How to insert audio to Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac

How to insert audio to Microsoft PowerPoint for Mac

You can add audio, such as music, narration, or sound bites, to your PowerPoint presentation. To record and hear any audio, your computer must be equipped with a sound card, microphone, and speakers.

To add music or other audio clip to your slide show, select the slide you want and click Insert > Audio. You can add audio to a single slide, play audio automatically when a slide appears, or add a song that plays as background music during your entire presentation.

You can add your own narration or commentary to an entire presentation by recording it on the Slide Show tab. See Record your slide show for more information.

Add audio to a single slide

1. In Normal view, select the slide you want and click Insert > Audio.
2. 
3. Click Audio Browser to insert audio from iTunes, or Audio from File to insert an audio clip from your computer.
4. Select the audio clip. On the Audio Format tab, select the audio options you want.
5. 
6. (Optional) If you want to change or modify the standard audio file icon, use the picture format buttons on the Audio Format tab to add a frame, border, or other formatting effect to the audio icon.
7. 

Preview the audio

• On the slide, select the audio icon, and then click Play/Pause beneath the audio icon.
• 

Play audio automatically when a slide appears

By default, during a slide show, audio plays when it is clicked. You can change it so that the audio plays automatically as soon as its slide appears.

1. In Normal view, select the slide you want and add an audio clip if you haven't already done so.
2. On the Playback tab, select Start > Automatically.

Add audio that plays during your entire presentation

1. In Normal view, select the first slide in your presentation and add an audio clip if you haven't already done so.
2. On the Playback tab, select Play across Slides.
3. 

Add audio that plays repeatedly

1. In Normal view, select the slide you want and add an audio clip if you haven't already done so.
2. On the Playback tab, select Loop Until Stopped.

(Used alone, this option means the looping sound lasts while the slide it resides on is being shown. When Loop Until Stopped is used in tandem with Play Across Slides, the looping sound continues throughout the presentation.)

Hide the Audio icon

1. Select the audio clip icon on the slide. 
2. 
3. On the PowerPoint ribbon, on the Playback tab, select the Hide During Show check box.

Use this option only if you set the audio clip to play automatically. Note that, in Normal view, the audio icon is always visible unless you drag it off the slide.

Source: Microsoft support

Updated on: 11/05/2026