Microsoft has updated its PowerPoint web application, part of its Microsoft 365 suite, to allow users to insert videos complete with closed captions and subtitles into presentations. This new accessibility feature aims to make presentations created in PowerPoint more inclusive for those who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Adding captions also enables connecting with international audiences by supporting multiple languages. Additionally, captions improve the video-watching experience in loud environments and allow viewers to watch quietly without disturbing those nearby. Given the rise in support for subtitles and closed captions in various apps from TikTok to Zoom, this has become an increasingly expected feature.

To add a captioned video in PowerPoint for the web, users first need to create WebVTT caption files either using a caption creation tool or a basic text editor. After signing into the PowerPoint web app with their Microsoft account and starting a new presentation, users can insert their video file and then add the matching caption file.

For multi-language captions, separate caption files in different languages are required, with locale codes like “MyClosedCaptions.en.vtt” for English and “MyClosedCaptions.es.vtt” for Spanish appended to the file names. This allows users to include captions to reach broader global audiences.

The addition of video captioning capabilities reflects Microsoft’s growing focus on accessibility and inclusivity. Recently Microsoft called Windows 11 its most accessible operating system yet, with updates like expanded live captioning support. Other examples include AI-powered tools in Microsoft 365 products to alert users about inaccessible content and new hardware accessories to improve the adaptive capabilities of devices like the Surface Pen.