How to Convert PowerPoint to Video to Post to YouTube

by Tina Gasperson

Q: How can I convert my PowerPoint productions to video so I can post to YouTube? — Marie

Converting the PowerPoint file format (.ppt) to a video format such as .avi or .wmv is possible, but it will probably cost you money and getting good results can be tricky whenever you’re making such a drastic change to the way a file is encoded. I recommend that instead of converting the file format, you download and install a free program called CamStudio.

CamStudio is a freeware screen recorder. It records all activity on your computer screen for the length of time you want, and saves it as an .avi file, suitable for replay and for uploading to a service such as Youtube.com. To use CamStudio, download and install it. Double-click the shortcut for CamStudio that was saved on your desktop.

Before you begin recording, you can change the settings in CamStudio. If you want audio, tell the program whether you want to record from the microphone input, which would allow you to do a voiceover, or from the speakers, which would pick up any audio already embedded in your presentation. Select the full-screen recording option so you can capture the entire slideshow. Finally, click on Options, Program Options, and select “Minimize Program on Start Recording.” Click the red circle to begin recording screen activity. Now you can launch PowerPoint and load your slideshow. All the while, CamStudio will be recording. When your slideshow is done, exit the full screen, maximize CamStudio, and click the stop button on the CamStudio window.

CamStudio will automatically open its built-in player so you can preview your video. To edit your new video, open it up in Windows built-in MovieMaker software. Drag the video down to the timeline. Click and drag the line at the beginning and the end to clip out any unnecessary footage. To add a title frame, look at the left side of your screen and click “Make titles or credits,” then “Add title at the beginning of the movie.” Enter your title text and click “Done.” Click “File,” then “Save Movie File.” Choose “Save your movie for playback on your computer,” “Next,” type in a name for your video, click “Next,” “Next,” and “Next,” accepting the defaults. MovieMaker saves your video, and you’re ready to upload to YouTube.

Tina Gasperson (tinahdee@gmail.com), affectionately known as Computer Lady by her family, has been writing about IT, home computing, and the Internet for more than a decade.