If you’ve tried to make a presentation less boring, you’ve probably thought about throwing in a video, a live chart, or maybe a real-time dashboard. But if you’re using Seidat, you might have noticed it’s not always plug-and-play like PowerPoint or Google Slides. This guide is for anyone who wants their Seidat presentations to do more than just flip from slide to slide—without spending hours figuring it out, or smashing their keyboard in frustration.
Why bother embedding videos and external content?
Let’s be honest: most presentations are forgettable. But a relevant video, a live demo, or an interactive chart can actually keep people awake. Embedding content means less tab-switching, fewer technical hiccups, and a smoother pitch—especially if you’re presenting online.
But before you get carried away: not every shiny feature is worth chasing. The trick is knowing what to embed, how to do it with the least pain, and what to skip to avoid embarrassing glitches.
What you can (and can’t) embed in Seidat
Seidat gives you a couple of ways to embed content, but there are limits. Here’s what’s possible (as of early 2024):
- YouTube and Vimeo videos: Supported, but only via embed codes (not by pasting links).
- Other video platforms: Hit or miss. Most won’t work unless they support clean, public embed codes.
- Any live web content (dashboards, forms, maps, etc.): Only works if the site allows embedding and doesn’t block it with security settings.
- Audio files: Not directly—needs to be wrapped in a player that allows embedding.
- PDFs and docs: Not natively embeddable; best to link out or upload as images.
Heads up: Not all websites like being embedded. If you try to embed a site and get a blank box or error, it’s probably blocked by the site itself—not Seidat’s fault.
Step 1: Decide what you actually need to embed
Before you go hunting for embed codes, ask yourself:
- Is this video or content actually going to add value?
- Will it work for everyone who’ll see the presentation (i.e., do they need a YouTube login or special access)?
- Is it better to link out instead of embedding (especially if the content is interactive or needs a full browser)?
If the answer to those is “yes, embedding makes sense,” keep going. Otherwise, don’t overcomplicate things—sometimes a screenshot and a link do the job.
Step 2: Get your embed code (the right way)
For YouTube videos:
- Go to the video on YouTube.
- Click Share under the video, then select Embed.
- Copy the
<iframe>code it gives you. - Don’t just copy the URL—Seidat needs the iframe code.
Pro tip: Remove “?rel=0” or any extra bits at the end unless you want related videos to show when yours finishes.
For Vimeo videos:
- Open the video on Vimeo.
- Click the Share button (paper airplane icon).
- Copy the provided embed code (it’ll start with
<iframe>).
For other web content (live dashboards, forms, etc.):
- Look for a “share” or “embed” option—products like Google Maps, Power BI, or Miro usually provide an iframe code.
- Make sure the content is set to “public” or “anyone with the link” so it loads for your viewers.
- Test the embed code in a blank HTML file or online tool like CodePen. If it doesn’t show up there, it won’t work in Seidat either.
What probably won’t work: Google Docs, Notion pages, or anything behind a login wall. These almost always block embedding for security.
Step 3: Add the embed code to your Seidat slide
Once you’ve got your iframe code, here’s how to drop it into Seidat:
- Open your Seidat presentation and go to the slide you want.
- Add a new element by clicking the “+” button and select Embed from the options.
- Paste your iframe code into the field that appears.
- Resize and position the embed element as needed—drag the corners or move it around the slide.
Pro tips: - Make the embed element large enough, especially for videos—otherwise, your audience will be squinting. - If the content doesn’t load, double-check that the source allows embedding. Some sites look fine in preview mode but fail when you present.
Step 4: Test your embedded content (don’t skip this)
This is where most people trip up. Even if it looks fine in edit mode, always:
- Switch to presentation mode in Seidat.
- Try playing the video or interacting with the embedded content.
- Test on the device you’ll actually use to present (laptop, tablet, etc.).
- Ask a colleague or friend to view the slide with a shared link—some embeds break when viewed outside your own account.
If something’s off (video doesn’t play, site won’t load), it’s almost always an issue with the original content’s privacy settings or embed permissions. Go back and check those first.
Real-world tips, workarounds, and things to skip
1. Don’t overdo it. One or two well-placed videos will do more than a slide deck crammed with embeds. Too many can slow down loading or distract from your main point.
2. Skip embedding if it’s unreliable. If a site blocks embeds or requires logins, just use a screenshot and link out. Nothing kills momentum like “hang on, let me log in…”
3. Watch out for autoplay. Embeds usually default to manual play. If you want a video to start automatically, you might need to tweak the embed code (e.g., add ?autoplay=1 to the YouTube URL inside the iframe).
4. Mobile and remote presenting can be glitchy. Some embeds don’t play nicely on mobile devices or remote screenshare. Always check before a big meeting.
5. Keep a backup plan. If your internet connection is spotty, have a local copy of the video or a static screenshot handy, just in case.
6. Ignore “fancy” embed options unless you need them. Features like playlists, advanced analytics, or interactive widgets sound cool, but most don’t work well inside Seidat—stick to simple, public-facing content.
Common problems (and how to fix them)
Problem: The video or web content shows as a blank box or error message. - Solution: Check if the source site blocks embedding (look for “X-Frame-Options: DENY” or similar in the browser console). If so, you’re out of luck—link out instead.
Problem: Video won’t play for your viewers, but works for you when logged in. - Solution: The video is probably set to “private” or “unlisted with restricted access.” Change privacy settings to “public” or “anyone with the link.”
Problem: Embedded content looks fine on desktop, but not on mobile. - Solution: Try adjusting the width/height in the iframe code to use percentage values or “responsive” settings. Otherwise, give up on mobile embeds for that content.
Problem: You want to embed something that doesn’t provide an iframe code. - Solution: Unless you can find a workaround (like an alternative platform), you’re stuck with linking out or taking a static screenshot.
What’s worth your time—and what isn’t
Worth it: - Embedding short, punchy videos from YouTube or Vimeo - Live dashboards that are public and update in real time - Simple web widgets (polls, maps) that support public embedding
Not worth it: - Content that needs a login or special access - Advanced interactive tools that break outside their own site - Embeds that slow down your whole deck or distract from your message
Keep it simple and iterate
Don’t get distracted by shiny features—focus on what actually helps your story. Start small: embed one or two things, test them, and see if they really make your presentation better. Most of the time, less is more.
If you hit a wall with embeds, don’t be afraid to fall back on screenshots and links. The goal isn’t to impress with tech—it’s to get your point across, clearly and smoothly.