Microsoft PowerPoint’s built-in screen recorder is a useful yet underutilized tool for creating engaging and interactive presentations. By recording your screen directly in PowerPoint, you can easily demonstrate concepts, showcase workflows, and add an element of show-and-tell to your slides.
Step 1: Set Up Your Presentation File
Start by opening a new or existing PowerPoint presentation. Make sure to have your slides, talking points, and any materials you plan to display ready to go before recording.
Pro tip: Add slide numbers and titles to help keep yourself organized while presenting and recording.
Step 2: Launch the Screen Recorder
- Select the Insert tab.
- Click Screen Recording.
- A screen recorder toolbar will appear.
Step 3: Configure Your Recording
The screen recorder toolbar offers several key controls:
- Select Area – Choose a portion of your screen to record.
- Record – Start recording your screen.
- Camera – Toggle your webcam on/off.
- Microphone – Mute/unmute your mic.
- Pointer Options – Show mouse clicks and movements.
Customize these options as needed before clicking Record.
Step 4: Record Your Demonstration
- Click Record and wait for the 3 second countdown.
- Demonstrate the process while explaining each step.
- Press Windows key + Shift + Q when finished. This will stop recording and insert the video into your presentation.
Feel free to pause and resume the recording as needed by selecting the pause icon.
Step 5: Trim and Refine (Optional)
The screen recording will appear as a video box that can be moved and resized like any other object.
To trim down your video:
- Right-click the video box
- Select Edit Media.
- Drag the trim handles to remove unwanted sections.
You can also add annotations, captions, zooming, highlighting and more here.
Step 6: Engage Your Audience
Now that you’ve added an engaging demonstration, use the interactivity of video to connect with your audience.
Ask Questions
Pause the video and ask the audience to predict or explain what’s coming next. Call on people to share their thoughts. This simple technique keeps viewers actively processing your content.
Quiz Viewers
Much like verbal questions, you can also display multiple choice slides and ask people to vote on the correct answer using their phones or hands. Tools like PowerPoint Polls, Slido, and Poll Everywhere make this easy to set up.
Use Annotations
Circle, underline or point out key items on your screen recording using shapes, arrows and text boxes. This focuses attention and reinforces important takeaways.
The PowerPoint screen recorder takes your presentations from static to dynamic. Use these best practices to fully leverage video and boost audience engagement.
FAQs
How do I get the screen recorder toolbar in PowerPoint?
The screen recorder is built directly into PowerPoint. Click the Insert tab and select Screen Recording.
What file type does the PowerPoint screen recorder use?
By default, PowerPoint screen recordings are embedded into your PPTX file as MPEG-4 (MP4) videos.
Can I save my screen recording separately from my slides?
Yes! Right-click your screen recording and choose Save Media As. This will allow you to export just the MP4 video to use externally.
What microphone does the screen recorder use?
It will automatically detect and use your default microphone and speakers. Make sure everything is set up properly in your Windows Sound Settings.
Summary
The PowerPoint screen recording tool enables you to easily demonstrate concepts, display workflows, and incorporate video into your presentations. Combined with interactive engagement techniques, integrated screen capture can massively boost the impact of your message.
Give it a try on your next deck! In just a few clicks, you can take your slides from boring to extraordinary.
