> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.sendspark.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Record Over PowerPoint, PDFs & Applications

> Learn how to record yourself over PowerPoint, PDFs, and other applications using Sendspark Desktop Recorder with step-by-step setup.

To record yourself over PowerPoint, PDFs, or other applications, use the Sendspark Desktop Recorder rather than the Chrome Extension, whose camera bubble is limited to the Chrome browser. Install the desktop app, choose **Cam + Screen**, open your presentation, and click **Start Recording**. The desktop recorder also supports fullscreen slides and back-to-back recordings.

## Key takeaways

* The Chrome Extension can't record over PowerPoint, PDFs, or other apps because its camera bubble is restricted to the Chrome browser.
* To record over any application on your computer, use the [Sendspark Desktop Recorder](https://www.sendspark.com/download-desktop-application) instead.
* The desktop recorder also lets you record slides in fullscreen mode and record multiple videos back-to-back without waiting for the first to upload.
* Recording is four steps: install the desktop app, select **Cam + Screen**, open your presentation, and click **Start Recording**.
* To get slides filling the screen, see [recording PowerPoint in full screen](/how-to-record-in-powerpoint-in-full-screen). For Google Slides, you can skip recording altogether and use the deck as a dynamic background: see [pitch deck videos with Google Slides](/pitch-deck-videos-with-google-slides).
* A PDF open in a Chrome tab is the exception. The extension can record it once you [allow access to file URLs](/how-to-record-videos-over-pdf-files-chrome-extension).

We typically recommend using the [Sendspark Chrome Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/sendspark-video-and-scree/blimjkpadkhcpmkeboeknjcmiaogbkph) to record videos, because it's super fast to use from Chrome, and you get access to our[instant integrations](/sendspark-instant-integrations-how-they-work) with Gmail, LinkedIn, and other messaging platforms.

However, the Chrome Extension does *not* let you record yourself over PowerPoint, PDFs, or other applications. With the Chrome Extension, your camera bubble is restricted your Chrome browser.

**To record yourself on applications outside of Chrome, you need to use the Sendspark desktop recorder.**

The Sendspark Desktop Recorder lets you...

* Record over PowerPoint, PDF, and other applications on your computer
* Record over Slides in "fullscreen" mode (see [how to record PowerPoint in full screen](/how-to-record-in-powerpoint-in-full-screen) for clearing the ribbon and slide thumbnails first)
* Record multiple videos back-to-back, without waiting for the first video to upload

(If you do not have the Sendspark Desktop Recorder already,**[install it here](https://www.sendspark.com/download-desktop-application))**.

## How to Record Yourself Over PowerPoint

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/sendspark/s5dU4v067XiRwp4W/images/8505212/d418ad5c-image.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=s5dU4v067XiRwp4W&q=85&s=8ba4d8953bf77207c339abfd3b556424" alt="Sendspark Desktop Recorder" width="1518" height="884" data-path="images/8505212/d418ad5c-image.png" />

1. Install the [Sendspark Desktop App](https://www.sendspark.com/download-desktop-application)
2. Select **"Cam + Screen"** as the recording option
3. Open your PowerPoint presentation
4. Click **"Start Recording"**

## Frequently asked questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I get my slides to fill the whole screen?">
    Hide the slide thumbnails down the left, then use PowerPoint's ribbon drop-down to turn on **Single Line Ribbon** and **Automatically Hide**. That clears the interface so the slides fill the frame. See [recording PowerPoint in full screen](/how-to-record-in-powerpoint-in-full-screen).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My camera bubble doesn't appear when I record over a PDF. Why?">
    If the PDF is open in a Chrome tab, Chrome blocks extensions from reading local files by default, so the bubble never loads. Open the Sendspark extension's **Manage extension** page and turn on **Allow access to file URLs**. See [recording videos over PDF files](/how-to-record-videos-over-pdf-files-chrome-extension). For a PDF open in a separate application rather than Chrome, use the desktop recorder instead.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I use the Chrome Extension to record over PowerPoint?">
    With the Chrome Extension, your camera bubble is restricted to the Chrome browser, so it can't record over PowerPoint, PDFs, or other applications outside of Chrome. Use the Sendspark Desktop Recorder for that.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What can the Sendspark Desktop Recorder do that the extension can't?">
    The desktop recorder lets you record over PowerPoint, PDFs, and other applications on your computer, record over slides in fullscreen mode, and record multiple videos back-to-back without waiting for the first video to upload.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I get the Sendspark Desktop Recorder?">
    If you don't already have it, [install it here](https://www.sendspark.com/download-desktop-application).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which recording option should I choose to record over slides?">
    Select **Cam + Screen** as the recording option, then open your presentation and click **Start Recording**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

*Updated August 2026.*