PowerPoint is an easy-to-use platform that provides powerful tools to help you make surprises in your presentations. However, it’s sometimes difficult to manage time effectively during your training sessions, webinars, or workshops with these PowerPoint slides. If so, why not learn how to add a timer in PowerPoint to set time limits for all activities?
This comprehensive guide will equip you with the steps needed for a smooth PowerPoint slide timer setup. Plus, we will suggest other amazing solutions to work with timers in your presentations.
Read on and find out which way will be the best fit!
Table of Contents
Why Add Timers in Presentations
Adding a countdown timer in PowerPoint can significantly impact your presentations:
- Keep your performance on track, ensuring the time is reasonably allocated and reducing the risk of overrunning.
- Bring a sense of attention and clear expectations, making your audience actively involved in tasks and discussions.
- Be flexible in any activities, transforming static slides into dynamic experiences that drive both efficiency and impressions.
The next part will explore the specifics of how to add a timer in PowerPoint. Continue reading for info!
3 Ways to Add Timers in PowerPoint
Here are 3 simple methods on how to add a timer to a slide in PowerPoint, including:
- Method 1: Using PowerPoint's Built-In Animation Features
- Method 2: The "Do-It-Yourself" Countdown Hack
- Method 3: Free Timer Add-ins
#1. Using PowerPoint's Built-In Animation Features
- First, open PowerPoint and click the slide you want to work on. On the Ribbon, click Shapes in the Insert tab and select Rectangle.
- Draw 2 rectangles with different colors but the same sizes. Then, stack 2 rectangles on each other.
- Click the top rectangle and select the Fly Out button in the Animations tab.
- In the Animation Panes, set up the following configurations: Property (To Left); Start (On Click); Duration (your targeted countdown time), and Start Effect (As part of click sequence).
✅ Pros:
- Simple setups for basic requirements.
- No extra downloads and tools.
- On-the-Fly adjustments.
❌ Cons:
- Limited customization and functionality.
- Be clunky to manage.
#2. The "Do-It-Yourself" Countdown Hack
Here is the DIY countdown hack from 5 to 1, requiring a dramatic animation sequence.
- In the Insert tab, click Text to draw 5 text boxes on your targeted slide. With each box, add the numbers: 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
- Select the boxes, click Add Animation, and go down Exit to select the suitable animation. Remember to apply to each, one at a time.
- In Animations, click the Animation Pane, and select 5-named Rectangle to have the following configurations: Start (On Click); Duration (0.05 - Very fast) and Delay (01.00 Second).
- From the 4-to-1-named Rectangle, install the following information: Start (After Previous); Duration (Auto), and Delay (01:00 - Second).
- Finally, click Play All in the Animation Pane to test the countdown.
✅ Pros:
- Full control over appearance.
- Flexible establishment for a targeted countdown.
❌ Cons:
- Time-consuming on the design.
- Animation knowledge requirements.
#3. Method 3: Free Timer Add-ins
Learning how to add a timer in PowerPoint by working with free countdown timer Add-ins is quite easy to start. Currently, you can find a range of add-ins, such as AhaSlides, PP Timer, Slice Timer, and EasyTimer. With these options, you will have a chance to approach various customization options to optimize the final timer’s design.
The AhaSlides add-in for PowerPoint is one of the best integrations to bring a quiz timer within a few minutes. AhaSlides offers an easy-to-use dashboard, lots of free templates, and lively elements. This helps you deliver a more polished and organized look, as well as attract your audience’s attention during your presentations.
Here is our step-by-step guide to inserting a timer into PowerPoint by attaching Add-ins to your slides.
- First, open your PowerPoint slides and click Add-ins in the Home tab.
- In the Search Add-ins box, type “Timer” to navigate the suggestion list.
- Select your targeted option and click the Add button.
✅ Pros:
- More features and customization options.
- Real-time editing and responses.
- A vibrant and accessible library of templates.
❌ Cons: Risks of compatibility issues.
How to Add a Timer in PowerPoint with AhaSlides (Step-by-Step)
The 3-step guide below on how to add a timer in PowerPoint with AhaSlides will bring a super wonderful experience to your presentation.
Step 1 - Integrate AhaSlides Add-in to PowerPoint
In the Home tab, click Add-ins to open the My Add-ins window.
Then, in the Search Add-ins box, type “AhaSlides” and click the Add button to integrate AhaSlides Add-in to PowerPoint.
Step 2 - Create a timed quiz
In the AhaSlides Add-in window, sign up for an AhaSlides account or log in to your AhaSlides account.
After having simple setups, click Create blank to open a new slide.
On the bottom, click the Pen icon and select the Content box to list the options for each question.
Step 3 - Establish your timer limit
In each question, turn on the Time Limit button.
Then, type a targeted time duration in the Time Limit box to finish.
*Note: To enable the Time Limit button on AhaSlides, you need to upgrade to the Essential AhaSlides plan. Or else, you can have an on-click for each question to show your presentation.
Besides PowerPoint, AhaSlides can work well with several famous platforms, including Google Slides, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Hope, and YouTube. This allows you to organize virtual, hybrid, or in-person meetings and games flexibly.
Conclusion
In summary, AhaSlides provides a comprehensive guide on how to add a timer in PowerPoint with up to 3 practices. Hopefully, these instructions will help you ensure your presentations are well-paced and professional, making your performance more memorable.
Don’t forget to sign up for AhaSlides to employ free and interesting features to your presentations! Only with the Free AhaSlides plan did you get a wonderful care from our customer support team.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I insert a countdown timer in PowerPoint?
You can follow one of the 3 following ways on how to add a timer in PowerPoint:
- Use PowerPoint's built-in animation features
- Create your own timer
- Use a timer add-in
How do I create a 10-minute countdown timer in PowerPoint?
In your PowerPoint, click Add-ins button to install a timer add-in from Microsoft store. After that, configure the timer settings for the 10-minute duration and insert it to your targeted slide as the final step.
How do I create a 10-minute countdown timer in PowerPoint?
Ref: Microsoft Support
