Play music or other sounds automatically when a slide appears
Applies ToPowerPoint for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint 2024 PowerPoint 2021 PowerPoint 2019 PowerPoint 2016 PowerPoint 2013

You can tell PowerPoint to play music or other audio automatically when a certain slide appears during a slide show.

There are different ways to play it automatically when you get to that slide in your presentation:

Start the audio in the click sequence or immediately

  1. In Normal view (where you edit your slides), click the audio icon on the slide.

  2. On the Playback tab, in the Audio Options group, select In Click Sequence or Automatically in the Start list.

    On the Playback tab for audio files, there are three options for when to start playing the audio.
  3. To test the sound, on the Slide Show tab, click From Beginning.

    Note: To hear music or sounds, your computer must be equipped with a sound card and speakers.

Start the audio after a delay

  1. In Normal view (where you edit your slides), click the audio icon on the slide.

  2. On the Animations tab, click Add Animation.

  3. Under Media, select Play.

    You can start playing audio after a delay by using animation options.
  4. On the Animations tab, click Animation Pane.

    Display the Animation Pane
  5. In the Animation Pane, make sure your audio clip is in first position at the top of the pane.

    Sound clip should be in first position
  6. Click the down arrow to the right of the sound clip, and then click Effect Options.

    Effect Options
  7. On the Effect tab under Start Playing, select From beginning.

  8. Under Stop Playing, select After current slide.

  9. On the Timing tab, in the Start list, select With Previous.

  10. To begin playing the sound after a brief delay, in the Delay box, press the up arrow to increase the delay in seconds, and then click OK.

    Delay the audio
  11. To test the sound, on the Slide Show tab, click From Beginning.

    Note: To hear music or sounds, your computer must be equipped with a sound card and speakers.

See Also

Need more help?

Want more options?

Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.

Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.