How to Add an Animated GIF in PowerPoint 2007

Animation can add some flash to an otherwise tedious presentation and make an appealing slide show even more fun. Adding an animated GIF file in PowerPoint, such as a spinning dollar sign on a sales presentation slide or a happy employee for a new hire orientation slide show, is as simple as inserting a file. You can determine how and when you want the animation to begin when you know where to find the settings.

Launch PowerPoint and open the presentation. Click on the slide to which you want to add an animated GIF file.

Select the "Insert" tab and click the drop-down arrow under Movie in the Media Clips group.

Select "Move from File." Choose "All Files" in the File Type list. Navigate to the GIF file you want to add and click the "Insert" button. Move the GIF on the slide by clicking on the image and dragging it.

Click on the image and select the "Options" tab under Movie Tools. Choose "Automatically" if you want the animation to begin as soon as the slide appears. Select "When Clicked" to start the animation by clicking on the GIF.

Go to the "View" tab and select "Normal" in the Presentation Views group if it is not already selected. Click "Preview" in the Play group of the Options tab to view how the animated GIF appears on the slide.