Microsoft Translator - For Instructors
This document shows how instructors can use Microsoft's Presentation Translator for PowerPoint to generate live, automatic subtitles and translations. Please note: Presentation Translator is only available on Windows machines. Presenter must also have a working microphone and an internet connection.
1. Download and install Presentation Translator for PowerPoint (Please note: app is only available on Windows computers): https://translator.microsoft.com/help/presentation-translator/
2. Open or create your presentation in PowerPoint
3. Click the Slide Show tab in the ribbon at the top
4. Then click the Start Subtitles button:
6. Keep Customize Speech Recognition checked in order to help Microsoft Translator generate more accurate subtitles. (Note: The first time you start subtitles on a presentation, it could take up to 5 minutes for Presentation Translator to "learn" the words in the presentation. Be sure you run the "Start Subtitles" process in advance of your presentation on the computer you plan to use for presenting.)
7. Select the microphone you plan to use from the dropdown (Please note: if you plan to use Presentation Translator in class, it is recommended that you use a lapel microphone rather than your computer's built-in microphone. As you walk around the room, a lapel microphone will ensure more complete and accurate subtitles.)
8. Click Additional Settings
9. Here you will have the ability to change your name, select where subtitles should be shown (below or over slides) and select whether you want to add an instructional slide (recommended):
10. You will receive this message when speech recognition process is complete. Click Save & Start Subtitles
11. Presentation Translator adds an introduction slide to your presentation which shows your audience how to join the conversation. This allows everyone to follow along in their language of choice from their own device (phone, tablet, or PC). Please see this article for student instructions for Microsoft Translator.
12. Ensure your microphone is on and connected, and begin speaking. Subtitles should begin appearing on the presentation.
13. Click the 3 dots next to the Mute button on the translator toolbar to access more settings:
- Hide subtitles (audience will still be able to view translated audio on their devices)
- Settings (change the size of the on-screen subtitles)
- Save the Transcript (download a Text file of the conversation)
- Unmute audience (allows the audience to communicate with the presenter; think: backchannel. The audience can speak into their device or type a question in their own language which will appear in the subtitles on your presentation for the rest of the audience to view.)
- Stop Subtitles (not recommended)