Learn how to create four types of animated countdown timers for your next live stream or webinar.
Bar Style Timer
From the Shape button, add a rectangle
Adjust the dimensions to 1 inch high and 2.6 wide
Change the fill to a dark color
Change the shape outline to the same color
change the weight to 6pt
Right click over the shape and choose Edit Text
Add the number 5
Change Font Size between 72 and 96
Next, select the shape
From the Animations tab
Apply the Wipe Exit Animation
From the Effects Animation button
Change the direct to From Right
Click the Animation Pane button
In the Timing section set the animation duration
Change the Duration change to 59:00
In PowerPoint the maximum duration 59 seconds
to create a full minute
Add a Delay of one second
With the Shape selected, duplicate it by pressing Cmd D
Move the new shape next to the first one
With the second shape selected, duplicate it 3 more times
Use the Align Middle option to make sure they are centered
Change the number of each shape from 4 to 1
Change Fill of each shape making each one lighter
In the Animation Pane, select the 4 to 1 shapes
Change the Start to After Previous
If you want the slide to move automatically to the next slide after the countdown
In the Transition tab
Uncheck On Mouse Click
And then check After and leave the time at zero
Stopwatch Timer
This uses the same animations as the bar timer but with circles and a few more graphical elements.
From the Shape button, add a circle
Change the fill to a dark color
From the Shape Outline option, choose No outline
Right click over the shape and choose Edit Text
Add the number 1
Select the shape
From the Animations tab, apply the Wheel Exit Animation
Click the Animation Pane button
In the Timing section set the animation duration
Change the Duration to 59:00
In PowerPoint the maximum duration 59 seconds
to create a full minute
Add a Delay of one second
With the Shape selected, duplicate it by pressing Cmd D
Move the new shape next to the first one
With the second shape selected, duplicate it 3 more times
Change the number of each shape from 2 to 5
In the Animation Pane, move the animations
so 5 is at the top of the list and 1 is at the bottom
select the 4 to 1 shapes
Change the Start to After Previous
Change Fill of each shape making each one lighter
Select all of the circles
From the Shape Format tab, select Align Center and Align Middle
Change the dimensions to 4 inches x 4 inches
Change Font Size 96 or larger
for this option I will use 150
Now insert a stopwatch icon
From the Insert tab, click the Icons button
Type in stopwatch
Choose the one with a thinner outline
click the Insert button
Resize to fit over the circles
In the Graphic Format tab, click Convert to Shape
Select the minute & second hands
Press the Delete key to remove them
Now add the title Break Time
From the Insert tab, click the Icons button
Type in tea
Choose the tea cup and mug with a solid fill
click the Insert button
Resize each to 4 inches
Rearrange so they are next to each other
Add a text box and type in Break is Over
Resize the font to 96 and center it
From the Shape format tab, Align Center and Middle to the slide
Now set the animations so the break time objects disappear and the Break is Over text appears
Choose the stopwatch, coffee mug, tea cup, and Break Time
From the Animations tab, choose the Exit Disappear
In the animation pane, select the Stopwatch
Change the Start to After Previous
Select the Break is Over text box
From the Animations tab, apply the Appear animation
Set the Start to After Previous
Number Countdown for a Short Amount of Time
Add a text box and type in the numbers 01
This will keep the text boxes a similar size
Change the Fill to match your background
Remove any outline
From the Animations tab, apply the Exit animation Wipe
Change the Effect to From Top
Change the Duration to 1 second
Duplicate the text box
Move it next to the first text box
Select the second text box and duplicate it using Cmd D
Move the text box next to the second text box
Press Cmd D 8 more times
Change the numbers of each text box
From the Animations tab, click the Animation Pane button
In the Animation Pane, move the animations
so 10 is at the top of the list and 1 is at the bottom
select the 9 to 1 shapes
Change the Start to After Previous
Select all of the text boxes
From the Shape Format tab, choose Align Center and Align Middle
Change the font size to about 200
Move the numbers where you want them on the slide
Breaktime Add-in
This is the best option is you want to have a longer numerical countdown.
From the Insert tab, click the Get Add-ins button
In the search box of the pop-up window, type timer
and press the Search button or the Return key
Several options will appear on the search results list
All of them generally work the same way
Some of them do require an account and/or payment
The one I recommend is Breaktime
Click the Add button
If prompted, click Continue to agree to their terms of use
Once you have added the timer to PowerPoint,
you can insert it onto any slide from the My Add-ins button on the Insert tab
Once inserted, resize it to the size you want
You can use the Height and width on the Shape Format tab
or use the sizing handles
Now all you need to do is adjust the minutes and seconds
If you want to add a background image
Select an option from the Type drop down menu
This one of the limiting aspects of the timer You can't customize the background images or change the background color.
One nice feature of this add-in is that in full presentation mode, you can adjust the timer if needed.
When ready click the Start button to begin the countdown The controls fade away once the countdown begins.
