PowerPoint Subtitles: Why, How, and When

This article will explore why, how, and when to use PowerPoint Subtitles to maximize their potential in presentations.

What PowerPoint Subtitles Are?

PowerPoint Subtitles are the text that appears on a presentation slide that corresponds to the words being spoken by the presenter. They can be used to reinforce the speaker's message, provide a visual aid to assist with understanding, and help viewers who do not understand the language being spoken by the presenter.

Why Should You Use PowerPoint Subtitles?

PowerPoint Subtitles are a great way to reinforce ideas, break up large amounts of text, and make presentations more accessible to viewers who may not speak the same language as the presenter. They can also be used to help viewers better understand complex ideas and keep them engaged in the presentation. Moreover, PowerPoint Subtitles can help increase comprehension of key speaker points.

When This Feature Became Available?

PowerPoint Subtitles have been included as a feature in the Microsoft Office Suite since version 2016. It is also available on modern web browsers and mobile applications that support presentations.

According to a study conducted in 2020, over 60% of users have adopted PowerPoint Subtitles as a way to improve their presentations - that means that a majority of people are taking advantage of this useful feature and helping to make their presentations more accessible and engaging which is also important as a part of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines.

How To Add PowerPoint Subtitles?

PowerPoint Subtitles should be used sparingly and only when necessary. When adding subtitles, make sure that the font is readable from a distance and that it does not compete with the rest of the presentation. Additionally, subtitles should be kept to a minimum and only used for key points or phrases to help keep the focus on the speaker.

To add Subtitle in PowerPoint, follow the steps below

   1.   Click the Insert tab and select Video from File.

   2.   Select the video you would like to add subtitles to and click Insert.

   3.   Click the Playback tab, then select subtitles from the ribbon.

   4.   Select Create New Subtitles or Transcript and then click the drop-down menu to select a language.

   5.   Enter the text for each of your subtitles, add timing information, then click OK.

   6.   Click the Playback tab and select Subtitles from the ribbon to customize how your subtitles appear onscreen.

How to Remove Subtitles from a Video

If you want to edit a subtitles file in PowerPoint that is already inserted into a video, remove the file from the video first. Make sure you have an original copy of the subtitles stored on your computer before removing it from PowerPoint so you can modify and add it back later if needed.

The following process will remove all subtitles files from the video, in case you have added more than one.

   1.   To open the slide containing the captioned video in PowerPoint, go to Normal view.

   2.   Select the video on the slide.

   3.   To remove all captions, go to the Playback tab and select Insert Captions, then Remove All Captions.

Are All Microsoft Office Versions the Same for Adding Subtitles?

No. PowerPoint for Mac does not have the option to add subtitles, but other versions may support this feature. Additionally, in some versions of PowerPoint, you may need to go to the File menu and select Info before you can add subtitles.

What About Other Microsoft Office Tools?

Other office tools, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, do not have the ability to add subtitles to presentations. However, you may be able to use third-party software to add subtitles to your presentation. Additionally, you may be able to export the subtitles from PowerPoint and then import them into Word or Excel.

Conclusion

PowerPoint Subtitles can be a great way to make presentations more engaging and accessible. They are easy to use, have become increasingly popular, and can be used to help viewers better understand complex ideas and keep them engaged in the presentation. With the right tools, you can easily add and remove subtitles from your presentations. Making your presentations more accessible and engaging has never been easier and more important.