Summary
This post shows you how to add a countdown to a PowerPoint slide by using Timer for PowerPoint as a live timer or an exported video.
A visible countdown helps you:
- Show the time remaining beside instructions for a talk or activity.
- Keep participants aware of the deadline while you pause and resume for interruptions.
Choose one approach:
- Option A: Live timer. Insert Timer for PowerPoint, enter the duration, and press Start in Slide Show. You can change the duration, pause for interruptions, and use presentation sync across slides.
- Option B: Timer video. Configure the countdown, choose Settings > Export Timer > Export Video, and insert the saved MP4 on a slide. PowerPoint controls playback, and recipients do not need the timer add-in. Each video runs independently.
Option A: Live timer on your slide
Open the presentation in PowerPoint for the web.
Insert Timer for PowerPoint on your slide
- Select the slide, then open Home > Add-ins.
- Enter Timer for PowerPoint in the search box (1). Under More search results, select Add beside the matching result (2).
Complete any installation prompts. For other Office versions or organization-managed installation, see the full installation guide.
Resize the timer
- Resize the on-slide timer by dragging its corners so the time is readable.
For Mac-specific setup and controls, follow the PowerPoint for Mac guide.
Set a 5-, 10-, or 15-minute countdown
Enter the hours, minutes, and seconds. Use 00:05:00 for five minutes, 00:10:00 for ten, or 00:15:00 for fifteen. The gear button at the upper left opens Settings for mode, theme, and alert options.
PowerPoint for Mac. Select the screenshot to enlarge it.
Press Start to begin. Use Pause and Resume for interruptions. New Timer returns to duration setup. To measure elapsed time, follow the PowerPoint stopwatch guide.
Choose a theme and an end-of-timer alert
If the countdown has started, choose New Timer to return to setup. Open the Settings gear, then select Theme to choose among 12 color themes.
PowerPoint for the web. Select the screenshot to enlarge it.
Return to Settings in the sidebar. Under Alert, enable Sound Enabled for a short beep at zero. The display also flashes at zero. Follow the sound guide to preview the alert or share it in a meeting.
PowerPoint for the web. Select the screenshot to enlarge it.
Label parts of the countdown with sections
For a five-minute discussion, open Settings, scroll to Sections, and choose + Add Section. Enter Discuss as the name, with a range from 00:05:00 to 00:00:00 remaining.
PowerPoint for the web, with a five-minute Discuss example. Select the screenshot to enlarge it.
The active name appears above the timer. Sections label time ranges without advancing slides or starting separate countdowns. For several named ranges, follow the meeting agenda example.
Use the timer in Slide Show and on multiple slides
Enter Slide Show and press Start if the timer has not started. After interacting with Timer for PowerPoint, click outside the add-in before using arrow keys to change slides.
For one shared clock across slides, place Timer for PowerPoint on each slide that needs the display and enable Settings > Presentation sync > Sync timers in this presentation. Follow the across-slides guide for setup. Sync depends on support in your PowerPoint version.
Enable Auto start timer on load to start an unstarted timer when it loads. Auto-start leaves a running, paused, or finished timer unchanged; it does not restart the countdown each time you revisit the slide.
PowerPoint for the web. Auto-start is unchecked in this example. Select the screenshot to enlarge it.
Option B: Insert a countdown video
Use a video for a fixed countdown that recipients can play without installing an add-in. Create the video from Timer for PowerPoint, then insert it on the activity slide.
- Insert the add-in using the setup above. Enter the duration and choose any theme, sections, or end sound in Settings.
- Select Export Timer, then Export Video. Keep the export window open until processing finishes and save the MP4.
- In PowerPoint for Mac, choose Insert > Video > Movie from File. On Windows, choose Insert > Video > This Device. Select the saved MP4 and resize it on the slide.
- Select the video and set Playback > Start > Automatically to begin when the slide appears. Keep a click-to-start setting when you want to control the start yourself.
- Enter Slide Show and play the video. Check that the countdown runs from the intended duration to zero, including the end sound when enabled.
Trial exports have a FREE TRIAL watermark. To change the duration or appearance, configure the add-in and export again. For more detail, see the video export and insertion guide.
To build a timer with PowerPoint's own animations, see free PowerPoint countdown timers.
Choose a timer setup for your session
- Classroom timers for activities and group work.
- Exam and quiz countdowns.
- Presentation and meeting timer sections.
- Break timers for workshops and presentations.
Frequently asked questions
Can the timer show the current time?
Timer for PowerPoint has countdown and stopwatch modes. For a clock showing the current time of day, see live clocks in PowerPoint.
What if the timer does not load in Slide Show?
Check that the add-in is installed to your Microsoft account and appears in My Add-ins. Follow the presentation-mode troubleshooting guide.
For help with Timer for PowerPoint, contact support.