How to Insert Audio in a PowerPoint

Liven up a PowerPoint presentation with crisp audio clips.

An audio soundtrack adds polish and professional depth to a PowerPoint presentation. Examples of audio clips that can be useful in a slide show include recorded speeches, sound effects and background music to accompany photographs. The best digital formats for use in PowerPoint are mp3 and wav files, but mp3 files can be linked but not embedded. As long as they are correctly inserted, they both will play fine.

Things You'll Need

• PowerPoint 2000 and up
• Digital audio file in wav or mp3 format

Instructions

1. Start the PowerPoint program. From the "Insert" menu, scroll down to "Movies and Sounds," then select the sub-menu "Sound from File" and click it.

2. Scroll through the folders on your computer to locate the audio file you wish to insert. Note the drop-down menu below the file name and designate your file type. Click "OK" once you have located your audio file.

3. Respond to the "Microsoft Office PowerPoint" window that opens asking you how you want the sound to start in this slide show. Click on the "Automatically" button if you wish the sound to begin by itself after the transition to the slide with the audio inserted into it. Click "When Clicked" if you will start the audio manually after a set period after the slide appears.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your audio files in the same folder as your PowerPoint presentation so that if it is linked, it will be guaranteed to play.

References

• Microsoft Office PowerPoint: Add Music or Sound Effects to a Slide