Reversing Paths of Motion Path Animations in PowerPoint 2007, 2003, and 2002 for Windows

Now that you have learned how to add motion paths using presets, and by drawing custom motion paths, it is time to start getting more familiar with some tricks using motion path animations.

One of the simplest motion path tricks is using the reverse motion path option. This is very helpful if you want an object to animate using a motion path, and then animate again from the end of the motion path to the beginning!

Follow these steps to reverse Motion Path animations in PowerPoint 2007 for Windows:

1. Launch PowerPoint. Insert a shape to a blank slide, and provide it with a motion path animation. Refer to our adding a motion path or drawing a custom motion path tutorials to get started.
2. Now, make sure that the Custom Animation Task Pane is visible, as shown in Figure 1, below. If this Task Pane is not visible, you won't be able to see or select motion paths.
3. For PowerPoint 2007 users, make sure that the shape is still selected. Then, activate the Animations tab of the Ribbon. Next click the Custom Animation button to bring up a Task Pane of the same name, as shown in Figure 1, below. Remember, this is a toggle option: click once to show the Custom Animation Task Pane, and click again to hide it!
4. Users of earlier PowerPoint versions can again make sure that the shape is selected. Then they should choose the Slide Show | Custom Animation to access a similar Task Pane.
5. 
   Figure 1: Custom Animation Task Pane
3. Select the object that has a motion path animation applied, and you shall be able to see a dashed line representing the motion path. This dashed line has red and green arrowheads at both ends. The green arrowhead represents the start-point of the motion path whereas the red arrowhead represents the end-point. Now, select the motion path by clicking on the dashed line, as shown in Figure 2, below.
4. 
   Figure 2: Motion Path
4. Next, right-click the selected motion path and you will see a context menu with three options, as shown in Figure 3, below. The last of these options is Reverse Path Direction. Select this option, and you may see a preview of the reversed animation. Also, the red and green arrows have now swapped positions, as visible in Figure 4, below.
5. 
   Figure 3: Reverse Path Direction
6. 
   Figure 4: Swapped Arrow Heads