PowerPoint Recording Options (English Blog)

English Blog Basic

Recording a Microsoft PowerPoint File and Converting it into a Video

Record Menu (Record Tab)

PowerPoint 2021 has a Record tab in the Ribbon that is used to record a presentation or screen recording as a video. It is especially useful for online teaching, tutorials, or creating presentation demos.

How to Enable the Record Tab (Initial Step)

Open PowerPoint and open any presentation.
If the Record tab is not visible in the Ribbon, go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
On the right side, check the Record checkbox and click OK.
The Record tab will now appear in the Ribbon.

Main Options of the Record Tab

a) Record Slide Show

It allows you to record your entire presentation slide by slide.
You can record your voice (Audio), face (Webcam video), and Laser Pointer/Pen annotations.
The timing of each slide is automatically saved, so the presentation can play later at the same speed.

Practical Steps:

1. Go to the Record tab.

2. Click Record Slide Show.

3. Select the option to record from the Current Slide or from the beginning.

4. Click the red Record button (●) — the countdown will begin.

5. Speak and move through the slides.

6. Click Stop (■) to stop the recording.

7. Close the window — the recording will be saved automatically.

b) Camera and Microphone Controls

You can turn the camera ON/OFF directly from the Record tab.
You can check the microphone audio level.
Your webcam video can appear in the corner of the presentation in Picture-in-Picture style.

Practical Steps:

Click the Camera icon to turn it ON/OFF.

Click the Microphone icon to turn the audio ON/OFF.

c) Ink (Pen Tool)

During recording, you can write on the slide using a Pen or Highlighter to highlight important points.

Practical Steps:

In the recording window, select the Pen or Highlighter icon from the toolbar at the bottom.

Click the dropdown arrow to select the pen color.
Use the mouse or touchscreen to write or draw directly on the slide.

If you make a mistake, you can use the Eraser tool to erase it.

d) Export as Video

After completing the recording, you can directly export it as an MP4 video file.

Practical Steps:

Go to File > Export.
Select Create a Video.
Select the video quality (1080p / 720p / Standard).
Select Use Recorded Timings and Narrations.
Click Create Video, enter the file name and location, and then click Save.

e) Clear Recording

If the recording of a particular slide is not correct, you can delete the recording of only that slide and record it again.

Practical Steps:

In the Record tab, click the Clear dropdown.
Select Clear Recording on Current Slide — only the recording of the current slide will be deleted.
Or select Clear Recordings on All Slides — the recording of the entire presentation will be deleted.
After deleting the recording, start a new recording using Record Slide Show.

When to Use the Record Menu?

To create online lectures or tutorials.
To create self-paced training videos.
To share a presentation without presenting it live.

Presentation Views

- Normal View

The main view used for creating and editing a presentation.

- Slide Sorter View

Used to view all slides together and arrange them.

- Reading View

Used to view the presentation without editing tools.

- Slide Show View

Used to run the presentation in full-screen mode.

Master Views

- Slide Master

Used to set the layout, design, and theme for all slides.

- Handout Master

Used to customize the design and layout of printed handouts.

- Notes Master

Used to set the layout and design of presentation notes.

Clock Project

First, take a Blank Slide and draw a clock using Shapes.
Then create a duplicate copy of the slide.
Use Ctrl + D / Shift + D, then change the position of the arrow on the clock on each slide.
Go to the first slide and select the arrow.
Go to the Animations menu.
Select any animation.
Start: After Previous
Go to the Transitions menu.
After: 00.01
Click Apply to All.
Press F5 / Shift + F5 to run the presentation.