[Libs-Or] Tech-Talk: POWERPOINT - Make Slide Decks More Engaging by Adding Sound

Wed Jun 3 13:29:34 PDT 2026

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June 24: [MEDIA] Add Audio & Video to Presentations Like a Pro. Why Attend? You want to add media (sound and moving images) to presentations.

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POWERPOINT - Make Slide Decks More Engaging by Adding Sound

Intermediate

[A man stands presenting in front of a screen to a group seated around a conference table. Most attendees look bored or tired, with some resting their heads on their hands or appearing uninterested.]

Have you ever watched a slide presentation that felt a little awkward or boring? It was missing something.

Maybe you were at an event on the vendor floor and you saw it looping over and over again. Or perhaps you saw it playing before a meeting started. The slides changed, but the room felt strangely quiet. It needed something else.

Often, that missing piece is sound.

Background music, narration, or short audio clips can make presentations feel smoother and more polished. The good news is you do not need expensive software or recording equipment to add it. Tools like Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides already include simple audio tools.

Why Sound Matters

Sound can make slideshows feel more alive. It can also help guide viewers through information.

Background music or voice recordings can make the presentation feel more complete and intentional. It can also help:
·    Explain directions more clearly
·    Keep attention longer
·    Create emotion or excitement
·    Reduce awkward silence between slides

Audio can make a presentation feel more professional. Sometimes it is not just about how the slides look. It is also about the experience they create.

Where to Start

You don’t need fancy software to add audio. You also don’t have to turn your slide deck into a movie. Simple effects can still make a big difference.

[A white speaker icon with three sound waves on a blue circular background, symbolizing audio or sound.]

Some things to try:
·    Add quiet background music to a looping slideshow.
·    Record a short welcome message.
·    Add spoken directions for more complex slides.

NOTE: Always test your presentation ahead of time. Slides that work on your laptop may not work the same way on another computer. This can help you catch problems with timing or volume before your audience does.

[Screenshot of menu options showing "Audio" with a dropdown for "Audio on My PC..." and "Record Audio...," next to a "Screen Recording" button with a camera icon and a green plus sign.]
Add Sound in PowerPoint (Desktop Version)

You can set audio to play when you click a speaker icon or automatically. Here’s how to add it to your slide:

1. Select the slide where you want the audio to begin.

2. Click the Insert tab in the toolbar.

3. Select Audio and then choose:

·    Audio on My PC to use a saved file

·    Record Audio to record your voice

4. If you are using a saved file, select it from the menu and click Insert. If you want to record your own audio, click the red circle to begin recording.

5. After you choose your file or record your voice, a speaker icon will appear on the slide.

After you add the sound, you can still change the settings. With the speaker icon selected, a Playback tab will appear in the menu. This is where you can make changes to your audio for that slide.

[A screenshot of audio options in PowerPoint, showing settings for volume, start behavior, play across slides, loop until stopped, hide during show, and rewind after playing. "When Clicked On" is selected for start.]

The Audio Options section lets you choose when the sound starts. Your options are to start:
·    In Click Sequence to have it happen with other transitions
·    Automatically to start once the slide is on the screen
·    When Clicked On to begin when you are ready and click on the speaker

If you want music to continue across slides, click Play in Background on the toolbar. This starts the sound automatically and loops it through the presentation.

Add Sound in PowerPoint 365 Web

The web version of PowerPoint supports audio, but it has fewer features than the full app. You cannot record your own clips or edit how long they play. If you need more sound controls, open the presentation in the desktop version of PowerPoint.

Here’s how to add sound in the online version:
1. Select the slide where you want to add audio.
2. Click the Insert tab in the toolbar.
3. Select Audio and choose your file from your computer.
4. A speaker icon will appear on your slide and the Playback tab will appear in the menu.

You are then able to change your Audio Options the same as with the desktop version of PowerPoint.

Add Sound in Google Slides

Google Slides allows you to add audio similar to PowerPoint. By the way, your sound file must already be uploaded to Google Drive before you can add it.

[Audio playback settings menu showing options to start audio on click or automatically, adjust volume, hide icon, loop audio, and stop audio on slide change. "On click" and "Stop on slide change" are selected.]

To add audio in your Google Slides presentation:
1. Select the slide where you want to add sound.
2. Click Insert and then Audio.
3. Choose your file from where you saved it in Google Drive.
4. A speaker icon will appear on the slide.

A side menu will also appear after you add your file. The Audio playback menu lets you choose when the sound starts and whether it loops.

Join the Upcoming Webinar: June 24th

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Communications: Engage with Audio

Three tips for creating audio

Yes, you want to add a professional touch to your stand-alone presentation. You're going to run it on your website or at an event display table.

You want to add a simple audio narrative. Sure you could just start talking. Then listen to it. I bet you'll feel like it could be better. Here are three things you can do to make the audio be more effective:

#1. Speak to one person, not a crowd.

Imagine you are talking directly to a single listener. Picture someone you know. A conversational tone feels warmer, clearer, and more engaging than sounding like you are “reading a presentation.” Keeping your friend in mind will help.

#2. Slow down more than feels natural.

Most people speak too quickly when recording. Pause briefly between ideas, emphasize important words, and give listeners time to absorb information ... especially when explaining instructions or complex concepts. TIP: Listen to an audio book excerpt. Pretend you're saying the words. Feel the slower pace.

#3. Record in short sections instead of one long take.

Record your presentation in small segments. This reduces mistakes, improves energy, and makes it easier to re-record only one section instead of the entire presentation. TIP: If you mess-up a section, stop talking, stay quiet ... then start again. This way you can easily find your mistake to edit it out. Hint: It's just before a long silent section.

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Cheers,
Darci Hanning, MLIS (she/her/hers)
Public Library Consultant / CE Coordinator
Continuing Education Resources: https://slo.oregon.gov/conted/
State Library of Oregon | Library Support and Development Services
971-375-3491 | darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov<mailto:darci.hanning at slo.oregon.gov> | www.oregon.gov/library<http://www.oregon.gov/library>

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