How to add a timer to PowerPoint

Want a countdown to the start of your presentation? Interested in a timer to show when break time is over? Having your audience perform a timed activity? We’ll show you how to add a timer to PowerPoint using three different methods.

Whether you need a timer in a hurry or have time to get creative with it, you can easily include a countdown on your slide. And, for arranging the elements on your slides, we’ll explain how Plus AI for PowerPoint can help!

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Method 1: Use a timer add-in

If you don’t have a lot of time, the quickest way to add a timer in PowerPoint is by using an add-in. This is a good way to go if you plan to use timers in additional slideshows because you’ll have the tool at your fingertips.

Luckily, there are a few options in the Office Add-ins Store you can check out. You’ll see a couple countdown timers available for free and others that are free with optional purchases for more features.

After trying out different add-ins, we like Breaktime the best because it offers some nice customization options and works perfectly.

1. Open PowerPoint, go to the Home tab, and select Add-ins.

2. You can look for Breaktime using the Search bar at the top or choose More Add-ins at the bottom to visit the store.
3. When you see Breaktime, click Add.
4. To place the timer on a slide, return to Home > Add-ins and pick Breaktime.

5. You’ll see a basic timer appear on your slide but can use the tools beneath the clock to customize it.some text
   • Set the time for the countdown in the mins and secs boxes.
   • Pick a graphic to go along with it in the type drop-down list. Notice you can choose things like coffee or lunch for breaktime or starting or finishing for presentation timing.
   • Optionally, you can check the box for Pin controls when stopped if you want to display the controls when you stop the timer.

6. To see the timer in action, start the slideshow by going to the Slide Show tab and choosing From Current Slide.
7. Hit the Start button to begin the countdown. You can also Stop or Reset the timer.

You’ll also notice that the controls at the bottom slowly vanish as the timer is running which is a handy feature.

If you want to check out the other timer add-ins, simply return to Home > Add-ins and do a search for “timer” or “countdown.”

Method 2: Insert a timer video

If you still want a fast way to add a timer to PowerPoint, but only need it for a single presentation, you can skip the add-in and use a video instead. Similar to adding a timer in Google Slides, you can insert a video countdown on your slide and start it when you’re ready.

1. Head to your favorite video site like YouTube or Vimeo and search for the countdown timer you want.

2. When you find the video you’d like to use, copy the link for it in the address bar at the top of your browser.

3. Open your slide in PowerPoint, go to Insert > Video, and pick Online Videos.

4. Paste the URL for the video in the box and you’ll see a preview of it.
5. Click Insert to place the timer video on your slide.

You can then start the slideshow from the current slide and click Play on the video to see the countdown.

Depending on the video you use, you may have some customizations. Select the video and go to the Video Format and Playback tabs to see your options.

Method 3: Create a custom timer

If you have more time and don’t mind creating a timer yourself, this is a fun option. You can use shapes and animations to make a countdown timer, giving you complete control and great customization options.

There are several ways you can set up your timer in PowerPoint. Here is just one suggestion for a simple 5-second countdown timer so we can show you how it all works.

1. Go to the slide where you want the timer, head to the Insert tab, and open the Shapes menu.

2. Choose a shape and drag to draw it on the slide. You can then change the color, border, and other visual elements using the Shape Format tab.

3. Double-click to add text to the shape for your countdown. For our example, we enter the number 5 inside our shape.

4. Copy and paste the shape to keep the sizes and colors consistent. Then, replace the number 5 with the number 4. If you prefer to create a new shape for each number, you can do that too.

5. Continue this process until you have all shapes for your countdown. As you can see, we have five for the 5-second countdown.

6. Select the first shape with the highest number for the countdown. In our example, this is the number 5 shape. Then, go to the Animations tab.
7. Open the Animation styles box and pick Disappear in the Exit section.

8. In the Timing section of the ribbon, adjust the following settings:some text
   • Start: On Click
   • Duration: 0.01
   • Delay: 1.00 (second)

9. Select the second shape with the next highest number. For our example, this is the number 4 shape. Go to the Animations tab and pick Disappear in the Exit section, just like you did for the first shape.
10. In the Timing section, adjust these settings:some text
    • Start: After previous
    • Duration: Auto
    • Delay: 1.00

11. Apply the same animations and settings for the remaining shapes from the highest to lowest numbers in the countdown.

Select Preview on the left side of the Animations tab to see the timer you created on the slide or go to Slide Show > From Current Slide to see it in the presentation.

You should see each shape, starting with the highest number, disappear after one second. In our example, we have a nifty 5-second countdown.

Now that you have the basics for creating your own timer in PowerPoint, you can have a little more fun with it if you like. You can do things like add Appear animations for the Entrances or insert a “Done” or “Finished” shape for when the timer stops.

Pick the perfect layout with Plus AI

Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out the best layout for your presentation content. Whether a slide with a timer, images, or text, Plus AI for PowerPoint can lead you in the right direction.

Using this helpful add-in, you can create new presentations or update existing ones to get the ideal layouts and perfectly worded text for your slideshow.

Check this out! We have a slide with some wordy content that we want to tighten up. We simply select the text and tell Plus AI to shorten it. Boom --- Plus AI comes through!

For more information, visit the Plus AI website. You can look at the presentation templates and entire feature set, then start your free trial.

Conclusion

With these three methods for adding a timer in PowerPoint, you have flexible options. You can pick a quick and easy add-in, pop in a colorful video, or let your creativity flow by making your own.

And remember that Plus AI can help you get started or change what’s needed to create the most appealing and informative slideshow!

FAQs

How do I put a time limit on PowerPoint slides?

You can use the Transitions feature to set a time limit for one or more slides in PowerPoint. Choose a slide and go to the Transitions tab. Optionally pick a transition effect. In the Advance Slide section of the ribbon, select After and enter the timing.

How do you insert a timestamp in PowerPoint?

While PowerPoint may not currently offer a countdown timer feature, it does provide a timestamp tool. Go to your slide and open the Insert tab. Select Date & Time in the Text section of the ribbon. Make your choices in the pop-up window and click Apply or Apply to All to insert your timestamp.

How do I create a time schedule in PowerPoint?

You can create a time schedule or timeline in PowerPoint using SmartArt. Go to Insert > SmartArt and choose a Timeline in the Process category.

For an easier way, you can use Plus AI to insert a timeline slide. Go to Home > Plus AI and pick Edit Presentation to Insert a Slide. Choose the layout and you’ll see your timeline in a snap!