How can I hide and then show animations in PowerPoint?

To hide and then show animations in PowerPoint, you can use animation triggers and entrance/exit animations. This allows objects to disappear (hide) and reappear (show) based on user interaction, such as clicking a specific item. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Method 1: Using Entrance and Exit Animations with Triggers

Step 1: Add the Object to Animate

1. Insert the Object: Select the object (text, image, shape, etc.) that you want to hide and show. Go to Insert > Pictures, Text Box, or Shapes to add the element to your slide.

Step 2: Apply the Entrance Animation (to Show)

1. Select the Object: Click on the object you want to animate.
2. Go to the Animations Tab: Select Animations from the top menu.
3. Choose an Entrance Animation: From the animation options, choose an Entrance effect (such as Appear, Fade, Fly In, etc.).
   • You can preview the animation by clicking the Preview button.
4. Set Timing: In the Animation Pane, make sure the entrance animation is set to start On Click or based on your preferred trigger (more on this below).

Step 3: Apply the Exit Animation (to Hide)

1. Select the Same Object: Keep the object selected and go back to the Animations tab.
2. Choose an Exit Animation: Select an Exit animation (such as Disappear, Fade Out, or Fly Out) from the exit effects list.
3. Set Timing for Exit: Adjust the timing to On Click or another trigger, depending on when you want the object to hide.

Step 4: Use Animation Triggers (Optional)

If you want the animation to happen based on clicking another object (like a button or shape), you can use triggers:

1. Select the Object You Want to Animate.
2. Open the Animation Pane: Go to the Animations tab and click Animation Pane to open it.
3. Set Up a Trigger:
   • In the Animation Pane, right-click on the animation you want to trigger, then choose Timing.
   • In the Triggers section, select Start effect on click of and choose the object (e.g., a button, shape, or another element) that will trigger the animation. This way, clicking that object will hide or show the animated item.

Step 5: Preview the Animation

1. Preview the Slide: Go to the Slide Show tab and click From Current Slide to see how the entrance and exit animations work with your chosen trigger.

Method 2: Using the Animation Pane for More Complex Scenarios

If you need to hide and show objects multiple times, the Animation Pane is an excellent tool for managing complex animations:

1. Access the Animation Pane:
   • Go to the Animations tab and click Animation Pane to display all animations on your slide.
2. Manage Multiple Animations:
   • Add multiple entrance and exit animations to the same object.
   • Reorder the animations within the Animation Pane by dragging and dropping them, ensuring the timing aligns with your desired sequence.
3. Control Animation Timing:
   • Set whether each animation starts on click, with previous, or after previous to ensure the object hides or shows at the right moment.

Example Scenario:

• Hide on Click: Set an exit animation (e.g., Fade Out) that triggers when you click a button.
• Show Again: Set an entrance animation (e.g., Fade In) that triggers when you click another object (e.g., another button or a shape).

This method gives you full control over when objects appear and disappear during your presentation.

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