How to Make a Photo Slideshow With Voiceover Input

A voiceover for your presentation can boost its appeal.

The slideshow is a very common method of presenting information, but it suffers from one major problem--the need for a presenter. You only have limited time to present your material, and sending out the presentation with attached notes isn't that compelling. A simple solution, however, is to record a voiceover. This lets anyone, anywhere, see your presentation as it was intended.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft PowerPoint software
• Photo files to include in show
• Computer microphone

Instructions

Making the Slideshow

1. Open PowerPoint. Click the "Office Button" in the top-left, then click "New." Select "Blank Presentation," then click "Create."

2. Select the "Design" tab, and pick an appropriate theme for your presentation.

3. Select the "Home" tab, and click "New Slide" to add a new slide. Choose either the "Picture with Caption" or "Title with Content" layouts.

4. On the new slide, click the "Insert Picture from File" button. Navigate to the first photo file you want, select it and click "OK." Repeat steps 3 and 4, adding captions or titles if desired, until the visual portions of your slides are complete.

Adding Voiceover

1. Select the slide on which you want the voiceover to start, then select the "Slide Show" tab, and click "Record Narration..." The Record Narration dialog box will appear.

2. Select "Set Microphone Level..." The Set Microphone Level box will appear, and ask you to read a test phrase into your microphone. Do so, and adjust the level (by clicking and dragging the slider) until the volume level is appropriate. Select "OK."

3. Select "OK" on the Record Narration dialog box. A box will appear, asking you if you want to start recording here or on the first slide. Select "Current Slide."

4. Your presentation will open to the slide selected. Begin your voiceover, left-clicking to advance slides as needed. If you need to pause, right-click and select "Pause Narration." To resume, repeat the process.

5. Once you have completed your voiceover, right-click and select "End Show."

Tips & Warnings

• Stay with the default audio format (11 khz mono) for most cases. A higher-quality format can be used for better quality, but your presentation will be much larger.

Resources

• Author Stream: Video on Slideshow Voiceovers