This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Sarah Joy
If you actively engage your audience, there are times you want them to be aware of the time. To do this, you can add a timer to a PowerPoint slide.
There are many different reasons that you use a PowerPoint timer. So, learning how to add a countdown timer to PowerPoint can be helpful. Here are a few examples:
- If you must give a presentation in a short amount of time you can add a timer to PowerPoint slides to keep you on track.
- If you include a Q&A section to your presentation you might want to add a timer so that the audience knows that they've a limited time to ask or answer questions.
- A timer can also track the time left in a break for a longer presentation.
In this article, I’ll show you three different methods for how to insert a timer in PowerPoint. You'll also explore some premium templates from Envato Elements and learn why templates are beneficial. Finally, we’ll look over some common PowerPoint questions and answers.
How to Add a Timer in PPT (Quickstart Video)
Are you in a hurry to add a timer to PowerPoint? Don't worry, we've got you covered with this quickstart video. In just a few minutes, learn how to insert a PowerPoint timer into your slides:
Do you want to find out more about using a timer for PPT slides? Continue reading the written tutorial for step-by-step instructions.
How to Add a Timer to Your PowerPoint Presentation
Timers can have many purposes in your presentation. But mainly, you use them to keep track of time passing or let the audience know the time.
If you want to know how to insert timer in PowerPoint, then keep reading. For this tutorial, I’ll use the Multima Multipurpose Template from Envato Elements.
Also, for this tutorial, I’ll be focused on slide four. Here's what slide four looks like without edits made to the slide. It's nearly ready to insert PowerPoint timer graphics.
Three methods can be used to add a timer to PowerPoint or insert a countdown clock in PowerPoint. When you use timer for PPT slides, you can track and monitor the runtime. Let's look at each of three add timer in PPT methods:
Method #1 Use an Add-in
Add-ins are PowerPoint tools that you can add to your PowerPoint toolbar. There are add-ins for lots of different tools, including timers. Here are the steps explaining how to add an add-in timer to your slide:
To access the add-in menu, click on the Insert tab. Next, click on the Get Add-ins button in the toolbar.
This causes an add-ins store to pop up in a window. These give you features to insert PowerPoint timers. Choose the timer add-in that you want to add to PowerPoint.
Method #2 Create a Bar Timer
The bar method is effective in showing the passage of time. With it, you can create a moving bar that moves at your own chosen speed. Timer for PPT slides are flexible when you use the bar method.
It’s a quick, easy way to mark time passing as you share a slide. Here are the steps for adding a bar timer to any presentation slide:
1. Create a Timer Base
To add a bar timer to PowerPoint, click on the Insert tab. Next, click on the Shapes button.
When you click this button, a shape menu drops down. Choose the rectangle shape. Next, draw the rectangle for your timer for PPT slides.
If you'd like, right-click on the rectangle and select Fill to change the color of the rectangle.
To add text to the rectangle, click Insert and then click Text Box.
2. Add Movement to Your Timer
Click on your rectangle and click on the Animations tab. If you've added text, hold down the Control key and click on the text box. This selects both shape and text and ensures that they will animate together.
Next, click on the More drop-down arrow on the Animations tab. You’ll see the full gallery of animation options drop down. From it, look at the Exit group. There, choose Fly Out.
Now, let’s adjust how the bar moves. This will make it look more like a timer, exiting off to one side of your slide. It will count down to the edge and disappear when the time is up.
With your rectangle selected, click on the Effect Options button on the Animations tab. On the drop-down, click To Left. This means that the animation effect will move to the left. Choosing this option gives your shape a timer effect.
3. Create a Custom Duration
With your rectangle selected, you can change the duration of the animation. This controls the exact speed of your countdown timer!
On the Animations tab, find the Timing section on the right side. In the Duration section, you can adjust the timing using the up and down arrows. Or you can type in a custom value.
Just like that, you’ve built a custom timer in PowerPoint using the bar technique!
Method #3 Create a Clock
The clock method is like the bar method. This is great for people who want their timer to look more like a clock.
Here are the steps on how to add a clock timer to your slide:
1. Pick Your Clock Base
First, you need to choose a clock base. You can use a shape that came with the template or create your own. Remember, it needs to be a shape and not an image.
This shape will be the inner part of the clock that we'll use as the clock. Next, I'll show you how to make the outside of the clock.
To begin, I moved some elements from the slide to make room for the clock. Now, choose which shape that you want your clock to be. I chose the circle.
Click on the Insert tab. In the toolbar, click on the Shapes button. When you click on this button, a shape menu drops down. Draw the circle where you want your clock to be.
Next, repeat drawing shapes around the middle shape to create a clock. I chose more circles.
After you've drawn the shapes, you’ll need to add numbers to show time. Double click inside the shape and type the number you want.
To add a text box, click the Insert tab. Next, click on the Text Box button in the toolbar button. Draw the text box in the outside shapes. Again, type the number that you want.
2. Pick Your Clock’s Color
Customize your clock by choosing the color. Begin by clicking on the shape.
Next, click on the Shape Format tab. Then, click on the Shape Fill drop-down button, found in the Shape Styles group. You’ll see a color chooser menu appear. Click on any of the new shades to apply it to your clock shape.
3. Add Movement to Your Clock
Now you need to add movement to your clock to show time passing. Begin by clicking on the middle circle.
Next, click on the Animations tab. In the Animation group, click the drop-down arrow. From the gallery, find the Wheel option and click on it to select it. This animates your circle like a ticking clock in PPT.
4. Customize Your Clock’s Duration
Adding a custom clock duration can make your timer more accurate. Start by selecting the middle circle.
Next, click on the Animations tab. In the Timing section, find the Duration field. Click on it, and you can add a custom duration using the arrows.
Plus, you can type in a custom time value using your keyboard. This controls the speed of the Wheel animation that you just added.
Find the Best Premium PowerPoint Presentation Templates
Whether you're looking for a template to use to add a timer to PPT or you just need a good presentation template, Envato Elements is your best choice.
Envato Elements is a subscription service where you pay a low monthly fee to access unlimited digital assets. You get unlimited downloads of:
- premium presentation templates
- stock photos
- audio
- and more
All you need to do is subscribe today! With premium professional templates, your slide decks will shine. You’ll create stunning designs in moments. It’s the best value for creatives like you in 2023 and beyond.
FAQ About Microsoft PowerPoint
If you don’t know much about PowerPoint or know some, you still might have questions. Here are some common PowerPoint questions and answers:
1. How Do I Make an Interactive Quiz in my Presentation?
First, figure out what questions you want to ask your audience. After deciding which questions, you want to type up the questions and the multiple-choice answers.
Next, add any icons and animations. For a more in-depth tutorial on how to add an interactive quiz to your presentation, read this article:
2. How Do I Show the Different Options of a Decision?
You can show the decision-making process and different possible outcomes through a decision tree. You can either create a node decision tree or a branch decision tree. Learn how in this tutorial:
3. How Do I Give My Presentation Over Zoom?
It's become more common to present PowerPoint Presentations over a video call. To present your presentation over zoom, you need to have both zoom and Microsoft PowerPoint. Here's an in-depth tutorial on how to give your PowerPoint presentation over Zoom:
4. How Do I Add an Image to my PowerPoint presentation?
There are several ways to add images to presentations:
- You can copy and paste an image into your presentation.
- Another way to add a photo to your presentation is to click on the Insert tab. Next, click on the Pictures button. Choose an option from the drop-down menu depending on the location of your image. Now, double click on the image, resize as needed.
Discover more about working with images below:
5. How Do I Add Charts or Graphs to My PowerPoint Template?
Charts and graphs can be helpful when presenting data.
To add a chart or graph to your template, click on the Insert tab. In the toolbar, click on the Chart button. When you click on this button, a chart menu drops down. Choose the chart you want.
For a more in-depth tutorial, read this article:
Add a Timer to Your Next PowerPoint Presentation
Countdown timers in presentations can help you keep track of time. Or they can make the audience aware of the time. Either way, insert PowerPoint timers for accurate time tracking.
Premium PowerPoint templates give you a great base that you can add a timer to PowerPoint in. In this article, you found out how to add a timer to PowerPoint. We also went over the benefits of templates from Envato Elements. Finally, I answered common PowerPoint Questions.
Now that you know how, why not download a PowerPoint template now? Add a timer to your next PowerPoint presentation.
Editorial Note: This post was originally published in September of 2021. It's been completely updated and a video has been added with help from Andrew Childress.
This content originally appeared on Envato Tuts+ Tutorials and was authored by Sarah Joy
Sarah Joy | Sciencx (2021-09-08T15:20:10+00:00) How to Quickly Insert a Countdown Timer In PowerPoint. Retrieved from https://www.scien.cx/2021/09/08/how-to-quickly-insert-a-countdown-timer-in-powerpoint/
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