Have you tried to make the sound on a PowerPoint slide play at the same time as an animation, but it won’t work? It’s all about PowerPoint audio timing. Applying the right timing setting to the audio file enables the sound and animation to play in sync.

Play Sound at Same Time as Animation

Save time by going directly to the Timing dialog box after adding the sound file.

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 2019, PowerPoint 2016, PowerPoint 2013, and PowerPoint 2010.

  • Add an animation to the object on the slide (such as a text box, picture, or Excel chart).
  • Insert the sound file onto the slide.
  • Select the Animations tab of the ribbon.
  • Towards the right side of the ribbon, in the Advanced Animation section, select Animation Pane. The Animation Pane opens on the right side of the screen.
  • In the Animation Pane, select the drop-down arrow beside the sound file and choose Timing. The Play Audio dialog box opens.
  • Select the Timing tab of the dialog box and choose Triggers.
  • Select Animate as part of click sequence and select OK.

Test the slideshow by pressing the F5 key to start the show from the beginning. Or, press the shortcut key combination Shift+F5 to start the show from the current slide, if the slide in question is not the first slide.

Add an animation to the object on the slide (such as a text box, picture, or Excel chart).

Insert the sound file onto the slide.

Select the Animations tab of the ribbon.

Towards the right side of the ribbon, in the Advanced Animation section, select Animation Pane. The Animation Pane opens on the right side of the screen.

In the Animation Pane, select the drop-down arrow beside the sound file and choose Timing. The Play Audio dialog box opens.

Select the Timing tab of the dialog box and choose Triggers.

Select Animate as part of click sequence and select OK.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day