Hello, my name is Erin.
This tutorial shows how to insert audio files in Microsoft Word.
We will also look at how to play inserted audio files.
I’ll be using Word for Microsoft 365.
These steps also apply to the standalone versions of the software back to Word 2013.
The steps are a bit different in Word for Mac, so we’ll cover this topic on a Mac in a separate tutorial.
Before we begin, it’s important to note that audio files inserted in Word don’t work in all situations.
In fact, at the time of this tutorial’s publication, audio files inserted in Word on a PC might not play in Word for Mac.
If this issue concerns you, consider creating a hyperlink to the audio file in cloud storage
rather than inserting it into your document.
My existing tutorial titled “How to Create External Hyperlinks in Microsoft Word,” which is linked below,
can be modified for audio files.
In addition, I will be creating a separate tutorial specifically for linking to cloud storage in the near future.
To being, place your cursor where you want to insert the audio file.
Then, select the Insert tab in the ribbon.
From there, select the Object button in the Text group.
And then select the Create from File tab in the Object dialog box.
Next, select the Browse button.
When the Browse dialog box appears, locate and select your audio file, which is commonly an MP3 or WAV file.
After you make your selection, the file name should appear in the File name text box.
Now, select the Insert button.
Returning to the Object dialog box, select "Link to file" if you want to link to the audio file rather than embed it in your document.
Embedded objects, such as audio files, become part of the Word document.
So, they don’t require your readers to have access to the source file.
However, they won’t update when the source file is updated.
And, they can substantially increase the Word document’s file size.
Linked objects appear in your document by creating a link to the source file,
but the source file isn’t stored in the Word document.
Therefore, linking requires your reader to have access to the source file.
The upside is that linked objects can be updated automatically or manually when the source file is updated.
And they don’t increase the file size substantially.
If you want to link your audio but are concerned about your readers having access to the source file,
one solution is to store your Word document and the source file together in cloud storage.
But be sure to do this before creating the link.
Next, select "Display as icon" if you want to display the audio file with an icon instead of just the file name.
For further customization, select the Change Icon button.
And then select the Browse button in the Change Icon dialog box to locate a different image stored in your computer.
Today, I am going to use the default icon.
However, I am going to write a caption in the Caption text box to replace the audio file name.
When you’re finished, select the OK button.
And then select the OK button in the Object dialog box.
Your inserted audio file should appear in your document.
To play the audio file, double-click it.
And then select the Open button in the Open Package Contents dialog box.
["Salt Creek" by Nat Keefe and Hot Buttered Rum from the YouTube Audio Library]
As you can see, the audio file will play in your default media player.
For most PC users, the default media player will be Groove Music
or Windows Media Player, which is what you see here.
Use the media player’s controls to pause, stop, or close the audio file as necessary.
And as always, remember to save your file to save your changes.
I have created many other videos about Microsoft Word
including “How to Insert Linked PowerPoint Slides in Microsoft Word.”
And, “How to Insert and Modify Images in Microsoft Word.”
Please see the complete list in the playlist titled “How to Use Microsoft Word,”
which is linked in the description box below.
All the steps we just performed are listed with images on erinwrightwriting.com,
along with all my other writing-related software tutorials to help you succeed at work and in the classroom.
Feel free to leave me a comment if there’s a specific topic that you would like me to talk about in the future.
And please subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss upcoming tutorials.
And give this video a thumbs-up if you found it helpful.
Thank you so much for watching!
[Typewriter sounds]