Depending on the version of PowerPoint that you're using, you can insert an embedded video (the default behavior) or link to a video file stored on your computer.
- Inserting an embedded video is convenient, but it increases the size of your presentation.
- A linked video keeps your presentation file smaller, but links can break. Store presentations and linked videos in the same folder.
Supported video formats
Use .mp4 files encoded with H.264 video (also known as MPEG-4 AVC) and AAC audio.
For more details, go to Video and audio file formats supported in PowerPoint.
Embed a video stored on your PC
- In Normal view, select the slide where you want to add the video.
- On the Insert tab, select the arrow under Video, and then select This Device (or Video on My PC).
- In the Insert Video box, choose the video that you want, and then select Insert.
Link to a video stored on your PC
To help prevent broken links, copy the video into the same folder as your presentation and then link to it there.
In Normal view, select the slide where you want the link to the video.
On the Insert tab, select the arrow under Video, and then select This Device (or Video on My PC).
In the Insert Video box, choose the file that you want to link to, select the down arrow next to the Insert button, and then select Link to File.
Newer versions of PowerPoint support the playback of video with multiple audio tracks. They also support closed captions and subtitles that are embedded in video files. For more information, go to Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible.
Find out where a linked video is stored
If there's already a video on a slide and you want to know where it's stored, go to File > Info. Under Optimize Media Compatibility, you'll find information about all media files in the presentation—whether they're linked or embedded in the file. If there are any linked videos, PowerPoint gives you a View Links hyperlink. Select it to open a dialog box that shows the storage location of any linked files.
YouTube video
If you want to insert a YouTube video, switch to Insert or link to a video on YouTube.
Preview a video
When you select a video on a slide, a toolbar appears below the video. The toolbar includes a play/pause button, a progress bar, incremental forward and backward buttons, a timer, and a volume control. Select the Play button at the left of the toolbar to preview the video.
Play a video automatically or when clicked
By default, in Slide Show, the video plays as part of the click sequence. When you click anywhere on the slide to advance to the next step, or when you press the Spacebar, Right arrow key, or other key that advances to the next step, the video plays. This Start option is called In Click Sequence.
You can change the setting so the video starts automatically as soon as it appears onscreen, or so it plays when you click it:
Select the video frame.
On the ribbon, open the Start list on the Playback tab and choose the option you want:
Option Description In Click Sequence This option is the default behavior. When you click anywhere on the slide to advance to the next step, the video plays. Automatically 
The video starts automatically.
(If there are animation steps before it, the animation steps play first and then the video starts playing automatically. If there are no other animation steps before the video on the slide, the video begins playing immediately.)When Clicked On The video starts only when you click it.
Want to insert an online video instead?
Go to Insert a YouTube video for all the details.