Adding Video to PowerPoint

Approximate reading time: 3m 25s

2 ways to add video to Microsoft PowerPoint

Adding video to Microsoft PowerPoint (2007 or earlier) was not an easy task. To do this, you had to place the video file in the same directory as the PowerPoint presentation and „link“ it with an object or hyperlink in the slide so that PowerPoint could load it from a specific folder. However, changing the directory without changing the links in the presentation meant that PowerPoint could not load the video clip.

Things changed in newer versions of PowerPoint (2010 or newer). Now a video file can be embedded in the presentation, which means there is no need for a specific folder location for placing the video clip.

But how can you embed a video clip into a PowerPoint presentation? 

 Course “Microsoft PowerPoint for Beginners”

We will present 2 easy ways to do this.

Option 1: Add a YouTube video

YouTube is the only streaming video site supported in PowerPoint (versions 2010, 2013, 2016 and newer only). In previous versions, YouTube videos were added using a hyperlink/link connected to the YouTube video. You only had to click the link and a new window would immediately open in your web browser. In newer versions, the video plays directly in your presentation without switching to a new page. To embed a YouTube video, you first need to do the following:

1. Open your web browser and choose the video you want from YouTube.
2. Click the „Share“ button to see the available options.
3. Select the „Embed“ tab and copy the code that is already highlighted.
   1. By pressing Ctrl + C at the same time, or
   2. By right-clicking the selection and then choosing „Copy“.
4. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide to which you want to add the video.
5. Click the „Insert“ tab and choose „Video“. There you will see the different available options.

Below are the next steps depending on your PowerPoint version.

For PowerPoint 2010

1. If you are using PowerPoint 2010, you will see the „Video from Website“ option.
2. A window will appear prompting you to paste the code you copied. Paste your code, click „Insert“ and wait for your video clip to load onto the slide.
3. When it loads, click the video and two new tabs will appear to help you change the playback options. In the „Playback“ tab, choose „Start“ and select the way you want your video to load. You can also choose several other options, such as how long you want the video to play, repeat options, or full screen.

For PowerPoint 2013

1. In PowerPoint 2013, choose the „Online Video“ option.
2. Click „From Video Embed Code“ and paste your code into the blank text area on the right.
3. Wait for your video to load and when it does, you can easily modify it from the two tabs that appear when you click on it.

For PowerPoint 2016

1. Select „Online Video“.
2. Click „From Video Embed Code“ and paste your code into the blank field on the right.
3. In PowerPoint 2016, you can also add a YouTube video in a different way. Just click the „YouTube“ icon that appears after you select „Online Video“. Now you only need to search using specific keywords for the video you want to add. Select the video clip and click „Insert“.
4. Wait a few minutes while your video loads and when it does, select the video and you will see two tabs that will help you change the playback options. In the „Playback“ tab, choose „Start“ and select the way you want your video to load. You can also choose several other options, such as how long you want the video to play, repeat options, or full screen.

When creating the presentation, regardless of the version you are using, you need to be connected to the internet, otherwise the video will not load.

Option 2: Embed video from your files

Let us assume that you have already downloaded your video file to your computer and placed it in a folder or on your desktop. These are the steps you need to follow:

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide to which you want to add the video clip.
2. Click the „Insert“ tab and choose „Video“.
3. Select „Video from File“ (PowerPoint 2010)/„Video on My Computer“ (PowerPoint 2013/2016) and choose your video file from your folder.
4. It will take a few minutes for the video clip to load onto your slide depending on its size. When it loads, click your video and two new tabs will appear to help you change the playback options. In the „Playback“ tab, choose „Start“ and select the way you want your video to load. You can also choose several other options, such as how long you want the video to play, repeat options, or full screen. You can also resize the video clip simply by dragging the corners.
5. Save your presentation and you are done. Your video clip is embedded in your presentation and you do not need to worry about an internet connection or changing the directory.

This was a simple tutorial showing you 2 ways to add video to your PowerPoint presentation. To enrich your knowledge when working with PowerPoint, we have prepared two online courses in which we will show you the basic rules for creating presentations, as well as tips and ways to work with the program. 

 Course “Microsoft PowerPoint First and Second Level”