Have you ever wondered how to create an online lesson with video and narration for your students or colleagues or elevate your presentation with videos, screen recordings and relevant audio explanations for your audience using Microsoft PowerPoint?
With the Record tab in the newer versions of PowerPoint, 2016 onward, you can record narration and add screen recordings to your presentations. Learn how to use the record tab with all its features.
- What is the record tab in PowerPoint?
- How to use the record tab in PowerPoint?
- Record your screen
- Record audio
- Take a screenshot
- Record a video
- Edit your video
- Save as slide show
- Export as a video
What is the record tab in PowerPoint?
Introduced in the PowerPoint 2016 version, it can add media to your slides, take screen recordings and save the entire presentation as a slideshow or export it to video.

How to use the record tab in PowerPoint?
The Record tab can be found on the top menu bar, also known as the ribbon. If you use a PowerPoint version after 2016 and cannot see the Record tab in your menu bar, open the PowerPoint app, navigate to the bottom left corner and tap Options. If you already have a presentation open, tap File on the top menu bar, then Options.

In the PowerPoint Options tab, tap Customize Ribbon. Check the box next to Record from the Main Tabs list. Once checked, you should be able to see the tab in your menu bar.

The Record tab consists of sub-categories or functions: Record, Content, Auto-Play Media and Save. Each of these sub-categories has further options and dropdowns within it. We will explore these options in the upcoming sections of this article.

Record your screen
Users can record their screen and embed the output into their presentation or save it as a separate media file.
- Navigate to the Record tab on the top menu bar and click on it. Alternatively, go to the Insert tab.
- Tap Screen Recording from the options that appear.

- Drag the selection to define the area you want to record. Tap Record.

- Once you stop the recording, it will appear on your slide.
Edit your video using the Video Format and Playback tabs.
To save it as a separate media file, right-click on the screen recording and select Save Media as.

Record audio
With the Record tab, you can find an option to insert audio either from your device or by recording sound in real time with the PowerPoint app.

- To record sound, tap Audio accompanied by the speaker icon.
- Tap Record Sound from the drop-down.
- In the pop-up that appears, click the record icon.
- Click the stop icon once done. The recorded audio will appear on the current slide.

Take a screenshot
The Screenshot option lets you take a snapshot of any area of your screen with the clipping tool.
- In the Record tab, click Screenshot.
- Click Screen Clipping at the bottom of the drop-down that appears.
- Select the area with the clipping tool, and the resulting screenshot will appear on your slide.

You can save the screenshot by right-clicking on the image and tapping Save as Picture.

Record a video
You can record yourself narrating through the presentation, with laser pointers and other tools to highlight parts of your slide as you present.
- Tap the Record option.
- Choose From Beginning, or From Current Slide based on the slide you want to record narration for.

- In the window that appears, click the Record icon.
- Depending on your preference, switch on or off your video by clicking on the icons at the bottom right. If your video is on, you can see it in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
- To record for the next slide, click on the arrows on either side of the slide.
- Once you are done recording, click Stop.
- The resulting recording will be added to the corresponding slides.

Remember that the recording stops in between slides. Start speaking once the screen changes to the next slide.
You can write a script or pointers using the notes feature in PowerPoint to deliver a smooth narration.
- Add notes – If you added notes to each slide, click Notes to read them as you record your video and narration.
- Add pointers – You can use the laser pointer, pen, eraser and highlighter tools to draw attention to parts of your presentation. This feature can help make the narration interactive.
You can then save the presentation as a slideshow or export it as a video. This option is especially useful when creating pre-recorded online sessions.
Also read: How to trim a video on Android?
Edit your video
Once you click on your inserted video, you will see two more options appear: Video format and Playback.
- Video format – Edit the video’s aesthetics, size, alignment and dimension with this option.

- Playback – With this option, you can edit the length, transition effects, and other features. Users can add captions with this option as well.

Save as slide show
Save the PowerPoint presentation as a slide show by clicking the Save as Show option.

To make the presentation universally accessible, you can export the file as a video.
Export as a video
Adjust animation settings so that the videos and audio inside the presentation and any supporting animation and slide transitions play exactly how you intend them to be seen by your audience.
- Click the Export to Video option.

- Preview the presentation by clicking the Use Recorded Timings and Narrations drop-down and choose Preview Timings and Narrations.

- Adjust video and narration settings and click Create Video. You will have exported an MP4 file of your complete presentation.

Also read: How to add page numbers to PowerPoint?