If your presentations are just slides and static charts, you’re probably losing people fast. Grabbing attention is one thing—keeping it is a whole other game. That’s where video and interactive elements come in. If you’re using Storydoc to create decks, you’ve got more options than you might think, but not all of them are worth your time.
This guide is for anyone who wants to upgrade their Storydoc decks without getting lost in the weeds. I’ll walk you through what works, what can backfire, and how to actually embed video and interactive content—without turning your deck into a slow, glitchy mess.
Why Bother With Videos and Interactive Elements?
Let’s be honest: most presentations are boring. People zone out, skip ahead, or close the tab. Here’s why adding video and interactive elements can actually make a difference:
- Keeps people engaged: Videos and interactive parts break up the monotony.
- Explains complex stuff: Some things are just easier to show than tell.
- Makes you memorable: You stand out from the deck-after-deck crowd.
But don’t overdo it. Too many “bells and whistles” can feel gimmicky—or worse, make your deck slow to load or confusing to use.
Step 1: Know What You Can (and Can’t) Embed in Storydoc
Before you get creative, you need to know what’s possible inside Storydoc. Here’s the real breakdown:
You can embed: - Videos: From YouTube, Vimeo, or direct links (MP4s). - GIFs: Handy for short loops or simple animations. - Interactive charts: From tools like Google Data Studio, Tableau, or Flourish. - External widgets: Calendars, Typeform surveys, or even Google Maps—if you’ve got the embed code.
You can’t embed: - Full-blown web apps: No, you can’t run Figma or Miro boards natively. - Complex scripts: Custom JavaScript isn’t supported. - Audio-only players: Not natively—use video for audio if you must.
Pro tip: Just because you can embed something doesn’t mean you should. Ask yourself if it helps your story, or if it’s just noise.
Step 2: Embedding Videos in Storydoc
Videos are the easiest way to make your decks pop. But do it wrong, and you’ll end up with a slow, clunky deck nobody wants to sit through. Here’s how to do it right.
A. Adding YouTube or Vimeo Videos
- Find your video: Grab the URL from YouTube or Vimeo.
- Open your Storydoc deck: Go to the section where you want the video.
- Add a Video Slide or Widget: In Storydoc’s editor, look for the “Video” content block or widget.
- Paste the URL: Storydoc automatically detects if it’s a YouTube/Vimeo link and embeds it.
- Adjust settings: You can usually tweak the size, cover image, and whether it auto-plays or not.
What works: - YouTube and Vimeo are both reliable. They buffer well and work across devices. - Using the “cover image” option means your deck still loads fast.
What doesn’t: - Avoid auto-play unless you have a very good reason—nobody likes surprise sound. - Skip obscure video platforms. They often don’t embed well, or can break unexpectedly.
B. Embedding Direct Video Files (MP4s)
If you have a custom video (not on YouTube/Vimeo):
- Host your video: You’ll need a direct MP4 link. This usually means uploading it to your own server or a service like Amazon S3.
- Paste the MP4 link: In the video widget, use the “custom URL” option.
- Test playback: Make sure it works on desktop and mobile.
Heads up: Direct MP4s can be slow to load and might not play on all devices. Keep the file size under 20MB if you want it to load quickly.
Step 3: Embedding Interactive Elements
Interactive elements are what make a deck feel alive. But too many, and your audience will feel lost—or just annoyed. Here’s what you can add, and how to do it.
A. Embedding Charts and Dashboards
If you want to show live data or charts, tools like Google Data Studio, Tableau, or Flourish let you export “embed codes.”
- Publish your chart or dashboard: Make it public or “anyone with the link can view.”
- Copy the embed code: Usually an
<iframe>snippet. - In Storydoc: Use the “Embed” or “Custom HTML” block (not every template has this—check before you get too deep).
- Paste the code: Position it where you want.
What works: - Simple, single charts. - Dashboards that are readable at small sizes.
What doesn’t: - Massive dashboards with tiny fonts—nobody’s going to zoom in. - Embeds that require user logins.
B. Adding Calendars, Surveys, and More
Want to let people book meetings or answer questions directly in your deck? Services like Calendly, Typeform, or Google Forms allow embedding.
- Set up your form or calendar: Make sure it’s public.
- Copy the embed code: Usually found in the “Share” or “Embed” menu.
- Add it to Storydoc: Use the “Embed” block, just like for charts.
Pro tip: Test your embeds on both desktop and mobile before sending your deck out. Some widgets look great on a big screen and fall apart on a phone.
Step 4: Best Practices for Using Video and Interactivity
Adding video and interactive elements can make your deck better—or make it worse. Here’s how to do it right:
- Less is more: One or two strong interactive elements beat a dozen confusing ones.
- Prioritize speed: Big videos and heavy embeds slow everything down.
- Guide your audience: Tell people what to do with your interactive elements. (“Click here to explore the data.”)
- Accessible design: Make sure everything works with keyboard navigation and screen readers, if possible.
- Backup plan: Have a static screenshot handy if your video or widget fails to load.
Reality check: Not everyone wants to click around or watch a video. Make sure your key points are clear even if someone skips the extras.
Step 5: Troubleshooting Common Issues
Even when you follow all the steps, things can go sideways. Here’s what to watch for:
- Video won’t play: Double-check your link. For MP4s, make sure you’re not using a private server or a service that blocks direct playback.
- Widget doesn’t load: Some sites don’t allow embedding (they use “X-Frame-Options: DENY”). If that’s the case, you’re out of luck—find another tool or link out.
- Deck loads slowly: Compress your videos, and don’t overload a single slide with embeds.
- Weird formatting: Resize your embeds. Sometimes you’ll need to tweak height and width in the code.
- Mobile issues: Test, test, test. Some embeds are desktop-only.
What to Ignore (and Why)
You’ll see a lot of advice about making your deck “fully interactive” or “video-first.” Here’s the honest take:
- Don’t embed for the sake of it: If it doesn’t clarify or engage, leave it out.
- Skip Flash widgets: If you even find one, run away. They’re dead.
- No auto-sound: It’s the fastest way to lose your audience.
Bottom line: Focus on clarity, not gimmicks.
Wrap-Up: Keep It Simple, Test, and Iterate
Embedding video and interactive elements in Storydoc decks can actually make your presentations better—if you’re thoughtful about it. Start small. Add one video, or a single interactive chart, and see how people respond. Don’t turn your deck into a tech demo. The best decks tell a story, and every add-on should help you do that.
Test everything on mobile, ask a friend to try it, and keep things as simple as possible. If something’s confusing or slow, cut it. Iterate from there. You’ll end up with decks that don’t just look good, but actually work.