Category: PowerPoint Tutorial

3 Ways to Play and Present Your Own PowerPoint on TV

powepoint on tv

Powerpoint

presentation

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

video

Oct 18, 2017

A man in a suit presents data charts on a large screen to three colleagues seated at a conference table. The room has a modern design and is well-lit, featuring a window and plants in the background. The slide template used adds clarity to the presentation.
A man in a suit stands and points at a TV screen displaying charts and graphs during a pitch deck presentation in a modern conference room. Three individuals are seated at a table, attentively watching the presentation. Business documents and a plant are on the table.

There are multiple mediums to show your PowerPoint presentation in. The program’s accessibility allows you to display your deck from your laptop to the Web, on mobile, on a traditional projector and screen, and even on a TV.

The latter is especially recommended for informal settings where you want to present a slideshow of your photo album. It can also work for more formal occasions like classroom or boardroom presentations.

 

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Here’s how you can play your PowerPoint on TV:

1. Connect from Your PC

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This is one of the most common methods of showing your deck on a screen. Most television sets these days come with an HDMI port to connect your laptop via cable. Simply locate your TV and PC’s HDMI ports and plug in the two ends of the cable. Make sure you’ve pressed the AV button on your television remote control to select the correct HDMI output.

Once you’ve connected the two devices, your laptop screen should automatically show on your TV.

Control the flow of your presentation from your PC like a standard PowerPoint but project it on a bigger screen. This lets you engage your audience by putting your visuals on a widescreen while having complete control of your deck

2. Save It as a Video

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If you want to free your hands entirely as you present, save your PowerPoint as a video instead, as suggested in Microsoft Office’s guides.

This is an option available on PowerPoint 2010 onward. On the File menu, click Save & Send, then select Create a Video.

You can still play your deck on a TV in this format by saving your video to a USB flash drive or burning it on a DVD. Most flat-screen televisions have USB ports to attach your flash drive and open video files.

On the other hand, those without a flash drive can burn their video presentation into a CD or DVD. A self-presenting deck in this form aids your presentation while letting you focus on content and delivery.

3. View It on Apple TV

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Apple TV is a micro-console that uses a Wi-Fi connection or local network to stream media to your television screen. Apple developed it to bring the innovation of apps to TV. To use Apple TV for your PowerPoint, you’ll still need to save it as a video file.

Make sure that the file format is compatible with Apple TV. If you’re not sure what to save your presentation as the usual file format is .MP4. You can also upload your video presentation on iTunes and sync it with Apple TV.

From there, you can watch and present your video hands-free as well. However, since this option needs the macro-console around the television, you may need to reserve it for intimate family gatherings or occasions where there’s no pressure to set up quickly.

Bonus Tip: Two Different Screens

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Although PowerPoint was initially meant to be projected from a computer screen to a bigger one, the two screens don’t have to show the same thing.

For example, if you have helpful comments attached to your slides, you’ll be able to view them using the Presenter View feature without projecting your notes to the audience. Seeing your original screen can give you more than just a guide to follow during your pitch.

Your notes act as prompts when you encounter mental blocks. You don’t have to read directly from them, but specific keywords may help trigger a thought you plan to expound on. However, remember to move away behind your laptop and engage the audience with your body language.

If there aren’t any helpful notes on your slides, you can either have someone click on the next slide for you or use a remote control to move across slides according to your pace. Either way, the purpose of having two screens is to interact with the audience without being glued to your PowerPoint.

Remember that your deck is only there to support your presence, not replace you completely. No matter where you decide to project your slides, you’re still obliged to connect with the audience emotionally and physically. This ensures you leave a memorable impression on your listeners during and after your speech.

The Wider, the Better

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You can play your PowerPoint anywhere—from the small screen of a mobile device to the wide screen of a TV. If you’re aiming for the latter, connect directly from your TV to your PC through an HDMI cable. Go through your presentation slide by slide by controlling your TV deck as you would on your computer.

You can also save your presentation as a video and copy it in a USB, burn it to a DVD, or stream it through Apple TV. This leaves your hands free enough to engage your audience with hand gestures and appropriate body language. The last option can take some time setting up, so you might not be able to use it all the time.

Television has evolved to far more uses than viewing shows. Use it to showcase your deck to family and friends in the confines of your living room, or use it in a corporate setting.

If you’re having trouble with your presentation needs, our SlideGenius experts are here to lend an ear. Contact us today for a free quote!

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References

“Apple – Apple TV.” Apple. www.apple.com/tv/
“Turn Your Presentation into a Video.” Office Blogs. www.support.office.com/en-us/article/Turn-your-presentation-into-a-video-c140551f-cb37-4818-b5d4-3e30815c3e83

3 Ways to Live Stream Your PowerPoint Presentation

live stream

powerpoint presentation

PowerPoint tip

powerpoint tutorial

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Sep 25, 2017

Distance shouldn’t be a barrier between you and your audience. Bring your pitch out of the boardroom and into the Web. Reach out to a wider audience with your deck without sacrificing your presence.

Live-stream your PowerPoint in three ways:

1. Share as a Link

In his article on digital video hub Field59, Michael Worringer gives his readers a run-through on how to broadcast your presentation from PowerPoint 2010 and 2013 by sharing it as a link.

For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll be using PowerPoint 2013.

Unlike its 2010 version, whose Broadcast Slide Show option is found in the Slide Show tab, PowerPoint 2013 lets you live-stream your presentation through the Share option in the File tab.

A dialog box will appear with your presentation’s custom URL once you click Present Online. Copy the link or send it via email to your audience.

After they’ve received the link, click Start Presentation. Now you’ll be able to guide your viewers through each slide in real time at your own pace.

Below, you’ll find how Presenter View will appear on your screen. However, your audience will only see your slide show as you present it.

Once you’re done, exit the slide show mode and select End Online Presentation in the Present Online tab.

The slight downside to this broadcast method is that while you’re free to share your PowerPoint, some of your original deck’s features may be compromised. All transitions will be set to ‘fade’ from the audience’s view, and a file size may be imposed on your upload, depending on your broadcast service.

A compact and concise deck is more advisable for this PowerPoint live-stream technique to minimize the lag in your loading times.

2. Use Office Mix

If you’re using PowerPoint 2013 and are subscribed to Office 365, live streaming becomes even easier with the downloadable free add-in Office Mix.

Unlike the previous method, Office Mix is more accommodating with your slide contents. You’re free to add audio, video, polls, and quizzes to your slides. This is especially helpful for educators who want to track their students’ progress outside the classroom and for presenters who want to maximize audience engagement using their deck.

These are all available in the Quizzes Video Apps found in the Mix tab that will appear once you’ve downloaded it.

Source:

There’s also live digital inking, a more hands-on approach to presentation that lets you guide students through your slides in real time using video, audio, and illustration.

Source:

Office Mix has its own site dedicated to help users navigate through this handy feature. First-timers can benefit from its tutorials that show Mix at work.

Similar to the Broadcast Slide Show in PowerPoint 2010, Office Mix requires an Internet connection to share your presentation to a selected audience. However, another unique option of this add-in lets your audience review and play back your slides to their own pace even after you’ve exited your slide show.

True to its name, Mix crosses the boundaries between the Microsoft Office programs. Import viewers’ data and feedback on your deck for a more in-depth analysis.

3. Upload to Online Platforms

The third route to live-streaming your PowerPoint doesn’t let you interact with your audience as much, but it may be the easiest yet.

If you don’t have the last two PowerPoint features, you can upload and design your presentation using a private account to online platforms made for deck hosting, such as SlideShare.

Publishing your slides on online platforms is meant to improve reaching out to a wider audience. Although you can configure your uploaded deck’s settings to selected viewers, following default settings leaves your deck open for public viewing. You can add tags to make your PowerPoint easily searchable online, further reinforcing its inclination towards mass sharing.

At the same time, this technique can be considered a combination of the previous two PowerPoint live-streaming methods. It has a file size limitation like PowerPoint 2010, but it lets your audience enjoy your presentation at their pace, like Office Mix. Making use of online platforms requires compressing your slide contents into a file size that you can manually upload to the website.

Conclusion

Your deck is an important part of your presentation. Don’t let the distance between you and your audience deter you.

Broadcast your slide deck using three different methods, depending on the type of program available to you and on your intended audience. Share your PowerPoint with a link and broadcast it live with PowerPoint 2010 and 2013. Interact with your viewers in real time with Office Mix. However, if neither of these are available to you, you can always upload your presentation to an online platform like SlideShare.

There are a number of ways to make your presentation accessible. Just reach out to the one that works best for you.

[sg-blog-modules module=three]

References

Worringer, Michael. “How to Broadcast a PowerPoint Presentation with a Live Stream.” Field59 Inc. April 21, 2015. www.field59.com/broadcast-powerpoint-presentation-live-stream
“What Is Office Mix.” Office Mix for Teachers. www.mixforteachers.com/what-is-office-mix.html

Featured Image: “Man Holding Laptop Computer Typing While Dog Watches” by Image Catalog on flickr.com

7 of PowerPoint 2016’s Best New Features

Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint 2016

Powerpoint tips

Mar 22, 2017

Here are seven of PowerPoint 2016’s best new features that significantly enhanced user experience and presentation design:

1. PowerPoint Designer (Design Ideas)

  • What it is: This feature uses AI to automatically suggest layout ideas based on the content in your slide. It instantly offers professional-looking designs that save time and enhance slide aesthetics.
  • Why it’s great: It allows users with limited design skills to create visually appealing presentations with ease. You simply insert your content, and the tool suggests layout options.

2. Morph Transition

  • What it is: The Morph transition enables smooth animation between slides. It lets you create fluid transitions by automatically moving objects from one slide to the next.
  • Why it’s great: It’s ideal for storytelling or when you want to create continuous flow animations. This can be used for objects, text, and images, creating dynamic presentations without needing complex animation skills.

3. Real-Time Collaboration

  • What it is: PowerPoint 2016 introduced real-time co-authoring, allowing multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously.
  • Why it’s great: Teams can collaborate more efficiently, whether they’re in the same office or working remotely. This feature ensures everyone is working on the most up-to-date version.

4. Tell Me Feature

  • What it is: “Tell Me” is a smart search bar located at the top of the PowerPoint ribbon. It allows you to type in tasks or commands you’re looking for, and PowerPoint helps you find them quickly.
  • Why it’s great: This feature is especially useful for users who are unfamiliar with where certain tools or features are located within the software.

5. Ink Equations

  • What it is: PowerPoint 2016 lets you insert complex math equations by handwriting them directly into a slide using a stylus or your mouse.
  • Why it’s great: This is a great feature for educators, students, or professionals who need to quickly insert mathematical expressions without typing them out.

6. Enhanced Presenter View

  • What it is: Presenter View now shows the next slide, speaker notes, and a timer on your monitor while the audience only sees the current slide.
  • Why it’s great: This allows for better pacing and control during presentations, giving you confidence in what’s coming next without revealing too much to the audience.

7. Screen Recording

  • What it is: PowerPoint 2016 has a built-in screen recording tool that allows you to record your screen directly into a slide. It captures screen actions, along with audio and video, if necessary.
  • Why it’s great: It’s ideal for creating tutorial videos or demonstrations without needing to switch to third-party screen recording software.

These features made PowerPoint 2016 a versatile tool for creating visually appealing, collaborative, and interactive presentations, empowering both novice and advanced users to elevate their presentation game.

2 Ways to Easily Embed Videos in PowerPoint 2016

PowerPoint 2016

Powerpoint tips

Mar 07, 2017

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Note: This tutorial is also applicable to Microsoft PowerPoint 2013.
Videos are effective at both informing and entertaining audiences and are useful for minimizing text.  As visual aids, they’re great for explaining complicated subjects or demonstrating a product or process, making your presentation more dynamic and engaging.
That’s why you should embed videos in PowerPoint 2016 for an audience that has trouble paying attention to long strings of text. Videos can also be useful for minimizing the slides you need so your pitch can be more succinct.

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You’d be impressed to find out that you can put videos into your deck without even leaving PowerPoint. Let’s run through two ways you can place videos into your slides for a more dynamic and engaging presentation.
Before you start embedding videos into your slide, check if the videos you want to use are free for personal or commercial use. If not, ask for permission from the video owner first.

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A. Embedding Online Videos

When you link a video to your PowerPoint, it can only be played if you have an online connection. If you’ll use videos from the Web, make sure you have a reliable Internet network during your pitch.
There’s plenty of video-sharing Web sites out there, but for this tutorial, let’s use YouTube as an example.
1. Go to the ribbon and click on the Insert tab.
how to insert video in powerpoint 20162. Under the Media group, click on Video and select “Online Video…” from the dropdown options.
how to insert online video in powerpoint 20163. A window named Insert Video will appear. This will look different from the option to insert a video directly from your PC. If you’re signed in with your Windows ID, you’ll see an additional option aside from YouTube and From Video Embed Code: OneDrive – Personal, which lets you embed videos directly from your OneDrive account.

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how to insert video in powerpoint 20164. If you’re not signed in, or if you don’t have a Windows ID, only YouTube and From Video Embed Code will appear as your options.
how to insert YouTube video and From Video Embed Code in powerpoint 2016This is a helpful feature to have when you’re editing a presentation on the go. However, you need to make sure you’re logged in with your Windows ID to access this feature.

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how to embed video in powerpoint 2016
These options each have a box beside it, which you’ll fill out with relevant information. We’ll walk you through each one below.
YouTube
Simply paste your video’s URL into this field. Additionally, PowerPoint can do more than just that.
6*SlideGenius tip:
This field also serves as a search box. You can type a few keywords, and all videos related to your search query will show up.
how to embed video in powerpoint 2016: choosing video for powerpoint
Wait for the video’s thumbnail to load. Once it’s loaded, click on it. Then, click Insert to place the video into your slide. You can drag the video around and resize it whichever way you want.
embed video to powerpoint 2016
From Video Embed Code
You can grab a video’s embed code from its YouTube page and paste it into this field. Be sure to check the video’s pixel width and height in the embed code (written as ‘width=”___” height=”___”’). Plugging in this code will resize the video to those dimensions and may result in different resolutions across screens.
You can also manually edit the numbers in the “width” and “height” sections to make the video fit your slides. This helps if you want all of your videos to follow a specific size throughout your presentation.

how to embed video in powerpoint through video embeded codeB. Embedding Videos from Your PC

You can’t always rely on reliable Internet access when embedding online videos. The good thing is that you can embed videos you’ve saved on your computer. Whether your venue has good reception or not, deliver your presentation as you intended—with visually impressive results.
1. Go to the ribbon and click on the Insert tab.
how to embed video from my computer in powerpoint 20162. Under the Media group, click on Video and select Video on My PC… from the dropdown options. A window named Insert Video will appear, which will allow you to choose among your personal or downloaded files.
how to embed video from my PC to powerpoint presentation3. Once you’ve clicked on the video you want to embed, go to the lower right corner of the Insert Video window and click on the Insert button.
inserting video clip in powerpoint 2016
That’s it! You’ve embedded an offline video into your PowerPoint.

Bonus Info: Where to Find Video Embed Codes in YouTube

1. Open your Web browser of choice. Then, go to the YouTube page of the video you want to embed.
Where to Find Video Embed Codes in YouTube2. Look for the Share button below the Subscribe button. Click on it to reveal three tabs: Share, Embed and Email.
Where to Find Video Embed Codes in YouTube3. Click on the Embed tab. A box with the highlighted embed code will appear.
Where to Find Video Embed Codes in YouTube4. Once you’ve found the embed code, right click on the highlighted text and copy. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + C. To do this, hold down Ctrl, then press the C key on your keyboard.

Where to Find Video Embed Codes in YouTube

Watch this video tutorial and learn how to embed videos in PowerPoint 2016

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Now you know how to embed offline and online videos!

Thanks to continuous software updates, images and videos are now easier to embed, giving you more possibilities to visually enhance your presentation. Make sure that you carefully apply each step for a more effective and attention-grabbing PowerPoint deck.
To deliver a more dynamic and engaging animated PowerPoint presentation, get in touch with a SlideGenius expert. We can even offer you a free quote.

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Recover Your Unsaved File in PowerPoint 2013

powerpoint 2013

Powerpoint tips

Mar 07, 2017

Unsaved work can happen for a number of reasons. It can happen when there’s a power failure or a system crash, or for whatever reason, maybe you just forgot to hit “Save.”
Don’t worry. Recovering an unsaved file is possible in PowerPoint. In fact, there’s more than one way to recover it. These features are enabled by default, so you’re guaranteed to get your file back.
Be warned that it’s generally not recommended to change these settings because you’ll never know when you need to save unsaved work again.
This guide will point you to where an unsaved file usually goes and what to do to recover it.

Unsaved Files

For owners of Microsoft Office 2010 and higher, recovering an unsaved file is made even easier. However, for users that have the older version of Microsoft Office, refer to this link.
This tutorial will be using PowerPoint 2013, meaning we can access the option also known as AutoRecover.
1. Go to the ribbon and click on File.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013: Autorecover
2. In the second column that displays Recent Presentations, scroll down to the bottom and you’ll see a button that reads Recover Unsaved Presentations.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013: recover unsave powerpoint
The files in this folder are only stored temporarily, so save your recovered file properly once you find it. Temporary files are deleted automatically from the system. Do not rely on recovery methods to save your work.
3. A dialog box labelled “Open” will appear which will contain your unsaved file.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013: label
Click on the address bar as highlighted in the image. This will show the filepath, displaying the exact location of your file.
Copy and paste the filepath to Windows Explorer: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
Don’t forget to replace <username> with yours when copying the filepath from this article:
You can retrieve an unsaved presentation using this method with ease.

Interrupted Changes

This next method is suitable when your changes were interrupted and you wish to restore the changes you made in your work.
1. Go to the ribbon and click on File> Options.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013: interruptive changes
2. A dialog box called “PowerPoint Options” will appear. Go to Save and see if the boxes are checked ☑ in the highlighted image. If yes, then you may proceed to the next step.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013
These options need to be present to restore your file’s unsaved changes. You won’t be able to recover your file’s previous state when these aren’t checked.
3. Copy the filepath located in the box beside AutoRecover file location. The file can be directly accessed by pasting the filepath in Windows Explorer.
recover your unsaved file in PowerPoint 2013: autorecover file location
Since this tutorial uses PowerPoint 2013 and runs on Windows 8, the filepath looks like this:
C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\UnsavedFiles
This filepath will lead you directly to your file. Save this as a separate PowerPoint file and pick up the changes from where you left off.

A Few More Pointers

Avoid relying too much on the recovery functions to save your work because they’re only hosted temporarily in their respective folders. If you leave them there, you’ll never be able to retrieve them after a certain period of time has passed. Always remember to save your files outside of these temporary file folders.
You also don’t want to risk damaging or corrupting your presentation save-states by changing the save settings in PowerPoint. It can be tempting to tweak the settings, but only advanced users should make these changes. In fact, changing these settings is highly discouraged because file recovery is placed there by default for good measure.
Save yourself from any potential headaches in the future and save your files properly.

Resource:

“Recovery of MS PowerPoint Content from Temp Files.” office–recovery.com. www.office-recovery.com/powerpoint.asp

Exporting PowerPoint to Paper: Tips for Enticing Printout Content

business

handouts

Powerpoint

powerpoint designer

powerpoint presentation

presentation

presentation design

printout

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Feb 19, 2017

While PowerPoint is typically used for digital presentations, there are times when you’ll need to export your slides for physical printouts. Whether it’s for a meeting, a workshop, or a leave-behind document, ensuring that your PowerPoint slides translate well to paper requires some special considerations. Simply printing slides as-is can lead to poor readability or formatting issues, so here are some tips to make your PowerPoint content enticing and effective when printed.

1. Adjust Slide Layout for Printing

When designing for print, the layout that looks great on a screen may not always translate well to paper. It’s important to adjust your slide layout to ensure that all content remains clear and legible.

How to Adjust the Layout:

  • Use a 4:3 Aspect Ratio: For most printed documents, a 4:3 aspect ratio is preferable over the typical 16:9 widescreen layout. Go to Design > Slide Size > Standard (4:3) to switch your slide dimensions.
  • Increase Margins: Leave wider margins on each side of the slide to avoid text or images getting cut off during printing.
  • Optimize for Page Size: Before printing, check the Print Preview to ensure the slides fit properly on the selected paper size (e.g., letter or A4).

2. Focus on Readability

Printouts need to be easily readable, even from a distance. If your slides are text-heavy, consider breaking them into smaller sections or making adjustments to improve legibility.

How to Ensure Readability:

  • Increase Font Size: Use a minimum of 24pt font for titles and 18pt for body text to ensure the text is legible on paper.
  • Choose Readable Fonts: Stick to simple, sans-serif fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Helvetica that print well. Avoid overly stylized or light fonts that may become difficult to read.
  • High Contrast Colors: Make sure your text and background have sufficient contrast. Light text on a dark background might not print well, so stick to dark text on a light background for printed slides.

3. Use Handout Formatting

PowerPoint offers handout formatting options that let you print multiple slides per page, helping you save paper and create a cleaner, more concise printout.

How to Use Handout Formatting:

  1. Go to File > Print: In the Print menu, choose Handouts under the Print Layout section.
  2. Select Slides per Page: You can print 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, or 9 slides per page. For professional printouts, 3 or 4 slides per page strike a good balance between space and readability.
  3. Include Lines for Notes: Select the option to print slides with lines for note-taking. This is useful for meetings and presentations where participants may want to jot down thoughts or feedback.

4. Optimize Visuals for Printing

Images and graphics often look different in print compared to on-screen. Before printing, ensure that all visuals are optimized for high-quality printing.

How to Optimize Visuals:

  • Use High-Resolution Images: Make sure your images are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for sharp, clear printouts.
  • Simplify Charts and Graphs: Complex charts that look fine on-screen may become unreadable in print. Simplify your data visualizations by using fewer elements and larger fonts for labels.
  • Avoid Overuse of Color: Bright, bold colors that look vibrant on-screen can become overwhelming or too dark in print. Stick to a more muted color palette when printing.

5. Test Print in Grayscale

Not all printers can produce high-quality color printouts, so it’s a good idea to test how your PowerPoint slides look when printed in grayscale.

How to Test Grayscale Printing:

  1. Go to File > Print: In the Print menu, choose Grayscale under the Settings menu.
  2. Check for Contrast Issues: Ensure that your slides maintain sufficient contrast between text, images, and backgrounds when printed without color.
  3. Test Before Large Print Runs: Always do a test print to see how your slides look in grayscale before printing large quantities.

6. Add Headers, Footers, and Page Numbers

Adding headers, footers, and page numbers to your printed slides makes them look more professional and easier to navigate, especially in longer documents.

How to Add Headers and Footers:

  1. Go to Insert > Header & Footer: Check the boxes for Date, Footer Text, and Page Numbers to include them in your printouts.
  2. Customize the Footer: Add your company’s name, the presentation title, or any other relevant information to the footer to create a cohesive, branded printout.
  3. Align the Page Numbers: Ensure that page numbers are placed consistently across all slides for easy reference.

7. Use the “Save as PDF” Option for Digital Printouts

If you’re sharing the slides electronically for participants to print themselves, consider saving the PowerPoint as a PDF. This ensures that the formatting remains consistent and looks professional across devices.

How to Save as PDF:

  1. Go to File > Save As: Choose PDF from the file format options.
  2. Choose Handouts or Full Slides: You can either save the full slides or opt for the handout view to include multiple slides per page.
  3. Distribute Electronically: Share the PDF via email or cloud storage for easy access and printing by your audience.

Final Thoughts

Exporting PowerPoint presentations for print requires careful consideration of layout, readability, and visual quality. By optimizing your slide designs for paper, adjusting fonts and colors, and using PowerPoint’s handout options, you can create enticing, professional printouts that maintain the impact of your digital presentations. Whether you’re distributing printed slides at a conference or sending out PDF handouts after a meeting, following these tips will help you create high-quality, readable, and visually appealing content.

Save Your Deck: Methods to Recover an Unsaved PowerPoint File

powerpoint file recovery

Powerpoint tips

powerpoint tutorial

Jan 18, 2017

Sheer panic—that’s probably your first reaction when you realize that you couldn’t save the PowerPoint file you were working on. Maybe the power went out, or your computer unexpectedly crashed. Perhaps you were too preoccupied that you didn’t think to hit “Save.” Whatever the reason, you’ve suddenly lost hours of hard work and have no clue how to get it all back.
Luckily, there’s no reason to stress over losing an unsaved PowerPoint file. Using the latest versions of PowerPoint, you can easily retrieve and recover all your hard work. Follow these steps to recover a PowerPoint file you accidentally lost:

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Method One: Recover Unsaved Presentations

If you were interrupted before saving your PowerPoint file, you could simply look for it in the Microsoft Unsaved Files folder. Go to the File tab, make sure you’re on Recent, and click on Recover Unsaved Presentations. The icon is right below the list of folders under Recent Places.

Recover-Unsaved-Presentations

Everything in the Unsaved folder is a temporary file. Make sure you recover and save everything you need because you might lose it after a few days.

Method Two: AutoRecover

If you’ve been periodically saving your work but was interrupted before you could save specific changes, you can retrieve your PowerPoint file using the AutoRecover function. First, check if you have it enabled. Go to the File tab, click on Options and go to Save. Make sure your options are similar to those in this picture:
PowerPoint-Files-AutoRecover
If you don’t have AutoRecover enabled, there’s no other way to retrieve the changes you made to your PowerPoint file. You will have to redo your work from the last save. But if everything looks good, you can then follow these steps:
1.) Copy the file destination path in the same dialogue box.
PowerPoint-Files-AutoRecover-02
2.) Open Windows Explorer, paste the path on the address bar, and hit Enter.
PowerPoint-Files-AutoRecover-025
To avoid losing crucial information, ensure AutoRecover is enabled every time you create a PowerPoint deck.

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ConclusionSGBlog_SaveYourDeck_Supporting image_SG01_JE-01

Retrieving an unsaved PowerPoint file is a no-brainer as long as you know these basic recovery methods.
You can either open the “Recover Unsaved Presentations” found in the “Recent Places” or use the AutoRecover function to check where that unsaved document must be hiding.
Learn these tricks by heart so you don’t have to worry about getting your presentation back!

How to Group, Ungroup, and Regroup Objects in PowerPoint 2013

group

Powerpoint

powerpoint presentation

regroup

Rick Enrico

slide objects

SlideGenius

ungroup

Dec 13, 2016

Grouping objects in PowerPoint is a useful feature that helps you organize your slides, align elements, and move multiple objects simultaneously. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to group, ungroup, and regroup objects in PowerPoint 2013.

1. Grouping Objects

Grouping allows you to combine multiple objects into one, so you can move or resize them together as a single unit. This is especially helpful when working with complex slide designs that contain several elements.

Why It’s Important:

  • Simplifies Layouts: Grouping simplifies your workflow by allowing you to manipulate several objects at once.
  • Maintains Alignment: It ensures that all grouped objects stay in the correct position relative to each other.

How to Do It:

  • Select the objects you want to group by holding down Shift and clicking each object.
  • Right-click on one of the selected objects and choose Group > Group from the menu.
  • The objects will now move, resize, and rotate as a single unit.

2. Ungrouping Objects

If you need to edit individual elements within a group, you can ungroup the objects. This breaks the group into separate objects, allowing you to make adjustments.

Why It’s Important:

  • Allows for Individual Edits: Ungrouping lets you modify specific objects without affecting the rest of the group.
  • Flexibility: You can regroup the objects later if needed after making your changes.

How to Do It:

  • Select the grouped object.
  • Right-click and choose Group > Ungroup from the menu.
  • The objects will be ungrouped, and you can now edit them individually.

3. Regrouping Objects

If you’ve ungrouped objects and want to group them again without manually selecting them, you can use the Regroup function. This is useful if you’ve temporarily ungrouped objects to make quick edits.

Why It’s Important:

  • Saves Time: Regrouping saves you from having to reselect all objects individually.
  • Restores Original Grouping: It preserves the original alignment and layout of the objects as they were before ungrouping.

How to Do It:

  • Click on any one of the objects that were part of the original group.
  • Right-click and choose Group > Regroup from the menu.
  • The objects will regroup into their original configuration.

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to group, ungroup, and regroup objects in PowerPoint 2013 is essential for maintaining an organized and efficient workflow, especially when designing slides with multiple elements. Grouping objects saves time, ensures alignment, and allows for greater control over your slide layouts. Incorporating these techniques will help you manage your designs more effectively.

How to Set the Playback Options in PowerPoint 2013

playback options

powerpoint 2013

powerpoint tutorial

presentation

Rick Enrico

SlideGenius

Dec 04, 2016

Setting the playback options for audio and video in PowerPoint 2013 allows you to control how multimedia elements behave during your presentation. Whether you want a video to play automatically or have audio loop throughout the entire presentation, PowerPoint offers several playback settings to customize the viewing experience.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set playback options for both audio and video files in PowerPoint 2013:

1. Insert Your Audio or Video

Before adjusting playback options, you need to insert the multimedia file into your slide.

How to Do It:

  • Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
  • Select Audio or Video from the Media group and choose your file from your computer.

Example: If you’re adding background music, insert an audio file onto the first slide.

2. Select the Audio or Video Object

Once you’ve inserted your media file, click on the audio or video object on the slide to access the playback options.

How to Do It:

  • Click on the multimedia file to select it.
  • The Playback tab will appear in the ribbon.

3. Set Video Playback Options

For video files, you can control when the video plays, how it plays, and what happens when the video finishes.

How to Do It:

  • In the Playback tab under the Video Tools, you’ll see the Video Options group.
  • Choose Start and select from the following options:
    • Automatically: The video starts playing as soon as the slide is shown.
    • On Click: The video starts playing when you click on it during the presentation.
  • Loop Until Stopped: Check this box if you want the video to loop continuously until manually stopped.
  • Rewind After Playing: Check this box if you want the video to rewind to the beginning after playing.

Example: If you’re embedding a product demo video, set it to play automatically when you reach the slide.

4. Set Audio Playback Options

For audio files, similar options allow you to control when and how the sound plays during your presentation.

How to Do It:

  • In the Playback tab under the Audio Tools, locate the Audio Options group.
  • Start: Choose when the audio will start:
    • Automatically: The audio starts playing as soon as the slide is shown.
    • On Click: The audio plays when you click the play button.
    • Play Across Slides: The audio continues to play even as you move through multiple slides.
  • Loop Until Stopped: This option ensures the audio will loop until you manually stop it or the presentation ends.
  • Hide During Show: Check this if you want the audio icon to be invisible during the presentation.

Example: For background music that plays throughout the entire presentation, select Play Across Slides and Loop Until Stopped.

5. Set Trim Options (For Both Audio and Video)

PowerPoint 2013 allows you to trim audio or video to play only the portion you want.

How to Do It:

  • Click on the Trim Video or Trim Audio button in the Editing group on the Playback tab.
  • Adjust the sliders to set the start and end points for the audio or video.

Example: If you only want the first 30 seconds of a song to play, use the Trim Audio tool to select the desired section.

6. Test Your Playback Settings

Once you’ve made your adjustments, it’s important to test your multimedia playback to ensure it works as expected during the presentation.

How to Do It:

  • Go to Slide Show mode and navigate to the slide with the media file.
  • Check if the media plays as intended (automatically, on click, etc.).

Example: Play through your entire presentation and verify that your audio plays seamlessly across all slides, or that the video loops continuously as you intended.

Final Thoughts

Setting playback options in PowerPoint 2013 allows you to have full control over how multimedia content interacts with your presentation. Whether you’re adding background music that plays throughout your slideshow or inserting a video that automatically starts, adjusting playback settings ensures that your multimedia enhances the overall flow and experience of your presentation.

Get More Organized with PowerPoint Presenter View

full screen

powerpoint 2013

powerpoint tutorial

Rick Enrico

Slide Show

SlideGenius

Nov 27, 2016

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is a useful tool for keeping your presentations organized and professional. It allows you to see your speaker notes, upcoming slides, and a timer, all while your audience views only the slides. Here’s how to use Presenter View effectively and stay organized during your presentation.

1. Set Up Presenter View

To use Presenter View, you need to have a second display (a projector or an additional monitor) connected to your computer.

Why It’s Important:

  • Enhances Organization: Presenter View allows you to manage your notes, track time, and view upcoming slides without the audience seeing it.
  • Improves Presentation Flow: Knowing what’s coming next helps you deliver a smoother, more professional presentation.

How to Do It:

  • Go to the Slide Show tab and select Use Presenter View.
  • Connect your computer to a projector or external monitor so you can see the presenter view on your screen while your audience only sees the slides.

2. Use Speaker Notes for Key Points

Presenter View allows you to see your speaker notes, so you don’t have to memorize your entire presentation. This helps you stay on track without losing eye contact with the audience.

Why It’s Important:

  • Keeps You Focused: Speaker notes serve as reminders of key points without overwhelming you with too much information.
  • Reduces Memorization: Having notes available reduces the pressure to memorize everything and lets you focus on delivering your message.

How to Do It:

  • Add speaker notes for each slide in PowerPoint, highlighting the main points you want to cover.
  • As you present, glance at the notes on your screen to stay on track.

3. Monitor Time with the Built-In Timer

Presenter View includes a timer that tracks how long you’ve been presenting. This helps you stay within your time limit and avoid rushing or running over.

Why It’s Important:

  • Ensures Time Management: Monitoring time ensures that you stay on schedule and don’t miss important points due to poor pacing.
  • Keeps You Calm: Having a timer on screen means you won’t have to worry about how much time you have left, allowing you to focus on your presentation.

How to Do It:

  • Start your presentation in Presenter View, and the timer will automatically start.
  • Keep an eye on the timer to adjust your pacing as needed.

4. Preview Upcoming Slides

Presenter View shows you a preview of the next slide, allowing you to prepare your transitions and make smoother connections between slides.

Why It’s Important:

  • Improves Transitions: Previewing upcoming slides helps you transition smoothly between topics, keeping your presentation fluid.
  • Reduces Mistakes: Knowing what’s coming next ensures that you don’t get caught off guard by the content of the next slide.

How to Do It:

  • Use the Next Slide preview in Presenter View to see what’s coming up and adjust your delivery accordingly.

Final Thoughts

PowerPoint’s Presenter View is an invaluable tool for staying organized and delivering polished, professional presentations. By using speaker notes, monitoring time, and previewing upcoming slides, you can maintain control of your presentation and keep your audience engaged. Incorporate Presenter View into your presentation routine to elevate your performance and create a smoother, more engaging experience for your audience.