Office Settings & Configuration

How to Trigger a PowerPoint Animation by Clicking a Shape

Emma Brown Oct 23, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to configure a custom animation to start only when a specific shape or icon on the slide is clicked.

How to Trigger an Animation by Clicking a Shape in PowerPoint

Product: PowerPoint
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Creating interactive presentations where slide animations are controlled manually by clicking designated on-screen elements.
Observed behavior: The user needs a clear method to locate and use the Trigger command to link an animation effect to a shape's click event.

Before you start

Ensure you have already inserted both the object you wish to animate and the shape or icon that will act as the clickable trigger on your slide.

Solution 1Recommended

Set Up an Animation Trigger via the Animations Tab

Apply an animation to your target object and link its playback to a designated shape using the Advanced Animation Trigger feature.

The Trigger command is only active after you have applied at least one animation effect to an object on your slide. By utilizing this feature, you can create interactive buttons and quizzes directly within your presentation.

Apply an animation to your object

Select the object or text box you want to animate. Navigate to the Animations tab on the top ribbon and choose your desired entrance, emphasis, or exit effect from the animation gallery.

Locate the Trigger command

With the animated object still selected, look for the Advanced Animation group within the Animations tab. Click on the 'Trigger' button to open a dropdown menu.

Assign the trigger shape

In the dropdown menu, select 'On Click Of' and then choose the name of the shape or icon that you want users to click to start the animation.

Set Up an Animation Trigger via the Animations Tab

Pro Tip: If you have many shapes on your slide, use the Selection Pane (Home > Select > Selection Pane) to rename your trigger shape first. This makes it much easier to identify in the 'On Click Of' list.

Interactive Presentations

Create Engaging Interactive Slides with WPS Presentation

WPS Presentation provides a highly intuitive interface for building interactive, dynamic slides. You can easily configure advanced animation triggers to make your presentations stand out without navigating complex menus.

1. Prepare your slide: Open your presentation in WPS Presentation and insert the element you wish to animate alongside the shape that will act as the button.
2. Add an animation effect: Select your target element, go to the 'Animation' tab, and pick a custom animation style.
3. Configure the trigger: Click the 'Trigger' icon in the Animation ribbon, navigate to 'On Click of', and select your designated button shape.

Easily accessible trigger and animation tools for custom interactive workflowsFully compatible with Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx) file formatsLightweight and completely free to download and useBuilt-in selection tools make identifying and naming trigger shapes effortless

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Trigger button grayed out in my PowerPoint?

The Trigger button remains disabled until you first apply an animation effect to an object on your slide. Select an object, add an animation, and the Trigger option will become available.

Can I trigger multiple animations with a single shape click?

Yes. Once you have set up a trigger for one animation, open the Animation Pane. You can drag and drop other animation effects under the same trigger group so they all play when that shape is clicked.

How do I know which shape to select in the 'On Click Of' menu?

By default, shapes are assigned generic names like 'Rectangle 3' or 'Oval 5'. To ensure you select the correct shape, go to Home > Select > Selection Pane, find your trigger shape, and double-click to rename it (e.g., 'Start Button') before configuring the trigger.

Office App Problems