How to Convert a PowerPoint to Video | Step-by-Step Guide (2024)

PowerPoint presentations are easy to create to get your point across fast. 

Lecturers, hosts, content creators, and presenters use this platform to share their knowledge base effortlessly. Chances are, you already know how to put together a stellar slideshow. But how can you maximize this content into an eye-catching video?

If you want to learn how to export PowerPoint to video, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide will look at the various approaches you can use to save your presentation in a video format. It doesn’t end there! We will also delve into the various formats you can use when exporting your video and some advice along the way too. 

Can You Convert a PowerPoint to a Video?

When you have made your PowerPoint presentation, you might want to export it as a video. This lets you easily save it and play it back. Luckily, this is easier than you may imagine. You don’t need any special skills to get it right. 

However, your approach will vary slightly depending on your software and operating system. Next up, we will look at the straightforward processes you can use to change your PowerPoint to video and the tips to keep in mind.

Requirements for Turning a PowerPoint Presentation into a Video

Before we delve into how to make a PowerPoint into a video, you need to ensure that you have the right software and tools. Here’s a quick rundown of everything you will need: 

Microsoft PowerPoint

First up, you will need to ensure you have installed Microsoft PowerPoint on your device. Ideally, you should have PowerPoint 2010 (or later versions) since they include more sophisticated video export features. However, if you have an older software version, you may still be able to change PowerPoint to video.

Completed Presentation

Before you save your presentation as a video, you should have made your presentation. Keep in mind that you will not be able to make changes to the video after you have exported it. The slides, information, visuals, and transitions you intend to use need to be in the presentation. Make sure that everything is perfect before you start exporting the file. 

Timing and Transitions 

Next, you need to make sure that you set the timings for each slide and any transitional effects you wish to use. This will determine the flow of your film and how the slides change from one to the next. Check both of these things before saving your presentation. 

Animations and Effects: 

You should also double-check all animations and special effects you apply to the slides. Take the time to watch your PowerPoint all the way through and ensure that each of your effects works correctly. Again, you won’t be able to change this later.

Slide Size

Choose the appropriate slide dimensions and aspect ratio for the scheduled video output. The conventional aspect ratio is 4:3, while the widescreen is 16:9. In Microsoft PowerPoint, you simply need to click the "Design" tab to change the slide size.

Proofreading

The last thing you want is mistakes in your final video. Review your presentation carefully, looking for grammatical mistakes, formatting flaws, or inconsistent slide content.

Video Export Settings

Before converting the file, select the video's resolution, quality, and file type. The MP4 and WMV formats are just two of the several video export options in PowerPoint. Choose the one that works for your needs.

How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Video on Mac

Now that you can check you have everything you need, we’ll start off by showing you how to convert your PowerPoint to video using a Mac. This process shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete. Follow our step-by-step instructions to get started here: 

How to Time the Slides First 

This step ensures that the video's slides continue automatically. Before you export your video, you need to time the slides. Here’s how you can do that: 

Step 1: On your Mac, launch PowerPoint and start your presentation

Step 2: Go to the top menu and select the "Transitions" tab 

Step 3: Set the "After" checkbox next to the "Advance Slide" section

Step 4: If you want each slide to show up for a specific amount of time before moving on to the next, enter the time length for each slide.

How to Export PowerPoint to Video on Your Mac

After arranging the slide timings, the next step is to export the presentation as a video file. Here is how you can do that quickly and easily: 

Step 1: Navigate to PowerPoint's "File" menu

Step 2: Choose "Export" or "Share" (depending on the version of PowerPoint)

Step 3: Pick "Create a Video" from the menu

Step 4: Select the appropriate video quality and resolution

Step 5: Choose the video's file name and save destination

Step 6: Select the video file type, such as MP4 format

Step 7: Finally, Microsoft Powerpoint will convert your slides into a video file once you click the "Save" button. 

This conversion time will depend on how long and complicated your presentation is. Once the conversion is over, your PowerPoint presentation will be available as a video file on your Mac. Simply navigate to the save destination to find it.

How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Video on Windows

If you’re using a Windows device, switching your PowerPoint to video is equally easy. Note that newer versions of the Windows software have a slightly different menu. With that in mind, we have shared the step-by-step process for the different versions of the software. 

Option 1: How to Use the “Save As” Feature

If you are using an older version of PowerPoint, you may have to use the “save as” feature to export the slideshow as a video. Here are the steps you need to take to get started:

Step 1: Launch PowerPoint on your device and open your presentation

Step 2: In the top menu, select the "File" tab and click "Save As" in the drop-down option

Step 3: Choose the place to save the file using the box that appears

Step 4: Name the video file by typing in the textbox on the screen

Step 5: Use the "Save as format" selection menu to choose your file format

Step 6: Press the "Save" button and then select the "Save as Clip"

Step 7: Click on “Create a Video” to start the exporting process

After you have done the above, the PowerPoint will begin exporting as a video. How long this process takes will depend largely on the file size and the media it includes.

Option 2: How to Use the “Export” Feature

If you have a new version of Microsoft PowerPoint, chances are you don’t need to use the “save as” feature. The software now has an “export” feature instead. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Start by opening Microsoft PowerPoint and your presentation

Step 2: Go to the top menu and select the "File" tab

Step 3: Choose "Export" in the drop-down menu

Step 4: Select "Generate a Video" from the list of available options

Step 5:  Enter the preferred video standard and timing choices in the "Generate a Video" menu box

Step 6: Choose a save destination and a file name

Step 7: Select the preferred video format using the "File Category" selection menu

Step 8: Click the “Save” button and wait

Following these steps means you can save your PowerPoint to video easily. Once again, how long the conversion takes depends on the complexity of your presentation.

What Video Formats Can You Convert a PowerPoint To?

Of course, there are many different video formats out there — from MP4 to MOV. Luckily, with Microsoft PowerPoint, you can convert your slideshows to a whole variety of formats. Let’s take a look at the options from which you can choose. 

• MP4 (MPEG-4 Part 14): This popular video format offers a high-quality platform and seamless device integration.
• WMV (Windows Media Video): WMV is a Windows environment standard format that works well on Windows-powered systems.
• AVI (Audio Video Interleave): Most media players support this format. However, the file size may be bigger with this one, so it’s not always the best choice.
• MOV (QuickTime Movie): MOV often works well with the macOS operating system, particularly Apple's QuickTime multimedia player. It can also run on other systems. 
• WebM: This web-specific video format is open-source and free of royalties. It offers effective compression and is compatible with current web browsers.

Tip! Read our separate guide if you'd like to learn how to record a PowerPoint presentation.

Presenting and recording top-quality PowerPoint slides with Riverside

Looking for a simple way to present and record your PowerPoint presentation? This feat is a smooth, seamless process with the Riverside Teams plan.

You can upload, present, and simultaneously record high-quality presentations. You don’t need to switch between different programs to share the slideshow. You can do it all in one place — without leaving Riverside. As a bonus, you can also invite guests to join you in presenting the PowerPoint and give them control of the presentation. 

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With Riverside, you can:

• Quickly set up a top-quality virtual recording studio with up to 10 participants
• Record video and PowerPoint presentations in up to 4K resolution without worrying about internet connection
• Capture separate tracks for audio, video, and presentation slides
• Allow guest hosts and others to take control of presenting
• Text-based editor so you can polish your recordings as easily as going through a written transcript.
• Background noise removal and level normalization
• Customizable layouts and backgrounds
• Highly accurate automated transcriptions available in over 100 languages

Riverside offers all this and more, but read on to discover how easy it is to record presentations on our platform:

Step 1: Login 

To start a presentation recording, ensure you have the Teams plan and that you’ve logged into your account. 

Step 2: Upload presentation

Next, you can upload your Powerpoint (PPT or PPTX) presentation to your online recording studio. You can download the recording — which will be in sync with your audio and presenting — at the end of the session. 

Step 3: Start recording and share presentation

When you are in the studio and ready to start recording, you can access the slides by clicking “Share” and then choosing “Presentation”. The presentation will appear on the screen while you present.

Step 4: Navigate and start presenting 

The whole deck will appear on the share screen with a list of the individual slides at the bottom. You can use < and > to navigate through the slides as you are presenting the PowerPoint. 

If you want one of your guests to take over and control the deck, simply select + and then click “Give Control”. You can present the slideshow and speak about each slide as you go through them. 

Step 5: Export the video 

Riverside will record everything for you and sync it up. At the end of the recording, simply export the video in the format you want in up to 4K resolution.  

Learn more from the video below:

FAQs on How to Convert PowerPoint to Video

How do I convert a PowerPoint to MP4?

As we have covered in this guide, converting a PowerPoint presentation to an MP4 file is easy. Simply follow the steps above and when you come to the “file format” step, select “MP4”. The software will convert the file to this format and save it on your device.

How Do I Convert a PowerPoint Video to Audio?

You can use online resources or third-party software that converts videos to PowerPoint file types like PPT or PPTX. You can also extract the audio file from the video by importing the PowerPoint presentation into the converter, selecting the audio output format (such as MP3 or WAV), and starting the conversion process.

How Do I Convert a PowerPoint to a YouTube Video?

First up, you use the built-in export feature to save your PowerPoint presentation in a video format. You can follow the step-by-step guide we have shared here. Next, you need to upload the video file to YouTube. Post it to YouTube by logging into your account, choosing the "Upload" option, and then selecting the video clip from your computer.

Why Can't I PowerPoint Convert to Video?

If you are having trouble converting your PowerPoint, check which background apps are running. Your computer may have a hard time converting the file when too many programs are working in the background. Closing some of these apps down may make your Powerpoint conversion work faster. Additionally, certain applications — such as virus blockers — may be stopping the conversion process. 

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