When referring to video or a slide, a transition is a visual effect that happens between each photo, slide, or video clip. For example, a fade transition can fade in or out of each picture in a slide show.

Changing the transitions in Microsoft PowerPoint

The transitions are adjusted in a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation by clicking the Transitions tab. Once in the Transitions section, you’ll see each of the available Transitions and can click the down arrows to scroll through and view all available Transitions. Clicking any of the transitions give you an overview of the transition. Clicking Effect Options lets you change the direction or other options of the effect. Sounds allow you to have a sound on each transition. Duration lets you increase or decrease the duration or time of the effect.

Examples of different types of transitions

There are several types of transitions that can be used in most programs. Below is an alphabetical listing of different types of transitions and what type of animation or effect they give your show. Keep in mind that not all of the below transitions will be available in every program that supports transitions.

  • Blinds - Horizontally or vertically flip over bars like slats in blinds to reveal next scene.
  • Box - Show overview of current scene and rotate as if it were inside a box to show next scene.
  • Checkerboard - Flip over checkerboard tiles to reveal next scene.
  • Clock - Reveal next scene in a clockwise or counterclockwise reveal.
  • Conveyor - Move current scene off screen while bringing in next scene like a conveyor belt.
  • Cover - Reveal an overview and then flip the next scene on top of the previous.
  • Cube - Display video as surface on a cube, and rotate the cube to reveal another scene.
  • Cut - Quick cut to the next scene.
  • Dissolve - Dissolve previous scene to reveal next scene.
  • Doors - Split the current scene and open as if it were a door to reveal next scene.
  • Fade - Fade (dissolve) in our out.
  • Ferris Wheel - Rotate out current scene followed by next scene in a circular motion like a Ferris wheel.
  • Flash - Camera flash effect to display next scene.
  • Flip - Show overview of current scene and flip it around to show next scene on its back.
  • Fly through - Fly through the current scene to show next scene behind current scene, like zoom effect without removing background.
  • Gallery - Show overview of current slide and move to the next scene as if you were looking at art in a gallery.
  • Glitter - Dissolve and reveal next slide in an octagon glitter effect.
  • Honeycomb - Dissolve and reveal next slide in an octagon honeycomb pattern.
  • None - Remove or perform no transition, usually this is the default.
  • Orbit - Show overview of current scene and rotate it like Box effect but doesn’t remove background.
  • Pan - Move the current scene in any direction with the next scene following behind.
  • Push - Move the side, picture, or video in the direction of the effect.
  • Random bars - Fade out and in with random horizontal or vertical bars.
  • Reveal - Fade out and then in with next scene in a direction of your choice.
  • Ripple - Create ripples like those in water to reveal next scene.
  • Rotate - Rotate the current scene to show the next scene like cube without removing the background.
  • Shape - Fade in or out in the shape of a circle, square, diamond or another shape.
  • Shred - Cut the current scene into pieces and move new cut pieces from next scene into view.
  • Split - Dissolve out from the middle or from the edges in depending on the options.
  • Switch - Show current and next scene and switch between the two like cards in a deck.
  • Uncover - Reveal an overview and then flip it away like a page in a book.
  • Vortex - Display hundreds of small squares in a tornado vortex effect to dissolve and reveal next scene
  • Window - Open the current scene and have the previous scene come through like door, but window doesn’t remove background.
  • Wipe - Dissolve in the direction of the effect.
  • Zoom - Zoom in through the current scene to show next scene behind it.

Animation, PowerPoint, Slide, Slide show, Software terms

  • How to add or remove slide transitions in Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • How to add animated transitions in Google Slides.