Animated GIFs are everywhere on the web. In fact, this is the most popular type of animation. But what is an animated GIF?

A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a bitmapped file format that supports color and various resolutions and also includes data compression. An animated GIF combines several images into a single GIF file. While it doesn't provide the same level of control and flexibility as other animation formats, GIF animation is extremely popular because it is supported by nearly all web browsers. In addition, animated GIF files tend to be smaller than many other animation file types — such as Java applets.

How Does PowerPoint Deal with Animated GIFs?

You can add animated GIFs to PowerPoint presentations as you would nearly any other graphic. This type of file does have certain idiosyncratic behaviors, however. While you are working on a PowerPoint presentation, animated GIFs appear static. (Thankfully! Consider how annoying it would be to see the animation over and over again!) During a slide show, animated GIFs play automatically.

To insert an animated GIF in a PowerPoint presentation

1. Open the desired PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the slide to which you want to add the GIF.



2. Select Insert > Picture > Clip Art.



3. Select the Motion Clips tab.






4. Select the desired Category. Then, select the desired GIF and Insert Clip.



• If you want to insert a GIF not found in the Microsoft Clip Art Gallery, click Import Clips.



• If you want to search the Microsoft web site for FREE animated GIFs, click Clips Online.


5. When you are finished adding the GIF to the slide, click Close (X).

Bonus Tip! To preview how the animated GIF will appear in the slide show, click the Slide Show button at the lower left of the Microsoft PowerPoint window.