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How to Reduce PowerPoint File Size
Learn how to optimize your next presentation
By Wendy Russell Wendy Russell Writer Brock University Former Lifewire writer Wendy Russell is an experienced teacher specializing in live communications, graphics design, and PowerPoint software. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on November 20, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Powerpoint Word Excel Outlook What to Know
Crop images or compress them to reduce file size. To compress photos, go to Picture Tools Format > Compress Pictures. To compress media files, select File > Info > Compress Media. If some of your slides are content-heavy, turn a slide into a single image. Then, insert that image onto a slide. Sometimes PowerPoint presentation files become too large to handle. These large files are difficult to email because many email providers limit the size of email attachments. And, large presentation files may not play properly on older computers. To keep your PowerPoint files in hand, follow these tips and make your PowerPoint presentations as small as possible. 01 of 05 Crop Pictures
Cropping pictures in PowerPoint has two bonuses for your presentation. First, stuff in the picture that's not necessary to make your point is removed. Second, the overall file size of your presentation is reduced. Right-click the image you want to crop and select Crop.Drag the cropping handles to select the area you want to crop.Select a blank area of the presentation slide to view the cropped photo. 02 of 05 Compress Photos
Compress the photos after they are inserted to reduce their file size. Select a photo in the slideshow.Go to Picture Tools Format.Select Compress Pictures in the Adjust group.Clear the Apply only to this picture check box to compress all photos in the presentation.Place a check next to Delete cropped areas of pictures.Select OK. 03 of 05 Compress Media Files
In PowerPoint for Windows, compress audio or video files in a presentation to make them smaller. When you make media files smaller, you may also lower the quality. When compressing media files, you have these options: Full HD (1080p) reduces the file size and maintains overall quality.HD (720p) saves more space and provides quality comparable to media streamed over the internet.Standard (480p) creates a small file that is perfect to attach to an email, but may diminish overall quality. To compress media files: Go to File.Select Info.Select Compress Media.Choose the option you wish to use. 04 of 05 Create a Picture from a Slide
If some of your slides are content-heavy, turn a slide into a single image. Then, insert that image onto a slide. If you turn an image into a slide and then use that image to make a new slide, you will no longer be able to animate separate objects. 05 of 05 Make Multiple Slideshows
Consider breaking your presentation into more than one file. Create a hyperlink from the last slide in Show 1 to the first slide in Show 2 and then close Show 1. This approach may be cumbersome when you're in the middle of the presentation, but it frees up system resources if you only have Show 2 open. If the whole slideshow is in one file, your RAM is constantly in use retaining the images of previous slides, even though you are many slides forward. By closing off Show 1 you'll free up these resources. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a PowerPoint Presentation How to Place a Picture Inside a PowerPoint Shape Tips for Solving Common PowerPoint Problems How to Insert a Copyright Symbol or Emoji on a PowerPoint Slide How to Add Page Numbers in PowerPoint PPTX File (What It Is and How to Open One) How to Make an Image Background Transparent in PowerPoint How to Edit, Reposition, and Compress Images in Microsoft Word How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint How to Merge PowerPoints How to Insert an Inline Image in an Outlook Message Landscape and Portrait Slides in the Same Powerpoint How to Fix a Red 'X' Picture on a PowerPoint Slide Should I Embed or Link Videos in Powerpoint? How to Compress Photos in PowerPoint An Introduction to PowerPoint Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies