Auto-play a PowerPoint presentation | Microsoft

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of setting up an auto-playing PowerPoint presentation. This feature is especially useful for trade shows, kiosks, or any setting where you want your presentation to run unattended. You will learn how to configure your slideshow so that it advances automatically, providing a seamless viewing experience for your audience.

Step 1: Access Slide Show Setup

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation.
2. Navigate to the Slide Show tab in the top menu.
3. Click on Set Up Slide Show. This will open a new configuration window.

Step 2: Choose Show Type

In the Set Up Show window, you will see different options under Show type. Select one based on your presentation needs:

• Presented by a speaker (full screen): This option allows viewers to control slide advancement. Choose this if you will be present to manage the presentation.

• Browsed by an individual (window): This option presents your slides in a window. Viewers won’t have control over advancing the slides, making it suitable for situations where you want to guide the experience.

• Browsed at a kiosk (full screen): This choice loops the presentation until someone presses the Escape (Esc) key. It’s ideal for unattended displays at trade shows or exhibits.

Step 3: Configure Slide Timing

1. To make the slides advance automatically, go to the Transitions tab.
2. In the Timing group, uncheck On Mouse Click.
3. Check After and set the time in seconds for how long you want each slide to display before advancing to the next.

Step 4: Save Your Presentation

1. After configuring the settings, save your presentation by clicking on File.
2. Choose Save As, and select the desired location and file format.
3. If you want to share it as a video, choose the video format during the save process.

Conclusion

You have now set up an auto-playing PowerPoint presentation! Review your settings to ensure everything is configured as desired. This functionality is excellent for creating engaging displays at events or for sharing presentations without requiring audience interaction. Consider testing your presentation in the environment where it will be displayed to ensure optimal performance.