How to Embed (YouTube & Other) Videos into PowerPoint PPT Presentations

Videos can add so much to your presentation. Whether it's a new perspective or a chance to catch your breath, pro presenters know how to add video presentation elements.

This tutorial will teach you those skills. You'll see that you can insert video on PowerPoint from your device, or link to a web video. You'll even see that PowerPoint has basic edit tools so that you won't need other software. Let's learn how to embed a video in a PPT in this tutorial.

Why Embed Videos in PowerPoint?

Before you learn how to embed a video in a PPT, it pays to ask why. In fact, there are many benefits to adding videos to your PowerPoint deck:

• 
  You can add new voices. No matter how good your delivery, it’s helpful to add other voices to your slides. Imagine adding a video of another speaker. You can deliver new ideas to your audience, without the need of another presenter in the room.


• 
  You can illustrate complex ideas. Imagine that you’re talking through a detailed assembly process in your business. By adding a video, you can show it off. If pictures are worth a thousand words, videos are worth even more.


• 
  You can give yourself a break. Adding a video gives you relief from your narrative. You can catch your breath and rest your voice as your video plays.


• 
  You won't have to exit your presentation. Instead of closing out your slides and opening a video file, you can play videos right on the slides. This helps your presentation flow seamlessly. 

Videos serve so many purposes. They give your audience a new angle on your topic, which is particularly helpful in a persuasive presentation. Let's learn how to add them to your next PowerPoint presentation.

How to Embed Videos in PowerPoint From Your Device

Imagine that you’ve built out several PowerPoint slides, and you need something more. What can you do to make your slides more interesting? Add a video, of course!

When you wonder how to put a video in a PowerPoint slide, there are two options:

1. The first option is to embed a video in PPT from your device. This means that you’ll add a saved (or downloaded) video file to your slide.


2. The other option is to embed videos from an online source (like YouTube).

Let's start by explaining the steps for embedding a video from your device. Let’s look at a slide example here.

The open area on the left side of the slide is the ideal spot to place a video. You'll want to choose a slide with space to add your video clip. The text describes some of the best aspects of sightseeing by rail travel. A video would help illustrate them. Let’s learn how to embed a video in a PPT.

Start by sourcing a video for your slides. Of course, you might have one in your library that’s the perfect fit for your project. But often, it’s useful to employ stock footage.  

Once again, turning to Envato Elements is your best bet. Elements offers millions of stock videos for use in your projects. As a subscriber, you've got unlimited downloads of this stock footage. 

With the video downloaded, it’s time to add it to your slide. To get started, navigate to the Insert tab. You’ll find this on the ribbon, the series of menu tabs across the top of the screen. Click on Insert, and on the right, you’ll see the Video drop-down menu with all the needed options.

Click on the Video drop-down arrow, and three options display on the Insert Video From menu. Your choices are:

1. This Device


2. Stock Videos


3. Online Videos

For this example, the option to choose is This Device.

A file browser launches. Navigate to the location where you've got your video file saved. Find it, click on the video, and select Insert in the lower right corner. PowerPoint adds the video to your slide. This video is now embedded inside your PowerPoint presentation.

Notice that, by default, the video covers the entire slide. Fortunately, there are customization options to help your movie clip fit perfectly. Let’s explore them now:

1. Rearrange and Resize Videos

If you’ve ever resized an image in PowerPoint, you already know how to move a video around! The workflow is the same.

We’ll start by resizing the video on the slide and moving it to a new location. To begin, click and pull on one of the corners. This resizes the video. Here, make it smaller so that the slide’s content isn’t obscured.

Next, you can click and drag on the video thumbnail itself. This moves the clip into a new location on your slide. Move it into the open area of the slide, and helpful guidelines appear. These show how your clip aligns with the other objects on the slide. When you have it in place, simply release your cursor and the video falls into place.

2. Use the Video Format Tab

Now that you know how to put a video in a PowerPoint slide, it’s time to work with the video itself. PowerPoint offers an array of options on the Video Format tab. You’ll find this on the ribbon, visible only when you've got a video placed on a slide and selected.

On the Video Format tab, you can control the look and feel of the video clip. For example, you can make color, brightness, and contrast corrections. You can also add custom effects like borders and shapes. Plus, you can crop the video, or precisely alter the dimensions using the Size group.

The Video Format tab is the best place to insert video on PowerPoint and make it truly unique. Use it for easy edits with no advanced video software needed.

Using the Playback Tab

Even more video presentation options are on the Playback tab, beside Video Format. The Playback tab is where you control how and when your video plays on the slide. Here, you’re able to control the start settings. This is an ideal way to adjust your clip without using a separate piece of software.

Should the clip start automatically? Or do you want to manually begin the video presentation? Both ways are controlled in the Video Options section of the Playback tab.

Here, you’ll also be able to loop the video, rewind after playing, and more. You can even build in captions using the Insert Captions menu.

As you can see, you can make a video presentation in moments in PowerPoint. 

How to Embed Videos from YouTube in PowerPoint

Now, let’s look at how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint. This is useful if you don’t have your own footage that you want to use. An online clip offers the ability to add new perspectives to your slide. And by adding it to your PPT, you won’t have to exit your presentation to open your web browser.

To add a YouTube video to PowerPoint, return to the Insert > Video drop-down. This time, you’ll want to select the Online Videos option. It supports videos from a range of streaming websites. PowerPoint launches the Online Videos menu.

Notice that YouTube isn't the only online video supported. You can also add video clips from:

• Vimeo


• SlideShare


• and more

Here, we’ll add a YouTube clip.

In your web browser, navigate to the video that you want to add to your slide. Copy its URL to your clipboard by pressing Control + C on your keyboard. Then, return to PowerPoint. Paste the URL into the empty box labeled Enter the address for the online video. 

PowerPoint then displays the video. You can add it to your slides by pressing Insert. Once again, you can size and scale the video by pulling on the corners and dragging it around the slide. Here are some extra tips for using online videis:

1. Customize Online Videos in PowerPoint

Playback settings can be used to decide when to play the online video. You’ll see these on the Playback tab.

Online videos are a perfect option if you don’t have existing footage to use. They’re also powerful ways to bring new voices into your presentations. You’ve just learned how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint, and it’s easy to see the advantages. 

The Best Source for Video Presentation Designs (With Unlimited Downloads)

Envato Elements is the best source for all of your video presentation needs. For a flat monthly rate, you get unlimited downloads of thousands of stunning presentation templates.

Elements doesn’t stop there. You’ll also have access to custom fonts, video templates, and a huge library of stock footage. It’s the perfect place to source unforgettable content for your presentations.

Explore Envato Elements videos now

With templates and stock video alike, you’ll enjoy:

• expertly-designed graphics


• cinematic styles and designs


• flexibility and ease of use


• layouts not found anywhere else

You’ll benefit from the winning styles and flexibility. You’ll save time on design work, giving you more time to focus on your video presentation message. And your audience will thank you for a stylish, professional design that they’ll enjoy.

Envato Elements truly has an unbeatable offer. Join today!

Need a PowerPoint presentation template, but aren't ready for a subscription? Check out top templates on GraphicRiver. It's a pay-as-you-go service for PowerPoint templates. Grab a template and create your presentation in no time flat.

Need Help? Download Our eBook on Making Great Presentations (Free)

We also have a helpful compliment to this tutorial. Quickly grab it before you read on. Download our FREE eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations, which will help you write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation. 

You Learned How to Embed a YouTube Video (And More) In PowerPoint

If you feel like your PowerPoint is a bit dry, it's time to spice it up with a video. You know how to embed a YouTube video in PowerPoint and customize it perfectly. Plus, you even know how to source and add your locally stored video clips.

Here's your homework assignment: practice how to put a video in a PowerPoint slide of your own. If you're working on a presentation (and who isn't?) then pick out a slide to upgrade. Search for a video that fits the slide, then add it using your new skills.

Editorial Note: This tutorial was originally created by Bob Flisser and published in 2014. It's been completely redone by Andrew Childress to make the information relevant and current.