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How to Play a Video Automatically in PowerPoint

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Read Time: 3 min
This post is part of a series called How to Use PowerPoint in 60 Seconds (Quick Video Tutorials).
How to Insert a PowerPoint Slide Into Word in 60 Seconds
How to Insert a GIF Into PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

Video is a great way to engage your audience and add interest to your PowerPoint presentation. Learn how to autoplay video in PowerPoint each time your presentation begins.

We also have a helpful complement to this tutorial. Download our FREE eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great PresentationsGrab it now before you read on.

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How to Play a Video in a PowerPoint Presentation Automatically

Note: Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below, that complement this video.

1. Insert a Video

PowerPoint supports automatically playing videos right inside of a presentation. If you want to play a video automatically though, you'll need to change a key setting. First, let's insert a video into the PowerPoint presentation. 

Go to the Insert tab and choose Video on the right side. Next, choose Video on my PC.

How to play a video in PowerPointHow to play a video in PowerPointHow to play a video in PowerPoint
Use the Video on My PC option to play video in PowerPoint.

Now, I'll browse to where I have a video stored and insert it. 

Insert a video in PowerPointInsert a video in PowerPointInsert a video in PowerPoint
Insert a video in PowerPoint.

Now we have the video on our slide. You could click and drag to reposition it, and you can also press play to start playing the video, but if you wanted to start automatically, here's how you can do that.

2. Set the Video to Play Automatically

Start by making sure we've clicked on the video if it's not already selected, and then let's come over to the Playback tab on PowerPoint's ribbon. On the Playback tab, lets find the drop-down next to start let's choose Automatically from the same list. 

Autoplay video in PowerPointAutoplay video in PowerPointAutoplay video in PowerPoint
Turn on autoplay video in PowerPoint.

Switch PowerPoint into Presentation view and you'll see that the video starts playing automatically.

Finishing Up!

This is a great idea when you want the video to start on its own when you're presenting to an audience, so that no clicks are required. Videos with this setting play as soon as you switch to the slide that they're on. 

More PowerPoint Tutorial and Template Resources

Learn more in our PowerPoint tutorials and quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+. We have an assortment of PowerPoint material to help you make better presentations:

You can also find great PowerPoint presentation templates with premium designs on GraphicRiver or Envato Elements. Or, browse through our selection of the best Microsoft PowerPoint designs:

Grab This New eBook on Making Great Presentations (Free Download)

Learn the best presentation strategies in our new eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations (grab it now for FREE). Get your ideas packaged into a powerful presentation that will move your audience to action.

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Do you use video effectively in your PowerPoint presentations? Or, are you planning to add video to your next PowerPoint presentation? Let us know in the comments below.

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