We’ve recently added the ability to download Adobe Flash files (.swf) from our PowerPoint animations. The Flash file format allows for higher quality animations to be used in PowerPoint. Unfortunately adding a Flash file to PowerPoint is not as easy as adding a standard .GIF animation. But once you’ve done it, it becomes really easy.
In this tutorial I will show you how to add a Flash animation to your presentation. I will be using PowerPoint 2007 but the general idea can be used for both 2003 and 2010.
One important thing to keep in mind – Flash files are not saved with your presentation, it is important that the Flash file is in the same file folder as your finished PowerPoint presentation. If you ever transfer your presentation to another computer, the flash file needs to be transferred as well, or your presentation will “loose” the animation.
Step One.
Click on the Developer Tab in the PowerPoint Ribbon (Tool Bar).
If you don’t see the Developer Tab, you can unhide it in the PowerPoint Options. Check “Show Developer tab in the Ribbon” See illustration below.
Unhide PowerPoint Developer tab
Step Two.
In the Developer Tab, click on “More Tools” in the Controls area.
More Tools Developer Tab
Step Three.
From the menu that appears, select “Shockwave Flash Object” and click “OK”
Select Shockwave Flash Object
Step Four.
Drag a box on your PowerPoint slide, you don’t need to worry about the exact size at this point, you can resize it later. The box will have a big black x in it, that is normal.
Add the Flash Control to your PowerPoint slide
Step Five.
Right click your mouse on the new box and select “Properties”
Selecting the properties of the Flash object in PowerPoint
Step Six.
In the Flash Properties Panel you will need to change two things. In the “Movie” area you need to add the full file path and name of the Flash file you wish to insert. If you have saved the Flash animation in the same directory as your final presentation, you can just type the name of the file here, for example, flash_file.swf.
In the scale area, you should change “ShowAll” To “ExactFit”. This isn’t necessary but will result in a much cleaner end result. The ShowAll function tends to leave a black border around some of the edges of the Flash animation.
Editing the Flash Object Properties in PowerPoint
Step Seven (Optional)
Finally you should change the background color of your PowerPoint slide to match the background of the Flash animation, this makes a nice seamless look to your slide. When you downloaded a .SWF Flash file from PresenterMedia, you could have chosen a colored background. If you did, follow this section to mach the backgrounds.
Selecting a background color for your flash animation.
In PowerPoint, select “Format Background”, found by right clicking on the slide background and choosing it from the menu that appears.
Choose a Solid Fill, select “More Colors” from the Color Menu, and finally under “Custom” you can enter the RGB values from above.
Matching the background color to the Flash file
Step Eight
Save your presentation, making sure that your Flash file and final presentation are in the same directory or File Folder.
Save your presentation and any Flash files in the same file folder.
Step Nine.
Play your presentation. Wow – Flash in PowerPoint!
