Office Settings & Configuration

How to Add Pre-Recorded Audio Across Slides in a PowerPoint Video

Aamir Naveed Akram Oct 16, 2026 872 views

Question details

The user wants to insert an MP3 audio file into a presentation and ensure it plays continuously across all slides when exported as a video, rather than restarting when the slide advances.

How to Add Pre-Recorded Audio Across Slides in a PowerPoint Video

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding a continuous background music track or pre-recorded narration to a presentation before exporting it as a video.
Observed behavior: By default, inserted audio is set to 'In Click Sequence' and stops or restarts when transitioning to the next slide.

Before you start

Ensure your MP3 or audio file is saved in a local folder on your computer and that your slide transitions and timings are finalized before configuring the audio playback.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Audio Playback Settings in PowerPoint

Use PowerPoint's built-in Playback tab to adjust the audio object so it starts automatically and plays continuously across all slides during the video export.

To prevent audio from cutting off when slides advance, you must modify the audio object's playback behavior. These settings will apply both when presenting in Slide Show mode and when exporting the final presentation to a video format.

Insert the audio file

Navigate to the first slide, or the specific slide where you want the audio to begin. Go to the Insert tab on the top ribbon, click on Audio, select 'Audio on My PC', and choose your MP3 file.

Enable Play Across Slides

Click on the inserted audio speaker icon to select it. On the ribbon, a new 'Playback' tab will appear under Audio Tools. Click the Playback tab and check the box that says 'Play Across Slides'.

Set to start automatically

Still in the Playback tab, locate the 'Start' dropdown menu. Change the setting from 'In Click Sequence' to 'Automatically'. This ensures the audio begins without requiring a manual click during the video export.

Hide the audio icon

To prevent the speaker icon from appearing in your final video, check the 'Hide During Show' box in the Playback tab. Alternatively, you can click and drag the icon off the visible slide canvas.

Export as video

Once your audio is configured, click File in the top left corner, select Export, and choose 'Create a Video'. Select your desired resolution and click the 'Create Video' button to finalize the export.

Configure Audio Playback Settings in PowerPoint

Export Complete: The resulting video will now play your audio track smoothly from start to finish, completely unaffected by the slide transitions.

Easy Audio Setup with WPS Presentation

Create Video Presentations with Audio Using WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation provides an incredibly intuitive interface for adding continuous background music or voiceovers to your slides. Highly compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint formats, it allows you to effortlessly configure audio settings and export your presentation directly to video.

1. Insert your audio file: Open your presentation in WPS Presentation, go to the Insert tab, click 'Audio', and select your MP3 file to place it on the first slide.
2. Adjust playback settings: Click the inserted audio icon. In the Audio Tools tab that appears, check 'Play Across Slides' and change the Start option to 'Automatically'.
3. Hide the icon: Tick the 'Hide During Show' option in the Audio Tools menu so the speaker icon does not appear in your final video.
4. Export to video: Navigate to the Tools tab on the top ribbon, click 'Export to Video', choose your preferred quality, and save the file.

Easily configure audio to play continuously across all slidesSeamlessly open, edit, and save Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) formatsDirectly export your presentations to high-quality MP4 videoLightweight, user-friendly, and completely free to use

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my audio stop when I move to the next PowerPoint slide?

By default, any audio inserted into a PowerPoint slide is tied specifically to that slide and will stop playing when you advance. You must select the audio icon, go to the Playback tab, and check 'Play Across Slides' to make it continuous.

Can I hide the audio speaker icon during the presentation video?

Yes. Select the audio icon, navigate to the Playback tab under Audio Tools, and check the 'Hide During Show' box. You can also simply click and drag the speaker icon completely outside the white slide boundary.

What audio formats work best for PowerPoint video exports?

MP3 and WAV files are highly recommended for PowerPoint presentations. MP3 files are typically preferred because they offer excellent sound quality while keeping the final file size relatively small, which helps prevent export errors.

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