Transitions in PowerPoint

Transitions are the way a slide appears on the screen.  That is, the effect that has been applied to the slides appearance.  As an example it may appear from the top of the screen, or by spinning onto the screen.

The best way to explain transition is to let you have a go.

• Open PowerPoint
• Enter some text onto the Title slide that appears

Transition options appear on the right-hand side of the screen.  To view them, you have two options.  Which ever method you use the same list of transitions will appear.

Option 1 – Task Pane

• Place the cursor over the down-facing black arrow to the right of the title at the top of this pane.  You will find it says ‘Other Task Panes’, as figure 1-1

Figure 1-1

• Click on this arrow and a dropdown list appears, as figure 1-2

Figure 1-2

• Click on Slide Transition

A list of possible transitions will appear, as figure 1-3

Figure 1-3

Option 2 - menu bar

• From the menu bar click on Slide Show, Slide Transition, as figure 1-4

Figure 1-4

• Click on any of these transitions to see their effect

As you can see there are many to choose from and as you click on them, this effect will be shown on the currently selected slide.

In the transition window there are a number other options you can choose, as figure 1-5.

These include:

• Speed (how fast the effect is applied)
• Sound (if you want to attach a sound to the effect)
• Advance slide (how the next slide is shown i.e. by clicking the mouse, or timing)
• Apply to all slides (if you want the effect applied to every slide in you presentation)
• AutoPreview (if this is unchecked then the preview of the effect you choose will not shown on the slide when selected)

Figure 1-5

Exit PowerPoint when you have finished experimenting.  There is no need save the file.