4.2Zoom & non-linear navigation
The essentials in 30 seconds
- The Summary Zoom is generated from your sections: structure first, zoom later.
- “Return to zoom” automatically switches back and forth: THE setting to check on each thumbnail.
- Zoom = interactive navigation chosen live; Morphosis = scripted cutscene.
Wired mini-case — Zoom & non-linear navigation
Amel builds a non-linear navigation with Zoom: a section summary, a summary zoom and returns to the plan. The presentation is tailored to the committee's questions.
Continuation of the common theme: the Blida agri-food SME is preparing its market launch.
1. Zoom: the living summary
Insert → Zoom (Summary, Section, Slide): clickable thumbnails to your sections. The Zoom summary on slide 2 (“On the program”) replaces the dead summary: click a chapter, return to zoom activated takes you back. The presentation becomes explorable.
2. Non-linear: present à la carte
With Zoom + links, you jump to the annexes in questions (number + Entry), adapt the order to the audience, shorten without panicking. Prepare 3 courses: complete (20 min), express (10 min, key sections), questions (appendices).
3. Settings that avoid breakage
Check Return to zoom (otherwise we get stuck at the bottom), test each thumbnail in a slideshow, provide the Static PDF (Zooms cannot be clicked). At kiosk/terminal: Zoom + timing + loop = autonomous route.
🔎 Concrete example — Concrete example — Living summary in 4 chapters
1. Sections created (Context / Diagnosis / Recos / Budget)
2. Slide 2: Insertion → Summary zoom (4 thumbnails)
3. Check “Return to zoom” in Zoom options
4. Click each thumbnail in a slideshow: go + return OKReading: the summary navigates instead of listing.
Lesson: in questions, Zoom leads to the appendices in one click.
Section vocabulary
- Summary zoom
- Insert → Zoom → Summary Zoom: PowerPoint creates a slide menu with thumbnails of the selected sections.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Zoom summary” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Summary zoom” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Section/Slide Zoom
- A clickable thumbnail placed on any slide, pointing to a specific section or slide.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Section/Slide Zoom” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: Treat “Section/Slide Zoom” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Return to zoom
- Thumbnail option (Zoom format tab): after the section visited, automatic return to the slide menu.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Return to Zoom” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Return to zoom” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
- Zoom background
- “Zoom background” option: the thumbnail blends into the decor (without frame) for elegant menus.
Simple example: Amel mobilizes “Zoom Background” in preparation for the launch.
What it is not: treat “Zoom background” as a detail unrelated to the message.
Reflex: Does this choice make the presentation clearer for the audience?
In practice — The interactive menu of your presentation
- On a presentation organized in 3 sections (2.5): Insertion → Zoom → Summary zoom → check your 3 sections.
- PowerPoint generates the menu slide at the top: rename its title “On the program”.
- Select each thumbnail and check that “Return to zoom” is checked (Format tab).
- F5: click a section, expand it — automatic return to the menu. Explore in any order you want.
Script ready to say — Zoom & non-linear navigation (25 s)
“Use Zoom (summary/section/slide) for a modern and interactive presentation. Concretely, I check this point before projecting: the summary zoom is generated from your sections: structure first, zoom then. »
Short wording, to be adapted to the audience and the context of the meeting.
Copy and paste template — “Zoom & non-linear navigation” checklist
CHECKLIST — Zoom & non-linear navigation
1. The Summary Zoom is generated from your sections: structure first, zoom then.
2. “Return to zoom” automatically switches back and forth: THE setting to check on each thumbnail.
3. Zoom = interactive navigation chosen live; Morphosis = scripted cutscene.
4. Thumbnails are living previews: they reflect the current content of the slides.
EXPECTED RESULT: An à la carte presentation: the audience chooses, you navigate fluidly, the menu always catches up with you.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
- Back to zoom still checked.
- 3 prepared courses (complete/express/questions).
- Test each thumbnail.
✗ Common pitfalls
- Zoom without return (stuck at the bottom).
- Summary not clickable even though it seems so.
- Count on Zoom in the PDF.
Key takeaways
- The Summary Zoom is generated from your sections: structure first, zoom later.
- “Return to zoom” automatically switches back and forth: THE setting to check on each thumbnail.
- Zoom = interactive navigation chosen live; Morphosis = scripted cutscene.
- Thumbnails are living previews: they reflect the current content of the slides.
48 hour challenge — apply tomorrow
Resume the interactive menu of your presentation on the Amel launch presentation: On a presentation organized in 3 sections (2.5): Insertion → Zoom → Summary zoom → check your 3 sections.. Time 20 minutes and note what has changed for the audience.
- I can explain and apply: The Summary Zoom is generated from your sections: structure first, zoom later.
- I can explain and apply: “Return to zoom” makes the automatic round trip: THE setting to check on each thumbnail.
- I can explain and apply: Zoom = interactive navigation chosen live; Morphosis = scripted cutscene.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Zoom and a simple internal link?
The link jumps sharply; Zoom animates the dive, shows a live preview and knows how to return to the menu automatically. For navigable media, Zoom is sleeker.
Does Zoom work in PowerPoint for the web?
READING yes (the slideshow respects zooms); creating/modifying zooms requires the desktop application.
The Summary Zoom is generated from…