How to Add Audio to PowerPoint (2026)
PowerPoint embeds an audio clip as a small speaker icon on the slide where you insert it. You can use a file, record narration on the spot, or set a track to play in the background across the whole deck. The controls that matter — autoplay, looping, and hiding the icon — are all on the Playback tab.
1. Insert an Audio File (Windows & Mac)
- Go to the Insert tab.
- Click Audio > Audio on My PC (Windows) or Audio > Audio from File (Mac).
- Select the file and click Insert.
A speaker icon appears on the slide. MP3 and M4A are the most reliable formats.
2. Record Narration
- Insert > Audio > Record Audio.
- Name the clip, click the record button, speak, then stop.
- Click OK to drop the recording onto the slide.
For full slide-by-slide narration with timings, use Slide Show > Record instead.
3. Insert Audio (PowerPoint for the Web)
The web app has limited audio support — it can play audio embedded in a file created on the desktop, but inserting and recording audio is best done in the desktop app.
4. Play Music Across All Slides
- Click the audio icon, then open the Playback tab.
- Set Start to Automatically.
- Check Play Across Slides and Loop until Stopped for continuous background music.
5. Hide the Speaker Icon During the Show
On the Playback tab, check Hide During Show. The icon stays visible while editing but disappears when you present. Pair it with Play Across Slides for invisible background music.
6. Troubleshooting
The audio doesn’t start on its own
Set Start to Automatically on the Playback tab — the default is often In Click Sequence.
Music stops when the slide changes
Enable Play Across Slides so the track continues past its starting slide.
The file size jumped
Embedded audio adds weight. Use File > Compress Media to reduce it.
Related PowerPoint guides: How to embed a video · How to record a presentation · How to loop a PowerPoint · How to convert to video · How to add speaker notes
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