How to Screen Record and Take Screenshots in Microsoft PowerPoint

As a seasoned Microsoft Office expert with years of experience training users on productivity tools, I've found PowerPoint's built-in screen recording and screenshot features incredibly handy for quick captures without extra software. Here's how to use them effectively on Windows.

How to Record Your Screen with Microsoft PowerPoint

To create a screen recording in PowerPoint, start a new presentation and follow these steps:

1. Go to the Insert tab and click Screen Recording.
2. In the dock that appears, click Select Area or use the keyboard shortcut Windows Key + Shift + A.
3. Using the crosshair tool, click and drag to select the screen area you want to record.
4. By default, audio and the mouse pointer are recorded. Toggle them off using the dock buttons if needed.
5. Click the Record button or press Windows Key + Shift + R to start. Use the same shortcut to pause/resume. Switch apps freely—PowerPoint keeps recording.
6. To stop, move your mouse pointer to the dock's original location to reveal it, then click Stop or press Windows Key + Shift + Q. (Pin the dock during recording via the bottom-right pin icon.)
7. Right-click the video thumbnail and select Save Media As to save to your computer.
8. Choose a name and location, then click Save.

This works on Windows PCs with PowerPoint 2016 or later versions of PowerPoint 2013.

How to Take Screenshots with Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint also excels at screenshots, letting you capture open windows effortlessly:

1. Open a new presentation and go to Insert > Screenshot.
2. View thumbnails of all open (non-minimized) windows.
3. Click the desired window. For a custom area, select Screen Clipping—PowerPoint minimizes, so drag over the content behind it.
4. The screenshot inserts into your slide. Right-click it and choose Save as Picture.
5. Select name, format (e.g., JPG, PNG, PDF, GIF, BMP), and location.

This feature is available on both Windows PCs and Macs with PowerPoint 2016 or updated 2013 versions.

If you lack Microsoft Office, explore these top desktop screencasting apps: Record Your Desktop With These 12 Great Screencasting Apps. Need to record your desktop? Screencasting apps are plentiful—here are the best free ones. Read more.