Creating a bar timer in MS PowerPoint is an effective way to keep track of time during presentations, lectures, and other events. A bar timer is a visual representation of time that gradually fills up a bar or a circle as time passes. In this tutorial, we will walk through the steps of creating a bar timer in MS PowerPoint.
Create a Bar Timer in MS PowerPoint Tutorial
Step 1: Open MS PowerPoint and create a new slide The first step is to open MS PowerPoint and create a new slide. Select the “Blank Presentation” option to start with a blank slide. You can choose the design and layout of the slide according to your preference.
Step 2: Insert a rectangle shape To create the bar timer, we need to insert a rectangle shape on the slide. To do this, select the “Insert” tab from the ribbon at the top of the screen, then click on “Shapes”. From the dropdown menu, select the rectangle shape.
Step 3: Resize and reposition the rectangle shape After inserting the rectangle shape, resize and reposition it according to the size and location you want on the slide. To do this, click on the rectangle shape to select it, then drag the corners to resize it. To move the rectangle shape, click on it and drag it to the desired location.
Step 4: Add animation to the rectangle shape Next, we need to add animation to the rectangle shape to make it function as a bar timer. To do this, select the rectangle shape, then click on the “Animations” tab on the ribbon. From the dropdown menu, select the animation effect you want to use.
There are several animation effects that can be used for a bar timer, such as “Wipe”, “Appear”, or “Fly In”. Select the one that fits your presentation style and purpose. Once you have selected the animation effect, adjust the timing of the animation by clicking on the “Timing” option in the “Animations” tab.
Step 5: Add a color fill to the rectangle shape To make the bar timer more visually appealing, we can add a color fill to the rectangle shape. To do this, select the rectangle shape, then click on the “Shape Format” tab on the ribbon. From the dropdown menu, select “Shape Fill” and choose the color you want to use.
Step 6: Add a text box In order to display the time remaining, we need to add a text box to the slide. To do this, select the “Insert” tab on the ribbon, then click on “Text Box”. Click and drag on the slide to create the text box, and then type in the time remaining.
Step 7: Position the text box After adding the text box, position it next to the rectangle shape on the slide. Click and drag the text box to move it to the desired location.
Step 8: Format the text box To make the text box stand out, we can format it by changing the font, font size, and color. To do this, select the text box, then click on the “Shape Format” tab on the ribbon. From the dropdown menu, select “Shape Fill” and choose the color you want to use. You can also adjust the font and font size from the “Font” menu.
Step 9: Group the rectangle shape and text box To make the bar timer function as a single unit, we need to group the rectangle shape and text box together. To do this, select both the rectangle shape and text box by holding down the “Shift” key and clicking on each element. Right-click on one of the selected elements, then select “Group” from the dropdown menu.
Step 10: Customize the Bar Timer
Now that the bar timer is added to your slide, you can customize it to fit your needs. The first thing you may want to do is change the color of the bar. To do this, click on the bar timer to select it, and then click on the Format tab in the ribbon. From there, you can select a different color for the bar using the Shape Fill and Shape Outline options.
You may also want to change the size and position of the bar timer on the slide. You can do this by clicking and dragging the edges of the bar timer to resize it, or by clicking and dragging the bar timer to move it to a different location on the slide.
Finally, you can adjust the duration of the bar timer by changing the value in the animation pane. To do this, click on the bar timer to select it, and then click on the Animations tab in the ribbon. From there, click on the animation in the animation pane to expand its options. Then, you can change the duration of the animation by adjusting the value in the Duration field.
Step 11: Save and Use the Bar Timer Template
Once you have customized the bar timer to your liking, you can save it as a template for future use. To do this, simply right-click on the bar timer and select Save as Picture. Choose a location to save the picture, and give it a descriptive name.
Then, when you want to use the bar timer again in another presentation, simply insert the picture you saved as a template, and follow the same steps to customize it.
Conclusion
Adding a bar timer to your PowerPoint presentation can be a great way to keep your audience engaged and informed about the progress of your presentation. By following these simple steps, you can create a professional-looking bar timer that will enhance your presentation and impress your audience.
Remember to start by creating a rectangle shape, and then using animations and the animation pane to create the bar timer effect. Be sure to customize the bar timer to fit your needs, and save it as a template for future use.
With these tips and techniques, you can create a bar timer that will add value to your PowerPoint presentations and make them more engaging and interactive.