Exploding PowerPoint

"Can you make your words explode and then fly off the screen in PowerPoint?" asked a student.

Sure you can!

It's all a matter of playing with your entrance, emphasis, and exit strategies in Custom Navigation. I came up with quite a few ways, and I'm sure you'll come up with even more.

Here's how to get started:

1. Click on "Slide Show" in the Menu Bar, and then "Custom Animation".
2. Select the word or graphic you want to explode.
3. In the Custom Animation Bar, select "Add Effect", then "Emphasis".
4. Here's where you get creative. PowerPoint has a wide range of emphasis options. For example, you can pick "Wave" or "Flash Bulb" and get the precurser to the explosion. The point is to play until you find the effect you like!
5. Select the timing you want. Selecting"after previous" will prevent you from clicking the mouse to get your effect.
   
6. Select "Add Effect" again: this time, choose you "Exit" effect. Once again, play with it! "Pinwheel or "Zoom" might work nicely.

That's it! Basically, the idea is to find entrance, emphasis, and exit options that mimic the explosion effect you want. PowerPoint offers a ton of entrance, emphasis, and exit animation options - from subtle to exciting. Pick the one that works for you!

For grins, here's a free PowerPoint download example that gets a little dramatic with the addition of a firecracker clip art...but hey, let's be safe out there, people! ¶ 11/18/2005 06:04:00 PM