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How to Create a Microsoft Sway Presentation

Create and share interactive reports, stories, presentations, and more

how to use sway presentation

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What to Know

  • Go to Sway online or to the Sway desktop app. Select Create New . Enter a title on Title card. Select Backgrounds to add a background.
  • Select + to add a Text, Media, or Group card, and add content to the card. Repeat for additional cards.
  • Rearrange cards if needed. Select Play to view.

This article explains how to create a Microsoft Sway presentation using the the Sway desktop version in Windows 10 or the online version of Microsoft Sway. Additional information for using templates, adding text and images, and sharing and collaborating on the Sway is included.

You can create an array of content types using Microsoft Sway, the digital storytelling app available online or with Microsoft 365 . While there are some differences between the versions, making a basic presentation is essentially the same whether you use Microsoft Sway on your desktop or online.

Once you log in to or open the Sway app, you can start from scratch or base your design on one of the many templates provided.

Go to sway.office.com and log in with your Microsoft account to use Sway online. Type sway into the Windows Search box and select the Sway app to open Sway on your desktop if you have it installed.

Select a template that corresponds with the presentation you want to make, such as Business Presentation . Then choose Start Editing This Sway . A new presentation template opens.

Alternatively, select Create New to open a new, blank Sway.

Work With Cards in the Storyline

The Storyline is what makes Sway unique. Unlike other Office applications, Sway uses cards in which you create or import a variety of content. A card is a container that holds content within a Sway presentation, similar to a placeholder in PowerPoint.

The arrangement of the cards determines the appearance of your Sway presentation. You can easily rearrange the cards whenever you want to modify the way your Sway looks.

Open Sway and select Create New .

Enter a title into the Title card.

Select Backgrounds to add a background image.

Select the + button to add a new card.

Select the type of card you want to add. Options include Text , Media ,  or Group .

Choose the subtype of the card to add, such as Heading , Image , or Grid . Sway also suggests cards.

Add content to the new card. Continue adding cards and content until you have completed your Sway.

Select a card to see more options. For instance, on some cards, you can select focus points. On others, you can set the emphasis for the entire card.

Rearrange cards if desired. Select a card and drag it to the position you want it to appear.

Select Play to view your Sway at any time.

Use Templates in Sway

Like other Microsoft applications, Sway offers built-in templates you can use to make polished presentations quickly.

Open Sway and select a template under Start from a Template .

Select Start Editing This Sway . Wait for the template to prepare. It opens as a new Sway with sample content in place.

Select the Design tab in the upper-left corner and then choose Styles in the upper-right corner.

Change the Sway layout by choosing between Vertical , Horizontal , and Slides in the right pane.

Choose the Customize button to select custom colors, typography, or textures.

Select an alternative style or variation at the bottom of the Styles pane.

Select the Remix button at the top of the pane to let Sway change the design and layout for you. Keep selecting Remix to view more options.

Select the Undo button or press Ctrl + Z to go back to a previous option.

View or share the Sway when you're ready.

Text and Images

Enter the text and photos or graphics you want to use to create the bones of your Sway presentation. You can enhance your Sway by incorporating a range of content types from numerous sources.

Select the template title and replace it with the title you want to give your Sway presentation. The title you give your Sway is the first thing others see when you share your presentation.

Select the + button at the bottom of any card to add content such as text, images, or videos.

Select the Background area of a card to open the content pane. Search for public domain images and videos to insert in your presentation.

Alternatively, select the Insert tab in the upper-right corner to find content.

If you use Sway as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription, you see additional options in the content pane, such as OneDrive.

Rearrange cards by dragging and dropping a card.

Preview and Edit

Give your Sway presentation a good look before you share it with others. Customize the appearance further by changing the style.

Select the Design tab to preview your Sway presentation.

Select Play in the upper-right corner to preview how it will appear to others.

Select the Settings icon in the upper-right corner to choose a different layout.

Select Edit to return to the Storyline.

Choose Styles to view alternate styles. Select a style to apply it to your presentation.

Share Your Sway

You can share your design with others on a variety of platforms using numerous methods.

Select Share in the upper-right corner to view sharing options, including:

  • A shareable link.
  • A visual link with a preview of the Sway.
  • Direct share to Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.
  • An embed code.

Collaborate on a Sway Presentation

Microsoft Sway is ideal for collaborative designs. Whether you need to pitch in with classmates on a school project or work with colleagues on a company report, everyone involved can work together on a Sway presentation. It doesn't matter where they are located, provided they have internet access.

One of the sharing options is to Add an Author . When you use this feature, Sway generates a unique link. You can share this link by email, social media, or any other way you want with the people you want to collaborate with on the presentation. They can view the Sway using this link, and they can edit the file.

Suppose you change your mind. You can manage editing permissions on any Sway presentation.

Open the Sway presentation on which you want to collaborate with someone else.

Select Share in the upper-right corner.

Select the Edit button next to Invite People to. Sway generates an edit link.

Select More Options .

Choose Require a Password to View or Edit This Sway if you want to protect the presentation with a password.

Select Viewers Can See Share Buttons if you want other users or viewers to be able to share the Sway.

When you want to revoke access to your Sway, select Reset the Share Settings in the Share menu. The web address of your Sway is permanently changed, so the link you shared previously won't work for anyone. You can create a new link to reshare with whomever you choose.

Other Sway Presentation Features

Microsoft Sway isn't just another version of PowerPoint or Google Slides . PowerPoint is best suited for offline, static content such as graphs, flowcharts, and bullet points. Sway is ideal for dynamic, online content.

Like Google Slides, Sway lives online. But unlike Google Slides, Sway allows you to embed other Office files, such as Word , Excel , and PowerPoint documents, and individual charts and tables from Excel. 

Sway has other features and tools that might be beneficial when you want to enhance a presentation.

  • Record narration or other audio to any Audio card. Select the Record button and give Sway permission to use your microphone to begin recording. Press the Stop button when done and then choose to Add an Audio File .
  • Access Navigation View by selecting the Navigation button in the lower-right corner while in Design view.
  • Autoplay for users with a Microsoft 365 subscription. Select the ellipses in the upper-right corner of the window and choose Settings for This Sway to turn on Autoplay.

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What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It

A free, easy alternative to PowerPoint

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Microsoft Sway has been available for years, but remains one of Microsoft’s best-kept secrets. The digital storytelling app provides a quick way to create beautiful, animated presentations that are automatically tailored for different devices.

Unlike PowerPoint, there’s not much of a learning curve to Sway. Think of Microsoft Sway as PowerPoint for people who don’t want to learn PowerPoint. In fact, Sway doesn’t even want you to call them “presentations.” You’ll be creating “Sways.”

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 1

Is Microsoft Sway Free?

Microsoft Sway is a web app that’s free for anyone with a Microsoft account. Go to Sway on your browser and login with your Microsoft account. If you’re using Sway as part of Microsoft 365, you’ll have access to a few extra features that people using a free account won’t have, like removing the footer and adding password protection to your Sway presentation. 

Microsoft 365 users enjoy higher limits to the number of Sway elements they can use in each Sway they create.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 2

Again, these limits are per Sway presentation. The free account will likely suffice for most users.

How You Could Use Sway

Microsoft takes anxiety about design completely out of the creation process. All you have to do is add content. It’s Sway’s job to make it look good. Plus, Sway gives you access to lots of images and videos to use in your Sways for free. You could use Sway to create:

  • A presentation for work
  • A newsletter for clients
  • A slideshow of embarrassing photos for a friend’s Zoom birthday party
  • A compelling story on any topic you wish

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 3

A good first step is to look through the templates that Sway provides or “Get inspired by a featured Sway” and view some great examples of what you can do with the app. Alternatively, you can search for a topic, and Sway will create an outline for you to follow. Don’t you wish PowerPoint would do that for you?

How to Create and Design a Sway

The Sway workspace is divided into two tabs: Storyline and Design .

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 4

Since your final Sway isn’t likely to be a series of slides (although you will have that option), but rather a single, flowing web page that you’ll navigate through by scrolling (either top to bottom or left to right), think of your presentation as a trip you’ll be taking viewers on from start to finish.

Sway’s Storyline Workspace

Select Create New to begin a Sway from scratch, or select Start from topic to let Sway create an outline for you. Alternatively, you can begin by uploading a PDF, Word, or PowerPoint document, and Sway will use it as a template.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 5

In this case, we’ll search for a topic and select the Create outline button. Sway will create the framework of your presentation for you.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 6

Sway has automatically given the Sway a title and content cards which you can edit at any time. Delete any card by selecting the trash icon on the card you want to remove.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 7

You add content to your Sway by adding cards to the Storyline, and you can rearrange cards at any time with Sway’s drag-and-drop controls.

Click the Plus icon to add a card and choose what type of content you want. Content types include video, image, and text, among others.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 8

Another way to add content to your Sway is by searching for content on your computer or on the web. From the menu bar, select Insert.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 9

From there you can search a variety of sources for content to add to your Sway.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 10

Select a content source and then type a word or phrase into the field marked Search sources . Finally, select the magnifying glass icon or press Enter . Check the Creative Commons Only box to restrict the results to content that doesn’t require a license to use.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 11

Finally, select one of the search results and click the Add button to add that element to your Sway.

Card Options

Cards in the Storyline workspace offer a number of options depending on what type of content they hold. Image cards allow you to format the text of the image’s caption, choose the Focus Points on your image, and choose how much you want to emphasize that card.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 12

Setting focus points is important because it helps Sway choose how to position the image. Select the most important part(s) of the image, and Sway will determine the best position for the image depending on your device and the style you choose.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 13

You can see previews of how your content will look on a computer screen or a mobile device.

Text cards also provide options for text formatting, linking, and emphasis.

Sway’s Design Workspace

The Design workspace is where you can control the look and feel of your Sway. Select the Design tab from the menu.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 14

Then select Styles .

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 15

From the Styles panel, you can choose the orientation of your Sway. A Sway can be Vertical or Horizontal , or you can choose the Slides option. Select the style preview that you like best, and then click the Customize button to fine-tune your choice. You can always change your mind later.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 16

You’ll always see a preview of how your Sway will appear to others in the Design workspace.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 17

If you’re feeling uninspired, select the Remix button to let Sway choose the design and layout for you.

Select the Play button to get the full experience.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 18

How to Share Your Sway

The Share button gives you several ways to share your Sway.

What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It image 19

You can generate a view or edit link or share to Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn, or you can get the code to embed the Sway on a website.

Save Time and Impress Others with Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway is an excellent tool for quickly creating visually compelling stories. The next time you want to create a PowerPoint , try Sway instead. You’ll appreciate how fast you can go from an empty presentation to one that’s bold and beautiful no matter what device you view it on.

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Maggie Marystone is a freelance technology writer, human rights worker, and storyteller based in Chicago. Read Maggie's Full Bio

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The 8 Best Features of Microsoft Sway for Creating Interactive Reports and Presentations

Want to create stunning presentations, websites, or creative canvas on any device? Here's how Microsoft Sway can help!

Sway is a web-based Microsoft app that enables you to create personal stories, presentations, and interactive reports. You can include your own texts, images, and videos or search for related content online right from the Sway app.

Sway lets you present information or ideas in an interactive, appealing, and modern way without any design skills. You can also share your creative content securely with the masses.

This article introduces you to the vital Sway features that you can use to go creative with Sway.

1. Multiple Document Layouts & Styles

Your creative content doesn’t need to follow the styles and layouts of the tool on which you create. Sway lets you create your presentations, newsletters, or stories in three different layouts, like Horizontal, Vertical, and Slideshow. You can change the layout anytime during creation or even after publishing the content.

Related: The Best Free Email Template Builders for Freelancers

Sway content layouts are also compatible with left-to-right or right-to-left languages. Sway’s intelligent design program automatically adjusts the text alignment depending on the language.

Sway also has seven preset styles that you can apply in your slideshows or websites. The styles give you various designs for content layout, decorative elements, color, textures, and image captions.

For example, you might use the second style if you prefer elegance and cleanliness in your creative content. Select the fifth style if you want rich background textures and a bold design attitude.

2. Style Customizations and Remix

You can customize Sway content styles to enhance the visual quality of your creative content. You’ll see the Customize button once you choose a preset style from Sway.

The customize pane lets you change several attributes of the style. For example, you can modify the Font Choices , Color palettes , and Color inspiration . You can also change the Text size and Animation emphasis of some of the styles.

If you’re looking for quick content, Sway has just the right tool. Sway's automatic styling and layout feature keep offering you various content designs.

Add your texts, videos, images, and links, and then hit the Remix! button on the Design tab. Do you see anything you like? Keep that and publish your work. It’s that simple.

3. Live Content and Rich Visuals

Sway has in-built apps that feed relevant images, videos, and social media content. You can fetch third-party content from Flickr , Bing Images , YouTube , Pickit , and Twitter . You can also upload your own images or videos from OneDrive or local drive.

The following are the file size guidelines for Sway:

  • Up to 20 MB of PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, or Word file.
  • Up to 100 MB of a compatible audio file.
  • Not more than 768 MB of video content.
  • Images should be within 256 MB.

4. Edit the Grid for Image Groups

If you’re creating a Sway page with many photos or photo albums, you can make use of its photo grid or groups feature. You can choose from three groups: Automatic , Stack , and Grid .

There is a special option that turns your photo album into a slideshow. You can choose from three different styles of slideshows.

In the Storyline tab, add multiple images to see the card selection option. The Group menu will show up if you select more than one image card.

5. Simple Text Formatting

Sway offers simple text formatting options. Therefore, you don’t have to invest time in complex settings. You can introduce beautiful styling by using the style remix feature.

For the Heading Card, you get formatting options like Emphasize , Accent , and Link . Emphasize gives you a bold font, while Accent italicizes the text. You get a bit more text formatting choices for the Text Cards.

In addition to Emphasize , Link , and Accent , you get Bullets and Numbers . Therefore, you’ll find it easy if you need to list items for your services or portfolio websites.

The Link button lets you add Display Text and Web Link . You can modify the content style from the Design tab to change the font.

6. Various Text Placement Styles

Sway enables you to place the texts beside images, videos, or GIFs the way you want. It offers 360 degrees of text placement options like left-aligned, right-aligned, scroll texts over an image, and so on.

Sway also has intelligent text placement programming. Let’s say you need to add a long text with many paragraphs and a relevant image in a vertical layout content. Sway will automatically pin the image on the right side.

Now, if you scroll the website, the texts will scroll while the images will stay fixed in one place. Here, you can also get the text scrolling over an image effect if you choose Intense emphasis on the Image card.

7. Custom Backgrounds for Heading

Sway lets you customize your heading background the way you want. Let’s consider that you need more focus on the heading of your website or presentation in Sway.

To achieve that, add a solid color background behind the heading. Choose a contrasting color for effortless visualization of texts. You can upload or find a solid background image online on Sway.

Related: The Best Features of Prezi to Create Meaningful Presentations

You can also make more impact on the audience by adding high-resolution images as heading backgrounds. Choose an image with enough negative space so that the heading text stays visible.

Images as a website or report heading are perfect for branding a product or service that you offer.

8. Responsive and Interactive Online Document

Sway pages are responsive for most devices, like desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones. You can email the link to the Sway page to your mobile or tablet to see how it looks. Another way is to resize the website browser on which you’re working.

Sway will automatically adjust the website to best fit as you minimize or maximize the browser window.

You can also embed live Power BI charts and graphs in your Sway presentation or reports. Interactive charts and tables visualize the same way in Sway as they do in Power BI.

Flaunt Your Creativity With Sway

You can create amazing presentations, stories, websites, newsletters, reports, and photo albums by using the above-mentioned features of Sway. You can also easily brand your content the way you like it.

Sway helps you take your brand to the global audience effortlessly for free. Before portraying your stories on Sway, you can take some help from storyboarding apps to get them right.

What is Microsoft Sway and How Can it Be Used to Teach? Tips & Tricks

Microsoft Sway is a presentation tool that works really well for teaching

Microsoft Sway

Microsoft Sway is the company's alternative to PowerPoint as a presentation tool that embraces collaborative working. As such, this is a powerful system for teachers and students to use in the classroom and beyond.

The idea behind Sway is to offer a super simple setup that allows anybody to create presentation slideshows. This makes it good for both younger students and teachers for in-class or online-based presenting.

Thanks to the online nature of this tool there is a lot of rich media integration, allowing for plenty of visually engaging content to be incorporated. Using this collaboratively, for example in a student group, is an option both for in class as well as from home.

So is Sway the next presentation tool for your classroom?

What is Microsoft Sway?

Microsoft Sway at its most basic is a presentation tool. It uses slides to create a story flow that can be presented to a class or individual, or scrolled through by the viewer at their own pace. That makes it ideal for in-class presentations as well as at-home learning.

Microsoft Sway

Sway integrates with the Microsoft Office suite so it can be used easily in schools that already operate on the Microsoft Office platform, putting another creative tool at your disposal. But for those not paying, it won't matter as this is now freely available to all.

Thanks to the use of templates and tutorials it's easy to get started, even for those less technically abled people. It's also very straightforward to collaborate with online storage and link-based sharing available as standard.

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How does Microsoft Sway work?

Microsoft Sway is online-based within the Office suite so you can login and use the tool from within a browser. It's also available for free so anybody can head to the website and start using this tool without even needing to create an account.

As such, this is available on a lot of devices including laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Since storage can also be online, as well as local, students can start a project on a school computer and continue working on it using their own device when at home.

Microsoft Sway

Since Sway uses templates it's possible to get started right away in a very easy-to-use way. Pick the template and then it's just a matter of adding text and media as needed in the spaces provided. You can also make amends to personalize it more but that more complex functionality isn't required.

There is a tab section at the top with Storyline on one, in which you can edit and add in text and media. The Design tab allows you to preview how the end result looks, live, as you work – a very helpful option for students who want to see results as they play with this tool.

Once a presentation is built, there is a share button in the top right that allows a URL link to be created so sharing is super simple. Others can then visit that link and view the slideshow from any device they are using.

What are the best Microsoft Sway features?

Microsoft Sway is very simple to use making it great even for total beginners. Sharing is digital, which is easy, and there is also the option to export into Word or PDF format, making the process even more robust. 

Usefully, this can be shared digitally with certain people or groups, or with anyone sent the link. The person sharing can decide if others simply view the presentation or if they can have the option to edit also – helpful for creating a collaborative project that groups of students can work on together.

Microsoft Sway

That share button option can also be selected as sharable. This means a teacher can create a template then duplicate it and allow students to share it. Students are then able to make amends as needed, perhaps to input a science project with graphs and charts, before sharing with others in their work group to add their input.

Photos can be added in stacks that can be set to be used as swipeable, to flip through the selection, or to be static when viewed strictly as a gallery. Also available is the option to vary how the presentation is navigated, either vertically or horizontally – ideal if you are targeting smartphone screens or laptops, for example. 

Plenty of rich media can be imported easily, from using web images, GIFs, and videos to pulling in saved content from OneDrive that's cloud-stored. It's also easy to place links in the text so that anyone viewing the presentation can learn more as needed from third-party sources.

How much does Microsoft Sway cost?

Microsoft Sway is available as free to use online via a web browser, so anyone can use it on most devices without paying anything or even signing up with personal details such as an email address.

The tool is also available on iOS and Windows 11 in app format, which is also free.

For anyone already using the Microsoft Office suite there are going to be more options available in terms of admin controls. But, that said, payment isn't required to still get the most out of this useful online-based presentation tool.

Microsoft Sway best tips and tricks

Lab report Have students use Sway to present a lab report, individually or as a group, in which they create charts and graphs to show their findings in a visually striking way.

Present back Set a presentation task to individuals, or groups, and have them either present in class or share digitally what they've found so they learn to use the tool and others learn from what they're creating.

Portfolio Use this visually engaging tool as a way to build portfolios for students, either as a teacher or as done by the students themselves. This can be a place with all their work for the year, easily viewed and shared from one place.

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Luke Edwards is a freelance writer and editor with more than two decades of experience covering tech, science, and health. He writes for many publications covering health tech, software and apps, digital teaching tools, VPNs, TV, audio, smart home, antivirus, broadband, smartphones, cars and much more.

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How-To Geek

Powerpoint vs. sway: what's the difference.

They’re both from Microsoft, they both let you create presentations, what’s the deal?

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How powerpoint and sway are similar, they have different intents, you access sway mainly through the web, the interfaces are very different, powerpoint has more extensive features, sway has fewer collaboration tools, they have different channels for presentation, sway is always free, the bottom line.

Most people know of Microsoft PowerPoint. It's one of the most popular and widely used slideshow applications. But Microsoft has another application for creating presentations called  Sway . So how is Sway different from PowerPoint, and which should you use?

Each of these Microsoft applications provide a workspace with tools for you to make presentations . They can both accommodate business and personal purposes, provide you with features for making attractive presentations, and let you present your final product without leaving the app. 

Related: How to Use Microsoft Sway

You can customize the text, add images and videos, and view your presentation as it progresses through the creation process.

But this is pretty much where the similarities end. When you look at the differences between PowerPoint and Sway you can see how they're in fact two very different apps.

An important thing to keep in mind when comparing PowerPoint and Sway is that PowerPoint is a slideshow application whereas Sway is a presentation application. 

In PowerPoint, you build slides and move through each slide in order to present your show. PowerPoint is true slideshow software.

In Sway, you have one continuous "page," so to speak. Although you use building blocks (cards) to create the presentation, it appears as one flowing piece when complete.

Microsoft PowerPoint is primarily a desktop application that you can install on Windows and Mac. It also offers a web version along with Android , iPhone, and iPad apps; however, these additional options are a bit limited in features compared to the desktop version.

Microsoft Sway is primarily a web-based application. You can download the free desktop application to use on Windows 10 , but there is not currently a desktop version for Mac. Additionally, you won't find a Sway app for Android and the iOS version was retired in 2018 .

The user interfaces for PowerPoint and Sway are completely different. While they both offer a view of your recent files on the main screen, the workspaces look nothing alike.

PowerPoint mimics the other Microsoft Office applications with its tabs, ribbon, and work area. You'll find many different tools and can customize its appearance and options.

Sway, on the other hand, has a straightforward and mostly intuitive interface. You'll see only two main "tabs" that contain the tools you need to build and design your presentation.

With the differing intents in mind, comparing the features of PowerPoint versus Sway is, in a way, like comparing apples to oranges. For instance, PowerPoint lets you choose unique slide transitions as subtle (or more dramatic) ways to move from one slide to the next. Because Sway isn't limited to slides, this feature wouldn't make sense. So instead, let's look at what they each have to offer in their realm.

Related: How to Create a Summary Zoom Slide in Microsoft PowerPoint

In PowerPoint, you can add slide transitions, use text and image animations, and include charts and tables. You can create a summary slide , present a screen recording, add narration , and include a live camera feed. There's no doubt that PowerPoint offers an extensive feature set beyond Sway.

In Sway, you can add text, images, videos, audio files, and embedded content, just like PowerPoint. But a notable difference is in the images function. When you insert pictures or photos in Sway, you can display them in a grid, as a comparison, in a stack, or as a slideshow for your audience to control.

When choosing a layout for your presentation, because Sway uses a web page structure rather than a slideshow arrangement, you have multiple options. You can choose between a vertical, horizontal, or slide layout depending on how you want your presentation to flow.

Although Sway may not have as many features as PowerPoint, the ones it does offer are useful and smart. They focus on displaying an interactive continuous flow suitable for resumes, portfolios, newsletters, and stories.

Both PowerPoint and Sway have sharing and collaboration features with permissions for viewing and editing a presentation. 

Related: How to Collaborate on a Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation

In PowerPoint, you can share a link to the presentation file that your recipient can open with PowerPoint for the web to collaborate . You can use comments and resolve changes as you work on the slideshow together.

Sway offers a way to collaborate by adjusting the "view and edit" permissions, and optionally requiring a password when you share the link, just like PowerPoint. However, there is not a commenting feature like PowerPoint to talk through changes together. In that sense, Sway is a bit more limited.

To present a show in PowerPoint , you do so from the application itself. You then control the advancement of the slides. The intent is for you to present your slideshow to your audience. However, PowerPoint offers tools for automatically playing the show at a kiosk or on a monitor in a waiting room or conference room.

Related: How to Save or Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to a Video

If you want to share a completed presentation, you can save it as a video or GIF. Then, send it via email or share it on social media. 

With Sway, you don't have to control the presentation. What displays is an interactive page that your audience can go through at their own pace. They can move up or down, click a link, watch a video, and more. You can use the Autoplay setting and have it continuously loop if you like. But your audience can still interact with the presentation.

You can share a link, embed the presentation on a website, or post its link on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn directly from Sway. Because it's a self-guided, web-based application---and that's where your audience watches your presentation, on the web---Sway offers lets you reach audiences even if they don't have PowerPoint.

When it comes to the price tag for each application, there's a huge difference. PowerPoint is a paid application that's included in Microsoft 365 but can also be purchased alone. There is a free web version of PowerPoint , but it's severely limited in comparison to the paid edition.

Sway is a completely free application. All you need is a Microsoft account (also free) to sign in on the Sway website . The fact that Sway is free makes it an attractive and more available option for anyone who wants to create a presentation.

Related: How to Create a Microsoft account

Do you have the option to use either application but are simply unsure which is the best for you?

PowerPoint is a robust slideshow application that can provide businesses, charitable organizations, and educators an extensive, full-featured tool for creating presentations. Because of these healthy and hardy features, the interface may take some getting used to, especially for beginners.

Sway is an easy-to-use application that can produce eye-catching, interactive presentations. It's ideal for professional resumes, artistic portfolios, company newsletters , announcements, teaching materials, and personal stories. Presenting your Sway is as simple as sharing a link.

Related: How to Create Newsletter-Style Columns in Word

How to use Microsoft's Sway presentation program to tell a better story

Do you have a story to tell? Microsoft Sway is a versatile presentation program. Let Sway bring your story to life through beautiful, visual storytelling.

how to use sway presentation

Microsoft Sway turns the information you want to share into a website that your viewers can to visit. Sway provides a visually appealing means to help get your message across while also providing a measure of interactivity for your audience. It's your personal story in their personal viewing experience.

Sway is beneficial for experienced and novice presenters alike. If you have a difficult time communicating your message, using Sway to provide additional ways to convey the details helps to ensure the story doesn't get lost. And you may find it easier to use than PowerPoint.

How to access Sway

  • Creating a Storyline
  • Add media to a card
  • Embed content in a Sway
  • Sharing your Sway

Option No. 1

  • Log into your Office 365 account.
  • Click on the App Launcher .
  • Select and click on Sway from the list of app tiles.

Option No. 2

  • Navigate to https://sway.office.com/ .
  • Click on Sign in at the top right of the menu bar.
  • Enter your company's email account, or a Microsoft account and password.

The Sway home page offers a simple interface. This makes sense because the company claims you can create a story in three minutes.

Sway storyline

The main screen gives you several ways to let you begin capturing your story. The bar near the top gives you a few options:

  • Create New — Allows you to create a Sway without any predefined setup.
  • Start from a Topic — Populates cards with content provided through search results.
  • Start from a document — Extracts information from files and adds it to cards for you.

Further down the page, Sway offers assistance by giving you a list of templates to start with, including newsletters, DIY project recaps, and student reports. Another section serves to inspire you by featuring existing Sways. To begin, let's look at starting a Sway from scratch.

Creating a 'Storyline'

All of the components of a Sway are given unique names, so it's helpful to know them to understand the process.

A "Storyline" is a place where you will compose your work. Each item created is applied to the Storyline, much like adding subcategories to a category. The content that is applied to the Storyline lives within Cards. These cards appear in consecutive order and house all items that appear in your story. In the edit screen, the Storyline section is on the right side, while card options are on the left by default. Keep in mind that the order of the cards can always be sorted based on your needs.

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Create a title card

Sway add card

  • Click Create new from the home page.
  • On the automatically generated card, input a title in the Title your Sway field.
  • Choose to bold or italicize the title or add a link. (optional)
  • Click on Background to select a background image.
  • You can also enter search terms in the search field to display image results from Bing. Click on an image and then click add to insert or click and drag the image onto the card.
  • Click on the + icon at the bottom left corner of the card to complete working on it and begin another.

Create a content card

Below each card, Sway will display additional options for the new card, including:

  • Heading — Creates another title card, used to indicate the beginning of sections. It can also give a header for a card containing content.
  • Text — Creates a card to display information.
  • Image — Allows you to insert an image into a card.
  • Insert from my device — Enables images and other files to be uploaded.

Add text to a card

  • From the previous card, click on the + .
  • Click on text .
  • Type in the text that you want to display or copy and paste from another source.
  • Use the editing items in the toolbar above the text entry field to emphasize (bold), accent (italicize), convert to bulleted or numbered list, or add a link (either the actual link address or hyperlinked text displayed).
  • Click on the + icon to create a new card.

For easy text input options, you can use the "Insert from my device" option to upload the text from a Word document into a new card. The document name is automatically added as a header or title, and the remaining text is added to the text card.

Adding media to a card

The process and results of adding media to a card are different than adding a background image. The impact that this media makes is also different. You can select the type of media you want to add from the Card column and then choose from Image, Video, Audio or Embed. Clicking on a media type generates a card in the Storyline.

To add an image, video or audio file

Sway add image

  • Select Image , Video or Audio from the Card column.
  • Add a media file by clicking on the Add field or click and drag the file to the Drag (media type) here field.
  • Use the text entry field to the right of the Drag an image here field to enter in a caption.

Media cards can also be grouped together, allowing for multiple files to appear at the same time. By doing so, you can create a message with more impact, having video or music playing to compliment powerful imagery. By using the Group section in the Cards column, you can create various layouts, such as a slideshow, side-by-side comparisons or a grid view.

Embed content in Sway

You may choose to embed many different files, charts or social media posts directly into your Storyline. If you decide to embed a URL into your Sway, keep in mind that it will only work if you use the https:// secure prefix. Sway allows content to be embedded across a variety of apps and services from Microsoft, Google and other companies. An example of this is using Microsoft Forms to embed a form into your Sway. By doing so, your audience can partake in a survey, leave feedback or even take a quiz.

It's also possible to embed a Sway within a Sway, providing a means to share more in-depth content in a contained space.

How to embed a Sway within a Sway

Sway embed

  • Locate and open the Sway to be embedded.
  • Click the Share icon found in the navigation bar at the top.
  • Click on Get embed code .
  • Copy the generated code found in the displayed field.
  • Navigate to the Sway that required the embedded content.
  • Click on Cards .
  • Choose Embed from the Media section in the left column.
  • Paste the embed code in the card that appeared in your Storyline.

How to embed content

  • From the source, copy the embed code for the necessary content.
  • Head back to Sway and click on Cards .
  • In the media section, click on Embed .
  • Paste the code into the new card.

Preview and share

Once you have captured the story that you want to tell, you can choose to preview it as well as share it with others. Both of these options can be found in the top navigation bar.

How to preview your Sway

Sway play

  • Click on Play to begin the preview session.
  • Click on the navigation icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen to move to a different section.
  • Click on the Settings icon in the top-right menu tray to manage autoplay settings.
  • Use the speed bar to alter the transition speed between three and 60 seconds.
  • Choose to have the Sway continuously loop.
  • Choose from three different transition type between sections.

While the Sway is in presentation mode, the pause and play, stop and settings icons are displayed on the bottom-right corner, allowing viewers to view the Sway how they see fit. An edit icon at the top-right corner returns you to the Storyline view, in case you need to make any adjustments.

To share your Sway

Sway share

  • Click on the Share icon on the top right corner of the navigation bar in Storyline mode.
  • Specific people — Allows you to enter names or email address for a targeted audience.
  • Those in your organization with the link — Generates a web link that can be copied, embedded or published on Docs.com.
  • Anyone with a link — Allows the link to be published, embedded or copied, but also provides quick links to Facebook, Twitter or Linkedin.
  • Choose if you wish to invite people to view only or permit them to edit as well.
  • Choose if viewers are required to enter a password to view the Sway.
  • Choose if viewers can see Share buttons to further spread the Sway.

You now have the basics to get your story across to your audience. Sway is a creative way to do it and could allow you to make a lasting impression. It's not just about the information you share, after all, it's also how you share it.

Have you used Sway before? Did it help tell your story? Let us know in the comments

You can also visit our Office 101 help hub for more related articles.

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how to use sway presentation

What is Microsoft Sway? How to use the powerful presentation program, and how it differs from PowerPoint

  • Microsoft Sway is a presentation program that lets you create slideshows, newsletters, resumes, blogs, and more.
  • You can also share your Microsoft Sway projects online with friends or co-workers.
  • Sway has templates you can use to start your projects, but you aren't limited to those.

Microsoft has spent decades as both a hardware and software juggernaut. And when you look at their products, it's not hard to see why — nearly every PC user on Earth has used Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 at some point.

And although we tend to think of Office as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, there are actually a lot more programs out there.

One of the most useful is Microsoft Sway. Sway is a presentation making app that can can be accessed at sway.office.com for free as long as the user has a Microsoft account . For those with a  Microsoft 365 subscription , Sway offers more features than the free version.

What is Microsoft Sway?

Microsoft Sway is similar to PowerPoint in that both can be used to create eye-catching and informative presentations . But while PowerPoint centers around the slideshow format, Sway's applications are more varied. 

With Sway, you can create anything from newsletters and resumes to portfolios and blogs. You can start from scratch if you have a specific design in mind, or you can upload images, documents, and YouTube videos, and Sway will design something for you around that. 

Additionally, Microsoft Sway is hosted entirely online, making it easy to access and share your finished work anywhere with an internet connection.

How to use Microsoft Sway

To get started on Microsoft Sway, you need to choose one of three options from the application:

  • "Create New" will enable you to create a Sway project from scratch.
  • "Start from a topic" will let you search specific topics and create an outline for your presentation based on that topic.
  • "Start from a document" will prompt you to upload a document, which Sway will adapt into a presentation draft.

You can also click on one of the available templates for an instant outline. 

There are two main components to Sway's interface: the Storyline tab and the Design tab. The Storyline is your dashboard for organizing the presentation's content, while the Design is where you'll see how the presentation actually looks. To put it more simply, you create the presentation in the Storyline tab, and people who view it will see the Design tab.

If you've ever created a blog using Wordpress, that's a good reference point for how Sway's Storyline works. The Storyline breaks up individual paragraphs, images, and videos into "cards" so that they're easy to keep organized, move around, and tell the story you're trying to communicate with your presentation. As you move items around on your Storyline, the Design tab will reflect those changes.

Once you're ready to share your Sway, click the "Play" button in the upper-right corner to see how it looks, then click "Share" to send the finished Sway to whoever you want. 

As with most creative endeavors, the easiest way to start putting together amazing Sways is to play around with it and see what works best for what you're trying to do.

how to use sway presentation

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8 Best Ways to Use Microsoft Sway

how to use sway presentation

Namrata Gogoi is an author covering Buying Guides and device-related tips and tricks. She loves learning and writing about gadgets and accessories that are functional, innovative, and have a positive impact on people's lives. Since 2016, she has covered smartphones, computer accessories, household electric appliances, and any product that helps bring convenience to one's life. Previously, she worked as an IT Analyst at TCS but found her calling at Guiding Tech.

Microsoft Sway can be termed as the newer and friendlier alternative to PowerPoint. This cloud-based app brings a fresh new perspective to PowerPoint . Using it, you can easily create a newsletter or your resume with minimum efforts. All you need to know is your way around this tool, and you’ll be a power user in no time.

8 Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway

So, if you are thinking of getting the most out of Microsoft Sway, the following guide will help you make the best use of it.

Let’s get started.

Who Can Use Sway?

Microsoft Sway is free. Yep, you heard me right. As long as you have a Microsoft account, you can use Sway. Or if you have an Office 365 subscription, you can enjoy some more benefits like password protecting your files and documents.

Sway Office 2

The bottom line is, as long as you have a functioning Microsoft account, you can create Sway documents.

When it comes to apps, you can get the Windows 10 version from the Microsoft Store. Or else, you can simply log in at sway.office.com website.

Since it’s mostly an web app, there’s no fuss of setup and other such things. Similar to Google Docs , all you need to do is sign in and access the various templates.

If you do install the Windows 10 version of Sway, let me tell you that accessing it is exactly the same as the online version.

1. How to Create Sways

Yep, Sway files are called Sways. Now that we have settled it let’s see how to create Sways. When you log in, you will find a bunch of templates on the home page. Pick one that matches your work. In my case, I picked up the Business Presentation template.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 13

You’ll be redirected to the preview of the Sway. You can click on the right and left arrows to navigate through the slides. Or you can simply see the overview of the file by clicking on the Navigate button.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 7

To start editing the Sway, click on ‘Start editing this Sway’ and you’ll be redirected to the Edit view.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 8

Now, all you need to do is add the content.

2. How to Add Content

Adding content to Sways is a child’s play, for every little tool and feature, is so neatly arranged. Plus, the large fonts and the intuitive interface makes it a straightforward affair.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 9

Simply click on a header (or the text/image) on any card that you want to change. Below each card, you’ll find a Plus icon that lets you add any content.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 10

At the time of writing, Sway allows to add images, audio, video and even embed URLs and groups cards. Naturally, you can also add content from your PC.

Unsure about how the document is turning out? Click on the Design tab to see a preview of the current Sway.

3. Get a Hold of the Editing Tools

For adding images, click on the image holder and a panel will open on the right side. The good thing is that Sway will auto-suggest you pictures based on your theme.

Auto Suggest

All you need to do is click on the suggestions, to open the window to more options. Select one and hit the Add button at the top.

2019 06 13 00 46 56

The same is true for video. Plus, you can always add content from your PC or OneDrive account .

And as far as changing text styles is concerned, you can make a text bold or italics, or even add a link. All these formatting options sit at the top ribbon.

4. How to Set Focus Points

An interesting feature of Sway is the Focus Point. You can point out the areas of a picture where you’d want to focus on with it.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 12

To use it, click on an image and select the Focus point option. Next, touch the areas that you want to focus on. Interestingly, if the whole frame is important, you can always select the checkbox below the image.

5. Get Your Way Around Templates and Styles

Annoyed that Sway has limited templates? Well, let me tell you that this cloud-based service has a variety of styles for a particular template. To change the style, open a template and go to its Design mode.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 11

Next, click on the Styles icon at the upper-right corner, and bingo!

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 14

Pick one from the dozens of different styles, and you should be sorted. The thing about Styles is that the color palette and the font are built-in. Hence, when you pick a style, make sure that it sits with our theme.

Thankfully, the story doesn’t end here. Sway lets you customize the design of your document, thus giving you the independence to choose your font, animation emphasis, color palette, and the size of the text.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 15

In a mood for fun? Tap on the Remix! button and witness the magic unfold.

6. Create your Custom Sways

Apart from the templates and different styles, you can also make Microsoft Sway build you a template of a topic of your choice.

For instance, if you want a template for a project related to technology, Sway does its best to gather all the information regarding the topic and puts them in a nice template.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 6

All you have to do is go to the Sway home page, and select Start a Topic.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 5

Add your interest and wait for a couple of minutes while Sway churns out a story line for you.

7. How to Share Sways

Alright, you have picked the style, created a Sway, now what? Share the Sway, of course.

Click on Share at the top-right corner and copy the link. Other than the plain link sharing, Sway also bundles a couple of other sharing options . For example, you can share the visual link directly on your emails.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 16

Visual links give a preview of the header image along with the title. That way, users would be more inclined to click on it.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 17

Apart from that, you can share Sways directly to your Facebook and Twitter account. You can also copy the embed code.

8. Collaborate Smartly

Collaboration is the key theme to any online service, be it Dropbox Paper or Google Docs . Akin to these services, you can also invite your colleagues to collaborate on the same.

Best Ways To Use Microsoft Sway 18

To invite your colleagues, click on Share, and select the edit option. Once done, share the link.

Sway Your Way In

That’s how you could, showcase your impressive ideas using Microsoft Sway. Not only does it make your portfolio, presentation or resume to stand out, but it also makes sure that you do not spend many restless nights while creating them.

Next up: Managing emails can be a tough business. Thankfully, it can be made simpler via rules. Learn how to create rules through the post below.

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Last updated on 13 July, 2021

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

how to use sway presentation

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

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Create Visually Engaging Presentations using Microsoft Sway

Taught in English

Archisha Bhar

Instructor: Archisha Bhar

Coursera Plus

Guided Project

Recommended experience.

Beginner level

No prior experience needed.

(11 reviews)

What you'll learn

Create a new Sway on the web and add headings, text, images and videos to it

Customize a Sway using different design elements

Share a finished Sway on the web

Skills you'll practice

  • Business Communication
  • Business development
  • Presentation Design
  • Communication Design
  • Graphic Design

Details to know

how to use sway presentation

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About this Guided Project

Do you want to wow your audience with interactive, engaging presentations? With Microsoft Sway, you’re no longer limited to picking pre-designed templates that make your presentations look like everyone else’s. You don’t have to have any design skills to transform and showcase information in modern, interactive, and attention-getting ways. Sway lets you customize styles to your liking, and intelligently suggests unique styles that suit your presentation!

This Guided Project, "Create Visually Engaging Presentations using Microsoft Sway'' is for creative-minded, keen learners, who want to improve their business communication and delivery effectiveness, or simply learn something new. In this 2-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to create a new Sway, add content to a Sway, customize a Sway using different design elements, and share a finished Sway on the web. After completing this project, you’ll be able to create modern, professional-looking presentations for any occasion in minutes using Sway! Sway is free to use for anyone with a Microsoft Account (Hotmail, Live, or Outlook.com). If you don’t already have an account, you'll learn how to create one here. Are you excited to make an impression on your next presentation? Then what are you waiting for? Let's get started!

Learn step-by-step

In a video that plays in a split-screen with your work area, your instructor will walk you through these steps:

Sign in to Sway - Create a Microsoft account to use Sway on the web for free

Create in Sway - Create a new Sway from scratch, from content in an existing file, or from a topic

Add Content in Sway - Add text and images to a Sway

Optional Practice Task - Add headings and videos to your Sway

Design in Sway - Customize a Sway using different design elements

Bonus Task - Let Sway suggest styles for your presentation

Optional Practice Task - Customize the Style of your Sway

Share in Sway - Share a finished Sway on the web

Optional Portfolio Activity - Create an entire complete presentation in Sway for your next business meeting

9 project images

how to use sway presentation

The Coursera Project Network is a select group of instructors who have demonstrated expertise in specific tools or skills through their industry experience or academic backgrounds in the topics of their projects. If you're interested in becoming a project instructor and creating Guided Projects to help millions of learners around the world, please apply today at teach.coursera.org.

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Practice new skills by completing job-related tasks.

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Follow along with pre-recorded videos from experts using a unique side-by-side interface.

No downloads or installation required

Access the tools and resources you need in a pre-configured cloud workspace.

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This Guided Project is designed for laptops or desktop computers with a reliable Internet connection, not mobile devices.

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Frequently asked questions

Are guided projects available on desktop and mobile.

Because your workspace contains a cloud desktop that is sized for a laptop or desktop computer, Guided Projects are not available on your mobile device.

Who are the instructors for Guided Projects?

Guided Project instructors are subject matter experts who have experience in the skill, tool or domain of their project and are passionate about sharing their knowledge to impact millions of learners around the world.

Can I download the work from my Guided Project after I complete it?

You can download and keep any of your created files from the Guided Project. To do so, you can use the “File Browser” feature while you are accessing your cloud desktop.

How much experience do I need to do this Guided Project?

At the top of the page, you can press on the experience level for this Guided Project to view any knowledge prerequisites. For every level of Guided Project, your instructor will walk you through step-by-step.

Can I complete this Guided Project right through my web browser, instead of installing special software?

Yes, everything you need to complete your Guided Project will be available in a cloud desktop that is available in your browser.

What is the learning experience like with Guided Projects?

You'll learn by doing through completing tasks in a split-screen environment directly in your browser. On the left side of the screen, you'll complete the task in your workspace. On the right side of the screen, you'll watch an instructor walk you through the project, step-by-step.

More questions

how to use sway presentation

Frequently asked questions about Sway

What are the system requirements for sway.

For details about supported browsers and available Sway apps, see System requirements for Office .

How do I access Sway on the Web?

In your web browser, visit sway.office.com and then sign in using your work or school account, or your Microsoft account.

You already have a Microsoft account if you use any of these services:

Outlook.com (including any Hotmail or Live.com email address)

Office for home product

If you don’t already have a Microsoft account, click here to sign up for free .

You can also access Sway from the Office.com home page by clicking the Sway tile in the middle of the page, or on the menu in the upper left corner of your screen.

Tip:  If you're having trouble accessing Sway on the web log out from your account, clear your browser cookies and cache, and restart your browser.

Where can I download the Sway app?

You can download our free Sway app for your Windows 10 device from the following location:

Sway for Windows 10

What devices support Sway?

Sway on the Web is best experienced when using Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer 11, Firefox 17 or later, Chrome 23 or later, and Safari 6 or later. Viewing Sway on the Web works at any screen resolution, but creating and editing Sway requires a minimum screen width of 600 pixels or larger.

Can I create a Sway in another language?

Sway is currently available in 67 languages:

Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Basque, Belarusian, Bulgarian, Catalan, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English (United States), English (United Kingdom), Estonian, Filipino, Finnish, French (Canada), French (France), Galician, German, Greek, Hausa (Latin), Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Kannada, Kazakh, Khmer, KiSwahili, Korean, Lao, Latvian, Lithuanian, Macedonian, Malayalam, Malay, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Romanian, Russian, Serbian (Cyrillic), Serbian (Latin), Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish (Mexico), Spanish (Spain), Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek (Latin), and Vietnamese.

Sway is available in these languages for both consumers and Microsoft 365 business and education plans.

Can I download a Sway?

Sway requires an internet connection and needs to remain online to manage the layout of your content. In case you want to store an offline copy of your content, you can export your Sway content to Word or PDF.

Can I print a Sway?

Yes, you can print your Sway content.

How can I provide feedback or feature requests for Sway?

We love hearing from you! Please send your feedback and feature requests to us here:

Sway on Microsoft Tech Community

My question isn’t answered here. What can I do?

If you need additional assistance with Sway, please try any of the following:

View and post questions in the Sway Community forums to get free technical assistance from experienced Sway users and members of the Sway product team.

Visit the Answer Desk for a list of additional Support options.

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IMAGES

  1. How to use Microsoft's Sway presentation program to tell a better story

    how to use sway presentation

  2. How to Use Sway in Creating your Presentations

    how to use sway presentation

  3. How to Use Microsoft Sway To create a PowerPoint Presentation

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  4. Create a BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION on SWAY / Easy student edition using Sway on Office 365

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  5. How to Create Interactive Presentations Using Microsoft Sway

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  6. Microsoft SWAY

    how to use sway presentation

VIDEO

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  2. How to make presentation in MS Sway? Urdu/Hindi

  3. Microsoft Sway: Make online Presentation in Professional...By Ahuja Technical Hant

  4. How to use Sway Charts Pro

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COMMENTS

  1. Getting Started with Sway

    Video: Use Sway to reimagine how your ideas come to life. ... or appear like a presentation. Share your Sway. Ready to share your Sway with the world — or perhaps just with selected people? Click the Share button on the top menu bar and then select how you want to share your Sway. Your choices on this menu depend on the type of account that ...

  2. How to Use Microsoft Sway

    Start From a Topic: Enter a search term and Sway creates an outline of sections for you. Start From a Document: Upload a document such as an outline or article and Sway inserts your content into sections. Start From a Template: Use one of the templates for a jump start on your project. Topics range with options for a newsletter, resume ...

  3. How to use Microsoft Sway

    In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to get started with Microsoft Sway. Sway is an easy-to-use digital storytelling app for creating interactive reports...

  4. How to Make Presentations and More with Microsoft Sway

    Welcome to my comprehensive beginner's guide to Microsoft Sway! If you're looking to learn how to create engaging and visually stunning presentations, report...

  5. DEMO: Awesome presentations in 10 mins with Sway (Microsoft ...

    Powerpoint is dead! Sway is the new king!In this demo I create a high res interactive presentation from scratch in just 10 minutes with Microsoft Sway. And y...

  6. How to Create a Microsoft Sway Presentation

    Create and share interactive reports, stories, presentations, and more. Go to Sway online or to the Sway desktop app. Select Create New. Enter a title on Title card. Select Backgrounds to add a background. Select + to add a Text, Media, or Group card, and add content to the card. Repeat for additional cards.

  7. Microsoft Sway

    Create and share interactive reports, presentations, personal stories, and more. Sway is an easy-to-use digital storytelling app for creating interactive reports, presentations, personal stories and more. Its built-in design engine helps you create professional designs in minutes. With Sway, your images, text, videos, and other multimedia all flow together in a way that enhances your story.

  8. What Is Microsoft Sway and How to Use It

    All you have to do is add content. It's Sway's job to make it look good. Plus, Sway gives you access to lots of images and videos to use in your Sways for free. You could use Sway to create: A presentation for work. A newsletter for clients. A slideshow of embarrassing photos for a friend's Zoom birthday party.

  9. The 8 Best Features of Microsoft Sway for Creating Interactive ...

    6. Various Text Placement Styles. Sway enables you to place the texts beside images, videos, or GIFs the way you want. It offers 360 degrees of text placement options like left-aligned, right-aligned, scroll texts over an image, and so on. Sway also has intelligent text placement programming.

  10. What is Microsoft Sway, and What Can I Do with It?

    Sway is a simple tool that can produce some great results. It's jam-packed with features to help you with the difficult design bits so you can focus on the content and best of all it's free. Microsoft doesn't always get things right, but with Sway, they've created something handy, at the best possible price.

  11. What is Microsoft Sway and How Can it Be Used to Teach ...

    published 11 July 2022. Microsoft Sway is a presentation tool that works really well for teaching. (Image credit: Microsoft Sway) Microsoft Sway is the company's alternative to PowerPoint as a presentation tool that embraces collaborative working. As such, this is a powerful system for teachers and students to use in the classroom and beyond.

  12. Microsoft Sway

    See how to create a Sway in Microsoft 365 using a series of cards and how to use the built-in design templates to style it. Sway is meant to create presentat...

  13. PowerPoint vs. Sway: What's the Difference?

    The Interfaces Are Very Different. PowerPoint Has More Extensive Features. Sway Has Fewer Collaboration Tools. They Have Different Channels for Presentation. Sway Is Always Free. The Bottom Line. Most people know of Microsoft PowerPoint. It's one of the most popular and widely used slideshow applications. But Microsoft has another application ...

  14. How to use Microsoft's Sway presentation program to tell a better story

    Click on the navigation icon at the bottom-right corner of the screen to move to a different section. Click on the Settings icon in the top-right menu tray to manage autoplay settings. Use the ...

  15. What Is Microsoft Sway? the Presentation App Explained

    Microsoft Sway is a presentation program that lets you create slideshows, newsletters, resumes, blogs, and more. You can also share your Microsoft Sway projects online with friends or co-workers ...

  16. 8 Best Ways to Use Microsoft Sway

    4. How to Set Focus Points. An interesting feature of Sway is the Focus Point. You can point out the areas of a picture where you'd want to focus on with it. To use it, click on an image and ...

  17. Create Visually Engaging Presentations using Microsoft Sway

    This Guided Project, "Create Visually Engaging Presentations using Microsoft Sway'' is for creative-minded, keen learners, who want to improve their business communication and delivery effectiveness, or simply learn something new. In this 2-hour long project-based course, you will learn how to create a new Sway, add content to a Sway, customize ...

  18. How to Build a Presentation in Sway

    This video shows you how to create a presentation in Sway using the new layout optimized for presentations. Learn how to use groups, grids, captions, and foc...

  19. Frequently asked questions about Sway

    Sway is available in these languages for both consumers and Microsoft 365 business and education plans. Can I download a Sway? Sway requires an internet connection and needs to remain online to manage the layout of your content. In case you want to store an offline copy of your content, you can export your Sway content to Word or PDF. ...

  20. [ SWAY ]Add and view PowerPoint presentations directly from SWAY

    Learn different ways to save / export PowerPoint presentations and add them to a SWAY making presentations and resource material more accessible to students ...

  21. Create a BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION on SWAY / Easy student ...

    This video was created for my students and specifically demonstrates how to create an easy, basic presentation on Sway. However, you can easily adapt the ste...