How to add audio to a PowerPoint presentation

PowerPoint presentations have always been highly customizable. You can add text boxes, divide your presentation into sections, and even customize WordArt. If you’re looking to add an auditory element to your presentation, you can also do so. Let’s review how to add music to PowerPoint.

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Adding audio to a PowerPoint Presentation

If you have an audio file on your computer and want to add it to a slide in your PowerPoint presentation, you can do so. The audio file you insert must be in one of the following formats:

• AIFF
• AU
• MIDI
• MP3
• M4A
• MP4
• WAV
• WMA

If your audio file is not in one of the above formats, you cannot add it to your PowerPoint. In that case, you may want to use an online conversion tool to change it from its current format to one of those listed above.

How to add audio to your PowerPoint presentation

Go to the Insert tab in your PowerPoint.

In the Media section, click Audio.

From the subsequent dropdown menu, select Audio on My PC….

This will open File Explorer. Locate the audio file you wish to insert, then select it and click Insert.

Your audio file will appear in the PowerPoint as a media playback bar.

How to record audio and insert it into your PowerPoint presentation

You must have a microphone for this to work. If you’re on a laptop, your built-in microphone will automatically activate so you can record your audio clip. If you’re on a desktop, you must connect a dedicated microphone and identify it within PowerPoint.

Go to the Insert tab in your PowerPoint.

In the Media section, click Audio.

From the subsequent dropdown menu, select Record Audio….

Click the Red Circle button to start recording from your microphone.

Click the Square button to stop recording. Select OK when finished.

Your recorded audio will appear in the PowerPoint as a clickable button.

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