Animation and Motion in PowerPoint

Animations can make presentations engaging, but they can also cause serious problems for some users. Flashing content can trigger seizures, and excessive motion can cause motion sickness or make content difficult to follow.

What This Means

Animations and transitions should not flash rapidly (more than 3 times per second), and excessive motion should be minimized. Users should be able to access content even if animations don't play.

Why It Matters

• Flashing content can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy
• Excessive motion causes vestibular issues (dizziness, nausea)
• Animations can distract from content comprehension
• Screen readers may miss animated content timing

Common Violations

PPTX-08-001: Animation May Cause Seizures or Motion Sickness {#PPTX-08-001}

What's Wrong: The presentation contains animations that flash rapidly or use excessive motion effects that may trigger seizures or cause motion sickness.

Impact: Critical - Can cause physical harm to users with photosensitive conditions.

Dangerous Animation Types:

Flashing/Strobing:

• Rapid color changes
• Blinking elements
• Strobe effects
• Fast on/off animations

Excessive Motion:

• Spinning objects
• Rapid zooming in/out
• Bouncing elements
• Complex path animations
• Parallax effects

How to Identify:

1. Review all animations on each slide
2. Go to Animations > Animation Pane
3. Preview animations at full speed
4. Note any that flash or move rapidly

Safe Animation Guidelines

Flash Threshold

• Maximum 3 flashes per second (WCAG requirement)
• No flashing that covers more than 25% of the screen
• Avoid red flashing especially (most likely to cause seizures)

Motion Guidelines

• Use simple, slow transitions
• Avoid spinning or bouncing
• Keep animations brief
• Don't animate large areas simultaneously

Recommended Effects

Safe Transitions:

• Fade
• Push (slow)
• Wipe (slow)

Safe Animations:

• Appear/Disappear (no motion)
• Fade In/Out
• Grow/Shrink (subtle, slow)

Effects to Avoid

Risky Transitions:

• Flash
• Zoom (fast)
• Vortex
• Ripple

Risky Animations:

• Spin
• Bounce
• Pulse (fast)
• Blink
• Random Bars

Configuring Safe Animations

Slow Down Animations:

1. Select the animated object
2. Go to Animations > Animation Pane
3. Click the animation dropdown
4. Select Effect Options
5. Increase the Duration (2+ seconds is safer)

Remove Problematic Animations:

1. Open Animation Pane
2. Select the animation to remove
3. Press Delete or click Remove

Test Timing:

1. Go to Slide Show > From Beginning
2. Watch all animations at full speed
3. Count flashes per second if concerned
4. Note any that cause discomfort

User Control

Allow users to control or skip animations:

Build Slides Without Animation Dependency:

• Content should make sense without animations
• Don't reveal critical information only through animation
• Provide static alternatives

Consider a Non-Animated Version:

• Offer a version without animations
• Use animation-free template for accessibility
• Include in accessibility options

Screen Reader Considerations

Screen readers interact differently with animations:

Timing Issues:

• Animations may complete before screen reader catches up
• Important content might be "announced" but not yet visible
• Consider removing animation triggers

Auto-Advance Slides:

• Avoid auto-advancing slides
• Users need time to navigate content
• Manual advance is more accessible

Testing Animation Accessibility

Manual Review:

1. List all animations used
2. Check each against safe guidelines
3. Time any rapid effects
4. Test transitions between slides

Sensitivity Testing:

1. Watch the full presentation
2. Note any discomfort (even mild)
3. Ask others to review
4. Err on the side of removing questionable effects

Technical Testing:

1. Use the Photosensitive Epilepsy Analysis Tool (PEAT)
2. Export presentation as video
3. Analyze for flashing content

When to Use Animation

Appropriate Uses:

• Gradual reveal of complex diagrams
• Showing step-by-step processes
• Highlighting key points subtly
• Transitions between major sections

Inappropriate Uses:

• Every slide transition
• Decorative effects without purpose
• Keeping audience "entertained"
• Showing off PowerPoint features

Best Practices

Do:

• Use animations sparingly and purposefully
• Keep animations slow (2+ seconds)
• Use subtle effects (fade, appear)
• Test on people with motion sensitivity
• Provide non-animated alternatives

Don't:

• Use flashing or strobing effects
• Create rapid spinning or bouncing
• Auto-advance slides
• Assume animations help comprehension
• Use animation as decoration

Additional Resources

• Microsoft: Make your PowerPoint presentations accessible
• W3C WCAG 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
• W3C WCAG 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions
• Trace Research Center: PEAT Tool