Technology

Troubleshooting Audio Recording Errors in PowerPoint on Mac

Struggling to find the answer to how to record audio in PowerPoint and insert it into a slide on a Mac? FPT Shop is here to help. Read on to find out how to solve this issue.

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5 October, 2023

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If you have recently transitioned from using a Windows computer to a Mac, you have the option to download and install Microsoft PowerPoint from the App Store. This application is part of the Microsoft Office suite and will allow you to continue working on your presentations seamlessly. Rest assured that all of the features and functions you are accustomed to using on PowerPoint for Windows are also available on the Mac version.

If you are unable to narrate your PowerPoint presentations, there are some solutions to fix the issue of PowerPoint not recording audio on a Mac.

Verifying Microphone Access on Your Phone for Security

If you are unable to record audio on PowerPoint, it is likely because the app requires access to your Mac’s microphone. Like other audio recording applications, PowerPoint needs permission to use your microphone in order to function properly.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open the Spotlight search tool.
Type “System Settings” into the search box and press Return.

Step 2: Proceed by selecting the Privacy and Security option located in the left menu.

Step 3: Navigate down and select the Microphone option located in the right sidebar.

Step 4: Enable microphone access on your Mac by toggling the switch next to the corresponding PowerPoint entry.

Step 5: Close the “System Settings” window and open “PowerPoint” to confirm if the problem has been resolved.

How to Verify Audio Input Source on a Computer

If you are experiencing issues with recording narration in your PowerPoint presentation on your Mac, it is advisable to verify the audio input source. In cases where multiple audio devices are connected to your Mac, it is important to select the appropriate input source for audio recording in PowerPoint. The majority of users will likely utilize the default microphone on their Mac.

Step 1: Press Command + Spacebar to open the Spotlight search tool, type System Settings into the empty search box at the top, and press Return.

Step 2: Navigate to the “Sound” option in the left menu.

Step 3: In the right pane, scroll down to the bottom and locate the Output & Input section. Next, click on the Input button.

Step 4:

Next, select the appropriate input source for recording your audio.

Please adjust the input volume of your recording device by using the microphone and checking the input level.

Step 5: Close the System Settings window and open PowerPoint to verify if the issue has been resolved.

Troubleshoot Issues with External Microphone

If you are using an external microphone to record audio, it is important to ensure that it is functioning correctly. To do so, you can try reconnecting it to your Mac, depending on whether it is a wired or wireless device. For optimal results in terms of both sound quality and stability, using a wired microphone is highly recommended.

Troubleshooting Steps for PowerPoint: Force Quit and Restart

If certain changes you make in the PowerPoint application on your Mac do not take effect, it may be because the app is running in the background. To resolve this issue, you can force quit the PowerPoint app and then restart it. This advice applies specifically to the PowerPoint app in the Office suite.

Click on the Apple icon in the top left corner.

Step 2: Choose Force Quit from the dropdown menu.

Step 3: Locate and select the PowerPoint option from the list, followed by clicking the Force Quit button situated in the lower right corner.

Step 4: To confirm, click on the Force Quit button once more.

Step 5: Open PowerPoint to verify if the problem has been resolved.

Windows 10 PowerPoint App Gets an Update

If you continue to experience the same issue, we recommend updating the PowerPoint application on your Mac. Regular updates for PowerPoint and the Microsoft Office suite as a whole can address any bugs or glitches that may be impacting your ability to record audio in PowerPoint on a Mac.

Please find the updated guide on how to Update PowerPoint on a Mac by following the link.

How to Use QuickTime Player for Audio Recording

If none of the aforementioned solutions yield satisfactory results, we suggest utilizing QuickTime Player to record audio and subsequently incorporating it into your PowerPoint presentation. Below are the steps to achieve this.

Step 1: To open the Spotlight search tool, press Command + Spacebar. Then, type QuickTime Player into the search box at the top and press Return.

Step 2: To initiate a new audio recording in QuickTime Player, right-click on the icon located on the Dock and choose the option “New Audio Recording”.

Step 3:

Proceed to record your audio narration by clicking on the “Record” button. Once you have finished recording, close the recording window and remember to save your audio file before exiting the program.

Step 4:

Access your PowerPoint presentation and choose the desired location to insert the audio clip.

Step 5: Choose the desired slide to insert the audio clip. Next, navigate to the Insert menu on the ribbon toolbar.

Go to the next step
Scroll down and locate the Audio button on the right side of the screen

Step 7: Select the Audio from File option from the dropdown menu to continue.

Step 8: Select the desired audio file from your Mac and then click Insert.

The audio file will be inserted and saved in your presentation instantly. Just click the Play button to begin playback while you present in PowerPoint.

We hope that the solutions mentioned above have provided you with a resolution to the issue of PowerPoint being unable to record audio on your Mac.