How to Add Animations to Text in PowerPoint

Today we’re learning how to add animations to text within PowerPoint slides. Why add animations? PowerPoint animation—or movement— can be useful in drawing the audience’s attention to specific content or making the slide easier to read, thereby enhancing accessibility.

Video Guide

Getting Started with PowerPoint Animations

Firstly, select the text you wish to animate on your slide. Then, navigate to the animations button located in the top ribbon of PowerPoint.

A plethora of animation options will be at your disposal. Let’s opt for the “fade” animation effect for this demonstration. Upon selection, small numbers appear adjacent to each bullet point, indicating simultaneous animation.

To introduce a more dynamic flow, we’ll adjust the timing of these animations. Click on the “Animation Pane” button to access additional settings. Here, under the timing section, the default setting is often “start on click” with a duration of half a second.

To customize the timing, individually select each element in the animation pane. For instance, let’s choose the second item and modify its start timing to “on click.” Repeat this process for the subsequent items, ensuring they are set to commence sequentially.

Preview Your Animation

With the animations configured, it’s time to preview the results. Click on the “Slideshow” button and select “From Current Slide” to observe the animations in action. Each bullet point should now appear at the designated intervals upon clicking through the slideshow.

And there you have it! By following these simple steps, you can seamlessly integrate animations into your PowerPoint presentations, fostering inclusivity and engagement among your audience.

Let me be your champion for inclusion. I offer tailored solutions (and self-paced courses!) to ensure your documents meet and exceed compliance expectations. For more detailed insights, tutorials, and in-depth discussions on accessibility and related topics, don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel: The Accessibility Guy on YouTube. Subscribe for regular updates!