You may want to enhance your Microsoft PowerPoint presentation by including a video but only need a certain portion of the clip. Luckily, you can trim a video directly in Microsoft PowerPoint. We’ll show you how.
Instead of using a separate tool or specific video editing software, PowerPoint has a trim feature built right in. This lets you keep only the part of the video you need and present the clip with your slideshow exactly as you want.
Note: You can only trim videos you insert from your computer, not videos from the web. So if you’re trying to trim a video from YouTube, that can’t be done here.
Trim a Video in PowerPoint
You can add the video to your PowerPoint slideshow on whichever slide you need and in whatever place you want. You can even resize the video and adjust the volume and other playback options before you trim it.
When you’re ready, select the video to display the Playback tab. In the Editing section of the ribbon, click “Trim Video.”
This opens a small editing window for you to trim the clip. You can enter the start and end times for the portion of the video you want to keep, use the markers to select the start and endpoints, or a bit of both.
If you know the exact start and end times, you can enter those into the corresponding boxes. You can also use the arrows on the sides of the boxes to adjust the times in smaller increments.
In addition, you can use the start and end time markers directly below the video to choose the portion you want to keep. Slide the green marker to set the start time and the red marker to set the end time.
You may also use a combination of these tools to pinpoint the exact spots to start and stop the video. Press the Play button and then press Pause when you see the time you want. You can then enter that time into the Start Time or End Time box depending on which part you want to keep or move one of the markers to that spot.
If you can only play a specific duration of the video due to time constraints, you can verify that by viewing the duration on the top right after you trim it.
When you have the section of the video you want all set, click “OK.”
You’ll see the video on your slide update to only play that portion you kept during the trim process.
RELATED: How to Reduce the File Size of a PowerPoint Presentation
Reset or Edit the Trimmed Video
If you change your mind about how you’ve trimmed a video, you can reset it back to its original state or edit where you trimmed it.
Select the video, go to the Playback tab, and click “Trim Video” as you did initially.
You’ll notice that the Trim Video settings are exactly as they were when you trimmed the video. This allows you to adjust as needed.
To reset the video to its original length, simply slide the green start marker all the way to the left and the red end marker all the way to the right. Click “OK” to play the full-length video in your presentation.
Save a Trimmed Video
Maybe you’ve trimmed a video in PowerPoint that you want to save for use outside of that application. You can save the file after you compress it and then use that trimmed video as you please.
Warning: After you compress the video using the steps below, only the trimmed portion will appear on your slide.
Select File > Info from the PowerPoint menu. Next to Compress Media, you’ll see all media in the current slideshow including the trimmed video. If you have other video or audio files, the compression process applies to all files.
Click “Compress Media” and choose the level of compression.
You’ll see a small dialog box appear as the process takes place. Click “Close” when it finishes.
Return to the slide containing the trimmed and now compressed video. Right-click it and choose “Save Media As.”
Pick a location to save the video, give it a different name if you like, and click “Save.”
If you want to undo the compression process for your media files, return to File > Info > Compress Media and choose “Undo.”
Trimming a long video to play only the portion you need in your PowerPoint presentation is an easy process. Plus, you can keep your original video intact and save time from using a separate tool.
For more on PowerPoint, take a look at how to record your screen or how to turn your presentation into a video.
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