To convert PowerPoint to video, save your deck, then select File, Export, Create a Video. Pick a quality such as Full HD (1080p), choose whether to use recorded timings and narration, then select Create Video and save it as an MPEG-4 (.mp4) file. Without narration, each slide shows for 5 seconds by default.
Turning a deck into a video means people can watch your pitch, training or product walkthrough without you in the room, and without needing PowerPoint. It's perfect for a course module, a webinar replay or a short explainer for your website. PowerPoint does it from the Export menu, and Microsoft says your animations and transitions come along too.
Export your presentation as a video
- Select File, then Save, so your latest changes are in the .pptx file.
- Select File, Export, Create a Video. Or, on the Recording tab, select Export to Video.
- In the first drop-down, choose the video quality.
- In the second drop-down, choose whether to use recorded timings and narrations.
- If you're not using recorded timings, set the Seconds to spend on each slide.
- Select Create Video, name the file, choose a folder, and pick MPEG-4 Video or Windows Media Video.
- Watch the status bar at the bottom of the screen for progress.
Which video quality to choose
| Option | Resolution | Microsoft suggests it for |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra HD (4K) | 3840 x 2160, largest file | Large monitors (Windows 10 or later only) |
| Full HD (1080p) | 1920 x 1080, large file | Computer and HD screens |
| HD (720p) | 1280 x 720, medium file | Internet and DVD |
| Standard (480p) | 852 x 480, smallest file | Portable devices |
Microsoft notes the higher the quality, the larger the file. For most business uses, such as uploading to YouTube or a course platform, Full HD (1080p) is a sensible middle ground. If you're emailing it, 720p keeps the file smaller.
Timings and narration
If you haven't recorded narration, PowerPoint uses the same time for every slide. Microsoft says the default is 5 seconds per slide, which you change in the Seconds to spend on each slide box. Five seconds is too short for a text-heavy slide and too long for a title, so for anything that matters, record your timings.
If you've recorded a presentation with narration and timings, PowerPoint defaults to Use Recorded Timings and Narrations, so your voice and pacing go straight into the video. My guide on how to record a PowerPoint presentation walks through recording your voice and timings first.
What gets left out of the video
This is the bit that catches people at the last minute. Microsoft lists four things that won't be included:
- Media inserted in older versions of PowerPoint. For example, linked media from PowerPoint 2007 is dropped. Microsoft suggests converting the file (File, Info, Convert) or upgrading the media object so it's embedded.
- QuickTime media, unless you've got a particular third-party codec installed.
- Macros.
- OLE/ActiveX controls.
If your deck has an old embedded clip or a clever macro, play the finished video all the way through before you send it, and check those slides especially.
Get the deck video-ready first
A presentation built for a live audience doesn't always work as a video. Before you export, I'd run through a few checks:
- Cut slides that only made sense with you talking over them, unless you've recorded narration.
- Make text big enough to read on a phone, because plenty of people will watch it on one.
- Remove anything that needs a click from the viewer, like a hyperlink they're meant to follow, and put the link in the video description instead.
- Play the slide show once from start to finish to check the pacing feels right.
Ten minutes of tidying here saves you exporting the whole thing twice, which matters when a long deck can take hours to process.
Be patient with long decks
Microsoft says creating the video can take up to several hours, depending on the length and complexity of the presentation. Animations, transitions and media all add time. The good news is you can keep working in PowerPoint while it's processing. For a long training video, Microsoft's own tip is to set it going overnight so it's ready in the morning.
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A PowerPoint Show is the other option
If your viewer has PowerPoint and you just want the deck to open straight into a slide show, save it as a PowerPoint Show instead. Select File, Save As, choose PowerPoint Show (*.ppsx) as the file type, and save. When someone opens it, it appears full-screen in Slide Show rather than in edit mode. A video is still better for sharing widely, because Microsoft notes viewers don't need PowerPoint at all to watch it.
Sharing your video
Once it's saved, you can email it, put it on a file share or upload it to your Microsoft 365 account, for example via Clipchamp. For documents people need to read rather than watch, such as a proposal, it's usually better to convert PowerPoint to PDF instead.
My verdict
File, Export, Create a Video, Full HD, then Create Video as an MP4. Record your timings first if you can, because the 5-second default rarely suits real slides. Check for old media and macros, which get dropped, and leave long decks to process overnight. It's one of the easiest ways to get more mileage from a presentation you've already made.
Frequently asked questions
How do I save a PowerPoint as an MP4?
File, Export, Create a Video, choose your settings, select Create Video, then choose MPEG-4 Video as the file type.
How long does each slide show in a PowerPoint video?
Without recorded timings, the default is 5 seconds per slide. You can change it before exporting.
Do animations work in a PowerPoint video?
Yes. Microsoft says you can include animations and transitions in your movie.
Why is my PowerPoint video taking so long?
Microsoft says it can take up to several hours depending on length and complexity. You can keep working meanwhile.
What's missing from a PowerPoint video?
Media inserted in older PowerPoint versions, QuickTime media without the right codec, macros and OLE/ActiveX controls.
