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Office for Mac Issues

How to Use Multiple Video Pause Bookmarks in PowerPoint for Mac

Steve KSteve K Oct 21, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to configure multiple pause bookmarks for a video in PowerPoint for Mac to control automated playback and pausing during a presentation.

How to Use Multiple Video Pause Bookmarks in PowerPoint for Mac
Product
Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac
Device & OS
Mac
Scenario
Setting up interactive video playback with multiple automated pause points triggered during a slide show.
Observed behavior
Video bookmarks and pause animations behave differently on Mac compared to Windows, requiring specific trigger matching and action configurations to function properly.
Before you start

Ensure your PowerPoint for Mac is updated to the latest version (e.g., version 16.73 or later), as video bookmark and animation capabilities can vary significantly between updates.

Solution 1Recommended

Configure Matching Bookmark Triggers and Pause Animations

This is the primary method for ensuring your video pauses automatically at multiple specific bookmark points during a Mac PowerPoint presentation.

On Mac, managing multiple video pauses requires carefully aligning your animation pane triggers with the exact number of bookmarks you have set on the video. If these do not match, the video may skip pauses or stop unexpectedly.

1
Add Video and Bookmarks

Insert your video onto the slide. Play the video and click the 'Add Bookmark' button in the Playback tab at each specific point where you want the video to pause.

2
Create Pause Animations

Select the video on your slide, navigate to the Animations tab, and open the Animation Pane. Add a 'Pause' animation for every single bookmark you just created.

3
Link Triggers to Bookmarks

In the Animation Pane, configure the trigger for each Pause animation so that it fires precisely on its corresponding bookmark (e.g., Link Pause 1 to Bookmark 1).

4
Remove Default Action Settings

With the video selected, go to Insert > Action. Set the Action on Click option to 'None'. This prevents manual mouse clicks from overriding or interfering with your bookmark triggers.

5
Test Slide Show Playback

Enter Slide Show mode and start your presentation to verify that the video plays and automatically pauses at each designated bookmark.

Configure Matching Bookmark Triggers and Pause Animations
Check Software Version: If the triggers do not function correctly after setup, verify your PowerPoint for Mac version. Updating to the latest release often resolves inconsistencies with video playback triggers across macOS.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my video bookmarks not pausing the video on Mac?

This typically occurs if the number of pause animations does not match the exact number of bookmark triggers, or if the video's default click action is overriding the animation sequence. Ensure you have one dedicated pause animation linked to each bookmark trigger.

How do I stop the video from pausing when I click on it manually?

Select the video on your slide, go to the Insert tab, click Action, and set the action to 'None'. This removes the default click-to-pause behavior, ensuring only your configured bookmark triggers control the playback.

Can I trigger a shape animation using a video bookmark in PowerPoint for Mac?

Yes, you can use video bookmarks to trigger other animations. In the Animation Pane, select the animation applied to your shape, open the Timing options, and set it to start on the trigger of your specific video bookmark.