You may want to enhance your Microsoft PowerPoint presentation by including a video, but you only need a certain part of the clip. Fortunately, you can trim a video directly in Microsoft PowerPoint. We’ll show you how.
Instead of using a separate or specific tool video editing software, PowerPoint includes a slicing function. This allows you to keep only the part of the video you need and present the clip with your slideshow exactly as you want.
To note: You can only trim videos you insert from your computer, not videos from the web. So if you are trying to cut a video from YouTube, it cannot be done here.
Cut video in PowerPoint
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 of the part of the video you want to keep, use the markers to select the start and end, or a bit of both.
If you know the exact start and end times, you can enter them in the corresponding boxes. You can also use the arrows on the sides of the boxes to adjust the times in small increments.
Additionally, you can use the start and end time markers directly below the video to choose the part you want to keep. Drag the green marker to set the start time and the red marker to set the end time.
You can also use a combination of these tools to identify the exact points to start and stop the video. Press the Play button, then press Pause when you see the time you want. You can then enter that time in the Start Time or End Time box depending on which part you want to keep or move one of the markers there.
If you can only play a specific duration of the video due to time constraints, you can check it by displaying the duration at the top right after trimming it.
When you have defined the section of the video you want, click “OK”.
You will see the video on your slides update to play only the part you kept during the trimming process.
RELATED: How to Reduce the File Size of a PowerPoint Presentation
Reset or edit trimmed video
If you change your mind about how you trimmed a video, you can reset it to its original state or change where you trimmed it.
Select the video, go to the Playback tab, then click “Trim Video” as you did initially.
You will notice that the video trim 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 drag 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 video in your presentation.
Save trimmed video
You may have cut a video in PowerPoint that you want to save for use outside of this application. You can save the file after compressing it, then use this trimmed video as you like.
Warning: After compressing the video by following the steps below, only the trimmed part will appear on your slide.
Select File > Info from the PowerPoint menu. Next to Compress Media, you’ll see all the 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 compression level.
You will see a small dialog box appear as the process unfolds. Click “Close” when it finishes.
Go back to the slide containing the trimmed and now compressed video. Right-click on it and choose “Save Media As”.
Choose a location to save the video, give it a different name if you want, then click “Save”.
If you want to cancel the process of compressing your media files, go back to File > Info > Compress Media and choose “Cancel”.
Cutting a long video to play only the part you need in your PowerPoint presentation is a simple process. Moreover, you can keep your original video intact and save time by using a separate tool.
To learn more about PowerPoint, find out how to record your screen or how to turn your presentation into a video.