How to insert text to speech in PowerPoint

Whether for you or your audience, using text-to-speech in Microsoft PowerPoint has its benefits. You can clarify the topic, add more details, or emphasize your points --- all with the spoken word.

Turning text into speech in PowerPoint is easy using one of three methods, depending on your intent. You can hear the text on a slide read out loud to you, record and insert an audio narration for a single slide, or record the narration along with your presentation.

Let’s look at how to implement each method for using text-to-speech in PowerPoint along with how Plus AI can help you create more engaging presentations.

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Enable the Read Aloud feature

If you’re reviewing your presentation or one built by a collaborator, you can hear the text on the slides read to you. Often times, you can identify incorrect or strangely worded text better when it’s spoken out loud.

To begin, you’ll need to add the Speak button to the Quick Access Toolbar which takes only a minute. After that, you can hear the text spoken with a simple click.

Add Speak to the Quick Access Toolbar

1. Select the arrow on the right side of the Quick Access Toolbar and choose More Commands.
2. In the Choose commands from drop-down list, pick All Commands.
3. Select Speak in the list beneath.
4. Click Add in the center to add it to the Quick Access Toolbar on the right.
5. Pick OK to save your change and close the window.

Use Speak in PowerPoint

With the presentation open, select the text or text box on the slide that you want to hear spoken. Then, click the Speak button that you added to the Quick Access Toolbar.

Record and insert audio

Now, if it’s a text-to-speech option you want to add to a slide in your presentation, you can record yourself speaking that text. Then, you’ll hear the audio when you arrive at the slide.

1. Select the slide where you want the audio and do one of the following:some text
   • Go to the Record tab and choose Audio in the Record section of the ribbon.
   • Go to the Insert tab, open the Audio menu in the Media section, and pick Record Audio.

2. In the tiny window that appears, give the audio (file) a name or use the default “Recorded Sound”.some text
   • Press the Record button (red circle) and speak the text.
   • Press the Pause or Stop button (red square) to temporarily pause or completely stop recording.
   • Press the Play button (green arrow) to hear the recording.
3. When you finish, click OK.

You’ll then see the recorded audio appear on your slide in the form of an Audio icon (speaker). Select or hover over the icon to play the recording while in editing mode. When you present, the audio plays automatically when you arrive on the slide.

Record a presentation with narration

If you want to record narration for the entire presentation, you can do this along with moving through the slides. You can then save or export the slideshow with audio as a media file to send, share, or post. This is ideal when playing PowerPoint slides automatically.

1. Select a slide to start with or the first slide in the presentation.
2. Either click the Record button on the top right below your profile or go to the Record tab and pick From Beginning or From Current Slide.

3. Press the Record button and start your presentation. You can speak the content on a slide and then move onto the next slide to continue speaking through the presentation. Use the Pause button as needed.

4. When you finish, press the Stop button.

You can then select Edit to return to editing mode with the recording attached or Export to immediately export and save the slideshow.

Speed up presentation creation with Plus AI

Creating a presentation with or without audio takes time. Whether a business slideshow for sales or marketing or an educational presentation for your class or fellow faculty members, it can consume a lot of time putting together the content and structure.

To ease this burden and speed up the process, check out Plus AI for PowerPoint on Windows, Mac, or the web. With this add-in, you can compose content, use an attractive template, and receive a fully assembled slideshow in minutes.

Additionally, you can use Plus AI to edit existing presentations. Rewrite text to better convey the message, remix a slide layout to rearrange your elements, or insert new slides based on simple prompts.

Head to the Plus AI website for details on features, templates, examples, and to start your free trial!

Conclusion

You can hear your text out loud, add a simple narrative, or walk your audience through the entire presentation with one of these PowerPoint text-to-speech features.

And keep in mind that Plus AI can help you create engaging content and eye-catching presentations that go well with any type of audio in PowerPoint!

FAQs

How do you insert text into Microsoft PowerPoint?

You can insert a text box in PowerPoint by going to the Insert tab, selecting Text Box, and then drawing your box on the slide. Enter your text inside the box and format it as you please.

How do you generate text in PowerPoint?

You can generate random text as a placeholder using the formula =rand(). The default is three paragraphs with five sentences each. Simply type that command and press Enter or Return.

For a better option, you can insert the text you need for your presentation using Plus AI. This PowerPoint add-in generates the actual text based on your prompt. You’re then one step ahead because don’t have to worry about replacing the random text later.

How do you voice text in PowerPoint?

You can use dictation to enter text on slides in PowerPoint. Select the text box, go to the Home tab, and choose Dictate in the Voice section. Speak your text and deselect the Dictate button when you finish.