How to Use A Typewriter Effect in PowerPoint with Simple Steps

Learn to add a typewriter effect in PowerPoint with easy steps. Make text appear letter by letter to create engaging and professional presentations. However, to apply this effect to text in videos, use the CapCut desktop video editor.

CapCut
CapCut
Mar 19, 2025
62 min(s)

Presentations become more engaging when text appears gradually, creating a sense of anticipation. The typewriter effect in PowerPoint is a popular way to make text appear letter by letter, just like typing on a screen.

In this article, you will learn how to create a typewriter effect in PowerPoint using built-in animations.

Table of content
  1. Why do you need to use typewriter animation in PowerPoint
  2. The 5 best PowerPoint typing effect animations
  3. How to make a typewriter animation in PowerPoint
  4. How to add typewriter sound effects in PowerPoint
  5. Customization tips for PowerPoint typewriter animation
  6. Bonus tip: Apply typewriter effect to texts in videos with CapCut
  7. Conclusion
  8. FAQs

Why do you need to use typewriter animation in PowerPoint

Text animations can make presentations more engaging by revealing content gradually. The PowerPoint typewriter animation is an effective way to capture attention and present information in a structured manner. Here's why using it can improve your slides:

  • Grab audience attention

The sudden appearance of text can be overwhelming, but the PowerPoint typewriter animation ensures a smooth and controlled reveal. It keeps viewers focused, making it easier to follow the content without distraction.

  • Enhance storytelling

Storytelling becomes more engaging when text appears gradually, mimicking natural speech. The typewriter effect in PowerPoint enables presenters to introduce key ideas step by step, making narratives feel more dynamic and interactive.

  • Emphasize key points

The gradual text display helps highlight important messages without overwhelming the audience. The PowerPoint typing effect animation ensures that key details stand out, making them easier to read, understand, and remember.

  • Improve learning experience

For educational slides, displaying text in small portions helps learners absorb information better. The typewriter effect in PowerPoint creates a structured flow, preventing cognitive overload and improving comprehension.

  • Create a professional look

Well-timed animations add a professional touch to presentations. The PowerPoint typewriter animation makes slides visually appealing while maintaining a clean, organized, and professional layout that enhances readability.

Use typewriter animation in PowerPoint

The 5 best PowerPoint typing effect animations

Adding text animations enhances presentations by making them more engaging and visually appealing. The PowerPoint typewriter animation brings the text to life with a dynamic reveal, improving readability. Here are the top 5 typing effect animations to explore:

  • Classic typewriter effect

This traditional PowerPoint typewriter animation makes text appear letter by letter, just like typing on a real typewriter. It works well for storytelling, introductions, and emphasizing key points in a structured and engaging way.

  • Slow reveal typing

This variation of the typewriter effect in PowerPoint displays text at a slower pace, making it ideal for dramatic reveals or step-by-step explanations. It helps maintain audience focus and builds anticipation effectively for key moments.

  • Letter-by-letter fade-in

Instead of appearing instantly, each letter fades smoothly, creating a soft and professional look. This PowerPoint typewriter animation is perfect for elegant or modern presentations where subtle and vibrant effects are preferred.

  • Glitch-style typing

This creative typewriter effect in PowerPoint mimics a digital glitch, making text appear with flickers or distortions. It's great for tech-themed presentations, futuristic slides, or adding a unique, eye-catching effect to visuals.

  • Smooth scrolling text

Instead of appearing letter by letter, the text moves across the screen in a continuous flow. This PowerPoint typewriter animation is useful for news-style tickers, storytelling slides, or presentations that need a dynamic and engaging text effect.

How to make a typewriter animation in PowerPoint

The typewriter effect in PowerPoint helps create text that appears letter by letter, making slides more dynamic and engaging. This effect works well for storytelling, educational content, and professional presentations. PowerPoint's built-in animation tools make it easy to create this effect with just a few simple steps. Follow the instructions below to apply this animation to your text:

    STEP 1
  1. Insert text and set layout

Open PowerPoint, select a blank slide, and insert a text box or WordArt. Type your text to prepare it for the typewriter effect in PowerPoint.

Inserting a text box for typewriter effect in PowerPoint
    STEP 2
  1. Apply the appear animation

Go to the "Animations" tab and choose the "Appear" effect. Then, open the Animation Pane to adjust the settings for smoother text animation.

Clicking on appear for the PowerPoint typewriter animation
    STEP 3
  1. Customize letter delay

Click "Effect Options" in the Animation Pane and select "By letter." Adjust the delay time to control the speed of the typewriter effect.

Customizing letter delay of the PowerPoint typewriter animation

How to add typewriter sound effects in PowerPoint

Adding a sound effect enhances the PowerPoint typing effect animation, making it feel more realistic and engaging. The built-in typewriter sound in PowerPoint syncs with text animation for a professional touch. This feature works well for presentations, storytelling, and interactive slides. Follow these steps to add the typewriter sound effect easily:

    STEP 1
  1. Open the Animation Pane

Go to the "Animations" tab and open the Animation Pane. This panel lets you manage and customize the PowerPoint typewriter animation.

Opening the Animation Pane in the PowerPoint
    STEP 2
  1. Select effect options

Click the drop-down arrow next to your text animation and choose "Effect Options." Under the "Effect" tab, find the Sound section and select "Typewriter."

Choosing a sound effect for the typewriter effect in PowerPoint
    STEP 3
  1. Apply and preview

Click "OK" to save your customizations, then press the "Preview" button. The PowerPoint typewriter animation will now play with synchronized sound for a realistic effect.

Applying the sound effect to the PowerPoint typing effect animation

Customization tips for PowerPoint typewriter animation

Enhancing the typewriter effect in PowerPoint can make your presentation more engaging and visually appealing. Adjusting speed, adding sound, and combining animations can help create a professional look. Here are some useful customization tips to improve your text animations in PowerPoint:

  • Adjust speed

The default animation speed may be too fast or too slow for your presentation style. Customize the delay between letters in the Effect Options to control how quickly the typewriter effect in PowerPoint appears on the screen. A slower speed builds anticipation, while a faster speed keeps the flow natural and dynamic.

  • Add sound

A typewriter sound effect can make the animation feel more interactive and realistic for viewers. Use the Animation Pane's Effect Options to add the built-in typewriter sound, enhancing the typewriter PowerPoint animation experience with better timing and engagement.

  • Use fonts & colors

Choosing the right fonts and colors can improve readability, consistency, and overall visual appeal for your audience. Bold fonts and high-contrast colors make the typewriter effect in PowerPoint stand out clearly. A professional color scheme creates a cohesive look that matches your presentation theme.

  • Combine animations

Mixing the typewriter PowerPoint animation with other effects, like fade-in or zoom, can create a more eye-catching transition. It keeps the audience engaged and adds an extra layer of creativity to your slides. Experiment with different animation orders to see what works best for your message.

  • Test compatibility

Animations and sounds may not work properly on all devices, formats, or PowerPoint versions. Always preview the typewriter effect in PowerPoint on different screens, file formats, and software versions to ensure smooth playback and consistent visual quality.

Bonus tip: Apply typewriter effect to texts in videos with CapCut

The CapCut desktop video editor is a versatile tool that makes it easy to apply the typewriter effect to text in videos, creating dynamic and engaging visuals. This is perfect for tutorials, storytelling, or professional presentations where animated text enhances viewer engagement. With customizable animation speed and effects, CapCut helps achieve a smooth typewriter effect in videos.

Interface of the CapCut desktop video editor - a quick way to apply typewriter effect to text in videos

Key features

Many tools in CapCut can help you make diverse typewritten text effects in videos. Here are some of its most efficient tools:

  • Dynamic typewriter text effects

Apply smooth, animated typing effects to videos, making captions and on-screen text more engaging and visually appealing for viewers.

  • Precise keyframe control

With keyframe animations, you can adjust the text path frame by frame, ensuring the effect appears exactly when and how you want it to match the video's flow.

  • Adjustable text speed and timing

Customize the typing speed to match the video's pace, creating a natural flow for subtitles, dialogue, or storytelling sequences.

  • Automatic caption creation

Generate accurate captions with CapCut's auto caption generator. Then, apply animations to improve readability, accessibility, and overall visual appeal.

  • Effortless text-to-speech conversion

Easily convert text to voice while syncing them with animations in videos for better audience engagement and a more immersive viewing experience.

How to use the typewriter text effect in CapCut

Download and install CapCut on your desktop to start adding animated text effects. Simply click the button below to get the latest version and access professional editing tools.

    STEP 1
  1. Import the video

Open CapCut on your desktop and import your video by clicking "Import" or dragging it into the workspace. Then, place it on the timeline to start editing.

Importing a video into the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 2
  1. Apply and adjust the typewriter effect

Go to the "Text" tab and enter your desired text. Customize its size, color, and position to align with your video's style. Select the text layer in the timeline, then open the "Animations" tab and choose the typewriter effect. Then use keyframes for precise placement and a polished, professional look.

Applying the typewrite effect to text in the CapCut desktop video editor
    STEP 3
  1. Export and share

After finalizing the text effect, click "Export", select the desired format and resolution, then click "Export" again to save it on your PC. Alternatively, tap "Share" to post it directly on TikTok or YouTube.

Exporting a video from the CapCut desktop video editor

Conclusion

The typewriter effect in PowerPoint is a great way to make presentations more engaging and professional. Customizing speed, fonts, and sounds helps create a smooth and visually appealing animation. Testing compatibility ensures the effect works well across different devices. For those who want to add similar animated text effects to videos, CapCut's desktop video editor provides easy-to-use tools for high-quality results.

FAQs

    1
  1. What are the best timing settings for a typewriter effect in PowerPoint?

The ideal timing for a typewriter effect in PowerPoint depends on your content and audience. A delay of 0.1 to 0.2 seconds per letter creates a smooth and readable animation. Slower speeds work best for formal presentations, while faster speeds suit dynamic content. However, for more advanced text animations in videos, consider using the CapCut desktop video editor.

    2
  1. How do I add sound to a typewriter effect in PowerPoint?

Go to the Animation Pane, select your text animation, and open "Effect Options." Under the "Sound" section, choose "Typewriter" and adjust the volume. Preview the effect to ensure it syncs well with the animation. If you need precise sound and animation control in videos, CapCut provides customizable audio and text effects.

    3
  1. Can I adjust the speed of the typewriter PowerPoint animation?

Yes, you can modify the speed in the Animation Pane by selecting "Effect Options" and adjusting the delay between letters. A lower delay makes text appear faster, while a higher delay slows it down for better readability. For more flexible speed adjustments in video text animations, CapCut provides easy-to-use keyframe controls.