How to Add an Action Button in Microsoft PowerPoint

An action button works similarly to a hyperlink; when you click or mouse over it, it will perform an action such as linking to a web page, playing a sound, or launching a program. To add an action button to your PowerPoint presentation, follow the steps below.

This feature works the same in all modern versions of Microsoft PowerPoint: 2010, 2013, and 2016.

1. Select the object on the slide to apply the action to.
2. On the Insert tab, in the Links group, click Action.
3. In the Action Settings dialog box, select the Mouse Click or Mouse Over tab depending on how you want to initiate the action.
4. Select the action that you want to occur. There are five possible actions:
   • None: No action occurs.
   • Hyperlink to: Links to another destination that you specify, such as another slide in the presentation, a different presentation, a website, or another file.
   • Run program: Runs the program that you specify.
   • Run macro: Runs the macro you select. This option is only available if there are macros in your presentation.
   • Object action: Performs the selected action. This option is only available if your presentation contains an OLE object.
5. Click OK.