How to Put a GIF in PowerPoint

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Incorporating animated GIFs into your PowerPoint presentations can be an excellent way to boost engagement, highlight key points, and inject humor or visual interest. However, the process of actually inserting a GIF into PowerPoint can seem daunting to the uninitiated.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the quick and easy steps for seamlessly adding animated GIFs into your PowerPoint slides.

Why Use GIFs in Presentations

Before jumping into the technical how-to, let’s first cover why you may want to use GIFs in your PowerPoint decks:

  • Grab attention: GIFs stand out against static slides, immediately grabbing your audience’s focus.
  • Demonstrate concepts: Animations are perfect for demonstrating processes, flows, transitions, and more.
  • Inject humor: A humorous GIF inserted at just the right moment can lighten the mood.
  • Emphasize points: Draw attention to key messages or data by animating them.
  • Liven up text-heavy slides: Break up long stretches of text or bullet points with some visual interest.

When used judiciously, GIFs can be highly engaging without coming across as gimmicky or unprofessional.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Inserting a GIF

Without further ado, here is the step-by-step process for seamlessly inserting an animated GIF into your PowerPoint presentation:

On Windows

  1. Open the PowerPoint presentation and select the slide where you want to insert the GIF.
  2. On the Insert tab, click Pictures.
  3. In the Insert Picture dialog box, navigate to the GIF file and select it.
  4. Click Insert to add the GIF to the slide.

GIF insertion dialog box in PowerPoint on Windows

On Mac

  1. Open the presentation and choose the slide for inserting the GIF.
  2. On the Insert menu, click Pictures > Choose from File.
  3. Select the GIF file from your computer.
  4. Click Open.

Online in PowerPoint Web App

  1. Open the presentation online in PowerPoint web app.
  2. Select the slide for inserting the GIF.
  3. Click the Insert tab and choose Videos.
  4. Search for the GIF or upload it from your computer.
  5. Click Insert.

And that’s it! The GIF should now be embedded on your selected slide.

Example GIF inserted into PowerPoint slide

Tips for Using GIFs Effectively

When adding GIFs to your PowerPoint presentation, keep these tips in mind:

  • Use sparingly – Limit to 1 or 2 GIFs per presentation so they don’t become distracting.
  • Ensure GIFs are relevant and support your message.
  • Consider file size – Larger GIFs can slow down your presentation.
  • Test the GIFs to ensure smooth playback.
  • Match mood of presentation – Funny vs serious presentations may dictate GIF tone.

Troubleshooting Issues with PowerPoint GIFs

If your inserted GIF appears static or fails to play correctly, try the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Confirm the file is saved as GIF with .gif extension.
  • Check GIF plays properly outside of PowerPoint first.
  • Resize overly large GIFs – try compressed file size.
  • Update PowerPoint to latest version.
  • Re-insert the GIF file.

Following the instructions in this guide along with the best practices should allow you to seamlessly enhance your next presentation with animated GIFs. Wield this engaging visual tool effectively to amplify your message and wow your audiences.

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