How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Video For Free

Converting a PowerPoint presentation into a video can be extremely beneficial for sharing your content more widely. Video content tends to be more engaging, easier to digest, and simpler to distribute across different platforms. The good news is that you can easily convert a PowerPoint presentation to a video format without expensive software or technical skills.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to convert your PowerPoint slides to video for free.

Benefits of Converting PowerPoint to Video

Here are some of the main reasons you may want to convert your PowerPoint files to video:

  • Increased engagement – Videos are more dynamic, visual, and compelling which improves audience engagement. Viewers are more likely to watch a short video than read through slides.
  • Wider distribution – Videos can easily be shared on social media, embedded on websites, or distributed through email and messaging platforms.
  • Mobile compatibility – Viewers can play videos on any device, which improves accessibility and reach.
  • Asynchronous sharing – Videos allow viewers to consume content on their own time, at their own pace.
  • Use for marketing – Videos make great marketing assets to promote your business, products, or services.

Free Tools to Convert PowerPoint to Video

You don’t need expensive or complex software to convert PowerPoint slides to video. Here are some of the best free online tools:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Recent versions of PowerPoint have built-in video export functionality:

  1. Open your PowerPoint presentation
  2. Select “File” then “Export” and choose “Create a Video”
  3. Customize video settings like quality and length
  4. Save exported MP4 video file

Google Slides

You can also convert Google Slides presentations to video:

  1. Open your presentation in Google Slides
  2. Click “File” > “Download” > “MP4 Video”
  3. Customize options like resolution and timestamps
  4. Export video file

Online Convert

This free online converter supports PowerPoint to MP4 video conversion:

  1. Upload your PowerPoint file
  2. Choose video format and adjust settings
  3. Convert PPT file and download MP4 video

Other Tools

Other free options include VLC media player, CloudConvert, and Zamzar. Most limit file size but work well for short videos.

How to Optimize Conversion Settings

When exporting your PowerPoint as a video, consider these settings for best results:

Video Quality

  • For online use, a resolution of 720p or 1080p HD is recommended
  • For presentations, standard 480p resolution is often sufficient

Length Per Slide

  • Set slide duration based on amount of content
  • 10-20 seconds per slide is typical

Embedded Media

  • Animations, audio clips, and other media will be included automatically
  • Keep files sizes reasonable by limiting large video/audio files

Text Visibility

  • Use large, high contrast fonts and minimal text per slide
  • Sans serif fonts like Arial work best

Presentation Design Tips for Video

Follow these PowerPoint design best practices to create presentations optimized for video conversion:

  • Use a simple, consistent template design
  • Limit text and bullet points
  • Include quality images and graphics
  • Use animations and transitions sparingly
  • Ensure text contrasts with background
  • Check formatting on mobile screens

Keeping your slides clean, visual, and graphical will translate well into video format.

Share and Embed Your PowerPoint Video

Once converted to MP4, your PowerPoint video can easily be shared in many ways:

  • Upload to video platforms like YouTube and Vimeo
  • Embed into websites, blogs, and landing pages
  • Post on social channels like Facebook and Instagram
  • Send via email, WhatsApp or SMS messaging
  • Play from a smartphone, tablet, laptop or smart TV

Video provides flexibility to reuse your PowerPoint content in diverse digital environments.

Conclusion

Converting your PowerPoint presentations into video format helps increase engagement, distribution, and accessibility for your content. Using the techniques outlined in this article, you can easily save PowerPoints as videos with free tools and optimize the viewing experience for your audiences across devices.