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Inserting Flash Within PowerPoint
by Geetesh Bajaj |
Last Updated on June 25 2008
See Also: PowerPoint And Flash Index

Note: We also have a separate site called FlashPPT that
provides updated content on using PowerPoint and Flash together
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First Things First
Always Two Ways
Prerequisites
Doing It Yourself
Rewinding Problems
Fullscreen Flash
Continued on Page 2...

First Things First
This page contains a description of how to insert and run Macromedia
Flash SWF animations in Microsoft PowerPoint.
To learn the basics of using Flash within PowerPoint and more
information on ActiveX, look here:
PowerPoint And Flash
While the page linked above tries to explain the technology behind
the scenes, this page contains information of a more practical
nature including a step-by-step procedure to insert Flash SWF content
within PowerPoint.
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Always Two Ways
There are two ways of including Flash into PowerPoint. You can
either insert the file as an ActiveX control, using PowerPoint's
Control Toolbox, or you can insert it as an object, which calls
the Flash Player to play the file.
The first procedure is time-tested and certain - both free and
commercial add-ins are available for PowerPoint which reduce the
complicated procedure to just a few clicks.
The latter procedure is a little different - we'll discuss it
in the next page...
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Prerequisites
Whichever procedure you employ to insert SWF movies within PowerPoint,
you'll need to have the following installed:
- Any version of PowerPoint for Windows (97, 2000 or 2002)
- Internet Explorer
- Shockwave Flash ActiveX control
The Shockwave Flash ActiveX control can be auto-installed at:
www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?
P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
If you need to view more options, visit:
http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/ download/alternates/
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Doing It Yourself
Copy your SWF file to the same folder as your saved blank or existing
presentation. Within PowerPoint, navigate to the slide where you
want to insert a Flash SWF movie.
- If the Control Toolbox is not already visible within your PowerPoint
interface, point to Toolbars on the View menu, and then click
Control Toolbox. (see screenshot below):

- Within the Control Toolbox, click More Controls (bottom right
icon). This will open a drop down menu - choose Shockwave
Flash Object. Naturally, the Shockwave Flash control must
be installed on your computer for the Shockwave Flash Object
to be listed in the Control Toolbox.
- Your cursor will change into a cross-hair - draw a rectangle
anywhere on screen - don't bother about the size and location
now - we'll take care of that later.
- Right-click the inserted Shockwave Flash control, and then
click Properties in the resultant flyout menu.
- You'll find a "..." within the cell next to the 'Custom'
option (usually the topmost option). Clicking this will open
the Property Pages dialog box.
- Within the movie option, type the name of the movie without
any path (since it is saved within the same folder as the presentation).
Alternatively, you can type an entire URL within the box to access
a SWF live from the Internet. Make sure that the Playing property
is set to True - you can experiment with other options as well
(see screenshot below):

Tip: You might want to reposition and resize your Flash
movie on the slide.
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Rewinding Problems
Although you may have successfully inserted a Flash SWF within
PowerPoint using the above procedure, you might find that the SWFs
do not rewind after playing. Sometimes, they might even stall.
Look here for more info and automated free solutions:
Shyam Pillai offers the free FlashBack add-in
for PowerPoint.
Rick Turoczy has more information on his FlashGeek site.
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Fullscreen Flash
At times you may want to run a fullscreen Flash movie over your
PowerPoint presentation. In that case, make sure your Flash movie
has an Exit option.
To learn how to create fullscreen movies from various Flash versions,
look here:
FullScreen in Flash
Note: We also have a separate site called FlashPPT that
provides updated content on using PowerPoint and Flash together
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