Imagine delivering a PowerPoint presentation without having to record a single word yourself. Text-to-speech in PowerPoint can make it possible!

TTS allows you to convert your written content into voice, which makes presentations more engaging and inclusive.

In this blog, we will discuss more about Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint, how it can be helpful, and how to use this new tool effectively.

So, let’s learn how to add an interactive dimension to your presentation.

What is Text to Speech in PowerPoint?

Text to Speech (TTS) in PowerPoint is a feature that allows you to convert written text on your slides into spoken words. In other words, it enables your computer to speak out the text that you have highlighted, thus adding a new and interesting dimension to your presentation.

  • TTS also applies to enhancing your presentations to be more inclusive. For example, if your target audience includes visually impaired viewers, using text-to-speech converter will help them understand your content.
  • It can also improve the overall quality of your presentation by adding a professional and clear voice to read the text.
  • The Text-to-speech feature in PowerPoint is not limited to accessibility to hearing-impaired or blind students. Still, it can be very effective in e-learning modules, corporate presentations, or anywhere else where you want to be confident that your speech is clearly audible.
  • Another advantage of using TTS is that the audience will receive the information exactly as you intended, without any mistakes that might occur with live narration.

Thus, understanding what text-to-speech is in PowerPoint can greatly improve the presentation and make it more engaging and informative for a larger audience.

How to Enable Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint

Enabling Text-to-speech (TTS) in PowerPoint is a simple process that allows you to read the text on your slides aloud. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

  1. Open Your PowerPoint Presentation
    Start by opening the PowerPoint slide where you want to use TTS.
  2. Access the “Review” Tab
    At the top of the PowerPoint window, you’ll see a ribbon with different tabs. Click on the “Review” tab.
  3. Find and Click the “Speak” Button
    Within the “Review” tab, look for the “Speak” button. This button is the key to activating the TTS feature.
  4. Select the Text You Want to Hear
    Highlight the text on your slide that you want your computer to read aloud.
  5. Click “Speak” to Hear the Text
    After selecting the text, click the “Speak” button again. PowerPoint will immediately start reading the text aloud.
  6. Repeat for Other Slides
    If you have more text on other slides that you also want to convert into audio, simply repeat the process for each slide.

Customizing Text to Speech in PowerPoint

Ready to fine-tune your presentation’s voice? Customizing Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint lets you tweak pitch, speed, and more to match your desired presentation style. So, learn how to make your voiceovers sound just right with these simple adjustments:

1. Adding Text-to-Speech

To start, open your PowerPoint presentation and go to the slide where you want to add text-to-speech.

  • Select the text that you want to be read aloud.
  • Then, go to the “Review” tab in the ribbon at the top of the screen.
  • Click on the “Read Aloud” button, which will start the text-to-speech functionality.

2. Choosing a Voice 

PowerPoint allows you to choose from a variety of voices. These options are under the “Read Aloud” settings.

  • Depending on your system, you might have different voices in various accents, including male and female voices.
  • To change the voice, go to the “Settings” or “Preferences” section of the text-to-speech tool and select the voice that best suits your presentation.

3. Adjusting the Speech Rate 

Sometimes, the default speech rate may be too fast or too slow for your needs. PowerPoint provides an option to adjust this.

  • In the “Read Aloud” settings, look for a slider or a drop-down menu to change the speech rate.
  • And adjust it to a speed that is comfortable and clear for your audience.

4. Editing Text for Better Clarity 

Always ensure your text is clear and easy to understand when using text-to-speech.

  • Don’t use complex sentences or jargon that might be mispronounced or confusing.
  • Simple, short sentences are good to go. Additionally, you can use punctuation marks like commas and periods to control the pacing of the speech.

5. Previewing the Speech

Before finalizing your presentation, remember to preview the generated speech once.

  • Listen to the entire text on each slide to confirm it flows smoothly and can easily understandable.
  • Moreover, you can make any necessary adjustments to the text, voice, or speed to increase the overall quality.

6. Using Text-to-Speech for Accessibility

Customizing text-to-speech is especially useful for making your presentation accessible to people with visual impairments.

  • By providing an audible version of your content, you can reach a broader audience and ensure everyone can benefit from your presentation.

Hence, by customizing text-to-speech in PowerPoint, you can create a more dynamic and inclusive presentation that effectively conveys your message to all viewers.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Using TTS in PowerPoint

Using Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint presentations can be more engaging by adding an audio element. However, weighing the benefits against the limitations is essential to determine if TTS is the right fit for your presentation needs.

Advantage Limitation
Enhanced Accessibility: Makes presentations accessible to those with visual impairments or reading difficulties. Lack of Human Emotion: TTS voices lack emotional nuance, making the content feel robotic.
Time-Saving: Quickly generates speech, saving time on recording voiceovers. Pronunciation Issues: TTS may struggle with correctly pronouncing certain words or names.
Consistency: Ensures a consistent tone and pace throughout the presentation. Limited Customization: Customization options are limited compared to a human voiceover.
Multilingual Support: Supports multiple languages, enabling multilingual presentations. Unnatural Pauses: TTS might introduce unnatural pauses or intonation, affecting the flow.
Customization: Allows adjustments to voice pitch, speed, and tone to suit the presentation’s context. Technical Difficulties: Dependent on technology, which may cause disruptions if issues arise.

Thus, understanding the benefits and drawbacks of using Text-to-Speech in PowerPoint will help you decide when and how to integrate this tool effectively into your presentations or you can download free slideshow templates, and integrate

Practical Tips for Using TTS in PowerPoint

Text-to-speech (TTS) can be a valuable addition to your PowerPoint presentations, but using it effectively requires some thoughtful adjustments. Here are some quick and easy tips to get the best results:

1. Choose a realistic voice that matches your presentation’s tone.

2. Adjust the speech rate to match your audience’s pace.

3. Check for any mispronounced words and make necessary text adjustments.

4. Use punctuation to create natural-sounding pauses.

5. Use capitalization or symbols to emphasize important words.

6. Always review the TTS output before presenting.

7. Mix TTS with human narration for a more dynamic presentation.

8. Ensure your presentation is inclusive and accessible to all.

9. Adjust pitch, volume, and language settings for a smoother experience.

Wavel AI: A Leading Text-to-Speech Software

Wavel AI offers text-to-speech solutions with a wide spectrum of services, including personal and business applications. Here’s why it’s regarded as one of the top TTS tools for text-to-speech in PowerPoint:

  • The program can extend certain web browsers, including Google Chrome and Safari, and is also available in API format.
  • This makes it exceptionally flexible and usable for any Microsoft Office program such as PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, and OneNote.
  • Beyond Microsoft products, Wavel AI enables voice-over capabilities for emails, web pages, and documents, thereby enhancing the accessibility and usability of any text-based content.

Key Features of Wavel AI

  1. Natural-Sounding Voices: Produces speech with human-like intonation and expression, ideal for realistic audio content.
  2. Wide Language Support: Offers high-quality voice options in many languages and dialects, from English to Mandarin.
  3. Customization Options: Adjust pitch, speed, and tone to fit various needs, whether formal or casual.
  4. Ease of Use: Features an intuitive interface, making it accessible for both beginners and professionals.
  5. Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with PowerPoint, video editors, and e-learning tools.
  6. Real-Time Voice Generation: Produces audio quickly and efficiently, perfect for live events and presentations.

 How to Use Wavel AI for Text-Speech in PowerPoint

Using Wavel AI for Text to Speech (TTS) in PowerPoint is simple:

  1. Start by creating an account on the Wavel AI platform and logging in.
  2. Go to the Text to Speech tool from the dashboard.
  3. Copy the text from your PowerPoint slide and paste it into Wavel AI’s text input field.
  4. Select a preferred voice and adjust settings like speed and tone if needed.
  5. Click the Generate button to generate the audio file of your text.
  6. Finally, download the audio file and insert it into your PowerPoint slide using the ‘Insert Audio’ option.

This process allows you to add high-quality, AI-generated speech to your PowerPoint presentations.

Transform Your Presentations with Innovative TTS Solutions

To take your presentations to the next level, check out Wavel AI. With its natural-sounding voices and user-friendly features, Wavel AI makes creating high-quality voiceovers a breeze. Ready to enhance your presentations? Explore Wavel AI today and see how it can make your voiceovers shine. Visit Wavel AI to get started!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How can I activate text-to-speech in PowerPoint?

A. To use text-to-speech in PowerPoint, open your presentation and select any slide. Click the “Read a Portion of This Document” button found in the Quick Access Toolbar. Adjust the volume and speed settings according to your preference, then click the “Read” button to start listening.

Q. is the difference between the ‘Speak’ and ‘Text-to-Speech’ features in Office applications?

A. The ‘Speak’ feature in Microsoft Office applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook is designed to read aloud selected text within the application in your chosen language. In contrast, ‘Text-to-Speech’ (TTS) is a more general technology that enables your computer or device to vocalize any written text, thereby increasing accessibility and usability across various applications and platforms.

Q. What audio formats are supported by PowerPoint for voice playback?

A. PowerPoint supports several audio formats for voice playback, including WAV, MP3, and WMA. These formats affect the voice quality during presentations, with differences in clarity and sound fidelity based on the format used.

Q. Can I customize the voice used in PowerPoint’s text-to-speech feature?

A. While PowerPoint itself does not allow for extensive customization of text-to-speech voices directly within the application, you can change the default speech settings through your operating system’s text-to-speech options. This includes selecting different voices or adjusting the speech rate and pitch, depending on what is supported by your system’s TTS engine.