Adding scrolling text to your PowerPoint slide can draw attention to a specific announcement or disclaimer. If you’ve ever wondered how to make text scroll in PowerPoint, you’re in the right place. This guide will walk you through every step, from basic animations to advanced techniques, so your audience never misses a key message.
Why Use Scrolling Text In Powerpoint
Scrolling text is perfect for displaying long lists, legal disclaimers, or event schedules without cluttering your slide. It creates a dynamic, professional look that keeps viewers engaged. You can use it for credit rolls, news tickers, or simply to highlight important points.
PowerPoint doesn’t have a built-in “scrolling text” button, but with a few animation tricks, you can achieve the same effect. The process is simple once you understand the mechanics.
How To Make Text Scroll In Powerpoint: The Basics
Before diving into the step-by-step, let’s clarify what we mean by scrolling text. It’s text that moves across the screen, either horizontally or vertically, like a news ticker or movie credits. The key is using the “Fly In” or “Crawl In” animation effects.
Step 1: Insert Your Text Box
Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the slide where you want the scrolling text. Click on the “Insert” tab, then select “Text Box.” Draw a text box on your slide and type or paste your content.
Make sure your text box is wide enough to hold all the text you want to scroll. For horizontal scrolling, stretch the box across the slide. For vertical scrolling, make it tall and narrow.
Step 2: Apply The Animation
Select the text box. Go to the “Animations” tab and click “Add Animation.” From the “Entrance” effects, choose “Fly In” or “Crawl In.” These are the two main options for scrolling text.
- Fly In: Text appears from a direction you choose (left, right, top, bottom).
- Crawl In: Text moves smoothly from one side to the other, like a news ticker.
For a true scrolling effect, “Crawl In” is usually the best choice. But “Fly In” works well for simpler scrolls.
Step 3: Adjust The Direction
After applying the animation, click “Effect Options” in the Animations tab. Choose the direction you want your text to scroll from. For horizontal scrolling, select “From Left” or “From Right.” For vertical scrolling, choose “From Bottom” or “From Top.”
If you want text to scroll continuously, you’ll need to adjust the timing and repeat settings. We’ll cover that next.
Making Text Scroll Continuously
By default, the animation plays once and stops. To make text loop endlessly, you need to tweak the timing settings. Here’s how.
Step 4: Open The Animation Pane
Click the “Animation Pane” button in the Animations tab. This opens a sidebar on the right where you can see all animations on your slide. Find your scrolling text animation in the list.
Step 5: Set The Duration And Delay
Right-click on the animation in the pane and select “Timing.” In the dialog box, adjust the “Duration” to control how fast the text scrolls. A longer duration means slower scrolling. For example, set it to 10 seconds for a gentle scroll.
Set the “Start” option to “With Previous” or “After Previous” if you want the scroll to begin automatically when the slide appears.
Step 6: Enable Looping
In the same Timing dialog box, look for the “Repeat” dropdown menu. Select “Until End of Slide” or “Until Next Click.” This makes the text scroll continuously. Click “OK” to apply.
Now your text will keep scrolling until you move to the next slide. This is perfect for disclaimers or announcements that need constant visibility.
Creating A Vertical Scrolling Text Effect
Vertical scrolling is great for credit rolls or long lists. The process is similar, but you need to adjust the text box and animation direction.
Step 1: Prepare The Text Box
Insert a tall, narrow text box on the left or right side of your slide. Type or paste your content. Make sure the text box is longer than the visible area so it can scroll.
Step 2: Apply “Fly In” From Bottom
Select the text box, go to Animations, and add “Fly In.” In Effect Options, choose “From Bottom.” This makes the text appear to rise from the bottom of the box.
Step 3: Adjust Timing For Smooth Scroll
Open the Animation Pane. Set the Duration to a longer time, like 15-20 seconds, depending on how much text you have. Set Repeat to “Until End of Slide.”
For a true vertical scroll, you might need to duplicate the text box and offset the animation. This creates a seamless loop. But for most users, the simple “Fly In” from bottom works fine.
Advanced Scrolling Text Techniques
If you want more control, try these advanced methods. They require a bit more setup but look professional.
Using Motion Paths For Custom Scrolls
Instead of preset animations, you can draw a custom motion path. Select your text box, go to Animations, and choose “Add Animation” > “Motion Paths.” Pick “Line” or “Custom Path.”
Draw the path your text should follow. For example, draw a horizontal line from right to left. Then adjust the timing and repeat settings as before. This gives you total control over the scrolling direction and speed.
Creating A News Ticker Effect
A news ticker scrolls text horizontally at the bottom of the slide. To do this, insert a text box at the bottom of your slide. Apply “Crawl In” from right to left. Set Duration to 5-10 seconds and Repeat to “Until End of Slide.”
For a multi-line ticker, use multiple text boxes with staggered start times. This creates a professional, layered effect.
Tips For Effective Scrolling Text
Scrolling text can be distracting if not done right. Follow these tips to keep it polished.
- Keep it short: Long blocks of scrolling text are hard to read. Break content into small chunks.
- Use a readable font: Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri work best. Avoid fancy scripts.
- Contrast is key: Use light text on a dark background or vice versa for clarity.
- Don’t overdo it: One scrolling element per slide is enough. Too many will confuse viewers.
Common Mistakes And Fixes
Even experienced users make errors. Here are common issues and how to solve them.
Text Doesn’t Scroll Smoothly
If the text jerks or stutters, check the animation duration. A very short duration can cause choppy movement. Increase it to 10-15 seconds for smoother scrolling.
Text Stops Before Reaching The End
This usually happens when the text box is too small. Make sure your text box extends beyond the slide area. The animation will scroll the entire content.
Scrolling Text Overlaps Other Content
Move the text box to a dedicated area, like the bottom or side of the slide. You can also send it behind other objects using the “Send Backward” option.
How To Make Text Scroll In Powerpoint For Mac
The steps are similar on a Mac. Open PowerPoint for Mac, insert a text box, and apply “Fly In” or “Crawl In” from the Animations tab. The Animation Pane is available under the “Animations” tab as well.
One difference: On Mac, the “Repeat” option might be labeled “Loop until stopped.” Select that for continuous scrolling. The interface is slightly different, but the logic is the same.
Using Scrolling Text For Disclaimers
Legal disclaimers often need to be visible but not intrusive. Scrolling text is perfect for this. Place a small text box at the bottom of your slide with the disclaimer. Apply “Crawl In” from right to left with a slow speed.
Set Repeat to “Until End of Slide” so it runs throughout the presentation. This keeps your slides clean while meeting legal requirements.
Scrolling Text For Event Schedules
If you’re presenting an event timeline, scrolling text can show upcoming sessions. Use vertical scrolling on the side of the slide. Update the text for each slide to reflect current events.
This is more dynamic than a static list and keeps attendees informed without overwhelming them.
Combining Scrolling Text With Other Animations
You can layer scrolling text with other effects. For example, have a title fade in while a subtitle scrolls below. Just make sure the timings don’t clash.
Use the Animation Pane to reorder animations. Click and drag to change the sequence. Set scrolling text to start “With Previous” or “After Previous” for smooth transitions.
Exporting Scrolling Text To Video
If you want to use scrolling text outside PowerPoint, export your slide as a video. Go to File > Export > Create a Video. Choose a resolution and timing. The scrolling animation will be preserved in the video file.
This is great for social media posts or website banners. Just make sure the text is large enough to read on smaller screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make text scroll automatically without clicking?
Yes. Set the animation to start “With Previous” or “After Previous.” Then adjust the timing so it begins when the slide loads. Use “Until End of Slide” for continuous scrolling.
How do I stop text from scrolling?
Click on the text box, go to the Animations tab, and select “None” from the animation gallery. This removes the scrolling effect instantly.
Can I scroll text in a specific shape?
Yes. Insert a shape like a rectangle, then right-click and choose “Edit Text.” Type your text and apply the same animation steps. The text will scroll within the shape boundaries.
Does scrolling text work in PowerPoint Online?
Basic animations like “Fly In” work in PowerPoint Online, but advanced features like motion paths may not. For best results, use the desktop version.
How do I make text scroll faster or slower?
Adjust the Duration setting in the Timing dialog. A shorter duration (e.g., 2 seconds) makes text scroll fast. A longer duration (e.g., 20 seconds) makes it slow.
Final Thoughts On Scrolling Text
Now you know how to make text scroll in PowerPoint. It’s a simple technique that adds a lot of visual interest. Start with basic animations and experiment with timing to get the perfect effect.
Remember to keep your text readable and relevant. Scrolling text should enhance your message, not distract from it. With practice, you’ll create professional slides that captivate your audience.
If you run into trouble, revisit the steps above. The Animation Pane is your best friend for fine-tuning. And don’t be afraid to try motion paths for custom scrolls.
Scrolling text is a powerful tool in your PowerPoint arsenal. Use it wisely, and your presentations will stand out. Happy scrolling!