If you haven’t visited PowerPoint’s recording options for a while, you are missing out. The Record Slide Show feature is typically utilized when your end goal is to export your presentation to a video format; either to be posted online somewhere or in a kiosk setting. Previously Record Slide Show would allow you to record audio to go along with your presentation. Then you could export a complete video showing your slides with your voiceover. This was already a great tool, but the feature received a fantastic facelift in 365, enabling even more abilities. Let’s take a look.
Record Slide Show
Record Slide Show lives on the Slide Show tab, Set Up group.
You have the choice to start from the selected slide, or from the beginning of the show.
Control Center
The new control center for recording a slide show is phenomenal. Within this screen are the following tools:
1. Start or Stop Recording
In the upper left part of the screen is the ability to start or stop recording. Once you create a recording, there will also be the ability here to replay what you have created.
2. Notes
In the center of the screen is a way to access any notes that are tied to a slide. Click on the dropdown to view them.
To the right of the Notes dropdown is the ability to make the text of the notes larger or smaller, signified by a large and small “A”.
If you would like to learn how to create Notes, please attend a PowerPoint Essentials session!
3. Incorporate Front Facing Camera to Record Yourself
The exciting aspect of the improved feature is that it will incorporate your computer’s camera to allow you to record audio and video of yourself within the recording. Your video will appear in the lower right of the PowerPoint presentation.
There is the ability to turn off audio or video below the image.
Note: if you do not have a camera or microphone, the options will be greyed out. You will still be able to record a slide show, however, and can incorporate things like markup (below).
4. Markup
In the bottom center of the screen are some markup tools. As with all markup tools, this will work best with a stylus, if possible.
The recording will incorporate your markup as you create it.
5. Slide Number and Timer
Lastly, in the lower left you will see slide number and a timer.
A Couple Notes
Shortcuts
Most of the shortcuts in the Record Slide Show view will be similar to those you have been using in Slide Show view:
- To advance to the next slide, you can use your usual method: the space bar, an arrow key, a clicker, etc.
- To escape from this view, click your Esc key.
- Caution: some shortcuts, like W for whiteboard, or B for a black screen, do not work in this view.
Export Options
Don’t forget, you can export your final document via your usual method,
1. File –> Export
2. Select a method. In the case below, I selected Create a Video.
3. Be sure you have selected Use Recorded Timings and Narrations to incorporate your recording.
**Important: if you receive an error when you try to open the video, give it a little time. Often the icon for the exported video appears before the video has finished exporting. Give it a few minutes and you should be good to go.
Thoughts?
Did you know about this improved feature? What do you think?
Congratulations, Power Users!
Congratulations to our newest Power Users! For the full gallery, and more information about the WSU Microsoft Office Power User Program, please visit: wichita.edu/poweruser
Michelle Dehaven