Duplicate animation

It’s common to create a nice PowerPoint animation and then want to copy the animation to a different object. Unfortunately, PowerPoint versions before 2010 don’t have that capability. While you can copy an existing animated object and get a duplicate, along with its animation, you can’t independently copy an animation to another existing object.

Here are some options:

1. Use Animation Carbon, a PowerPoint add-in for $50.
2. Use pptXtreme’s Edit, for $49.95.
3. If you’re applying animation to an image, in PowerPoint 2003, fill an AutoShape with the image, rather than inserting it. You can then copy the AutoShape (along with its animation), and replace the picture fill of the duplicate. In 2007, you can insert the image as usual, then right click it and choose Change Picture.
4. If you’re applying animation to an AutoShape, you can copy the AutoShape (along with its animation). Then select the duplicate, and choose Drawing toolbar> Draw> Change AutoShape, and choose a different AutoShape. In 2007, double-click the duplicate, and on the Format tab> Insert Shapes group, click the Edit Shape drop-down list, choose Change Shape, and choose another shape.
5. In PowerPoint 2010, duplicating animation is easy! In the Animations tab, click the animated object, click Animation Painter, then click the new object.

Related tips:

• Animating text on top of text
• Cascading animation
• Match the end of a motion path animation to the beginning of another

Related posts:

1. Use advanced animation to show growth & motion
2. Tutorial on animation and best practices
3. Use timing, animation, or sound in a presentation with hyperlinks
4. Animate a revolving earth
5. Multimedia animation techniques