Microsoft Translator is an add-in for PowerPoint that allows you to add live subtitles to your presentation. In order to begin using Translator, you'll need to first install the add-in.
Note: The Presentation Translator add-in for PowerPoint has been retired and is no longer supported. If you're using PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 you already have this functionality built in. See Present with real-time, automatic captions or subtitles in PowerPoint for more information.
Use Microsoft Translator in a PowerPoint presentation
Translator will require a user to have a microphone. Most microphones work, but the following is a list of recommended microphones.
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Open your desired PowerPoint presentation.
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From the top ribbon, select Slide Show, then Start Subtitles.
Note: First-time users will need to Accept the Terms of Use.
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From the dropdown bars, select the language you will be speaking in and the desired language to display in subtitles.
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We recommend selecting the box next to Customize speech recognition to improve the performance of Microsoft Translator.
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You may choose to configure your microphone from the Microphone dropdown menu or customize other settings in Additional Settings.
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Select Next to continue.
Note: depending on the length of your presentation, it may take several minutes for the artificial intelligence to run the setup.
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A new slide will be inserted before your first slide that will display a QR code and instructions in the language you selected.
Note: If you would like your students to participate, ask them to open the Microsoft Translator app on their device and scan for the QR code of your presentation.
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As you speak into your microphone, a live transcript of your words will appear on the screen.
