UbiTimer advanced timing
PowerPoint Timer Groups — Time Different Slide Sections
PowerPoint Timer Groups let you use one timer across a defined range of slides. Instead of creating a separate timer on every slide, choose a start slide, end slide and duration for that section.
The timer can continue while you move through the slides in the group, making Timer Groups useful for lessons, assessments, workshops, training sessions and structured presentations.
What Are Timer Groups in PowerPoint?
A Timer Group defines a range of PowerPoint slides that share one timer. You choose the slide range and duration, and UbiTimer manages the timer as you move through that section.
Choose a Slide Range
Define the first and last slide that belong to the timed section.
Set One Duration
Give the whole slide range a shared countdown duration instead of creating individual timers.
Continue Across Slides
The same group timer continues while you move through slides inside the defined range.
Optional Auto-Start
Configure the group timer to start automatically when you enter the group if Auto-Start is enabled.
Save Timer Position
Use the draggable preview to choose where the timer should appear before saving the group.
Adjust While Running
Switch between Compact, Standard and Large timer sizes after the group has started.
Timer Groups vs Global Timer
Both features can keep timing active across multiple slides, but they solve different presentation problems.
| Feature | Global Timer | Timer Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | One continuous presentation-wide timer | Timed sections defined by slide ranges |
| Slide range | Presentation-wide workflow | Choose start and end slides |
| Different sections | One shared timing session | Create different groups for different sections |
| Best for | One timer spanning the presentation | Activities, sessions or sections with separate timings |
Need one countdown across the whole presentation instead? See the Global Timer for PowerPoint guide.
How to Create a PowerPoint Timer Group
- Open the Sync tab Open UbiTimer in PowerPoint, go to the Sync tab and select Timer Groups.
- Enter the start slide Choose the first PowerPoint slide that should belong to the timed section.
- Enter the end slide Choose the last slide that should use the same group timer.
- Set the duration Enter the amount of time you want to allocate to the group.
- Choose the timer position Drag the timer preview to the part of the slide where you want it to appear.
- Choose Auto-Start if needed Enable Auto-Start if you want the timer to begin when you enter the group.
- Add the group Click Add Group to save the slide range, duration, Auto-Start option, timer size and position.
Position the Timer Group on Your Slides
Timer Groups include a draggable timer position preview. Before saving the group, move the preview timer to an area that will not cover important presentation content.
Choose the Position Before Saving
The position you select is saved with the Timer Group and used when the group timer appears.
- Keep the timer away from slide titles.
- Avoid covering diagrams or images.
- Keep questions and answer options visible.
- Use a consistent location throughout the timed section.
Timer position preview
Example: Give Slides 5–10 a 5-Minute Timer
Presentation structure:
- Slides 1–4: Introduction
- Slides 5–10: Activity — 5 minutes
- Slides 11–12: Discussion
Create a Timer Group for slides 5–10 and set the duration to 300 seconds (5 minutes).
Choose the timer position before saving the group. If Auto-Start is enabled, the timer begins when you enter slide 5 and continues while you move through slides 5–10. When you leave the defined range, the group timer stops.
Use Different Timer Groups for Different Presentation Sections
Timer Groups are useful when different parts of one PowerPoint presentation need different amounts of time.
Introduction
Slides 1–4 can remain outside a Timer Group if no countdown is needed.
Activity
Slides 5–10 can use a five-minute group timer.
Discussion
A later range can use a separate duration when the discussion section begins.
Assessment
Another slide range can be assigned its own timer for a timed exercise.
Only one Timer Group runs at a time.
Change Timer Size and Use Sticky Controls
After a Timer Group starts, you can adjust the timer size without stopping and recreating the group.
Compact
Useful when slide space is limited or you want the timer to remain subtle.
Standard
Suitable for most classroom, training and presentation situations.
Large
Useful when the timer needs to be highly visible.
Sticky Controls
Pause, resume or reset the group timer while working inside the defined slide range.
When to Use PowerPoint Timer Groups
Classroom Activities
Give a multi-slide activity one shared time limit while moving between instructions, questions and examples.
Exams and Assessments
Keep one timer active through a defined set of assessment slides.
Workshops
Give different training or group-work sections their own slide ranges and durations.
Presentation Sections
Allocate different amounts of time to separate parts of a longer PowerPoint presentation.
Important Timer Groups Notes
- Timer Groups use the Global Timer engine.
- Only one Timer Group runs at a time.
- Pause and Reset affect the whole active group timer.
- The timer continues while you stay inside the defined slide range.
- Leaving the group stops the group timer.
- The saved position is used when the Timer Group appears.
- You can change the timer size while the group timer is running.
- Timer Groups do not permanently modify slide content.
PowerPoint Timer Groups FAQ
What is a PowerPoint Timer Group?
A Timer Group is a defined range of PowerPoint slides that share one timer and duration. The same group timer continues while you move through slides inside that range.
Can I set one timer for several PowerPoint slides?
Yes. Set the start slide, end slide and duration for the Timer Group. The timer then applies to that defined section.
Can a Timer Group start automatically?
Yes. Auto-Start can be enabled when creating the group so the timer begins when you enter the group.
Can different sections have different timers?
Yes. Timer Groups allow different presentation sections to use their own slide ranges and durations. Only one group runs at a time.
Can I choose where the Timer Group appears?
Yes. Use the draggable timer preview before saving the group to choose the position where the timer should appear.
Can I resize a Timer Group after it starts?
Yes. You can switch between Compact, Standard and Large timer size presets while the Timer Group is running.
Can I pause or reset a Timer Group?
Yes. The sticky timer controls can be used to pause, resume and reset the active group timer.
Related PowerPoint Timer Guides
Time Different Sections of Your PowerPoint Presentation
UbiTimer Timer Groups let you define slide ranges, set a duration, choose the timer position and keep the same timer running throughout each timed section.