Many PC users use the snipping tool when they need to capture a screen image.
But if you need to paste the captured image in PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, OneNote or Excel, it’s easier to use the Screenshot tool. You’ll find it on the Insert tab in the ribbon. When you click the Screenshot button, it’ll show a gallery of available windows that you can insert as full screenshots. If you only need to insert part of a window, go to Screenshot and click ‘Screen Clipping’. This will automatically return you to your last active window. Wait for the screen to turn white and select the part you want to capture. When you let go of the mouse button, the image is automatically inserted in the document you were working on.
Take a screen recording in PowerPoint
PowerPoint has a different version of this feature. It’s called Screen Recording and it’s also located on the Insert tab, under the Media group to the right. The icon shows a video camera instead of a photo camera, indicating that you can use it to capture a video instead of an image.
Both functionalities work the same way: when you click the button, it’ll open your last active window and show a toolbar displaying your options.
Click ‘Select Area’ in the toolbar, then select the area you want to record. You can also use the toolbar to switch sound recording on or off, in case you want to explain things while recording your screen. If this is what you’re doing, you can also switch on the ‘Record Pointer’ button to the right to show viewers what you’re doing with the pointer.
We recommend practicing what you want to record a few times before you start recording, so you can smoothly demonstrate how it’s done. When you’re ready, click ‘Record’. A three-second countdown timer will start and you’ll see a message telling you how you can stop recording. This little window will disappear while you’re recording, but if you need to see it again, moving your mouse pointer to the top of your screen will make it reappear. Click ‘Stop’ here when you’re done. You can also use a keyboard shortcut to stop recording: Windows button + Shift + Q.
When you’ve stopped recording, you can go back to PowerPoint. Your recording will be on a slide, ready for you to view it.
This PowerPoint functionality enables you to quickly record instructional videos. Have fun with it – but don’t forget to practice first 😊
