How to Create Action Buttons in Microsoft PowerPoint
You can add a button to a PowerPoint slide by clicking Shapes on the ribbon and choosing one of the action buttons. After drawing the shape with your mouse, the Action Settings window will open. Use this window to choose an action for the button, e.g. For example, linking to another location, running a program, or playing a sound.
There are many ways to create a presentation that gets noticed in Microsoft PowerPoint. One way is to create action buttons. Whether it’s an arrow to advance the slide or a play button to start a video, creating action buttons is easy. Let’s look at how to make these nifty buttons.
Add the button and an action
Open your presentation and go to the slide where you want to add the button.
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Go to the “Insert” tab and select the “Shapes” drop-down arrow. At the bottom of the list you will see a section for action buttons.
Choose the one that best suits the action you want to perform or that you like the most.
When your cursor changes to a crosshair icon, use it to drag and draw the shape. You can also resize if needed by dragging a corner or edge.
Once you draw the action button, the Action Settings panel will open automatically.
Use the Mouse Click tab to assign an action when you click the button. Or use the Mouse Over tab to assign an action when you mouse over it.
You can hyperlink the button, trigger a program, run a macro, or use an object action to link and embed objects (OLE).
- hyperlink to: Use the drop-down list to choose what you want to link to, e.g. B. the next slide, the last slide, a custom presentation, a URL or a file.
- run program: Use the “Browse” button to select the program you want to open.
- run macro: Use the drop down box and select a macro from the list. If you don’t have macros in the presentation, this option will be grayed out.
- object action: If you have an OLE object, use the drop-down box to select the action. If you are not using an OLE object, this option is grayed out.
Next you can add a sound to the action. Check the “Play Sound” box and choose one from the drop-down menu. If you have an audio file that you want to use instead, select “Other Audio” in the list and browse for your file.
If the action you want to perform is just playing a sound, mark the action as None.
Make sure you check the “Play Sound” box, then select your sound.
When you’re done setting up the action, select OK to save it.
Use an alternate shape or image
If you want to use something other than the action button shapes above, you can choose a different shape or use an image. Add the shape or image to the slide as usual.
Select the shape or image and go to the Insert tab. In the Links section of the ribbon, click Action.
The Action Settings box opens so you can select an action as previously described.
Again, you can use the tabs to choose between a “mouse click” or “mouseover” action. You can also play a sound.
Choose OK to apply the action to the shape or image.
Edit an action button
To edit the action, select the button, shape, or image. Then go to the “Insert” tab and select “Action”.
Make your adjustments and click OK to save your changes.
Test the action button in your slideshow
After adding your action button, you should try it to make sure it works as expected.
Go to the slide with the action button and select the “Slideshow” tab.
Choose From Current Slide on the left side of the ribbon.
You will then see your presentation, starting with the slide that contains the action button.
Either click the action button or hover over it depending on which setup you selected.
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Action buttons in PowerPoint let you move through your presentation, open a file or program, or, with a little flair, start playing a video or audio file.
For more information, see Using animations in Microsoft PowerPoint. For example, you can animate parts of a chart and use motion path animations.