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- With ClassPoint Add-In. The first and most obvious method is through adding timer add-ins to PowerPoint. We have tried many of them including Breaktime and EasyTimer, but these add-in timers either have limited customisability or are unable to run simultaneously while you navigate between slides.
- Disappearing Countdown Timer. Step 1: Create the Shapes and Numbers. Start by creating five squares and text boxes containing the numbers 5 through 1.
- Clock Countdown Timer. The countdown clock timer method also leverages PowerPoint animations, specifically employing a distinct animation known as “Spin.”
- Bar Countdown Timer. The final method without using any add-ins is a bar countdown timer, which works very similar to the disappearing timer.
Dec 3, 2023 · This easy step-by-step guide will teach you how to add a free countdown timer to your PowerPoint presentation. You can even make your own PowerPoint timers!
- Create a Custom Countdown Timer
- Get a Ready-Made Timer Using an Add-in
- The Best Tech Newsletter Around
You can create a custom countdown timer in PowerPoint by adding to on-screen shapes an exit animation with a set time to complete the animation. You can use one shape if you want, but if you use multiple shapes for the timer, you'll need to set each animation to begin in order once the last animation is finished. Note that the longest duration you can set for a single animation is 59 seconds.
First, open the PowerPoint presentation you'd like to add the timer to, and then insert the shapes of your choice (Insert > Shape). You can insert as many or as few shapes as necessary. In this example, we'll insert five rectangles with rounded edges.
Once you've got the shapes set, add a number to them by double-clicking the shape and typing the number. The numbers can represent minutes or seconds. If you want the duration of the timer to be 5 minutes, then you can add 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 in the boxes and set each animation duration to 59 seconds.
Next, add an exit animation to each shape. You'll need to add the animation in the order you want each animation to disappear. To add an animation, click the shape to select it, go to the "Navigations" tab, and then choose an exit animation. Exit animations are red.
After you select the animation, set the duration of the animation in the Timing group. As mentioned earlier, the max duration you can set is 59 seconds.
After you set the first animation, select the next shape, give it an animation, and then set the duration. However, for this one, you'll also need to adjust when the animation starts. For a seamless countdown, you'll want to select "After Previous." This means the animation will start when the previous animation is finished.
To insert a countdown timer using an add-in, open the PowerPoint presentation, navigate to the "Insert" tab, and then click "Get Add-ins" ("Store" on Mac).
The Office Add-ins window will appear. There are multiple countdown timer add-ins you can choose from, but we'll be using "Breaktime" in this example. Search for "Breaktime" and then click the red "Add" button to the right.
When you add the add-in, the timer will appear on the current slide of your presentation. If you want to add the timer to a different slide, navigate to the slide and then click Insert > My Add-ins > Breaktime.
You can set the timer in minutes and seconds, start and stop the timer, and reset it back to the input time. You can even give your timer a background by choosing one from the "Type" option.
That's all there is to it. Timers serve an important purpose, but depending on what you're hoping to accomplish, you may also want to consider adding a progress bar or even a clock to your presentation.
Related: How to Create a Progress Bar in Microsoft PowerPoint
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Sep 9, 2021 · Learn how to create your own countdown timer in PowerPoint with animations or use pre-made templates and add-ins. Find out the use-cases and advantages of countdowns in presentations.
Feb 24, 2023 · Learn how to add a countdown timer to your PowerPoint slides using add-ins or animations. Find out how to use Easy Timer, Slice Timer, Breaktime, or create your own timer with shapes and fly out animation.
Jun 25, 2024 · Three methods can be used to add a timer to PowerPoint or insert a countdown clock in PowerPoint. Let's look at each of them in turn. The tips in this section were written using Windows and Office 365.
Learn how to add an animated countdown timer or progress bar to your PowerPoint presentation. Follow the steps to use text boxes, shapes, and animations to create different types of timers.
