built into your computer.

To record audio:

1. From the Insert tab, click the Audio drop-down arrow, then select Record Audio.

2. Type a name for the recording.

3. Click the Record button (red circle) to start recording.

4. When finished, click the Stop button (blue square).

5. To preview, click Play.

6. Click OK to insert the recording onto the slide.

Working with audio

• Preview: Select the audio icon and click the Play/Pause button on the playback bar. Click the timeline to jump ahead.

• Move: Click and drag the audio icon to a new location on the slide.

• Delete: Select the icon and press Backspace or Delete.

Editing audio

Using the Playback tab, you can trim audio, add fades, and manage bookmarks.

To trim an audio file:

1. Select the audio file, then click the Playback tab on the Ribbon.

2. Click the Trim Audio command.

3. A dialog box will appear. Use the green handle to set the start time and the red handle to set the end time.

4. To preview the audio file, click the Play button.

5. Adjust the handles again if necessary, then click OK.

To add a fade in and fade out:

On the Playback tab, use the Fade In and Fade Out fields to adjust the volume ramp time in seconds.

To add a bookmark:

1. Click the timeline to locate the desired part of the audio file.
   
2. From the Playback tab, click the Add Bookmark command.

3. The bookmark will appear on the timeline. Click the bookmark to jump to that location.

Audio options

The Audio Options group on the Playback tab controls how your audio behaves during a show:

• Volume: Changes the playback volume.
• Start: Choose Automatically or When Clicked.
• Hide During Show: Hides the speaker icon while presenting.
• Play Across Slides: Keeps the audio playing when you move to the next slide.
• Loop until Stopped: Replays the file continuously.
• Rewind after Playing: Returns the track to the beginning when finished.

To change the audio icon:

1. Select the audio speaker icon and click the Format tab.
2. Click the Change Picture command.

3. The Insert Pictures dialog box will appear. Click Browse to select a file from your computer. You can also use the online image search tools to locate an image online. In our example, we'll search using the phrase music note.

4. Locate and select the desired picture, then click Insert.

5. The icon will change to the new picture.

Challenge!

• Open our practice presentation and save the example audio file.
• On slide 3, insert the example audio file.
• Move the icon to the bottom-left corner of the slide.
• Trim the audio: set the start time to 00:15 and the end time to 00:55.
• Change the Fade Duration: Fade In to 02:00 and Fade Out to 08:00.
• Set the audio to Start Automatically and Play Across Slides.
• Change the icon to an online picture of your choice.
• Optional: Play the slideshow from the beginning. The music should start on slide 3 and continue to slide 4.