Advanced Module – Presentations

Lesson 5 – Animations and Transitions

This lesson explains how to apply advanced animations and slide transitions to control how content appears, moves and behaves during a presentation. These tools improve clarity, storytelling and audience engagement when used correctly.

1. What are animations?

Animations control how objects (text, images, shapes, charts, SmartArt) appear or move on a slide.

Types of animations:

• Entrance – how an object appears (Fade, Fly In).
• Emphasis – highlights an object already on screen (Pulse, Spin).
• Exit – how an object leaves the slide (Fade Out, Fly Out).
• Motion Paths – moves objects along a path (Line, Curve, Custom Path).

2. Applying animations

• Select the object (text box, shape, image, chart).
• Go to the Animations tab.
• Choose an animation effect.
• Use Add Animation to apply multiple effects to one object.
• Use Effect Options to change direction, sequence or visual behaviour.

Good practice: Keep animations simple and purposeful. Avoid overusing dramatic effects.

3. Animation order and the Animation Pane

The Animation Pane shows the sequence and timing of all animations on a slide. This is essential for controlling how information is revealed.

• Reorder animations by dragging items in the pane.
• Rename objects in the Selection Pane to avoid confusion.
• Use numbered animation tags on objects to confirm order.

4. Timing: Start, Duration and Delay

• Start On Click – animation plays when clicked.
• Start With Previous – animation plays at the same time as another.
• Start After Previous – animation plays automatically after the previous effect.
• Duration – controls animation speed.
• Delay – waits before animation begins.

Tip: Smooth, slower animations look more professional.

5. Animating text

Text boxes and bullet lists can be animated in stages to improve pacing and clarity.

• Animate By Paragraph (each bullet appears separately).
• Use By Word or By Letter for emphasis.
• Use Effect Options to choose direction (From Bottom, From Left, etc.).
• Use built-in settings to dim bullets after animation to focus attention (ICDL requirement).

6. Motion paths

Motion paths let objects move across the slide.

• Select preset paths such as Line, Arc, Turn.
• Edit the path by dragging start/end points.
• Create custom curved or freehand paths for unique movement.
• Adjust rotation and smoothing for realistic motion.

7. Triggers (Advanced)

Triggers start animations only when a specific object is clicked, allowing interactive slides.

• Select animation → Trigger → On Click of…
• Create interactive content such as quizzes, reveals or menus.
• Use with caution—triggers require careful timing and layout.

8. Animating charts

Charts have their own animation options.

• Animate By Series (one data set at a time).
• Animate By Category (one label at a time).
• Animate By Element in Series for detailed reveals.
• Choose whether to animate chart gridlines and legend (ICDL requirement).

9. Transitions between slides

Transitions control how one slide changes into the next.

• Simple transitions: Fade, Push, Wipe (recommended).
• Dynamic transitions: Gallery, Pan, Flip (use sparingly).
• Use Duration to soften the effect.
• Apply to one slide, or use Apply to All for consistency.
• Avoid overly dramatic transitions that distract from your message.

10. Animation and transition best practices

• Keep animations subtle and consistent throughout the presentation.
• Use transitions that match the tone and purpose.
• Avoid mixing too many styles or effects.
• Test animations in Slide Show mode to ensure timing feels natural.
• Ensure animations enhance understanding, not distract.

11. Practical Activity

• Add entrance animations to three objects.
• Animate bullet points individually.
• Create a motion path for one object.
• Set an animation to Start After Previous.
• Add a Fade transition to all slides.
• Create one slide that uses a trigger-based animation.
• Animate a chart by category or series.