3.3Triggers & interactivity (links, buttons)
The essentials in 30 seconds
- Ctrl + K to an internal slide: the summary becomes navigation menu.
- The trigger links an animation to ONE specific object: the basis of on-demand quizzes and revelations.
- For 100% interactive support, configure Terminal mode: no more accidental clicking.
Wired mini-case — Triggers & interactivity (links, buttons)
Amel makes the slideshow interactive: a clickable summary, back buttons and a trigger to display the details of an offer. The public can explore without losing the thread.
Continuation of the common theme: the Blida agri-food SME is preparing its market launch.
1. Link: click-to-click navigation
Insert → Link (or Ctrl + K): to a slide (clickable summary), a file, a URL. The action buttons (Insert → Shapes → Action buttons: Home, Previous, End) create persistent navigation, valuable on kiosk and in training.
2. Triggers: true interactivity
An animation can start when you click on an object (Trigger): quiz (“click the correct answer”), explorable diagram, clickable FAQ. Animation → Trigger → On click on → [object]: Clicking on the object plays the linked animation. This is the “presentation responds” level.
3. Design for the user alone
In standalone use (terminal, e-learning), everything must be obvious: visible and named buttons ("Return to summary"), cursor in hand on clickable areas, written instructions ("Click on each pillar"). Test with someone who discovers: what hesitates for 3 seconds has to be done again.
🔎 Concrete example — Real-World Example — Clickable Quiz in 10 Minutes
1. Question + 3 answers (forms) + hidden feedback (“Bravo!”)
2. Animation Appear on feedback → Trigger: click on correct answer
3. Links: “Next question” to the appropriate slide
4. Test: a colleague plays without oral instructionsReading: the slide reacts to the choice, like an app.
Lesson: name buttons by their action, never “Click here” alone.
Section vocabulary
- Internal link
- Ctrl + K → “Location in this document”: the clicked text/object jumps to the chosen slide.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Internal Link” in preparing for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Internal link” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Action button
- Shapes → Action buttons (end of gallery): home, back, next — with the action attached to the insert.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Action Button” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: Treat “Action Button” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Trigger
- Animations → Trigger → “On click”: the animation only plays when the designated object is clicked.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Trigger” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “trigger” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Terminal mode (kiosk)
- Slideshow → Configure the slideshow → “Viewed on a terminal”: only clicks on the links navigate (no more progress with a single click).
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Mode Borne (kiosk)” in preparing for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Kiosk Mode” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
In practice — A clickable mini-quiz
- Slide 1: one question and two answers (A and B) in two distinct forms.
- Insert two response boxes: “✔ Correct!” and “✘ Try again” — superimposed, out of the visual path.
- Animate each one by Appear, then Animations → Trigger → On click → shape A for one, B for the other.
- Start the slideshow: click A or B — only the correct reaction appears. Bonus: a “Home” action button at the bottom of the page.
Ready-to-say script — Triggers & interactivity (links, buttons) (25 s)
“Make a presentation interactive with triggers, hyperlinks and action buttons. Concretely, I check this point before projecting: ctrl + k to an internal slide: the summary becomes navigation menu. »
Short wording, to be adapted to the audience and the context of the meeting.
Copy and paste template — “Triggers & interactivity (links, buttons)” checklist
CHECKLIST — Triggers & interactivity (links, buttons)
1. Ctrl + K to an internal slide: the summary becomes navigation menu.
2. The trigger links an animation to ONE specific object: the basis of on-demand quizzes and revelations.
3. For 100% interactive support, configure Terminal mode: no more accidental clicking.
4. Test ALL navigation paths before delivery — a broken link in the middle looks bad.
EXPECTED RESULT: The mechanism of interactive media mastered: questions/answers, menus, details on demand.Express version
Apply only the essentials and the first key point, then check the rendering in projection.
Remote
Share the file and check fonts, contrasts and text size before the video conference.
As a team
Lock in the common model and document choices to keep colleagues consistent.
Printed version
Keep the message titles and the text outline; remove animations that are no longer needed.
✓ Best practices
- Action-named buttons.
- Triggers for true interactive.
- Test with a discoverer.
✗ Common pitfalls
- “Click here” links with no clear destination.
- Untested triggers (nothing happens in demo).
- Invisible navigation in standalone use.
Key takeaways
- Ctrl + K to an internal slide: the summary becomes navigation menu.
- The trigger links an animation to ONE specific object: the basis of on-demand quizzes and revelations.
- For 100% interactive support, configure Terminal mode: no more accidental clicking.
- Test ALL navigation paths before distribution — a broken link in the middle looks bad.
48 hour challenge — apply tomorrow
Take a clickable mini-quiz from Amel's launch presentation: Slide 1: one question and two answers (A and B) in two distinct forms.. Time 20 minutes and note what has changed for the audience.
- I can explain and apply: Ctrl + K to an internal slide: the summary becomes navigation menu.
- I can explain and apply: The trigger links an animation to ONE specific object: the basis of on-demand quizzes and revelations.
- I can explain and apply: For 100% interactive support, configure Terminal mode: no more accidental clicking.
Frequently asked questions
My triggers work but a click next to them advances the slideshow, how can I block it?
This is the role of Terminal mode (Configure the slideshow → Viewed on a terminal): click advancement is disabled, only links, buttons and triggers respond.
Can I link to a file or website?
Yes, Ctrl + K → File or existing web page. Be careful when projecting: the site opens in the browser — plan for the return (Alt + Tab) and a reliable connection.
What is a trigger for?