Adding audio to your PowerPoint presentations can make them more engaging and memorable for your audience. Whether it’s background music, a sound effect, or narration, audio enhances the viewer experience.

One useful audio trick is setting your audio files to play automatically when each slide appears. This creates a seamless flow without you having to manually start each audio clip.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get audio to play automatically in PowerPoint.

Set Audio to Play Automatically from the Beginning

Insert your audio file:
- On the Insert tab, click Audio > Audio on My PC
- Select your audio file and click Insert

On the Playback tab under Audio Tools, select Play in Background in the Audio Options group.

This will play your audio file automatically from the beginning of the slideshow.

Set Audio on Specific Slides to Play Automatically

On the slide with the audio, click the audio icon.

On the Playback tab under Audio Tools:
- In the Audio Options group, click the dropdown next to Start
- Select Automatically

This will play the audio on that slide automatically when you advance to that slide.

Repeat this for each slide you want audio to play automatically on.

Play Audio Files Across Multiple Slides

On the Insert tab, click Audio > Audio on My PC

Select your audio file and insert it on any slide.
On the Animations tab, click Animation Pane.
In the Animation Pane, select your audio name > Effect Options:
- On the Timing tab, set Start to On Click
- Set Stop Playing to After: and enter the slide number you want the audio to stop playing

This will play your audio file across multiple slides, from the inserted slide until the stop slide you set.

Adjust Volume of Audio Files

To change the volume of an inserted audio file:

Select the audio icon on the slide
On the Playback tab under Audio Tools:
- In the Audio Options group, click Volume
- Select the desired volume: Low, Medium, High, or Mute

Test the volume by playing the slideshow. Adjust the volume further from your computer’s sound settings if needed.

Fix Audio Not Playing Automatically

If your audio does not play automatically, try the following:

Check that Play in Background is selected on the Playback tab
For specific slides, ensure Automatically is selected next to Start under Audio Options

Check the file format – supported formats include .mp3, .wav, .midi, and .m4a
Reboot your computer and relaunch PowerPoint
Ensure no other programs are accessing the audio device during playback

Tips for Adding Audio in PowerPoint

Choose audio clips that are relevant to your content
Balance the audio volume with your voice volume if narrating
Use fade in/out effects for background music

Test the audio on the presentation equipment prior to the actual presentation
Bring backup audio files on a USB drive in case of technical difficulties

Adding background music or narration to your PowerPoint slides is an excellent way to amplify engagement. By setting your audio to play automatically, you create a smooth, seamless viewing experience for your audience.