how to copy a video into a powerpoint presentation

How to embed a video in PowerPoint for a more engaging presentation

What type of content do you primarily create?

Making an engaging PowerPoint presentation is no easy feat.

You have to figure out what to say, and what you want your audience to grasp. Then, decide how to bring the two together to deliver a compelling presentation.

One popular way to add flair is by embedding video into the content, like what Dr. Frans de Waal did in his TED Talk on inequity aversion . To emphasize his points, he included videos of animal experiments, turning a mind-numbingly boring topic into an engaging and viral presentation—which now has over 5 million views.

In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to embed a video in PowerPoint so you can create exceptional presentations that grab your audience’s attention and help them remember what you said.

How to embed a video in PowerPoint from your PC or Mac

First, of course, you’ll need a video, either one online or from your media library. The next step is to find a way to make it play during your PowerPoint presentation. You could do it manually by bringing up the video from another website or program while you’re speaking, but that process is clunky and you might end up facing technical challenges.

Luckily, there are simpler and easier methods of embedding videos in PowerPoint. You can link to your video file externally or embed it directly in your presentation. 

Use the tutorial below to insert videos in PowerPoint from a computer.

How to embed a video in PowerPoint in Windows

Step 1: select the powerpoint slide.

Launch Microsoft PowerPoint on a Windows computer and open a blank or existing PowerPoint file. 

Then, go to the slide you want to embed a video and select the Insert tab in the toolbar.

Step 2: Click Video > This Device

Select the Video option. Here, you can either embed a video from your computer or from an online source, like a website or YouTube and other supported platforms.

Click This Device from the drop-down menu to embed a video from a folder on your computer.  

PowerPoint supports MP4 files encoded with H.264 video and AAC audio. So, you can upload videos in file formats, such as M4V, MOV, ASF, AVI, MPG, MPEG, or WMV.

If you don't want to play a video full screen, resize it to your preferred dimensions.

For precise height-to-width proportions:

• Select Format (PowerPoint 2013 or newer) or Options (PowerPoint 2010) in the Size group
• Click the Dialog Box Launcher Icon image
• Click Size, then select the Lock aspect ratio checkbox under Scale 
• Enter your preferred height and width under Size and rotate or enter the percentage of size that you want in the Scale height and width boxes

Then, select Video Format to access formatting options like borders and effects or right-click the video for more options. You can also use the Designer tool to choose from professional slide templates. 

Then, click the Playback tab to trim your video, add captions, choose playback options, like In Click Sequence, Automatically, or When Clicked On.

Note: In PowerPoint for Microsoft Office 365 or PowerPoint 2016 version 1709 or later, you can use the In Click Sequence option. This way, your video can play in sequence with other actions you’ve programmed on the slide, like animations or transitions. 

To insert a web video, select Video > Online Videos . 

Note: PowerPoint supports YouTube, SlideShare, Vimeo, Stream, and Flip video providers.

Step 3: Click Insert

If you choose to embed an online video, copy the link to the video you want to embed and paste it in the blank field. A preview of your video will appear in the Insert video pop-up.

Click the Insert button to embed the video in your presentation. 

PowerPoint will download and insert the video on the selected slide. You can drag the edges of the video thumbnail to resize it, then use Video Format options, like shape, border, and effects to enhance the video. 

Select the Playback tab to insert captions or choose how your video plays (automatically or when clicked). 

Note: You can’t change when an online video starts. But if you’re embedding a YouTube video, you can copy the video URL at the current time to link from a specific start time. 

Click the Slide Show tab to preview the video with all the formatting changes you made. Then, save your presentation to your computer or click the Share button to move or copy it to the cloud.

How to embed a video in PowerPoint on a Mac

To embed a video in PowerPoint for Mac, you’ll need to save the video file in the same folder as your presentation.

Launch PowerPoint and open a blank or existing presentation, then select the slide you’d like to add a video to. 

Select Insert .

Step 2: Click Video > From File

Click Video to access video embed options from the drop-down menu:

• Video browser
• Video from file
• Stock videos
• Online film

Select Video from file to insert a video file from your Mac.

In the Choose a Video dialog box, select the video file you want to insert, then click the Insert button to embed the video on the slide.

If you want to put a link to the video on the slide, click Show Options in the lower left corner of the dialog box. 

Then, select the Link to file box, and click Insert .

Select the Video Format tab to add effects and choose whether your video will play automatically or when clicked.

Tip: If you’re using the 2016 version of PowerPoint (or newer), you can play back videos with multiple audio tracks. These versions also support closed captions and subtitles embedded in video files.

Select the Playback tab to do the following:

• Trim your video
• Add fade in and fade out effects
• Play the video on full screen or hide during the show
• Insert captions
• Select start time options (in click sequence, automatically, or when clicked)
• Loop the video to play repeatedly and continuously during the presentation
• Rewind your video

How to embed a video in PowerPoint from YouTube

Embedding a YouTube video to a PowerPoint presentation is simple. You can use the video URL or integrated search function to embed a video you uploaded to YouTube or someone else’s video (with permission).

To add a video to your PowerPoint presentation, you’ll copy the video embed code and paste it into the slide you want. The code will load the video at the source and play it on the platform you’re using. 

You won’t need to download and upload the video from YouTube and the video will load and play faster regardless of the file size. Plus, you can share video content that’s covered under copyright, so you’re not in danger of crossing any legal lines. 

Follow these steps to embed a video in PowerPoint from YouTube on a Windows PC or Mac. 

How to embed a video in PowerPoint from YouTube in Windows

Step 1: click “insert video”.

Open a PowerPoint presentation and select the slide you want to embed your video.

Click Insert > Video .

Step 2: Choose “Online video”

Select the Online Videos option.

Step 3: Insert the URL from YouTube

Right-click the video to copy the video link or embed code, or click Share to get the embed code. Then, paste the URL or embed code in the link field. 

A preview of your video will appear in the Insert video dialog box.

Click Insert to embed the video in your presentation. 

Resize the video thumbnail, then use the video formatting options to enhance it. 

Click Playback play the video automatically or when clicked or add captions. Then, preview the video with all the edits you made and save or share your presentation.

Note: YouTube’s video file formats are similar to those PowerPoint supports, so your video will likely play without issues. However, YouTube supports some formats that PowerPoint doesn’t, including FLV, 3GPP, WebM, DNxHR, ProRes, HEVC (h265), and CineForm. If your video isn’t playing, check to make sure it’s a supported file format.

How to embed a video in PowerPoint from YouTube on a Mac

Step 2: choose “online film”.

Select Online Film . 

A URL pop-up will appear prompting you to enter the link to the YouTube video.

Go to YouTube and copy the link or embed code of the video you want to embed in your presentation. You can right-click the video and select copy video URL or copy embed code, or click Share and copy the video link or embed code.

Paste the video link or embed code in the URL pop-up in your PowerPoint presentation, then click Insert .

Resize your video and polish your slides before saving the presentation to your computer.

How to insert a video file link in PowerPoint

Embedding a video in PowerPoint may be convenient, but it increases the size of your presentation. 

To reduce your presentation file size, insert a video file link to create a linked video. The downside with linked videos is that links can break, but you can prevent this by copying and storing your presentation and linked videos in the same folder, then linking to the video there.

Ensure you have a stable internet connection, then use the steps below to insert a video file link in PowerPoint on a PC or Mac.

Insert a video file link in PowerPoint on a PC or Mac

Step 1: take a screenshot of the video.

Find the video you want to link to in PowerPoint and take a screenshot of the clip. 

To take a screenshot in Windows, you can either use the Snipping tool, press the PrtScn (print screen) key and Windows Logo key on your keyboard. 

If you’re using a Mac computer, you can take a screenshot by pressing and holding SHIFT + COMMAND + 3 keys together (for full screenshot) or SHIFT + COMMAND + 4 keys to screenshot a specific area. 

Step 2: Insert the screenshot in your presentation

Alternatively, navigate to the slide you want to add your screenshot to, select Insert > Pictures > Picture from File . Then, find the screenshot you took, select Insert to add it to the slide, then crop, resize, and position it to your liking.

Step 3: Hyperlink the image to your video

Right-click the image and select Link . 

If your video is in Descript, copy the video link from your dashboard.

 Insert the video link in the address field then click OK .

The hyperlink will be connected to the image itself, not other elements on the slide or the entire slide.

Click Slide Show to test your video and ensure it links to the right video. When you click on the image, it will open in a web browser, ready for you to play.

Why can’t I embed a video in PowerPoint?

Embedding videos to a PowerPoint presentation is a straightforward process, but sometimes the video may fail to play. Let’s review some reasons for playback failure and how to resolve them.

Video playback issues

Video playback may fail in PowerPoint if:

• The storage folder is corrupt
• The video’s audio is out of sync
• The video file is corrupt, damaged, in an unsupported file format, or missing certain files

How to fix: Convert your video into a supported file format, check PowerPoint playback settings, or make the video visible by unchecking the Hide while not playing option in the playback tab. You can also save your presentation using the PPT or PPTX extension, so it’s easier to open the file in older or modern Office versions. 

File size and compatibility

Your video might not play if the file is too big. To resolve this issue, compress the media file by going to File > Info > Compress Media. Then, select one of these options: 

• Presentation quality/full HD: Adjusts the video size while maintaining its quality.
• Internet quality/HD: Saves on space and video quality.
• Low quality/Standard: Saves more space but doesn’t keep overall video and audio quality. This option is ideal if you want to share the presentation with others and ensure your videos will still play.  

If your video file is incompatible with PowerPoint, it may be in an unsupported file format or missing a codec. 

How to fix: Convert the video to a supported format or add a missing codec to your computer for smooth playback.

Broken links

When adding an online video, you might accidentally enter an incorrect link or the video link may be broken at the source. This means it won’t embed correctly and won’t play when you’re presenting. 

How to fix: Before inserting or embedding an online video, install the required updates for your version of PowerPoint and check that you’ve copied the right link. Then, test your video to ensure it plays on any device.

Make the best videos to embed in PowerPoint with Descript

Embedding a video in PowerPoint is a pretty simple process with several benefits for you and your audience. To prevent yawns and glazed-over eyes, you’ll need professional-quality videos that will draw your audience in, keep them engaged, and improve message recall.

Descript’s audio and video editing software lets you record, edit, and publish studio-grade videos to YouTube, then embed them in your PowerPoint presentations in a few clicks. 

Plus, Descript’s AI-powered automatic transcription generates high-quality transcripts from your video’s audio, which you can use as notes while making your presentation. You can also use Descript’s AI features to get text summaries, auto-generate copy for social media posts, and enhance your audio with Studio Sound .

Take Descript for a spin today to make quality videos that will help you deliver exceptional PowerPoint presentations.

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How to Put a Video on PowerPoint

Last Updated: April 12, 2024

This article was co-authored by Mitch Harris . Mitch Harris is a Consumer Technology Expert based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mitch runs his own IT Consulting company called Mitch the Geek, helping individuals and businesses with home office technology, data security, remote support, and cybersecurity compliance. Mitch earned a BS in Psychology, English, and Physics and graduated Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University. This article has been viewed 125,356 times.

Videos can help make your presentations looks more professional, and can liven up a dull report. They can also add a lot of content that you otherwise wouldn't be able to share. You can add videos from your computer and from the internet.

• You can place a video in any slide, but it is generally easier to learn in blank slide.

• In older versions of PowerPoint this will not bring up a menu, but a drop-down list. Search for "Video," or "Media Selection" to continue.

• Online Videos can be pulled from sites like YouTube or Vimeo. However, these videos will only work if your computer is hooked up to the internet whenever you show the presentation. If you aren't sure you'll have WiFi later, you could be without a video.
• Video on my PC takes a video you have already saved to your computer. If you save the PowerPoint on another hard drive (like a USB), you need to be sure you transfer a copy of the video to the drive as well. Once you have clicked the "Video" tool and selected "Online Video", there opens a smaller window that gives three options.

• Personal drive: You have the video on a cloud drive, like Dropbox or Google Drive.
• YouTube: you use the YouTube address, or URL.
• Embed Code: Click on the "Share" button on the video page, then copy and paste the "Embed" code for the video. [1] X Research source

• Again, if you plan on moving the presentation, like using a USB drive to carry it or move it, make sure you copy and paste the video you attached into the USB as well. PowerPoint needs to find the video to play it, and if you're on another computer that doesn't have the video you inserted, there will be no video for PowerPoint to play.

Community Q&A

• You can also insert a URL as a hyperlink on text. This means you can click on the link to bring up the video, allowing you to skip the video easily if the presentation needs to speed up. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ http://www.labnol.org/software/insert-youtube-video-in-powerpoint-presentations/5393/

About This Article

1. Open a slide. 2. Click Insert . 3. Click Audio . 4. Click Video . 5. Select Online Video or Video from my PC . 6. Select a video. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Insert and play a video file from your computer

Depending on the version of PowerPoint that you're using, you can insert an embedded video (the default behavior) or link to a video file stored on your computer.

Inserting an embedded video is convenient, but it increases the size of your presentation.

A linked video keeps your presentation file smaller, but links can break. We recommend storing presentations and linked videos in the same folder.

Supported video formats

We recommend that you use .mp4 files encoded with H.264 video (a.k.a. MPEG-4 AVC) and AAC audio.

For more details, see Video and audio file formats supported in PowerPoint .

Embed a video stored on your PC

In Normal view, click the slide that you want the video to be in.

On the Insert tab, click the arrow under Video , and then select This Device (or Video on My PC ).

In the Insert Video box, click the video that you want, and then click Insert .

Link to a video stored on your PC

To help prevent broken links, we recommend copying the video into the same folder as your presentation, and then linking to it there.

In Normal view, click the slide where you want the link to the video to be in.

In the Insert Video box, click the file that you want to link to, click the down arrow next to the Insert button, and then click Link to File .

Newer versions of PowerPoint support the playback of video with multiple audio tracks. They also support closed captions and subtitles that are embedded in video files.  For more information, see Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible .

Find out where a linked video is stored

If there's already a video on a slide and you want to know where it's stored, go to File > Info . Under Optimize Media Compatibility , there will be information about all media files in the presentation—whether they are linked or embedded in the file.  If there are any linked videos, PowerPoint gives you a View Links hyperlink. Click it to open a dialog box that shows the storage location of any linked files. 

YouTube video

If you want to insert a video on YouTube, switch to Insert or link to a video on YouTube .

Preview a video

When a video is selected on a slide, a toolbar appears below the video that has a play/pause button, a progress bar, incremental forward/backward buttons, a timer, and a volume control. Click the Play button at the left of that toolbar to preview the video.

Play a video automatically or when clicked

By default, in Slide Show, the video plays as part of the click sequence.    That means that when you click anywhere on the slide to advance to the next step (or when you press the Spacebar, Right arrow key, or other key that advances to the next step) the video plays. This Start option is called In Click Sequence .

But if you prefer, you can make the video start automatically as soon as it appears onscreen, or make it play when it is clicked:

Select the video frame.

On the ribbon, on the Playback tab, open the Start list and choose the option you prefer:

For more details about the options for playing the video in Slide Show, see Set the 'Play' options for a video .

To get the correct instructions, select the version of PowerPoint that you're using:

Insert a video stored on your computer

In Normal view, select the slide you'd like to add a video to.

On the Insert tab, click Video , then click Movie from File .

In the Choose a Movie dialog box, select the file you want to insert.

If you want to embed the video on the slide, simply click Insert .

If you want to put a link to the video on the slide, click Options at the lower left corner of the dialog box, and then select the Link to file box, and then click Insert .

Once you've added a video to your presentation, you can add effects and choose whether the video plays automatically or when it is clicked.

Tip:  You can play back video that has multiple audio tracks. Closed captions and subtitles that are embedded in video files are also supported.  For more information, see Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible .

Insert a video stored on your computer 

Open a new or existing presentation in PowerPoint for the web.

Select Insert > Video > This Device . 

Select the video you want and select  Open  to insert it in your slide.  

After your video has been inserted and appears on the slide, you can move, resize, or apply shape effects to your video.

PowerPoint for the web supports insertion of video files up to 256 MB.  

We recommend using .mp4 video file format for best presentations quality and experience. We also support the following file types: .mov, .wmv, .avi, .m4v, .mkv, .asf, .ts.  

The speed at which videos from your computer or laptop are inserted is dependent on your network connection.  

Want to insert an online video instead?

Go to Insert a YouTube video for all the details.

Video and audio file formats supported in PowerPoint

Add text to a video

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How to Put YouTube Videos in PowerPoint: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want to make your PowerPoint presentation a bit more engaging with a cool YouTube video? It’s actually pretty simple to do. By following a few easy steps, you can embed a YouTube video directly into your PowerPoint slide. This way, you won’t have to switch between applications during your presentation – it’ll all be right there in your slide show!

Step by Step Tutorial on How to Put YouTube Videos in PowerPoint

Before we dive into the steps, know that adding a YouTube video to your PowerPoint will enhance your presentation and keep your audience interested. No more boring bullet points, just a captivating video to emphasize your point!

Step 1: Find the YouTube video you want to embed

Locate the YouTube video that you want to add to your PowerPoint presentation.

Finding the right YouTube video is the first step. Make sure it’s relevant to your presentation’s content and will add value for your audience. Once you’ve found it, copy the URL from the address bar.

Step 2: Open your PowerPoint presentation

Open the PowerPoint presentation where you want to insert the YouTube video.

Make sure you’re on the slide where you want the video to appear before you move on to the next step. This will save you the hassle of moving it later on.

Step 3: Click on the ‘Insert’ tab

In PowerPoint, go to the ‘Insert’ tab on the menu bar.

The ‘Insert’ tab is where all the magic happens – from adding pictures and shapes to videos, it’s your go-to for jazzing up your slides.

Step 4: Select ‘Video’ and then ‘Online Video’

Within the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘Video’ and then select ‘Online Video’.

By selecting ‘Online Video’, you’re telling PowerPoint that you’re looking to add a video from the web, not one that’s saved on your computer.

Step 5: Paste the YouTube video URL

In the dialog box that appears, paste the YouTube video URL that you copied earlier.

After you paste the URL, PowerPoint will do a quick check to make sure it’s a valid link. If all is well, you’ll be able to move on to the next step.

Step 6: Resize and position the video on your slide

Once the video is embedded, you can resize and position it on your slide to fit your design.

Click and drag the corners of the video to resize it, and click and drag the video itself to move it around the slide. You can also use the format options to add effects like borders or shadows.

After you complete these steps, you’ll have a YouTube video embedded directly into your PowerPoint slide. No more awkward pauses while you exit the presentation to open up a browser. Your video will play seamlessly within your slide when you’re presenting, making for a smooth and professional presentation.

Tips for Putting YouTube Videos in PowerPoint

• Make sure you have a stable internet connection during your presentation, as the video will need to buffer.
• Test the video before your presentation to ensure it plays correctly.
• Keep the video short and to the point – you don’t want to lose your audience’s attention.
• Consider the volume of the video – ensure it’s audible for your audience but not overwhelming.
• If the video is long, use the ‘Trim Video’ feature in PowerPoint to show only the relevant part.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i put a youtube video in powerpoint if i don’t have an internet connection.

No, you need an internet connection to play a YouTube video in PowerPoint as it streams directly from the website.

Will the video play automatically when I get to that slide?

You can set the video to play automatically or when clicked – it’s up to you. You’ll find these options in the ‘Playback’ tab once the video is inserted.

Can I put a YouTube video in any version of PowerPoint?

You can embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2010 and later versions. Earlier versions do not support this feature.

What if the YouTube video is removed or the link changes?

If the YouTube video is removed or the link changes after you have embedded it, the video will not play in your PowerPoint. Always check the video link before presenting.

Can I embed a video that is not from YouTube?

Yes, as long as it’s an online video, you can embed it by following the same steps and using the video’s direct link.

• Find the YouTube video you want to embed.
• Open your PowerPoint presentation.
• Click on the ‘Insert’ tab.
• Select ‘Video’ and then ‘Online Video’.
• Paste the YouTube video URL.
• Resize and position the video on your slide.

There you have it – putting YouTube videos in PowerPoint is a piece of cake! With this handy skill, you can now make your presentations more dynamic and engaging for your audience. Just remember to choose videos that complement your content and resonate with your listeners. And don’t forget to test everything beforehand to ensure a smooth-running presentation. Happy presenting, and may your slides be ever compelling!

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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How to embed a video in PowerPoint

We all know that Microsoft’s PowerPoint software has been a presentations staple for a few decades now. And whether you only used it in school once or twice, or you use it for work on a daily basis, there’s always something new to learn about the classic Microsoft platform.

How to embed a YouTube video into PowerPoint

How to customize the embedded youtube video, how to inserting a video file directly into powerpoint, how do i get a youtube video to automatically play on powerpoint, why isn’t my embedded video playing in powerpoint.

Even if you know how to use PowerPoint , did you know that you can embed videos in your presentations?

What You Need

Microsoft PowerPoint

PC or laptop

Those custom animations and fanciful fonts are only going to hold your audience for so long, and nothing says “yay, a break from reading” like a two or three-minute YouTube clip. In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to add videos to PowerPoint slides, and answer a few frequently asked questions about this subject, too.

Step 1: Head to the slide where you want to embed a YouTube video by clicking it in the sidebar section, where all your slides are located. Now, click the exact area where you want to add the video, such as the title header or within the main body of text underneath.

Step 2: Click the Insert tab at the top. Select the Video icon. From the drop-down list that appears, choose Online Video .

Please note that if you're using PowerPoint 2019 or newer, you'll be able to insert online videos from YouTube by just copying and pasting the video URL into a slide. If you're using an older version, now is a good time to download PowerPoint and upgrade .

• YouTube can now generate a 6-second video Short using AI
• How to create a Powerpoint Presentation
• Best practices for making awesome PowerPoint slides

Step 3: Open the video you wish to embed on YouTube. Under the video player, click Share and then the Embed icon. Under the Embed Video title, click the Embed Code once, which will select the entire code section. Click the Copy button or use the keyboard shortcut ( Ctrl + C on Windows).

Step 4: Go back to your PowerPoint presentation window after you’ve copied the necessary code. Within the From a Video Embed Code section, paste the code into the adjacent field. Click the Enter button on your keyboard or click the small, grayed-out Arrow .

Step 1: You can customize how you want the video to play on your slide. Click the Playback tab and make any necessary adjustments, such as the video playing automatically or only letting it play when you click the video itself.

Step 2: You can also click the video frame, then right-click and select the Format Video tab for further modification tools, such as the video’s brightness, size, and more.

If you’d prefer to embed a video into your PowerPoint presentation with a video contained within your system, Microsoft provides an option to do so.

Step 1: Choose exactly where you want to add a video file. Click the Insert tab and select the Video icon. Click the Video on My PC field.

Step 2: Navigate to the video you want to insert, then double-click it or click it once and select the Open button. Microsoft PowerPoint will embed the video with its own media player.

Please remember that if you do prefer the option to insert a video directly from your PC and you'll need to show the presentation via an external system, don't forget to save both the PowerPoint and video files onto your USB, external hard drive, etc. Otherwise, it won't be able to play the video. Moreover, add both of them into a single folder so they're interconnected to ensure playback.

If you want your video to start playing the moment you open the slide it’s pasted to, the first thing you’ll need to do is make sure your slideshow is in Normal view. Next, click the YouTube video. Now click Playback > Start > Automatically .

You can also set up Play in Click Sequence , which automatically plays a slide’s YouTube video when you press the spacebar, right arrow key, or any other key that advances to the next slide.

There’s a couple of reasons your YouTube video may not be playing in PowerPoint. For starters, you should check to make sure the video you’re attempting to embed is compatible with PowerPoint. Popular formats like MP4, AVI, and WMV are supported. If your video isn’t in a PowerPoint-supported format, you could always convert it using programs like HandBrake .

If you’re playing an embedded YouTube video, the device you’re running PowerPoint on will need to be connected to the internet, too. If you know you’re going to be giving the presentation in a location without internet access, it’s probably a better idea to download the YouTube video to your computer first, and then place the video into your PowerPoint.

Adding video to your PowerPoint presentations is a great way to mix things up and give your audience something different. Remember, though, that it should add to the storytelling of your presentation. Not sure about video? Here's how to add audio to a PowerPoint .

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If you're using Microsoft PowerPoint to create a slideshow, music might be the perfect addition. You may want a fun upbeat song on a slide or a soft subtle melody throughout the presentation.

We’ll show you how to add music to PowerPoint a few different ways and then use a single song on a slide or play background music from start to finish.

When you present a slideshow, it’s likely that you have more to say than what displays on the slides. You may want to expand on the text you’ve included, or if the slide only contains visuals, explain them further.

Did you know that you can add speaker notes to each slide you create when using Microsoft PowerPoint? This allows you to add notes to each slide and then see them in Presenter View when you start the show.

One you know how to use PowerPoint, you can craft a great presentation. What's even better, however, is the option to use Presenter View. This lets you leave notes for yourself that can be viewed on your computer screen while everyone else is only seeing your presentation.

How to Insert a YouTube Video into a PowerPoint Presentation

Using embed or downloading the video

If you’re trying to get a YouTube video into your PowerPoint presentation, there are a couple of ways you can do it. The easiest method is to simply copy the embed code from the YouTube video and paste it into PowerPoint. However, that option require you have an active Internet connection during the presentation because the video will be streamed from the Internet.

The second option is to download the video from YouTube and then insert it as a movie file into PowerPoint. This is harder process because you’re going to have to find a website or tool to download the videos, which is not something YouTube officials supports, except for downloading your own videos. Then you’ll have to convert the files to AVI or WMV because PowerPoint doesn’t support the default format that YouTube videos are encoded in.

In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps to get your YouTube video into PowerPoint using both of these methods, however, you’ll have to Google around and find a way to download the YouTube video yourself.

Method 1 – Use Embed Code

If you’re using PowerPoint 2010 or higher, then there is a really nice option now that lets you insert videos from video-sharing websites like YouTube. Open PowerPoint and then click on Insert on the ribbon.

You’ll see a Video button and if you click on that, you’ll see the option for Video from Web Site . A box will pop up that asks you to paste in the embed code. Now you have to go get the embed code from YouTube. To do that, go to the video and then click on Share and then Embed .

Copy the code from the box that starts with <iframe width and then paste that into the box in PowerPoint.

Click Insert and your video should now be in the PowerPoint slide. You can move it around and even resize it just like any other PowerPoint object. When you play your slideshow, the video will start to play when the slide comes up.

Note that in order versions of PowerPoint, you will have to follow method 2, which means you’ll have to download the video, convert it and then insert it into PowerPoint. The second method is also for anyone who wants to include a YouTube video, but doesn’t have an Internet connection when the slideshow plays. With no Internet, the video won’t stream.

Method 2 – Download and Convert

As I mentioned above, downloading your own YouTube videos is very easy. Log into your YouTube account and click on your picture up at the top right. Then click on Creator Studio .

Now click on Video Manager in the left menu and you’ll see a list of all your videos. Click on the little down arrow next to Edit and click on Download MP4 .

When you go back to PowerPoint, this time you click on Insert, Video and then Video from File . Find your downloaded movie and it will be inserted into the presentation. Again, inserting the video this way will ensure you can play the video even if you don’t have an Internet connection.

If you want to download a YouTube that’s not your own, you’ll have to search Google for that first. Once you have downloaded the video, you can check out any of these two free sites for converting the Flash video to MP4, AVI or WMV.

http://www.online-convert.com/

http://convert-video-online.com/

Depending on the version of PowerPoint, the video formats supported may differ so here’s a breakdown for each version:

PowerPoint 2013 – AVI, MP4, M4V, MOV, MPG, MPEG, SWF, or WMV. Nothing has to be installed to insert these formats.

PowerPoint 2010 – SWF, AVI, MPG, MPEG, WMV. If Apple QuickTime is installed on the computer playing the presentation, then it can also support MP4 and MOV file formats.

PowerPoint 2007 – AVI, MPG, MPEG, WMV

Go ahead and convert your video to the appropriate format for your version of Office and then insert it using the method I showed above. That’s about it! If you have any trouble inserting videos into your PowerPoint presentation, post a comment and we’ll try to help. Enjoy!

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Founder of Online Tech Tips and managing editor. He began blogging in 2007 and quit his job in 2010 to blog full-time. He has over 15 years of industry experience in IT and holds several technical certifications. Read Aseem's Full Bio

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How to embed a video in powerpoint from youtube, pc, or mac.

• 26 Oct 2017

Raise your hand if you tune out as soon as someone opens a PowerPoint deck during a meeting at work. Everyone? Of course. While PowerPoint remains one of the simplest ways to create a presentation, it’s also become one of the most hated parts of office life. We’ll show you how to embed a video in PowerPoint so you can overcome the dreaded death-by-too-many-slides.

This article covers how to insert a video into a PowerPoint presentation directly from YouTube or another video site, as well as embedding a video from your PC or Mac.

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Before we dive in, it’s important to remember that embedding a video into a PowerPoint presentation isn’t fool-proof. Your presentation is only as good as the video embedded within it. If you need to  make engaging and relevant presentation videos  to add to your PowerPoint, you can do it in minutes with Biteable.

Grab a video template  from the Biteable template library, punch it up with your own text, and embed that video into your PowerPoint presentation like a pro.

How to insert a video in PowerPoint from YouTube or another site

The process for inserting a video into PowerPoint from YouTube varies depending on your operating system and version of PowerPoint.

To insert an online video into a presentation in PowerPoint 365:

• Open your presentation in  PowerPoint 365 .
• click “Insert Video”
• Choose “Online Video”
• Insert the URL for any web video from YouTube, SlideShare, Vimeo, or Stream.

Note: For this to work, you’ll need internet during your presentation.

To insert an online video into a presentation in PowerPoint from your PC:

The following steps work for embedding YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, and 2010 from a PC.

1.  On YouTube, find the video you want, click the  share  button below the video frame, and choose  Embed .

2.   Copy the Embed code.  Make sure it’s the right code. Don’t copy the URL on the initial “Share” popup screen. After clicking the “Embed” icon, wait for a popup screen called “Embed Video”. Here, click the “Copy” button in the bottom right corner. The correct code should start with  <iframe width .

3.  Switch to PowerPoint and  select the slide you’ll add your video to .

4.   Click “Insert”.  Here, you can insert different objects into the slide.

5.   Click Video > Online Video.  If you’re in PowerPoint 2019 or earlier, choose “Video from Website” instead.

6.   Click “Paste Embed Code Here” and paste the Embed code you copied in Step 2.  For PowerPoint 2010, click “Insert Video From Website.”

7.   Select the video and click “Playback”.

8.   Click the Start menu to select how the video plays.  This is important. Your video won’t work unless you choose one of these options.

9.   Be online when you hit “Play”.  You’ll need the internet for your video to work.

To insert an online video into a PowerPoint in Mac OS:

The following steps work for embedding YouTube videos in PowerPoint for Mac.

1.  On YouTube, find the video you want, click the  share  button below the video frame, and copy the link.

2.  Go to PowerPoint and select your slide.

3  Click  insert > Add-ins > Store

4  Type  ”web video player”  into the search bar, then hit  enter

5.  Select  web video player . Click  add .

6  In the popup window labeled  web video player , paste the link you copied from YouTube in Step 1.

7.  Hit  set video .

How to embed a video in PowerPoint from your PC or Mac

There are two ways to insert a video file into PowerPoint from your PC or Mac. The first is to  insert an embedded video from your computer  (which we’ll go over in this section). The second is to  link to a video file  stored on your computer. We’ll show you that option in the next section.

There are pros and cons to embedding a video into your PowerPoint (verses linking to a video).

When you embed a video, you add that video into the PowerPoint itself. If you send the PowerPoint presentation to someone else, they’ll be able to play the video without trouble. The only downside is that a PowerPoint with an embedded video will have a larger file size. Be mindful of this.

Follow these steps to embed a video in PowerPoint from your PC or Mac:

1. Click on the PowerPoint slide you want, then go to Menu > Insert.

2. In the top right corner, click Video > Video on My PC.

3. Find the video you want to embed and click “Insert”.

4. Adjust the settings in the Video Format toolbar

To make sure your embedded video file plays the way you want, go to the Video Format toolbar and check the settings. For example, if you want your video to take center stage as soon as you click on the slide, select “Play Full Screen” and “Start Automatically”.

5. Preview your presentation

The final step to embedding a video in a PowerPoint presentation is to check if your video plays exactly how you want it to. That’s it! You’re done.

How to insert and play a video file link from your computer

If you’d rather insert a link to a video stored on your computer, that’s an option too. The process is very similar to the one you use when you embed a video in your PowerPoint.

Compared to embedding a video directly into a PowerPoint, linking to a file stored on your PC or Mac keeps the file size of your presentation smaller. The downside is that links break and videos get deleted from computers.

For the video to play in your PowerPoint, an actual copy of the linked video must be stored on your computer. If you choose this option, keep the video itself in the same folder as the PowerPoint presentation. When you send the PowerPoint to someone else, be sure to send the linked video as well.

Follow these steps to insert and play a video file link from your computer:

• Click on the PowerPoint slide, then go to Menu > Insert.
• Click Video > Video on My PC
• Find the video you want to link to and click “Link to File”.

Why can I not embed a video in PowerPoint?

If you can’t embed a video in PowerPoint from your PC or Mac, then you’re probably using an unsupported format. Your video needs to be WMV, ASF, or MP4. Microsoft recommends  embedding a video file in MP4 format  encoded with H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC).

Master video-centered PowerPoint presentations with these tips

There are a few best practices when  creating Biteable videos for presentations .

Be clear with your script.

The video you embed in your PowerPoint replaces bullet points, so use clear and concise language. A simple message makes it easier for your audience to follow along.

Pick colors that pop.

A good-looking video goes a long way to keeping your audience’s attention. Increase engagement with colorful (but not gaudy) backgrounds and animations. You can find a ton of easy-to-edit animation scenes in the  Biteable animated templates library.

Keep it short and sweet.

Generally, a video between 30-60 seconds is ideal for a presentation. If a video runs longer than a minute, break it up across multiple slides so it can be digested in bite-sized chunks.

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How to Embed a Video in Powerpoint (From Drive & YouTube)

Last updated on 21st February 2022

Imagine this: you’re giving a presentation to your boss, a potential new client, or an important customer. You’re in a groove, and things are going well. Best of all, you’ve got a killer video coming up in your presentation that’s sure to get them excited. But suddenly, you get to your video in your PowerPoint and it wont play.

You lose focus, stumble around to find the video elsewhere (or forego playing it at all), and lose the attention of your once captive audience.

We’ve all been there, and unfortunately, technical difficulties with video can be a huge buzz kill for presenters and audiences alike.

But, when it’s done right, video has the ability to amp up a presentation, get a crowd excited, and share a powerful message with your viewers.

So how do you prevent this all-too-common mishap from ruining your next presentation? Here’s a step-by-step guide to how to embed a video in PowerPoint three different ways.

How to embed a video from your hard drive

Embedding a video into your PowerPoint directly from your hard drive is a great way to ensure your video plays seamlessly, even without an internet connection. When you store a video on your hard drive, it’s accessible to PowerPoint even if you can’t connect to wi-fi, which is an important consideration for people presenting to groups in new environments.

But watch out for a few common stumbling blocks. If you move the video from one folder to another on your hard drive, your PowerPoint presentation may have trouble locating it, leaving you with a blank screen. Also, if you share your PowerPoint with someone via email or USB, and you don’t also share the video with them and re-embed it into the presentation, you’ll be stuck stumbling in front of a confused audience with no playable video content in your PowerPoint.

If you decide to embed a video file from your hard drive into a PowerPoint presentation, here are six simple steps you can take to ensure success.

1. Navigate to the right slide

First, open your PowerPoint file and navigate to the slide that you want to put the video on.

2. Select Insert > Video > From File

Next, navigate to the top PowerPoint menu and select Insert. Then toggle down to Video, and select Movie from File. Be sure you know where your video is saved to make this step quick and easy.

3. Find the video file on your hard drive

From here, find the video on your hard drive. If you have your hard drive synced to a cloud storage system like Dropbox or Google Drive, you could also use a video stored in one of those locations.

4. Resize the video

Once the video is inserted onto your slide, you’ll want to resize it to fit the slide. PowerPoint may insert the video as a full-screen video – which could be exactly how you want to display it. But if you’re looking to feature a headline or other graphics on your slide, simply resize the video and position it on the slide the same way you would an image or other element.

5. Play the video

Testing is critical to ensuring your video embed was successful. The first test you’ll perform is at this step, right after you’ve resized the video. Play the video in the PowerPoint to be sure it fully embedded and that you selected the right file. Be sure you watch from start to finish to ensure the full video embedded successfully.

6. Test in Play mode

As the final step in the process and your second test, play the PowerPoint like you will be during your presentation. You should see the video move at normal speed and hear any audio you have in your video as well. Again, be sure to watch the entire video to identify any potential embedding issues.

While you will have tested your video twice at this point, it’s also a good idea to give it a final test on the day of your presentation. This will not only ensure you’re set up for success, but give you confidence knowing your video will play seamlessly.

How to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint

PowerPoint has come a long way with regards to displaying video into presentations, and this method is proof of that. PowerPoint offers the option to embed a YouTube (or other video platform) video directly from the website in just a few clicks.

This option is the fastest solution and doesn’t involve downloading or storing any video files on your computer, but it does come with a few limitations. First, with this option, YouTube automatically selects the image that appears on the slide, giving you a less customisable look. If image customisation is important to you, check out the next section on how to link to a video from PowerPoint. Second, if you’re not connected to the internet, your video won’t play – an important consideration for people presenting in environments where they don’t have reliable internet access.

While this method comes with a few technical limitations, it’s super easy to implement. If you decide to use this method, here’s how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint in just five steps.

First, open your PowerPoint file and find the slide you want to embed your YouTube video onto.

2. Insert an Online Movie

Next, navigate to the Insert tab within PowerPoint’s main menu, and select Video. Then from the dropdown, opt to insert an Online Video.

3. Paste your video URL

Selecting insert an Online Video will activate a pop-up to insert a URL. Paste your YouTube link directly into this form field, and select Insert.

4. Resize and position your video

With this method, PowerPoint does all the work. The playable video will appear right on the slide, complete with an image from your video (note that this is the non-customisable part we mentioned). Now all you need to do is resize the video and position it on the slide where you’d like it.

5. Test your video in Play mode

As a final step, hop into Play mode and test the video playback. You’ll even see the YouTube window, along with play and pause buttons, giving your slide an official, buttoned-up feel reminiscent of a website more than a PowerPoint.

How to link to a video from PowerPoint

Linking to a video within your PowerPoint is a great option that’s very customisable. You can link any image or text to a YouTube, Wistia , Vimeo or website link in just a few minutes. But, readers beware: while you don’t have to worry about hosting large files on your computer with this option, web connectivity is critical. You need to have a reliable internet connection for this option to work.

If you’re unsure about your connectivity, we recommend opting to embed a video into your presentation from your hard drive. But if you’re cruising through the digital age at warp internet speed, check out how to link to a video from a PowerPoint in just six steps.

1. Screengrab an image of the video

To link to a video, you’re going to turn an image in your presentation into a hyperlink. The first step in the process is to find the right image – which in this case is a screenshot of your video. Note that you could use any image as your link, but we’re going to focus on the screenshot approach.

To capture a screenshot on a Mac, simply select command + shift + 3. You can also control the parameters of your screen grab by using command + shift + 4 (as seen in the image below). We suggest you play around with both options to determine which works best for you. This action will automatically save the image to your desktop.

To capture a screenshot on a PC, you’ll want to locate the key labeled PrtScn, also known as the print screen key. When you press this key along with the Windows icon key, your computer will take a screenshot of the screen and save it to your Pictures folder. Since this function captures an image of the entire screen, you’ll want to use a photo editor, like Windows Photo Gallery, to crop the image to include only the video thumbnail.

2. Find your PowerPoint slide

After you’ve captured a screenshot of your video, navigate to the slide in the PowerPoint that you want to use to link to your video.

3. Insert your image onto the slide

Next, put the image onto your slide. Select Insert, and toggle down to Picture and select Picture from File.

Then find the image you’d like to use to preview your video, and select Insert.

4. Resize your image

Once your image appears on your slide, resize it and position it just like you would any other image.

5. Add a hyperlink to the image

The same way you inserted your video file, you’re going to insert a hyperlink. Navigate to Insert, and toggle down to Hyperlink. Be sure you have the image selected while you’re doing this so the hyperlink connects to the image itself, not the entire slide or another element on the slide.

Then copy-and-paste the link to your web video into the hyperlink form field, and select OK.

6. Test the video in Play mode

You guessed it. The final step in the process is to test your video in Play mode to be sure you linked to the right video. You should be able to click on the image in your PowerPoint when you’re in Play mode. And when you click it…

…you should be taken to a web browser where your video appears, ready for you to play!

Now that you know how to embed a video in PowerPoint, it’s time to take the final steps to preparing for a phenomenal presentation.

• Test your audio and visuals before you present. If you’re giving a presentation in a new location, you should anticipate issues with their A/V set-up and assume you’ll have wi-fi connectivity issues. Be sure to run through the presentation once before you formally present to ensure the video appears and your audio is both working and loud enough. Also consider taking a wi-fi hot spot in case you encounter internet issues.
• Keep it short. When presenting in front of an audience, sometimes less is more. No one wants to watch a 10-minute long video in the middle of a presentation. The best PowerPoint videos get an audience excited but don’t drag on to the point of boredom.
• Get creative. PowerPoints can be boring – but when you add video, you add a whole new dynamic element and energy to your presentation. Let your mind run wild with ideas as you think of ways to spice up your PowerPoint.

For more awesome tips on how to create the most awe-inspiring, jaw-dropping videos your audience has ever seen, head over to the Wyzowl blog . Peruse posts on the best motion graphics videos around, how to convert a video to a GIF , and everything in between.

Written by Sam Parker

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Home Blog PowerPoint Tutorials How to Insert a Video into PowerPoint

How to Insert a Video into PowerPoint

Adding videos to slides can save a lot of time explaining different concepts. A short video can help make even complex ideas easy to grasp with visual aids and assist the presenter in avoiding making several slides explaining the topic. You can add videos to your custom slides or PowerPoint templates from your device or online sources by following a few easy steps.

How to Add Video to PowerPoint

Just as we explained in a previous tutorial about how to add a video to Google Slides , adding a video to PowerPoint is quite similar. To get started, click the Insert tab and select Media -> Video . Now, select the source for your video.

Add Video from Device

You can add a video from your device by browsing to the location where the video is located to select it.

Add a Stock Video

To add a stock video, select the Stock Videos option from the Video dropdown menu, search for a video, and select to insert it.

Add Videos from Online Sources

Videos can also be added from online sources by adding the URL for a video from different sources such as YouTube, SlideShare, Vimeo, Stream, and Flip. For more details regarding this process, see our tutorial about how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint .

Format Video Added to PowerPoint

Once you have added a video in PowerPoint, you can format the video to adjust it according to need. The video size can be adjusted either from the Video Format tab or via drag and drop. The same tab also provides options to crop, rotate, and adjust the colors of the added video. Cropping and resizing options are available in the Video Format tab from the Size menu.

To add a video frame or change the look of the video outline, go to the Video Styles menu from the Video Format tab.

The video rotation and other adjustment options can be found in the Arrange menu in the Video Format tab.

The Adjust menu in the Video Format tab provides options for color correction, adding a poster frame, and resetting the video design.

Adjust Playback Settings for Video in PowerPoint

There are a number of playback settings that you can adjust from the Playback tab in PowerPoint. You can add closed captions, select the video to play in the loop, and rewind automatically once it’s played, as well as edit the video.

From the Video options menu in the Playback tab, select the Start dropdown menu to decide if the video will be played automatically when clicked or in a click sequence. From this menu, you can also select whether the video is to be played in full screen and hidden when not played.

Insert Captions is another option in the Playback tab that enables importing closed captions to be added to the video. The closed captions format supported by PowerPoint is WebVTT.

To edit a video in PowerPoint, the Playback tab provides the Editing menu. From this menu, you can trim the video in PowerPoint and add a Fade (in and out) effect. Let’s see how to trim a video in PowerPoint:

As shown in the screenshot, to trim the video in PowerPoint you need to draft the handles that sets the start time and end time. This way, you can cut the video and trim it so only a portion of the video is being shown.

To add a video from your device, go to the Insert tab, select Media -> Video -> This Device. Browse for the video file on your computer and select it to insert it into your slide.

Yes, you can add stock videos. Go to the Insert tab, select Media -> Video -> Stock Videos. Search for the desired video and select it to insert into your slide.

To add an online video, go to the Insert tab, select Media -> Video -> Online Video. Enter the URL of the video from sources like YouTube, SlideShare, Vimeo, Stream, or Flip, and click Insert.

After adding a video, you can format it using the Video Format tab. Here, you can adjust the size, crop, rotate, and change the colors of the video. You can also use the Video Styles menu to add a frame or change the video outline.

Go to the Playback tab to adjust playback settings. You can choose to start the video automatically, on click, or in a click sequence. Other options include playing the video in full screen, looping it, and hiding it when not playing.

Yes, you can add closed captions. In the Playback tab, select Insert Captions and import the WebVTT file for your video.

To insert an offline video in PowerPoint: – Go to the Insert Tab: Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the Insert tab on the Ribbon. – Select Media: In the Insert tab, find the Media group and click on Video. – Choose Video from This Device: Select Video on my PC from the dropdown menu. – Browse for the Video File: A file explorer window will open. Browse to the location where your video file is stored on your device. – Insert the Video: Select the video file you want to insert and click Insert. The video will be added to your slide. You can then resize and position it as needed.

Final Words

Videos added to PowerPoint can be of immense help in explaining something important to an audience. Many YouTube videos make it easy to quickly provide the necessary information instead of using multiple slides or creating a custom video to get your point across. 

By effectively using videos in your PowerPoint slides, you can make your slides easier to grasp and work smart to present ideas and concepts quickly. However, it is worth testing out the slides once the videos are added by running them as a slideshow. If it’s an online video, ensure you have a stable Internet connection when presenting your slides; if it’s an offline video added to your slides, make sure the slides don’t lag on the system you are using. Do you know you can also convert slides to videos? See our tutorials on how to convert a PowerPoint presentation to an HD video and how to convert a Google Slides presentation to a video to learn about turning your slides into video presentations .

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Blog > How to add a YouTube Video in PowerPoint

How to add a YouTube Video in PowerPoint

07.08.20   •  #powerpointtips.

Sometimes, you want to show your audience a YouTube video during a presentation. Some people do so by opening the browser, going to YouTube and then typing the video title into the search bar, when in fact there is a much easier and more convenient way. In the this post, you'll learn how you can directly insert a YouTube Video into PowerPoint that plays automatically on your slide. Also, we have got some great suggestions about videos you could show your audience.

You can watch our video (which is by the way inserted from YouTube as well) down below and learn how to add a video to your slides in just one minute! If you don't feel like watching the video, you can also follow the step-by-step guide down below.

Step-by-Step Tutorial

• Go to Insert in the PowerPoint task line on the top.
• Click on Video on the top right corner. Then choose the option Online Video .

• A window will open which will ask you to insert the video’s URL.

• Open the YouTube video you would like to embed in your browser. You can simply right click on the address bar in the browser and copy the URL. Alternatively, perform a right mouse click on the video, and then click on Copy Video URL .

• Go back to PowerPoint and insert the URL by either pressing CTRL+V or right click and then Paste . Then click on Insert .

• Your video will then be inserted on your current slide. Just like any element, you can change its size or move it around now.
• To start the video (either while editing or in presentation mode), simply click on the play button.

YouTube video with offline playback

With the previously described option, it is necessary to have a stable internet connection while presenting. As that can not always be guaranteed, there is also a way of inserting YouTube videos that work offline. Follow these steps:

• Open the YouTube Video in your Browser. Copy the URL by clicking the address bar and then Right Click > Copy.
• Open the website y2mate.com . Paste your copied URL into the text field, then click Start .

• Choose one of the options for download (and click the Download button. We recommend 1080p or 720p.

• A window will open, and your video will convert. When it's ready, click Download .mp4" .
• After your file has downloaded, you should see it in your Downloads folder in the browser. By clicking "Show in folder", you'll see where it's saved on your device.

• Right click on the file in your folder and click Copy .
• Go to the PowerPoint slide where you want your video to be placed. Right click and Paste . Your video should now appear and play if you click on it.

What kinds of videos can I use in a presentation?

Videos are an amazing way to liven up your presentation. Especially when you're talking for a long time, the audience tends to get tired. That's where a variation of multimedia elements, such as videos, can be helpful. We recommend putting videos in the main part of a presentation, but of course you may also start or finish by presenting a video to your audience. There is no limit for the type of video, the only guideline you should follow is relevance. Before mindlessly pasting a video to your slide, ask yourself: "What purpose does this video fulfill within my presentation?" Is it supposed to inform and teach the audience, is it something you really want everybody to see, or is it just a funny little clip to lighten the mood? All of those purposes are fine. With this tip, you're one step closer to a wonderful presentation! If you want to learn more about successful presentations and Audience Engagement, check out our blogpost Top 10 Tools for increasing Audience Engagement .

Set the start of your video

After you've added a video from YouTube, it starts to play by default when you click anywhere on the slide during the presentation. That's usually fine, but can sometimes be annoying, e.g. when you have more than one video on one slide. In that case, it is helpful to set the Start to When clicked on . The video then won't start until you click directly on it. You can do that by first clicking on your video, going to the Playback tab on the right and then select When clicked on in the Start-selection. By choosing Automatically here, your video will start automatically, without having to click on it.

Add a video from your device

If you want to add a video that is saved on your computer, you can do so by following the tutorial in our article Insert a local Video .

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

How can I insert a YouTube video to PowerPoint?

Go to Insert > Video > Online Video. Copy the video URL from the address bar and paste it to the window that opens. Click Insert and your video should appear instantly.

Can I play a video directly on my PowerPoint slides?

Yes. You can insert a video from YouTube by using the URL, and it will be played directly on your slide. In our tutorial , you'll learn how to do so.

Can I play an offline video from YouTube in PowerPoint?

Yes, it is possible to play an offline YouTube video on your PowerPoint slides. We show you how it is done in our tutorial .

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Pia works in Marketing as a graphic designer and writer at SlideLizard. She uses her vivid imagination and creativity to produce good content.

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How to embed a youtube video in powerpoint.

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Finding a youtube video’s embed code, embedding a youtube video in powerpoint, searching the youtube video in powerpoint.

During a presentation, a mix of media always performs best. Using images, graphs, charts, and videos not only makes your presentation more informative but also more engaging for the audience. If you have a YouTube video you’d like to use during your presentation, it’s as simple as embedding it in a slide. Here’s how.

Rather than linking to a YouTube video in your presentation, embedding it in the slide is usually the better option. It gives your presentation a more professional look because you won't be leaving your slide to pop open the YouTube website. Keep in mind, though, that even with the video embedded in your presentation, you’ll still need to be connected to the internet to play the video.

First, head over to YouTube and find the video you want to embed. Once you’re there, select the “Share” option, which you'll find in the video description.

A window will appear, giving you a few different vehicles for sharing the video. Go ahead and click the “Embed” option in the “Share a link” section.

Another window will appear, providing the embed code along with a few other options.  If you wanting to start the video at a particular time, select the “Start at” box and enter the time when you’d like the video to start. Additionally, you can select whether you’d like to player controls to appear and if you want to enable privacy-enhanced mode.

Note: Privacy-enhanced mode keeps YouTube from storing information about visitors that visit your website that the video is embedded on unless they play the video. Since we will be using the embed code in a PowerPoint presentation, this option is not necessary.

Select “Copy” at the bottom right of the window to copy the embed code to your clipboard. Alternatively, select the code and use the Ctrl+C shortcut.

We’re finished with YouTube, for now, so head on over to PowerPoint and open your presentation.

Select the slide where you want to embed the YouTube video. On the “Insert” tab, click the “Video” button.

On the drop-down menu, select the “Online Video” option.

The Insert Video window that appears lets you search YouTube for a video or paste in that embed code you copied from the YouTube website. Paste the embed code and click the arrow to complete the action.

Your video will now appear in the presentation. To resize the video, click and drag the corners.

Note that at first, the video will appear as a black rectangle. Don’t worry---this is normal. Simply right-click the video and then select “Preview.”

This will give you a quick preview of how the video will look during your presentation.

You can also search for a YouTube video from that Insert Video window in PowerPoint. Type in your search terms and then click the search icon.

Several options will appear---888,341 in the case of the Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up video for which we searched. Select the one you want to use.

Then select “Insert” at the bottom-right of the window.

That’s all there is to it. Generally, we recommend searching the actual YouTube website and using the embed code the way we described earlier---mostly because the site is much easier to search and you can watch the videos before selecting the one you want. Still, if you know exactly what you're after, this method might work fine for you.

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How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)

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• February 25, 2015

This is your  SUPER GUIDE  for how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint, covering all versions of PowerPoint (find your version below).

Adding videos to your presentations is a great way to create more engaging content and backup your main points with PROOF.

Before you get started embedding your video though, there are 3 considerations to take into account

Note:  You are limited to what you can do with online videos in PowerPoint, compared to videos you embed from your computer. To learn all about these differences,  read our guide

YouTube Video Considerations

1. which version of powerpoint you are using.

There are various techniques for the different versions of PowerPoint and add-ins you can install to make this process (and your life) easier.

The guide below covers PowerPoint versions 2007, 2010, 2013 and the latest Office 365 version of PowerPoint.

2. Do you want the YouTube video’s entire playlist on your slide?

If so, you need to navigate to your video through the YouTube channel’s playlist, which drove me crazy when I was trying to figure this out.

Also, inserting a playlist isn’t available in PowerPoint 2007.

3. Do you need to trim your YouTube video?

If you want to take advantage of all the PowerPoint video editing features, you will need to find a way to download your YouTube video and embed it in PowerPoint.

That’s because the FULL range of PowerPoint video editing tools is only available for videos you directly embed into PowerPoint from your computer.

To see everything you can do with videos embedded directly from your computer (instead of from an online source like YouTube),  read our guide here .

PowerPoint 2019 (Office 365) Embed a YouTube Video

1. find your youtube video’s proper url.

To find the right URL for your YouTube video to embed into PowerPoint, follow these steps:

• Navigate  to  YouTube.com
• Use the  Search Bar  to find your video
• Select  your video to open the YouTube Player
• Click  Share  at the bottom of the video player
• Click  Copy

The same is true if you are using an online video from another source.

You want to make sure you use the Share button (or similar feature) to get the proper URL for your video before you embed it into PowerPoint.

Otherwise it might not play properly, as discussed below.

WARNING: Get the right YouTube URL

You want to make sure you copy your video’s URL using the share button. DO NOT use the URL from your web browser.

That’s because the URL in your web browser tends to start where you last left off in the video and not at the beginning of the video.

In the picture above this is reflected in the URL with T=60s. This means the video will start 60 seconds into the video, and not from the beginning.

This can lead to an embarrassing presentation, where you play the video at the punchline that you want to make instead of the full video that leads up to the punch line.

2. Embed your YouTube video into PowerPoint

To embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint, simply:

• Navigate to the  Insert  tab
• Select the  Video  drop down (within the Media group)
• Choose  Online Video
• Where it says  Enter the URL for the Online Video ,  Paste  in (Ctrl + V) your URL
• Click  Insert

Clicking  Insert , a message at the bottom of your screen will tell you the video is processing. Once it’s done, the video appears on your slide as you can see below

How to trim a YouTube video

Keeping in mind that you are limited in what you can do with online videos in PowerPoint (like YouTube videos), you can adjust the start time of your YouTube video.

This allows you to start your YouTube video at a certain time within the video, so you can just show the most relevant part of the video that backs up your presentation.

The trick to doing this is to adjust it BEFORE you copy the YouTube video’s URL.

If you want to trim both the start and end times of your video, you’ll need to download the YouTube video, embed the video from your PC and then use the Trim command.

To learn how to embed a video in PowerPoint (including trimming the video’s length),  read our guide here .

To trim a YouTube video to a certain start time, simply:

• Open  your YouTube video’s watch page
• Click the  Share  button
• Adjust the video’s  Start at  time

Adjusting the YouTube video’s start time, you’ll see the new start time reflected in the URL, as pictured below.

PowerPoint 2013: Embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint

There are two ways to embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2013: the new dedicated YouTube option in PowerPoint, and the old embed code method.

Warning: New YouTube Option

Although the new YouTube option in PowerPoint simplifies the embedding process…you DO lose the capability to format your YouTube videos and/or embed an entire YouTube playlist.

To format the appearance of the YouTube video in PowerPoint 2013 or to grab a playlist, you still need to use the old embed code method (the second method).

I’ve covered both methods in the tutorials below. You’ll notice I used an image of a computer screen to frame the video and create a cool effect…just another tip for making your videos come to life!

There are two methods for adding YouTube videos in PowerPoint:

Method #1 –  The dedicated YouTube option (simplest but least flexible)

Method #2 –   Using the embed code (most flexible)

Although the words ‘embed code’ wig most people out, rest assured that you don’t need to know ANYTHING about coding to pull the second method off…YouTube does all of the hard work for you

Method #1: Dedicated YouTube option

1. search the youtube dialog box.

Within the online video dialog box, go to the YouTube search box and type the name of the video you are searching for (in this case I’ve typed ‘breaking up your bullet points’), and then hit Enter.

The dialog box searches YouTube and displays the video results. In this case the video we want is on the far left so I will select it and hit Insert.

2. Resize the YouTube video to fit your screen

Note:  If you are using an image like I am, you want to extend the YouTube video until its controls cover up the bottom of the picture…which will make it look more realistic.

With the video setup, double-click the embedded YouTube video to load the video and see what it looks like.

What about the playlist and other formatting options?

Although this new YouTube embedding method is EXTREMELY fast and easy, notice that you are not given any options to remove the YouTube controls (on the bottom or the top of the video) and there was no option to include the entire YouTube playlist (assuming there is one associated with that video).

You can see the difference in this picture:

For more control over these additional features, you need to know how to embed a YouTube video using the embed code method, which is SUPER straightforward and easy…continue reading on to see how.

Method #2: Using the embed code

This technique not only works for embedding a YouTube playlist into your presentation, but will also work for embedding other online videos into your presentation.

1. Navigate to your YouTube video through the channel playlist

Assuming that you want a video’s entire playlist, you need to navigate to the channel where the playlist exists, and open the video through the playlist. If you don’t care about the playlist, simply search YouTube as you normally would.

This might seem SUPER weird, but as you will see in a minute, it works.

To get the playlist for this video, you can see that I’ve navigated to the Nuts & Bolts channel page (fancy that!), selected the playlists option, found my playlist and then found the video that I want within the playlist.

Select the video (through the playlist) to open the video in YouTube as you normally would. Notice in the picture below, to the right of the video, you can see the entire playlist.

2. Navigate to the embed code

3. Choose how you want your video to play

When embedding a YouTube video in PowerPoint 2013, there are few options you want to pay attention to, primarily:

Option #1: Show Player Controls –  This includes the pause, play and other navigational features at the bottom of the YouTube video.

Option #2: Show Video Title and Player Actions –  This includes the tile of the video, share buttons on the far right and a playlist dropdown…assuming the video is part of a playlist and you navigated to it through the playlist itself.

Leaving these selected, the YouTube video will play in PowerPoint as demonstrated below.

If you uncheck both of these options, your YouTube video will play in your PowerPoint presentation as pictured below (you can obviously do a hybrid of these controls as well).

Other video options include:

Video size  – Not terribly important as you can manually resize your video within PowerPoint anyway.

Show suggested videos when the video finishes –  This is optional and depends on whether you want people to continue watching other videos once the video finishes. This option is not available if you navigate to the video through the playlist as I described above.

Enable privacy – Enhanced mode –  This last option is only relevant if you are embedding the YouTube video on a website…choosing this option will not work in PowerPoint.

4. Copy and Paste the Embed Code

Alternatively, you can simply right-click the video, select ‘Get embed code’ and then hit CTRL + C to copy.

With the embed code copied, back in PowerPoint 2013, navigate to the Insert tab, open the Insert Video dropdown and select Online Video.

In the dialog box that pops open, in the ‘From a Video Embed Code’ option, hit CTRL + V on your keyboard to paste the embed code into the dialog box and then hit Enter.

A black box is inserted into your layout that you now want to resize and position.

If you are using a blank TV or computer monitor image (as I am in this example) you want to stretch the video down to cover the bottom of the monitor so that the YouTube controls cover the controls on the static image…it will look more realistic this way.

Note:  Going this route has given us more control over the look and feel of our YouTube video and we were able to get the playlist feature in the upper left-hand corner.

PowerPoint 2010: Embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint

Believe it or not, there are three ways to embed YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2010:

• The free add-in (see Method #1 on the PowerPoint 2007 tab)
• Using the Shock Wave ActiveX Control (see Method #2 on the PowerPoint 2007 tab)
• Using the dedicated YouTube embed option

In this tutorial, I will focus on the third and newest method, which is a HUGE improvement over the previous methods: using the dedicated YouTube embed code option.

This method gives you the most flexibility in formatting your YouTube video in PowerPoint  AND  it allows you to embed an entire playlist…something that was not possible in PowerPoint 2007.

For the tutorial, I used an image of a computer screen to frame the video and create a cool effect…just another tip for making your videos come to life!

1. Find your YouTube video

When embedding a YouTube video in PowerPoint 2010, there are few options you want to pay attention to, primarily:

Option #2: Show Video Title and Player Actions –  This includes the tile of the video, share buttons on the far right and a playlist dropdown (see ‘getting the playlist’ below) on the left…assuming the video is part of a playlist.

Leaving these selected, your YouTube video will play in PowerPoint as demonstrated below.

If you uncheck both of these options, your YouTube video will play in your PowerPoint presentation as displayed here:

Video size  – This is not terribly important as you can manually resize your video within PowerPoint anyway.

Show suggested videos when the video finishes –  This is optional and depends on if you want people to continue watching other videos once the video finishes.

Enable privacy – Enhanced Mode –  This is only relevant if you are embedding the video on your website…choosing this option will not work in PowerPoint.

As YouTube states  “Enabling this option means that YouTube won’t store information about visitors on your web page unless they play the video.”

4. Copy and paste the embed code

With the YouTube embed code copied, back in PowerPoint, navigate to the Insert tab, select Video and then select the ‘Video from Web Site’ option.

In the dialog box that pops open, hit CTRL + V on your keyboard to paste the YouTube embed code into the dialog box, and then click on Insert.

A black box is inserted onto your slide that you then want to resize and position.

Note:  If you have the option to show the player controls at the bottom of your video, you will want to stretch the video out to cover the image you are using (in this case a blank computer screen) so that the YouTube video controls show on top of the controls on your image.

That way, when you play the video, it will look more realistic.

To see how the video lines up within your frame (which can be tough when you have a black box on top of a black frame), simply double click the video in the Normal View, and the YouTube video will load.

Notice in the picture below how the YouTube controls replace the controls on the bottom of the static picture I’m using, creating a more realistic effect in PowerPoint.

PowerPoint 2007: Embed a YouTube in PowerPoint

There are two methods for inserting YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2007, and a number of trouble shooting issues you need to be aware of.

Method #1: The Easy Way  – Using add-ins like the free one built by Microsoft MVP Shyam, which does all of the hard work for you.

Method #2: The Harder Way  –  Adding the Developer tab to your Ribbon, adding a Shockwave ActiveX Object, and then manually manipulating the URL of your YouTube video.

Which one is best depends on how many YouTube videos you need to add to your PowerPoint presentations and how often you plan to do so.

If you frequently need to install YouTube videos in PowerPoint, you should definitely get the free add-in for PowerPoint 2007 and/or consider upgrading to a more recent version of PowerPoint which gives you additional YouTube options like adding playlists.

Warning: Compatibility Issues

If you are sharing your files with people using other versions of PowerPoint, you also need to be aware of the compatibility issues.

YouTube videos inserted in more recent versions of PowerPoint (2010 and 2013) will not necessarily play when opened in PowerPoint 2007…they might, it just depends on how they were added.

That said, any YouTube video successfully inserted in an earlier version of PowerPoint, will always play in a later version.

Method #1: The Easy Way

Embedding YouTube videos in PowerPoint 2007 normally requires getting and manipulating the video’s URL. This easy method of using an add-in is awesome because it does all of the hard work for you!

It takes a minute in the beginning to download and install the add-in, but once it’s all set up, with just a few clicks (as you’ll see below), you can quickly grab your YouTube videos and play them directly in PowerPoint.

A big thanks to Microsoft MVP  Shyam Pillai  for developing this great free add-in!

1. Download the free add-in

2. Extract the zipped file

3. Copy the PowerPoint add-in

4. Add the PowerPoint add-in

Back in PowerPoint 2007, open the Windows button in the upper left-hand corner and select PowerPoint Options.

Select Add-ins on the left, use the drop-down at the bottom of the screen to filter to PowerPoint Add-ins and the select Go.

In the Add-Ins dialog box that opens, select Add New.

Clicking OK, a macro dialog box might open. If it does, select Enable Macros.

You should now see the YouTubeVideo2k7 add-in in the window with a check mark next to it. Click Close.

With the add-in installed, if you now open up the Insert tab in PowerPoint 2007 or 2010, you will have an added command at the end of the Insert Tab for quickly embedding YouTube videos.

Now that you have the PowerPoint 2007 Add-In installed, let’s take a look at how to use it.

5. Navigate to YouTube and copy your video’s URL

Warning: Get the right URL

Be VERY careful here!

PowerPoint 2007 cannot play YouTube playlists, which you can tell by the length of the URL. Notice in the picture below the difference in length between the video and the video plus its playlist.

If you accidentally embed the longer URL into PowerPoint 2007, the YouTube video will not play, regardless of how you try to troubleshoot. If you want to embed a playlist in PowerPoint, you need to upgrade to PowerPoint 2010 or PowerPoint 2013.

You need to grab the shorter URL which is everything up until the ‘&list’ or ‘&index” separator. With the shorter URL selected, hit CTRL + C on your keyboard to copy it.

6. Insert the YouTube video using the add-in

Hit CTRL + V to paste in your YouTube URL, then hit Next.

You can select options for your video like Play and Loop. I will simply hit Next.

You can then choose to resize the video here if you like. But as we can do this on our own in a second, I will again simply hit Next.

On the last screen, hit Finish

The YouTube video is now inserted into your slide as a white box with an X through it.

7. Resize the YouTube video

As you resize the video, the entire box might turn white, but no worries, you are still fine.

8. Launch the YouTube video

Assuming you are connected to the internet, the video will load and you will be able to play the video directly from within your PowerPoint 2007 presentation.

Method #2: The Hard Way

If that sounds scary to you, I highly recommend the easier method described above, using the free add-in.

1. Add the Developer Tab to your ribbon

2. Insert a Shockwave file

Within the dialog box, navigate down to Shockwave ActiveX Control, click OK.

And then draw a rectangle on your slide (where your YouTube video will go).

Note that you cannot draw the Shockwave ActiveX Control on top of another object, so you will have to draw it on a blank part of your slide (assuming you have something on your slide).

The Shockwave ActiveX object will look like a white box with an X through it. Resize and position the object on your slide, in this case I’m stretching it out to fit on top of my blank computer screen image.

Now we are ready to get our YouTube video

3. find your youtube video’s url.

Navigate to YouTube and find your Video’s URL…but be VERY careful here! PowerPoint 2007 cannot play YouTube playlists, it can only play individual videos, so you need to be careful you don’t accidentally grab a video + its playlist.

If you want to embed a playlist in PowerPoint, you need to upgrade to PowerPoint 2010 or PowerPoint 2013 and use the embed code method. See the PowerPoint 2013 tutorial below.

With the shorter URL selected, hit CTRL + C on your keyboard to copy.

4. Open up the properties of your Shockwave ActiveX object

In the Properties dialog box, scroll down to the Movie section and paste in your URL.

5. Adjust the YouTube URL within the dialog box

To get the YouTube video to play correctly in PowerPoint 2007, you need to make two adjustments:

#1: Delete the ‘watch?’ from the URL #2: Replace the ‘=’ with ‘/’

With the URL adjusted, hit OK to close the dialog box.

6. Run your presentation

So that’s how to embed a YouTube in PowerPoint, regardless of which version of PowerPoint you have.

This allows you to quickly and easily add interactive media features to your presentation.

The other advantage of embedding a YouTube video, is it does not increase the size of your presentation. That means that you don’t need to worry about compressing your presentation.

If you enjoyed the depth of this post and want to boost your PowerPoint skills for the professional world,  visit us here .

What’s next?

Related articles.

• What is a broken link chart in PowerPoint (and how to fix it)?
• Bar chart trick: Right aligning categories (PPT, Word, and Excel)
• PowerPoint settings: program level vs. presentation level
• What is a linked Excel chart in PowerPoint?
• Set Up Slide Show: Customize how your PPT presentations run

About The Author

This Post Has 5 Comments

You may use Allavsoft to download YouTube video to AVI, WMV to put a youtube video in PowerPoint

Thanks for the tip!

This article certainly is thorough. Just an FYI, we’ve built a PowerPoint add-in at https://www.liveslides.com/websites/youtube/ that makes it significantly easier to embed and play YouTube videos (any web content really) directly in PowerPoint. Seriously, just a couple steps and you’re ready to roll.

Thanks for sharing, Jason. I’ve never used your software but we usually like anything that helps us save time. Cheers

Hey John, and thanks for sharing the software! Sounds like a handy program that can save you time – we like that! Just make sure you don’t abuse any copyright issues when downloading videos from the web 😉

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How to Insert a Video in PowerPoint (from a File on Your PC or Shared Drive)

Insert or Embed a Video in a PowerPoint Presentation from a File and Set Playback Options

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated October 9, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert a video into a PowerPoint  presentation from a file on your PC or from a shared drive. Video can help to engage your audience and focus attention. In 2010 and later versions, video files are embedded or copied into PowerPoint by default so video files can increase file size significantly.

Recommended article : How to Compress Video and Audio Media in PowerPoint to Reduce File Size

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint?  Check out our virtual classroom or live classroom  PowerPoint courses >

When inserting video in PowerPoint, consider the following:

• PowerPoint 2010 and later versions support common video formats such as WMV (Windows Media Video file), ASF (Windows Media file), MP3 and MP4 (Movie files) and AVI (Windows Video File).
• The default format for PowerPoint 2013 and later versions is MP4.
• In 2010 and later versions, video is embedded by default not linked as in previous versions.
• If you choose to link to a video, it's good practice to copy the video file to the same folder as your presentation before you link. You will not be able to apply certain types of formatting to linked videos.

Note: Buttons and Ribbon tabs may display in a different way (with or without text) depending on your version of PowerPoint, the size of your screen and your Control Panel settings. For PowerPoint 365 users, Ribbon tabs may appear with different names. For example, the Video Tools Playback tab may appear as Video Playback.

Although you can insert a video in Slide Master View, we'll assume here that most of your videos will be inserted on slides in Normal View.

Inserting a video from a file

To insert a video from a file and embed it on a slide:

• In Normal View, navigate to the slide where you want to insert a video.
• Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
• Click Video. A drop-down menu appears.
• Depending on your PowerPoint version, choose Video on My Computer, Video on My PC or This Device. A dialog box appears.
• Navigate to the folder where your video is saved and click the video to select it.
• On the bottom right of the dialog box, click Insert to embed the video. You can also double-click it. If you click the drop-down menu beside Insert, you can choose Link to File. If you decide to link rather than embed, you may want to copy your video or movie clip to the same folder as your presentation before you insert it on your slide. PowerPoint will place the video in the center of the slide.
• In Normal View, click the video and then Play on the media controls to play the video.

After you insert a video, two tabs will appear in the Ribbon when you click the video (Video Tools Playback and Format or Video Playback and Format) in Normal View.

Below is the Video Tools Playback tab in the Ribbon with a video selected (this may appear as Video Playback):

Below is the Video Tools Format tab in the Ribbon with a video selected (this may appear as Video Format):

Playing a video automatically or when clicked

You can change the way a video plays when you run a slide show.

To control the way a video plays during a slide show:

• In Normal View, click the video on the slide.
• Click the Video Tools Playback or Video Playback tab in the Ribbon.
• In the Video Options group, beside Start, choose In Click Sequence, When Clicked On or Automatically from the drop-down menu.

If you select When Clicked On, you must click directly on the video when running a slide show.

Playing a video full screen

You can play a video so that it fills the entire screen when you run a slide show. However, depending on the resolution of the original video file, it might appear distorted if the video is lower quality.

Be sure to preview your video so that if the video appears distorted or blurry, you can turn off the full screen option. If you set a video to be displayed full screen and it is also set to start automatically, you can drag the video frame off the slide into the gray work area so that it will not be visible on the slide or flash briefly before the video goes to full screen.

To set a video to play full screen during a slide show:

• In the Video Options group, select the Play Full Screen check box.

Controlling video volume

To control video volume:

• In the Video Options group, click Volume and then choose Low, Medium, High or Mute.
• You can also set the volume of a video by using the volume slider on media controls that appear below the video.

Be sure that volume is turned on through your Control Panel settings on your computer.

Hiding a video when not playing

During a presentation, you can hide a video until you are ready to play it. However, you should create an automatic or triggered animation to start the video or you won't see it play during the slide show.

To hide a video when not playing:

• In the Video Options group, select the Hide While Not Playing check box.

Looping a video

To play a video continuously during a presentation, you can loop the video:

• In the Video Options group, select the Loop until Stopped check box.

Rewinding a video after playing

To rewind a video after playing during your presentation:

• In the Video Options group, select the Rewind after Playing check box.

Showing media controls during a slide show

To show the media controls during your presentation when running a slide show:

• In Normal View, click the Slide Show tab in the Ribbon.
• In the Set up group, select the Show Media Controls check box.

Fading a video in or out

You can start or end your video with a fade effect for a certain number of seconds.

To start or end a video with a fade effect:

• In the Editing group, under Fade Duration, choose or enter a duration for Fade In or Fade Out. To add a timed fade to the beginning of your video, in the Fade In box, click the up and down arrows to increase or decrease the fade in time. To add a timed fade to the end of your video, in the Fade Out box, click the up or down arrows to increase or decrease the fade out time.

Cropping a video

You can also crop a video in PowerPoint to remove specific areas in the video.

To crop a video:

• Click the Video Tools Format or Video Format tab in the Ribbon.
• Click Crop in the Size group.
• Position the pointer over a black cropping handle and drag the handle.
• Click Crop again to finish cropping.

Trimming a video

You can trim video at the beginning and end of each clip so you can start at any point and end the clip earlier. Trimming is different from cropping.

To trim a video clip:

• In the Editing group, click Trim Video. A dialog box appears.
• To trim the beginning of the clip, click the start point (a green marker on the far left). When the pointer becomes a two-headed arrow, drag the arrow to the desired starting position.
• To trim the end of the clip, click the end point (a red marker on the right). When the pointer becomes a two-headed arrow, drag the arrow to the desired ending position.

In this article, we've reviewed inserting video files in PowerPoint presentations from a PC or shared drive, controlling playback during a slide show as well as cropping and trimming. In future articles, we'll look at video formatting techniques and how to export a PowerPoint presentation as a video.

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More resources

How to Embed a YouTube Video in PowerPoint

How to Highlight Text in PowerPoint (5 Ways)

How to Add Audio in PowerPoint Presentations

A Beginner's Guide to Video Formats in PowerPoint

PowerPoint Keyboard Shortcuts to Play and Control Video During a Slide Show

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How to apply code, 🇺🇦 ukrainians can now use all subtitle and translation features for free. use code 'ukraine', how to embed a video in powerpoint (step-by-step).

Today, I’m going to show you how to embed a video in PowerPoint to make your presentations come to life. I'm also going to cover some of the best practices for creating a PowerPoint presentation, as well as the frequently asked questions about inserting video in PowerPoint.

So, shall we get started?

How to upload a video to PowerPoint from your desktop or laptop

Embedding video in PowerPoint makes your file size larger. But it allows you to share a video with your audience without frantically looking for it on your computer while presenting. This tutorial is for PowerPoint 365. If you’re using an older version there might be some differences but you should still be able to follow along just fine. Just follow these five easy steps:

1. Start by opening your PowerPoint presentation and navigating to the slide where you want to insert your video.

2. Then, click the “Insert” tab.

3. Now, in the top right corner, click the arrow under the "Video" button, or in PowerPoint 365, click the arrow beside the "Video" button.

4. Next, click "Video on My PC/Movie from File" and select the video you want to insert. Then, click the “Insert” button.

5. The video will now appear on your slide. You can resize it or move it around on the slide as you see fit.

And that’s it. You’re good to go! Don’t forget to preview your entire presentation to ensure your video plays exactly as you want it to. 

How to link a video in PowerPoint 

Another method for inserting video in PowerPoint is to link the media on your slide to an external source or file. It will keep your presentation file size small as it will launch the video from its location on your PC. However, the link may be broken if you move the source video to a different location on your computer.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In the top left corner, click the “Insert” tab.

2. then, click the arrow under the “video” button, 3. on the drop-down menu, click “video on my pc/movie from file.”, 4. now, click the drop-down arrow beside or under “insert” and select “link to file.” if you’re using powerpoint 365, click the “option” button, then select “link to file.”.

4. Choose your video, then click “Insert.” 

And voila! You’re all set! We suggest keeping your linked video and your PowerPoint presentation in the same folder so as not to lose either of them. 

How to put a YouTube video in a PowerPoint

You can also add an online video to your PowerPoint presentation . This is a much better approach because you won’t have to download a video and it won’t add anything to your PowerPoint’s file size. However, to play the video during your presentation, you must have an internet connection.

Embedding a video from YouTube depends on the version of your PowerPoint. I’ll walk you through the process for PowerPoint 365, but it’s not that different from the earlier PowerPoint versions.  

1. Copy the video’s URL from the address bar of your computer's web browser.

2. Choose the PowerPoint slide onto which you want to insert the video and click the "Insert" tab 

3. Now, click “Video,” then choose “Online Video/Movie…

4. Once the online dialog box appears, paste the YouTube video URL and click “Insert.”

5. Now, click Play Video to ensure the video was successfully added.

Best Practices for Video PowerPoint Presentations from Ben, VEED’s Head of Enterprise

Download your videos to avoid issues from a bad internet connection when making and presenting your video powerpoint.

While inserting online videos in PowerPoint is a convenient way to avoid increasing the file size, you'll need an internet connection to play them while presenting. And what if your internet connection goes down during your presentation? Will you find your way out of this mess? Most likely, but it’s better to prepare for this situation. 

Download video files from websites such as YouTube , Vimeo , or VEED, so you don't have to worry about retrieving them if your internet goes down. It's also a good idea to save your completed PowerPoint so you can present it if there are any connectivity issues during an in-person presentation.

Know when to upload a video vs. link to a video inside a PowerPoint

If you have lots of videos in your PowerPoint presentation, expect the file size to be huge. What you can do is to choose videos you can do without or whose content you can explain on your own, and then link to that video and let it stream over the internet. This is a great tip in case an internet connection issue arises. But, it’s always best to download the video as a backup just in case something happens.

Why should you embed a VEED video instead of a YouTube video for professional PowerPoint presentations?

Youtube videos play distracting off-topic advertisements, which we don’t want to see during a presentation. You’ll never have that problem with videos you create, edit, save, and share with VEED .

You can also use VEED to clean your audio, add subtitles to your video , and even translate it . This is useful when presenting to a global audience. 

VEED can also help you take your presentation to the next level. Use our teleprompter to avoid forgetting your lines. You can also use our screen recorder tool to record yourself talking through your PowerPoint slides. Turn on your camera to keep your video personalized.

How to link to a VEED video inside of PowerPoint

• Upload your video to VEED. You can even import a YouTube video from the video’s URL.
• (Optional) Edit the video if needed
• Click on export
• Click on ‘share’ to copy and paste the video share link to the text (or image) on your presentation that’ll be hyperlinked.

Keep videos between 30 to 90 seconds long

Use videos to enhance your presentation, not to replace it. People don't have long attention spans , so keep it short but sweet. You only have the first 2.7 seconds of your video to capture your audience’s attention before they tune out.

In general, 60 to 90 seconds is the video duration sweet spot for engagement. 

According to Forbes , the ideal video length for a presentation is only 30-60 seconds long because studies have shown that 75% of people will likely stick with a video if it’s only 60 seconds long.

Cover only one idea per video so the content is easy to digest. 

Look into your camera’s lens and pace yourself

When recording, look directly into the camera lens. This is like looking your audience in the eyes.. They’ll feel as if you are speaking directly to them.

You can edit or re-record your lines using VEED's screen recording and teleprompter tool. You can also cut out the pauses before returning your gaze to the camera.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you link to a video in powerpoint .

1. Take a screenshot of the video. For Mac users, simply press command + shift + 3; for PC users, press the PrtScn (Printscreen) key on your keyboard.

2. Click the slide where you want to insert the image. 

3. Insert the screen-grabbed image onto the slide by clicking “Insert'' then clicking “Picture from file.” 

4. Resize your image

5. Click the image, then go to “Insert,” then toggle down to “Hyperlink.”

6. Copy and paste the video link into the hyperlink dialogue box, then click OK. Use a YouTube video link if you don’t mind ads running. Use a video share link from VEED for an ad-free PowerPoint presentation.

How do I embed a video in a PowerPoint without a link?

The best option is to download it to your computer, then follow the steps for uploading video to PowerPoint from your desktop or laptop. You can also use VEED to download videos. Just paste the video’s URL into the upload screen. Export the video, then click “Download MP4”.

Why can I not embed a video in PowerPoint?

If you cannot insert video in PowerPoint, it’s possible the video you’re trying to embed isn’t compatible with Microsoft Office PowerPoint, the file is missing, the file moved, or the file is corrupted. It could also be because the actual PowerPoint file is missing plugins needed to insert the video.

How do you embed Vimeo videos in PowerPoint

1. Go to your Vimeo video library and find the video you want to embed.

2. Click on the “Link” icon.

3. Then select “Copy Video Link” or “Copy Embed Video.” It doesn’t matter which one you choose, as you’ll need the internet to play the video anyway. 

4. Paste the URL or embed code into the PowerPoint, then proceed as if you were embedding a YouTube video.

How do you make a video on Powerpoint?1. Create slides- Structure your video with a title, body, and concluding slides by adding images, texts, and layer elements.

2. Add animations - Go to the animation ribbon and animate the key elements on your slide.

3. Insert video into PowerPoint - Navigate to the "Slideshow" tab and click "Record Slideshow" to insert an existing video or create screen recordings.Then hit the “Record” button.

4. Insert Audio- Go to the "Insert" tab and then click on the Audio in the top right corner of the PowerPoint. Then, from the drop-down menu, choose "Audio on My PC" or "Audio from file."

5. Export- Once you’re done adding animations, videos, and sound to your PowerPoint slides , it’s time to export the presentation as a video by clicking “File” and then “Export.” Then click on “Create a Video,” or for those using MS PowerPoint 365, choose where to save the video and change the file format to MP4. 

How do you put a YouTube video in PowerPoint without ads?

1. Copy the YouTube video's URL that you want to embed.

2. Go to VEED.IO and paste the URL in the upload screen.

3. Export the video.

4. Click and copy the share link to put the ad-free YouTube video in the PowerPoint.

Make video presentations people love to watch quickly and easily

Now that you know how to embed a video in PowerPoint it's time to go give it a shot! 

Make your presentation stand out by inserting videos in PowerPoint. Need to make a sales presentation at work? Make a screencast and use VEED’s screen recording and teleprompter tools. Harness the power of videos and make your PowerPoint more interesting.

Whether you’re an editing pro or a beginner, VEED can help you make and share videos people will love quickly and easily. No need to download any software! It’s an online video editor readily available to you! Try using it for your first or next PowerPoint presentation.

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How to embed videos in PowerPoint

For a lot of us, Microsoft PowerPoint represents a part of our lives we don’t often look fondly on. Whether that’s making presentations for school or work, with over one million companies using Office 365 worldwide, it’s safe to say you’ve either used it, or you will use it in the future.

However, PowerPoint (ppt) presentations don’t have to be boring with all text and a few images here and there. One trick you try to make your presentations more interesting and engaging is to embed video into your PowerPoint slides. 

If the idea of adding video inside your slides is new to you (instead of minimizing the program and finding the video to play), then this guide will help you understand the benefits of using embedded videos, and how to do it with different video formats.

Alexander Boswell

How to embed a YouTube video into a powerpoint?

How to Embed a YouTube Video into PowerPoint?

Are you struggling to find a way to add a YouTube video to your PowerPoint presentation? Whether you’re creating a multimedia presentation for school, work, or personal use, embedding a YouTube video is a great way to keep your audience engaged and convey your message effectively. In this article, we will walk you through the steps on how to embed a YouTube video into PowerPoint.

Why Embed a YouTube Video into PowerPoint?

Embedding a YouTube video into PowerPoint offers several advantages. For one, it allows you to:

• Add a visual element to your presentation that is eye-catching and engaging • Increase audience participation and retainment • Save storage space on your computer since you won’t need to download the video • Keep your presentation updated easily since YouTube updates the video content automatically

Basic Requirements

Before we begin, make sure you meet the following basic requirements:

• You have a Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your computer (latest version recommended)
• You have a valid YouTube account and the YouTube video you want to embed
• You have the internet connection to access both PowerPoint and YouTube

Method 1: Manual Embedding

This is the most straightforward method:

• Copy the YouTube video URL : Navigate to the YouTube video you want to embed and click on the "Share" button. Click on "Copy" to copy the URL.
• Insert a new slide or edit an existing one : Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to embed the YouTube video.
• Click on the "Insert" tab : Go to the "Insert" tab on the ribbon and select "Video" from the dropdown menu.
• Click on "From Online" : Click on the "From Online" option to embed a YouTube video.
• Enter the YouTube video URL : Paste the YouTube video URL into the text field and click "OK".

Method 2: Using the YouTube Embed Code

If you prefer using the YouTube embed code, follow these steps:

• Get the embed code : Navigate to the YouTube video you want to embed and click on the "Share" button. Click on "Embed" and copy the embed code.
• Create a new slide or edit an existing one : Open your PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to embed the YouTube video.
• Switch to "HTML" format : Go to the "Developer" tab on the ribbon (if it’s not visible, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon > Check the "Developer" box). Switch to the "HTML" format by clicking on "View" > "Page Layout" > "Document Format" > "HTML".
• Insert the embed code : Go to the "Developer" tab and click on the "Insert" button next to "HTML" section. Paste the embed code and click "OK".
• Adjust the playback settings : You can adjust the playback settings, such as autoplay, loop, or display settings, using the embed code.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are some common issues you may encounter when embedding a YouTube video into PowerPoint:

• Error: "This link is not valid" : Make sure the YouTube video is public and not restricted. • Error: "Cannot connect to server" : Check your internet connection and try again. • Video doesn’t play : Ensure that you have the latest version of PowerPoint and YouTube, and that your internet connection is stable.

Best Practices and Tips

Here are some best practices and tips to keep in mind:

• Use high-quality video content : Choose a video that is high-definition, relevant, and attention-grabbing. • Optimize video for mobile devices : Consider converting the video to a mobile-friendly format, such as MP4. • Test your video before presentation : Make sure the video plays smoothly before presenting. • Respect YouTube’s terms of use : Ensure that you’re complying with YouTube’s terms of use and guidelines when embedding videos.

In this article, we explored how to embed a YouTube video into PowerPoint using manual embedding and the YouTube embed code. By following the steps and tips outlined, you’ll be able to add a powerful multimedia element to your presentations and engage your audience more effectively. Remember to stay compliant with YouTube’s terms of use and to test your video before presenting. With the basics covered, you’re now ready to take your presentation to the next level!

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Improve your medical presentations: How to embed videos in PowerPoint like a pro

An excerpt from Medical Presentations .

In our workshops, one of the most common issues that participants raise relates to using videos in PowerPoint. They are unsure how to source videos and are afraid to use them based on past experiences. The risks associated with using video in PowerPoint have diminished significantly with recent versions. Previously, videos were linked to your presentation, so you had to save the video in the same folder as your talk before inserting it into the PowerPoint file.

In Microsoft 365, videos are embedded in the presentation and will travel with it, wherever you take it. All you have to do is insert the video, and it will be embedded into PowerPoint by default.

Video file formats

There are a number of potential sources of video. You may have recorded the video yourself, or your medical photography team may have made it. Perhaps you have a video file from an endoscopy, radiology, or minimal access procedure. Microsoft 365 supports multiple video formats. However, .mp4 using an H.264 codec is the most compatible format and most likely to play whether you’re on Mac or Windows, so we recommend that you stick with it.

Inserting a video file from your computer

If you have a video file that you want to include in your slide deck, begin by preparing the slide where you want to insert the video. We recommend a blank slide if your video will be played full screen. Of course, you may decide to play the video in only a part of the screen in some circumstances, and we will deal with that shortly.

Now choose Insert > Video > From File (to use a file on your computer) or Stock (to use a stock Microsoft video). Navigate to your video and click Insert. The video will appear on the slide and will be automatically embedded in the PowerPoint file.

It is possible to link to a video instead of embedding it. This saves file size, but it can be extremely problematic, and we don’t recommend it.

You may want the video to play full screen. If so, it doesn’t matter what size the thumbnail of the video is at this stage. Simply select Play Full Screen from the Playback tab.

Starting the video

When you insert a video into your presentation from a file on your computer, by default, it’s set up to play “in click sequence.” This means the same as “on mouse click” in the animation settings, where the video will play as you advance the slide whether by mouse click, space bar, arrow keys, or various other means. You can set the video to play automatically, so you don’t have to manually start it. Select your video and choose from the Start options on the Playback tab.

If you have a video, such as an echocardiogram, you may also want to tick loop until stopped on the Playback tab. This will play the video in a continuous loop.

Perhaps you need to stop the video to emphasize a particular area. You can pause and restart the video by clicking on it with the cursor (the cursor will change to a small hand). The right arrow or return key will move to the next slide.

You can place textboxes or shapes containing text over your video if you feel this adds to the message. Just be sure to add them after you add the video to ensure they are in front of the video, or bring them to the front using the commands learned in Chapter 6.

Editing the video

You may need to trim the beginning and end of your video. Select the video, and on the Playback tab, click Trim Video, then drag the sliders to your preferred start and finish points. Unfortunately, you can’t trim out parts in the middle of the video in PowerPoint; you will need a video editing program for that.

It is possible to adjust the volume of your video using the Volume button on the Playback tab. If your video has sound, remember to turn on your speakers in the operating system too!

Optimizing for compatibility

If you’re working in Windows, PowerPoint has a handy feature to optimize the compatibility of videos. Go to File > Info, and if there are videos in your file, you may have an option to Optimize Media Compatibility to help improve compatibility when played on other devices.

You may also have an option to Compress Media in this same area. This is especially good to do if your files have become very large because of embedded video. You can choose from Standard, HD, or Full HD quality when you choose to compress.

Online videos

Before you use online videos, be sure to check the internet connection at your presentation venue. And remember, once the audience gets there, the bandwidth tends to get worse!

What if you want to show a video that is online, such as on YouTube™? You can use the commands Insert > Video > Online Movie (Mac) or Insert > Video > Online Video (Windows). Then insert the URL (the website details) for the YouTube video and click Insert. (You can get this from YouTube by clicking Share, which is currently found below the YouTube video, and then copy the URL). This will insert the video onto the slide, but note that online videos are not embedded into your presentation. PowerPoint is only providing a link, and an online video will only play if you have a reliable, speedy internet connection when you are showing your presentation.

Furthermore, online videos will not give you the option in the Playback menu to play full screen. You need to drag the corners of the video to the corners of the slide if you want that to happen.

Video won’t play!

We rarely see issues lately with video not playing in PowerPoint. Microsoft has done a lot of work in this area, and it shows!

Remember, online videos are linked, not embedded into your presentation. If your online video doesn’t play, it could be an issue with the available bandwidth—you need a pretty good connection in order to stream online video effectively.

If you don’t have an option to play full screen, it’s also because you’ve inserted an online video. You would need to download the video and use Insert > Video > From File in order to use this setting.

Additionally, if you linked to a video, even if it’s on your computer, the video must be available, and the link must not be broken for it to play. If you are on a Windows computer, the best way to ensure against these issues is to run the Optimize Compatibility tool in File > Info.

Terry Irwin is a colorectal surgeon and co-author of Medical Presentations .

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