Best Powerpoint Presentation Video Formats (Quick Guide)

MP4 (H.264, AAC) is the best video format for PowerPoint (PPT) because it works well on Windows and macOS. PowerPoint also supports other formats like AVI and WMV on Windows and MOV on Mac, but not all guarantee seamless playback.

If you’re using PowerPoint for macOS, Windows Media files (WMV, WMA) won’t play since they aren’t supported. This guide will break down the best PowerPoint presentation video format on Windows and macOS. Plus, if you need to convert WMV to a supported video file format, this guide provides an easy way.

Part 1: Best Video Format for PPT on Windows

PowerPoint for Windows works best with MP4 video format using H.264 for video and AAC for audio. This format keeps file sizes manageable and ensures smooth playback without issues.

Supported Video File Formats in PowerPoint

PowerPoint supports several video formats, but some work better than others. Here’s what you can insert in your presentations:

• MP4 Video File

Extension: mp4, .m4v, .mov

MP4 is the recommended video format for PowerPoint. It balances quality and file size while ensuring smooth playback.

• Windows Media Video File

Extension: .wmv

WMV is a Microsoft-developed format. It is commonly used for videos, animations, and TV episodes. PowerPoint supports .wmv files, but the compression can sometimes affect video clarity.

• Windows Video File

Extension: .avi

Audio Video Interleave by Microsoft supports video and audio but may need extra codecs for playback.

• Windows Video File

Extension: .asf

Advanced Systems Format is a Microsoft streaming media format. It is mainly used for online video playback but is still supported in PowerPoint.

• Movie File

Extension: .mpg or .mpeg

Moving Picture Experts Group is one of the earliest digital video formats. It stores video, audio, and metadata. The Movie File format is compatible with many media players but may have varying playback support in PowerPoint.

Using the right format helps avoid errors like “PowerPoint cannot insert a video.” To keep things simple, always convert and format your video for PowerPoint as an MP4 with H.264 and AAC. It saves you from last-minute troubleshooting.

Best Audio Format for PowerPoint

PowerPoint supports audio files, with M4A (AAC audio) being the best option for Windows. It also works with WAV, WMA, and MP3 files.

Part 2: Best File Format for PowerPoint Video in MacOS

PowerPoint on a Mac PC works best with MP4 video files encoded with H.264 for video and AAC for audio.

Supported PowerPoint Presentation Video Format

Here are the video file formats you can use in PowerPoint:

• AVI Movie File

Extension: .avi, .vfw

AVI is a common video format, but some AVI files may need additional codecs to play in PowerPoint.

• MP4 Video File

Extension: .mp4, .mpg4

MP4 is the best video format for PPT on macOS. It offers the best balance between file size, quality, and compatibility.

• Apple MPEG-4 Movie File

Extension: .m4v

M4V is an Apple version of MP4. It works well in PowerPoint but may have digital rights management (DRM) restrictions on some files.

• MPEG Movie

File Extension: .mpg, .mpeg, .m15, .m75, .mpe

MPEG is an older but widely supported format. PowerPoint supports them, but playback may vary depending on the file's encoding.

• MPEG-2 Video

Extension: .m2v

M2V contains video data but no audio, meaning you'll need a separate audio file if using it in PowerPoint. While PowerPoint supports .m2v, it’s not the best choice for presentations due to potential compatibility issues.

• MPEG-2 Transport Stream

Extension: .ts

TS files are typically used for broadcast video. PowerPoint can open them, but they may not be the best choice.

• QuickTime Movie File

Extension: .mov, .qt

MOV is Apple’s native video format for QuickTime. It supports high-quality video and is a good choice for macOS users.

• DVI Movie File

Extension: .dif

While PowerPoint on macOS supports .dif files, they are uncommon today and may need conversion for better playback.

Best Audio Format for PowerPoint on MacOS

For audio, M4A (AAC audio) is the best option for PowerPoint on Mac. It also supports AIFF, MP3, M4A, and WAV files.

Windows Media files like WMV and WMA work best on Windows, but PowerPoint for macOS doesn’t support them. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription with Microsoft Stream, you can upload the file and insert it into your presentation.

No access to Microsoft Stream? Or dealing with a video that won’t play in your PPT slides? The good news is you can easily convert WMV to MP4 with H.264 and AAC using Filmora. Keep reading to see how it works!

Part 3: How To Convert WMV to MP4 Video Format for Powerpoint?

No more dealing with file errors or unsupported formats. Convert WMV to MP4 with H.264 video and AAC audio or turn WMA into a common audio format that works everywhere. After converting, you can insert and play the video into your PowerPoint slides.

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Follow this guide below to convert WMV to MP4 in a few steps:

Step 1: Download and install Filmora on your PC. Then, sign in to your account.

Step 2: Click New Project from the start window.

Step 3: Click Import from the Project Media on the left menu and import the WMV and/or WMA file.

Step 4: Add the media files to the editing timeline. Edit and customize as needed. Then, click Export from the top right corner.

Step 5: Choose the Export Format

• In the Export pop-up window, go to the Local tab. Make sure to select MP4 from the Format dropdown menu. You can also scroll down and enable Advanced Compression.

• Click Settings to open more format options. Check if the Encoder is set to H.264 for video and AAC for audio. Click Apply to save.

Step 6: Click Export to start the conversion. Once done, save the MP4 file to your computer. It’s now ready for your PowerPoint presentation.

Conclusion

For macOS or Windows, MP4 with H.264 and AAC is the best PowerPoint presentation video format. But sometimes, you get a file that needs converting. Maybe it is a WMV, or the resolution is off.

Filmora helps convert videos to a supported video and audio file format for PPT that works on any device. It also lets you adjust size, resolution, and settings for easy playback.

The right video format for PowerPoint presentations keeps your slides engaging without issues. Try Filmora for free today and see how easy it is to convert your videos!