How to Add a Stopwatch to PowerPoint

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Many PowerPoint users like to set their presentations to run in a slideshow while discussing the content and leading the conversation. However, some presentations may call for several slides to flip past without any verbal commentary. To add a stopwatch effect to PowerPoint to allow for slides to advance automatically, you'll simply need to make a few clicks of your mouse. See Step 1 below to get started!

Steps

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/00\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Launch PowerPoint 2003, 2007 or 2010. Open your created presentation file.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/04\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • In the middle right section of the Set Up Show window, click the radio button for "Using timings, if present" under the Advance Slides heading. Click the OK button to close the window.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • The slideshow will begin to play in full-screen mode. Advance the slides after the appropriate amount of time you think you will need for each screen by clicking anywhere on the slide show. This will allow you to time slides as they are displayed.
    • Note that the time allotted for each screen is being tracked and shown in the upper left hand window.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e3\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/47\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/37\/Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid1406059-v4-728px-Add-a-Stopwatch-to-PowerPoint-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    • Timing can be adjusted for individual slides in the Normal view. Click the slide that requires an adjustment, then choose the Animations tab. The far right edge of the Transition to this Slide section offers Advance Slide options. Adjust the amount of time in the field following the words "Automatically After."
    7. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • You can introduce a visual cue that there is a new slide by adding creative transitions to your slide show if your slide show features a lot of similar slides in layout and graphics. Transitions are found on the Animations tab or menu.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Computer
      • PowerPoint
      • PowerPoint Presentation

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Add Background Graphics to Powerpoint
      6 Easy Steps to Make Bullet Lists in a PowerPoint Presentation
      How to
      Put a Video on PowerPoint
      4 Easy Ways to Add Music or Audio to Microsoft PowerPoint
      How to Duplicate Slides in PowerPoint: Step-by-Step Guide
      5 Ways to Embed a Video File in Microsoft PowerPoint
      How to
      Edit a PowerPoint Template
      6 Simple Steps to Insert Gifs Into PowerPoint
      How to
      Put a Hyperlink in Microsoft PowerPoint
      How to
      Enable Macros in PowerPoint
      How to
      Group Animations in PowerPoint on PC or Mac
      How to
      Hide a Slide in PowerPoint Presentation
      How to Add Text Transitions and Animations in PowerPoint
      2 Easy Ways to Add Transitions to a PowerPoint Presentation
      Advertisement

      References

      1. http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/powerpoint-help/record-and-add-narration-and-timings-to-a-slide-show-HA010338313.aspx#_Toc261355021 – research source

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 175,155 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement