How to add video to PowerPoint

Approximate reading time: 3m 9s

Ways to add video to Microsoft PowerPoint

Adding video to Microsoft PowerPoint (2007 or earlier) was no easy task. To do this, you were forced to place the video file in the same directory as the PowerPoint presentation and "link" it to 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.

Things have changed in newer versions of PowerPoint (2010 or later). Now a video file can be embedded in the presentation and no need for a specific location in the folder to place the video.

But how can you embed a video in a PowerPoint presentation? 

Here are some easy ways to do this.

Option 1: Add a YouTube video

YouTube is the only streaming video site supported on PowerPoint (2010, 2013, 2016 and later only). In previous versions, YouTube videos were added using a hyperlink / link that is related to the YouTube video. All you had to do was click on the link and a new window would immediately open in your web browser. In newer versions, the video is played directly in your presentation without going to a new page. To embed a video on YouTube, you must first do the following:

1.Open your web browser and select the video you want from YouTube.
2.Click the "Share" button to see the available options.
3.Select the "Embed" tab and copy the already highlighted code.
   3.1 By simultaneously pressing Ctrl + C, or
   3.2 By right-clicking on the selection and then "Copy".
4.Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide to which you want to add the video.
5.Click the "Insert" tab and select "Video". There you will see the various options available.

Here are the next steps, depending on your version of PowerPoint.

For PowerPoint 2010

1.If you're using PowerPoint 2010, you'll see the Video from Website option.
2.A window will appear asking you to paste the code you copied. Paste your code, click "Insert" and wait for your video to load on the slide.
3.When it loads, click on the video and two new tabs will appear to help you change the playback options. In the "Playback" tab, select "Start" and choose how you want to load your video. You can also select 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, select the Online Video option.
2.Click "From video embed code" and paste your code in the right blank text area.
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 it.

For PowerPoint 2016

1. Select "Online Video".
2. Click "From video embed code" and paste your code in the right blank field.
3. In PowerPoint 2016, you can also add a YouTube video in different ways. Just click on the "YouTube" icon that appears after selecting "Online Video". Now you just need to search with specific keywords for the video you want to add. Select the video and click "Insert".
4. Wait a few minutes for your video to load, and when it loads, select the video and you'll see two tabs to help you change the playback options. In the "Playback" tab, select "Start" and choose how you want to load your video. You can also select several other options, such as how long you want the video to play, repeat options, or full screen.

When you make the presentation, despite the version you are using, you must be connected to the Internet, otherwise the video will not load.

Option 2: Embed video from your files

Let's say you've already downloaded your video file to your computer and put it in a folder or on your desktop. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide to which you want to add the video.
2. Click the "Insert" tab and select "Video".
3. Select "Video from a file" (PowerPoint 2010) / "Video on my computer" (PowerPoint 2013/2016) and select your video file from your folder.
4. It will take a few minutes for the video to load on your slide, depending on its size. When it loads, click on your video and two new tabs will appear to help you change the playback options. In the "Playback" tab, select "Start" and choose how you want to load your video. You can also select several other options, such as how long you want the video to play, repeat options, or full screen. You can also resize the video just by dragging the corners.
5. Save your presentation and you're done. Your video is embedded in your presentation, and you don't have to worry about connecting to the Internet or changing the directory.

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

Check out the PowerPoint e-learning programs for beginners and advanced.