Linking animations in PowerPoint often refers to applying more than one animation effect to a single object on your slide. This allows the object to perform multiple actions, such as flying in and then changing color, as part of a sequence.
Steps to Apply Multiple Animation Effects
PowerPoint provides a straightforward process to add more than one animation to the same object. Follow these steps:
- Select Your Object: First, select the object on your slide that you want to animate. This could be a text box, shape, picture, chart, or any other element.
- Go to the Animations Tab: Locate and click on the Animations tab in the PowerPoint ribbon at the top of the window.
- Open the Animation Pane: On the Animations tab, click on the Animation Pane. This opens a pane on the right side of your screen, which helps you see and manage the animations applied to objects on your slide.
- Apply the First Animation: With the object still selected, click on Add Animation in the Animations tab. This reveals a gallery of animation effects. Select the animation effect you want to apply first (e.g., Fly In, Fade, Zoom). This animation will appear in the Animation Pane.
- Add Additional Animations: To apply additional animation effects to the same object, ensure the object is still selected. Then, click on Add Animation again (do not click on the animation gallery directly, as this will replace the existing animation). From the gallery, pick another animation effect.
By repeatedly using the Add Animation option while the object is selected, you can apply multiple entrance, emphasis, exit, or motion path effects to that single object. Each added animation will appear as a separate entry under the object's name in the Animation Pane.
Managing Applied Animations
The Animation Pane (accessible from the Animations tab) is essential for managing the animations you've linked to an object. It lists all animations on your slide, allowing you to:
- See the order in which animations will play.
- Change the order of animations.
- Adjust start options (play on click, with previous, or after previous).
- Set duration and delay times.
- Access effect options for fine-tuning the animation.
Using the Animation Pane, you can ensure the multiple animations applied to your object play in the desired sequence and at the correct timing.
