Embed a PowerPoint Slide in SharePoint

Microsoft has shifted its approach with the release of modern SharePoint and is now focused squarely on the end user experience with ease of use at the top of its mind.

This is best demonstrated in the publishing side of SharePoint which previously involved complicated web part configurations, overpopulated menu systems, and for anything involving page layouts the intervention of a developer to create a custom design.

The new page publishing process, page layouts, web part configurations (and much more) are now aimed at end users without requiring experience in the history of SharePoint and its quirks.

Tasks that would have previously taken a considerable effort and a decent understanding of SharePoint are now possible with a few simple clicks.

A good example of this new vs old approach is detailed below:

The old way

Upload the PowerPoint deck to a SharePoint document library
Click on the file to open it in the browser
Click on the “File” menu option, “Share” and then select the option to “Embed”

You’ll now get a choice of sizes:

Embedding PowerPoint in a SharePoint page

Choose the size you want and copy the Embed Code. Note that the URL includes the dimensions, should you wish to specify your own
Go to your SharePoint site, edit the page
Select the web part zone you would like to show the presentation in and insert a content editor web part

From the top right dropdown of the web part, choose “Edit Web Part”

Click in the web part then choose “Edit Source” on the “Format Text” ribbon

Paste in the Embed Code you copied earlier, then click “Ok”
To rename the web part title or control the borders repeat step 8 to get to the web part settings

Click OK
Click the option to “Stop Editing” in the page toolbar
Publish page if required

The new way

Click the “Edit” option in the top right corner of the page

Click the plus icon in the section of your choice and select the file viewer web part

Click the option to add a file and select the option to open a recent documents, navigate the current site, upload directly (to the default document library) or add from a link
When you add a PowerPoint presentation the web part will give you the option to select the starting slide