Screen Recording in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

Similar to the Screenshot option that lets you capture still screenshots, you can use the new Screen Recording option in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows to quickly record a video clip of your onscreen activity, from within the program.

Do note though that this Screen Recording option is among the new features introduced in PowerPoint 2016, and also added as part of the February 2015 updates to PowerPoint 2013. You will only find this option in PowerPoint 2013 if you have installed all recent updates.

Follow the steps to learn about the screen recording option in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows:

1. Create a new presentation in PowerPoint or open an existing presentation. Navigate to the slide where you want to add the screen recording. Now, select the Insert tab of the Ribbon, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 1, below, and click the Screen Recording button, as shown highlighted in blue within Figure 1.
2. 
   Figure 1: Screen Recording option within the Insert tab
2. Doing so will minimize PowerPoint and bring up a small toolbar with five options, as shown in Figure 2, below.
3. 
   Figure 2: Toolbar with options for Screen Recording
4. These options are explained below as marked in Figure 2, above.

A. Record

5. Click this option to start the screen recording.

B. Recording Time

6. Shows the duration of the screen recording.

C. Select Area

7. This option is used to mark the area on the screen that you want to record the activities within.

D. Audio

8. Allows you to turn the audio on or off.

E. Record Pointer

9. By default, PowerPoint allows you to capture cursor activity. However, you can turn off this option if needed.
3. Select options as required. Make sure that the program you want to record is active. If not, make it active by clicking its icon within the Status Bar. A little-known fact is that you can even record PowerPoint itself, including slides shown full-screen in Slide Show view. Now, click the Record button.
4. This step will turn the Record button to Pause button, and will also bring up a countdown window with a message that instructs you to press Windows logo key + Shift + Q to stop recording, as shown in Figure 3, below.
5. 
   Figure 3: Screen Recording countdown message
5. When the countdown finishes, start the onscreen activity that you want to record.
6. When you are done with what you want to record, use the key-combination Windows + Shift + Q to stop the recording. This action will finish the recording and also insert the recorded video within your active slide in PowerPoint. Play the video to make sure everything is in place, as shown in Figure 4, below.
7. 
   Figure 4: Screen Recording inserted within the active slide

You can now apply all video editing options to this inserted video. Also, you can resize it as required.