To insert a GIF into PowerPoint on Windows, select your slide, open Insert > Pictures > This Device, choose the saved GIF, and select Insert. On Mac, use Insert > Picture > Picture From File, choose your GIF, and select Insert. Start the desktop slide show to view the animation.
The desktop steps apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024 on Windows and Mac, except where a method specifies Microsoft 365 only. Microsoft says PowerPoint for the web can insert GIFs but cannot animate them in its slide show. For animation in a browser presentation, convert the GIF to an MP4 and insert that video.
The short version
- Windows: Select Insert > Pictures > This Device to insert a saved GIF.
- Mac: Select Insert > Picture > Picture From File to choose your GIF.
- Playback: Start the desktop slide show from the current slide to view the animation.
- Web limitation: Use desktop PowerPoint for native GIF animation, or convert the GIF to an MP4 for a video alternative.
| Method or option | Where to use it | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Insert a saved GIF | Windows and Mac desktop | Choose the GIF through the picture menu |
| Search online pictures | Windows and Mac desktop | Windows requires internet access and connected experiences |
| Upload a saved GIF | PowerPoint for the web | Insert the file, then select Open |
| Search on the web | PowerPoint for the web | Select a search result, then Insert |
| Browse OneDrive or SharePoint | Web with a Microsoft 365 business subscription | The picker excludes personal OneDrive |
| Drag and drop a GIF | Web in Windows or macOS browsers | Drag the saved file onto the slide |
| Open the desktop application | Web with licensed desktop PowerPoint installed | Use desktop slide show controls for GIF animation |
| Insert with the keyboard | English Windows desktop | Access keys depend on interface language |
| Insert with VoiceOver | Mac desktop | Navigate the ribbon and file picker with the keyboard |
| Replace an existing picture | Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac | Use Change Picture |
| Paste a GIF-format picture | Windows desktop | Animated frames are not guaranteed |
| Insert through PPT-Design | Microsoft 365 on Windows, Mac, and the web | An account is required; use desktop for GIF animation |
| Restore online search | Windows desktop | Privacy settings or organizational policies can govern access |
| Convert a GIF to MP4 | Clipchamp for personal accounts, then PowerPoint | Web video uploads support files up to 256 MB |
Insert a saved GIF on Windows
Open your presentation and select the slide that should contain the GIF. In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024 on Windows, select Insert > Pictures > This Device. Locate your .gif file, select it, then select Insert.
A GIF in a locally accessible OneDrive folder can use the same route. Choose that folder in the file picker and insert the file as a picture. If you need help preparing the destination slide, start with make your first PowerPoint presentation.
Add a saved GIF on Mac
In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024 for Mac, select your destination slide. Choose Insert > Picture > Picture From File, locate the GIF, and select Insert. You can choose a file stored on your Mac, a network location, or iCloud Drive.
Play the GIF in your slide show
With the GIF inserted, select Slide Show > From Current Slide on Windows. On Mac, select Slide Show > Play from Current Slide. Use these desktop controls to view the GIF's animation.
You can also start from the current slide by pressing Shift + F5 on Windows or Command + Return on Mac. To start from the beginning, press F5 on Windows or Command + Shift + Return on Mac. Press Esc to leave the slide show.
Find a GIF through online pictures
On Windows, select Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures. Search for animated gif, or enter a subject followed by animated gif, then press Enter. Select a GIF result and select Insert. You need internet access and connected experiences enabled for this search.
On Mac, choose Insert > Picture > Online Pictures. Enter animated gif in Search Bing, press Enter, then select a GIF and select Insert. These online search paths apply to Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024.
Insert a GIF in PowerPoint for the web
In PowerPoint for the web, select the destination slide and choose Insert > Pictures > This Device. Select the saved .gif file, then select Open. In a Windows or macOS browser, you can also drag a saved GIF from File Explorer or Finder onto the slide.
For an online search, select Insert > Pictures > Search on Web. Search for animated gif and press Enter, then select a result and select Insert.
With a Microsoft 365 business subscription, you can select Insert > Pictures > OneDrive to browse work or school OneDrive and SharePoint. Locate the GIF and select Open. This picker excludes personal OneDrive, and the web slide show's GIF animation limitation applies to every web insertion route.
When you have an installed, licensed copy of PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024, select Editing > Open in Desktop App. In the desktop application, use the insertion and slide show steps above. For a presentation that needs browser playback, use the MP4 conversion method below.
Insert GIFs through an add in
PPT-Design offers a GIPHY browser for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint on Windows, Mac, and the web. Open the official PPT-Design product page and select Install Free Add-in. Create or sign in to a PPT-Design account, then open its pane from the PowerPoint ribbon. Open GIFs, search or browse, and click a GIF to insert it.
On Windows, you can also browse the add-in store from File > Get Add-ins or Home > Add-ins, then select More Add-ins. Search for the desired add-in, select its listing, and select Add, then follow the publisher's insertion steps. This store route applies to Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024, but organizational settings can restrict access; PPT-Design's stated compatibility covers Microsoft 365.
Use desktop PowerPoint to play GIFs inserted through PPT-Design. The publisher advertises web compatibility, but Microsoft's GIF animation limitation still applies to the web slide show.
Fix online search and playback problems
If your GIF stays still on desktop, start the slide show using your platform's current-slide control. If you pasted the image, insert the saved .gif through the picture menu and preview it again. Microsoft does not guarantee that the GIF option in Paste Special preserves animated frames.
If the GIF stays still in PowerPoint for the web, open the presentation in licensed desktop PowerPoint or use the MP4 conversion below. The web application can insert the image, but its slide show cannot animate a native GIF.
For trouble accessing online pictures in Windows PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024, open File > Account > Account Privacy > Manage Settings. When these privacy settings are under your control, check Enable optional connected experiences, select OK, and restart PowerPoint. You can also insert a saved GIF through This Device.
If your organization controls connected experiences in Microsoft 365 Apps on Windows, contact your administrator about blocked online picture search. Organizational policies can prevent access even when you are looking in the correct menu. If older instructions point to Insert > Clip Art, use Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures in current Microsoft 365.
Convert the GIF to a video for browser playback
Open Microsoft Clipchamp with a personal account. Select Import media and choose your GIF, or drag it into the media area. Drag the GIF onto the timeline, then select Export and a video resolution such as 1080p. Clipchamp exports an MP4 and downloads it to your computer.
In PowerPoint for the web, select Insert > Video > This Device, choose the exported MP4, and select Open. Local video insertion in the web version supports files up to 256 MB. This route adds a video rather than a native animated GIF.
In desktop PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024, you can insert the converted file as a video too. On Windows, select Insert > Video > This Device; on Mac, select Insert > Video > Movie from File. Choose the MP4 and select Insert. For automatic playback on desktop, select the video and choose Playback > Start > Automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you insert a GIF using only the keyboard on Windows?
Yes, in English Windows PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024, select the slide; to target a placeholder, press Tab until it is selected. Press Alt + N, then P, then D in sequence. Enter the saved GIF's filename or path in File name and press Enter. Access keys can differ with the interface language.
How do you insert a saved GIF with VoiceOver on Mac?
In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024 for Mac with VoiceOver, press F6 to reach the ribbon. Use Control + Option + Right Arrow or Control + Option + Left Arrow to reach Insert, then press Control + Option + Spacebar. Press Tab to reach Pictures, activate it with Control + Option + Spacebar, then navigate to Picture from file and activate it. Locate the saved GIF using Tab and the arrow keys, then press Return.
Can you replace an existing picture with a GIF?
In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac, select the existing picture and choose Picture Format > Change Picture. Choose the file source, locate your saved GIF, and select Insert.
Can Paste Special insert a picture in GIF format?
Yes, in Windows PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024, the available formats depend on what you copied. Copy the source picture or object, select the destination slide, and choose Home > Paste arrow > Paste Special. Select Paste, choose Picture (GIF) when offered, and select OK. The format alone does not guarantee preservation of animated frames.
Which organizational policies can block online picture search?
If you administer Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise or business on Windows, you can review connected-experience controls through Group Policy or Cloud Policy. In Group Policy, open User Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Microsoft Office 2016 > Privacy > Trust Center. Review Allow the use of connected experiences in Office that download online content, Allow the use of additional optional connected experiences in Office, and Allow the use of connected experiences in Office. Disabling a governing policy can block online picture insertion.