Animating text, shapes, and other objects

Q: How can I insert a PowerPoint presentation into a website?

A: PowerPoint 2010 presentations can be converted to HTML, by choosing “Save and Send” from Backstage View (the File menu). Then choose “Save to Web” followed by “Publish Slides”.  PowerPoint will save an HTML page that can be added to your site, as well as a folder of assets including slides, graphics, notes, etc. Both the HTML file and the assets folder must be uploaded to your remote site. Alternative solutions include converting the PowerPoint presentation to Flash, using Adobe Connect or a similar utility, or exporting to PDF and embedding the PDF on your site.  Check out the "Broadcasting on the web" video in PowerPoint 2010 Essential Training for more information.

The capability to “Save as HTML” has been removed from PowerPoint 2010 (although you can still invoke it using VBA if you are familiar with writing code).

However, PowerPoint 2010 gives us four alternatives which you may prefer.  Here’s a description of each and how you can use them:

Create a Video – This feature converts your presentation into a .WMV file (video) which you can then upload to your own website, YouTube, Facebook, or just about anywhere else.  If you upload it to a site like YouTube which permits embedding, you can then copy-and-paste the embed code directly into your own website.  It will play when users click the Play button, much like you’ve probably seen on blogs and other websites. This feature includes your voice narration, slide advance timings, and video that you may have included. Save to Web – This feature uploads your presentation to SkyDrive, a free file-hosting service by Microsoft that you can use for collaboration. You’ll need a Windows Live account first, but once you log in you can create folders and upload files directly from within PowerPoint 2010.  Once uploaded, you can provide a public link to the presentation file which can then be added to your website.  The presentation will open in visitors’ browsers with forward and back buttons, and they do not need a Windows Live account to view it. Create PDF/XPS Document – By saving your presentation as a PDF, you can upload the PDF to your website and link to it. Most users will be able to load and watch the PDF presentation, and can advance slides manually. Note that this feature does not permit video, sound, animation, or transitions. PowerPoint Viewer - A fourth option is to save your presentation as a Show (you’ll find this under the “Save As” menu) which creates a PPSX file.  PowerPoint Shows are just like regular presentation files, except PowerPoint opens up in presentation mode to the first slide, and when finished it closes completely.  The PPSX file can be uploaded to your website, and linked to.  Users with PowerPoint 2007 or later will be able to open the presentation and watch it. For users without PowerPoint 2007 or later, you can provide a second link to the free Microsoft PowerPoint Viewer which they can then install on any Windows machine and watch your presentation. The first three options discussed above can be started by choosing “Save and Send” from Backstage View (the File menu). Then choose the appropriate option based on your preference.

Note that if your organization has a SharePoint server, and your audience is limited to those with access to SharePoint, you may choose to “Save to SharePoint” instead for an easy, feature-rich solution.