How to Set PowerPoint Timings for Only the Last Slides
Question details
The user wants to record and retain rehearse timings for the final slides of a presentation without overwriting or losing the existing timings saved on the initial slides.
- Product
- PowerPoint
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Rehearsing a presentation in segments and attempting to record timings starting from a later slide.
- Observed behavior
- PowerPoint drops or overwrites previously saved rehearse timings when a presentation rehearsal is started from a later slide, rather than appending the new timings.
Make a backup copy of your presentation file before adjusting the rehearse timings so you do not accidentally overwrite the perfectly timed initial slides.
Combine Timings from Separate Slide Ranges
You can preserve your original timings by rehearsing the last slides in a separate file and manually combining the two presentations.
Because PowerPoint tends to reset timings when you rehearse from the middle of a presentation, creating a secondary file for the remaining slides ensures your previous work remains intact.
Save a copy of your current presentation that already contains the correct timings for the first batch of slides.
Open the duplicated file and delete the first set of slides, leaving only the final slides that still need to be timed.
Go to the 'Slide Show' tab and click 'Rehearse Timings' to record the timings exclusively for these remaining slides. Save the presentation when finished.
In the duplicated presentation, select all the newly timed slides, right-click, and choose 'Copy'.
Open your original presentation, delete the untimed final slides, and paste the copied timed slides in their place. Be sure to select 'Keep Source Formatting' under Paste Options to retain the rehearse timings.
Repair the Microsoft Office Installation
If PowerPoint continuously loses all rehearse timings regardless of what you do, repairing your Office installation can fix the underlying software issue.
Use WPS Presentation to Manage Slide Timings Easily
WPS Presentation provides a highly reliable, user-friendly interface to rehearse timings, set slide transitions, and manage your presentation pace without unexpected data loss.
- 1. Open your file in WPS Presentation: Launch WPS Office and open your existing presentation file.
- 2. Access Rehearse Timings: Navigate to the 'Slide Show' tab located on the top ribbon menu.
- 3. Record your slide pace: Click on 'Rehearse Timings' to start the slideshow and record the exact time spent on each slide.
- 4. Save the new timings: Press 'Esc' to end the rehearsal early or finish the slideshow, then click 'Yes' to save the recorded timings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PowerPoint delete my old timings when I rehearse from a later slide?
When you initiate the Rehearse Timings feature, PowerPoint often views it as a new complete rehearsal session. It does not natively append new timings to an existing sequence, which can overwrite or clear timings from previous slides.
Can I manually type in the timing for a single slide instead of rehearsing?
Yes. Select the slide, go to the 'Transitions' tab, locate the 'Timing' group on the right, check the box for 'After', and manually enter the exact number of seconds you want the slide to display.
How do I turn off slide timings temporarily during my presentation?
To present manually without losing your saved timings, go to the 'Slide Show' tab and uncheck the 'Use Timings' box. The presentation will now only advance when you click the mouse or press a key.
