Are you looking to add some visual flair to your PowerPoint presentations by dimming text after an animation plays? Dimming text is a great way to draw focus to certain parts of your slide and guide your audience’s attention. In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how to dim text after animation in PowerPoint using simple, easy-to-follow steps.
What is Dimming Text in PowerPoint?
Before we get into the specifics of how to dim text, let’s clarify what dimming means in the context of PowerPoint. Dimming refers to reducing the brightness or opacity of an object, like text, so that it appears faded or less prominent compared to other elements on the slide.
Dimming text after an animation has played is an effective technique to signal to your audience that they should shift their focus to something else on the slide, since the dimmed text is no longer the main point of emphasis.
Why Dim Text in PowerPoint Presentations?
There are a few key reasons you might want to dim text in your PowerPoint slides:
- To direct attention to other content on the slide, like images or other text
- To indicate a transition between ideas or topics
- To create visual hierarchy and help your slide content appear more organized
- To add a professional, polished aesthetic to your presentation design
When used strategically, dimming text can greatly enhance the flow and clarity of your PowerPoint deck.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Dim Text After Animation
Now that we understand what dimming text means and why it’s useful, let’s go through how to actually do it in PowerPoint.
Step 1: Select the text you want to dim
The first thing you need to do is select the text box or placeholder containing the text you want to dim after an animation plays. Simply click on the edge of the text box to select it.
Step 2: Open the Animations tab
With the text selected, go to the Animations tab in the PowerPoint ribbon at the top of the screen.
Step 3: Add an animation to the text
In the Animations tab, choose an animation style to apply to the selected text. There are many options to pick from, such as Appear, Fade, Fly In, etc. For this example, let’s say you chose the Fade entrance animation.
Step 4: Adjust the animation settings
After adding your animation, click the small arrow in the bottom right corner of the Animations section to open the Animation Pane. Here you can see your animation listed.
Double-click the animation in the list to open the Effect Options window. In the After Animation section, set the dimming effect you want:
| After Animation Options | Result |
|---|---|
| Don’t Dim | The text will remain at full opacity after the animation |
| Hide After Animation | The text will completely disappear after the animation |
| Hide on Next Mouse Click | The text will disappear when you click the next time |
| Dim with Color | The text will dim to a color you specify |
Select “Dim with Color“, then choose a color using the color selector that appears. The default is a light gray, but you can pick any color you want for the dimming effect.
Step 5: Preview and adjust as needed
After setting your color, close the Effect Options window. Click the Preview button in the Animations tab to see how your dimming effect looks. The text should animate in based on the animation style you chose, then dim to the specified color.
If you want to adjust the dimming level, go back to the Effect Options window. You can increase or decrease the Transparency percentage to make the text dimmer or less dim after the animation. Play around with the settings until you get your desired look.
Step 6: Repeat for additional text as needed
If you want to dim other text elements after animating in on the same slide, simply repeat the process:
- Select the new text
- Add your animation
- Change the After Animation setting to “Dim with Color”
- Choose your dimming color
- Preview and adjust transparency as needed
Using this method, you can progressively dim different blocks of text to control the flow and pacing of your slide content.
Advanced Dimming Techniques
Want to get even more creative with your text dimming? Here are a few advanced techniques to try:
Dimming multiple text elements simultaneously
If you have several separate text boxes you want to dim at the same time after animating, first select all the desired text boxes while holding down the Ctrl or Shift key. Then follow the normal dimming steps outlined above. The dimming will be applied to all pieces of text together.
Dimming text to a texture or gradient
For some unique visual flair, you can dim text to a texture or gradient fill rather than a solid color. When in the Effect Options window, look for the “Color” dropdown menu that appears when you select “Dim with Color.”
Click the menu and choose “More Colors,” then select the Fill Effects option. Now you can apply a gradient or texture fill to your dimmed text.
Dimming text in sequence
Want each line of text on your slide to dim one at a time? Rather than putting all your content in one text placeholder, put each line in its own text box. Then add the desired animation and dimming to each text box individually.
Using the Animation Pane, you can adjust the timing so there’s a slight delay between each text box dimming. This creates an eye-catching sequence effect as the audience reads through the slide content.
Why Dimming Text is Worth the Effort?
Adding professional touches like dimmed text can make a big difference in the impact and memorability of your PowerPoint presentations. While it may seem like a small detail, strategically dimming text helps control the pace and flow of information, ensuring your key points stand out.
So don’t neglect this useful technique – incorporate dimmed text in your next presentation and take your slide design to the next level! Your audience will appreciate the polish and clarity it brings to your message.
Summary
As you can see, dimming text after animation in PowerPoint is a quick and easy way to add professional flair to your slide decks. The technique is simple to implement but can have a big impact on directing audience attention and enhancing your presentation’s organization.
To recap, here are the basic steps:
- Select your text
- Go to Animations tab
- Add entrance animation
- Change “After Animation” to “Dim with Color”
- Choose dimming color
- Preview and adjust transparency
FAQs
Why would I want to dim text in my PowerPoint presentations?
Dimming text can help direct attention to other content on the slide, indicate a transition between ideas, create visual hierarchy, and add a professional, polished look to your presentation design.
How do I add an animation to my text in PowerPoint?
To add an animation to your text, select the text box, go to the Animations tab in the PowerPoint ribbon, and choose an animation style, such as Appear, Fade, or Fly In.
Where can I find the option to dim text after animation?
After adding your animation, open the Animation Pane and double-click the animation to access the Effect Options window. In the “After Animation” section, select “Dim with Color” to choose a dimming color and set the transparency level.
Can I dim multiple text elements simultaneously?
Yes, you can dim multiple text elements at the same time by selecting all the desired text boxes while holding down the Ctrl or Shift key, then following the normal dimming steps.
Are there any advanced dimming techniques I can try?
Some advanced dimming techniques include dimming text to a texture or gradient fill, dimming text in a sequence by placing each line in its own text box and adjusting the animation timing, and experimenting with different animation and dimming combinations for unique effects.
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