Adding a countdown timer to a PowerPoint presentation can be a great way to ensure that a presentation sticks to a strict schedule. Adding the countdown timer in PowerPoint is a little tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it should be a breeze.
Here are the steps that you need to follow in order to add a countdown timer in PowerPoint:
Contents
Step 1: Create 5 Textboxes and Number Them
Launch PowerPoint and open the presentation file where you want to add the countdown timer. Begin with creating five text boxes with numbers from 5 to 1. Press the text box icon on the Drawing section to create the boxes.
Step 2: Add Animations
Now click inside the 5th box and then “Animations” from the top ribbon. Under the “Advanced Animation” section, expand the “Add Animation” option and select “Disappear” under “Exit.”
Do the same for the 4, 3, 2, and 1 text boxes. Feel free to restyle any of these boxes however you like, since the timer will still work no matter how they are formatted. Picking a large, bold font and a high-contrast color also makes the numbers easier to read from the back of a room.
Step 3: Set The Timing
Open the “Animation Pane” under the “Advanced Animation” section.
Click on the 5th text box, and in the “Timing” section of the Animation window, choose these settings (Start: On Click, duration: .01, and delay 01.00).
Now select the other text boxes in the Animation Pane from 4 to 1, one at a time, and choose these settings (Start: After Previous, Duration: Auto, and Delay: 01.00)
Step 4: Click “Slideshow” To View Countdown Timer
Once completing the above steps, start “Slideshow” from the current slide to view the countdown timer.
Conclusion
Adding a countdown timer in PowerPoint can be extremely helpful if you want to ensure that your presentation sticks to a specific schedule. Work through the steps above and you should have a working countdown timer on your slide without much trouble.