9. Installing and Using Sway for Windows 10
In this chapter, you explore the Sway for Windows 10 app. Specific topics in this chapter include the following:
Installing Sway for Windows 10
Taking and inserting a picture
Sway for Windows 10 is the Sway app that’s designed specifically for Windows 10. Although the primary audience for this app is Windows 10 tablet users, it’s also available for download on any Windows 10 PC.
Exploring Sway for Windows 10
The Sway for Windows 10 app is nearly identical to the Sway Web-based app. Here are the main differences:
• More Options menu—The More Options menu is on the left side of the screen rather than on the right.
• New Sway limitations—Although you can create a new Sway from scratch, you can’t create a Sway by importing content. You need to use the Web-based Sway app to do that.
• Camera tool—The Camera tool is available from the Suggested drop-down list. This enables you to use the built-in camera on your Windows device to take a picture and insert it on a Picture Card on your Sway storyline. See “Taking and Inserting a Picture” later in this chapter.
• Offline access—You can access your Sways offline if you don’t have Internet or Wi-Fi access. This enables you to present a Sway to an audience without worrying about connectivity.
• Multiple account access—Stay logged into multiple Sway accounts on the same device.
Installing Sway for Windows 10
You can download and install Sway for Windows 10 from the Windows Store.
Install Sway for Windows 10
Installing Sway for Windows 10 takes just a few minutes.
1. Navigate to the Windows Store at this site: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/sway/9wzdncrd2g0j.
2. Click the Install button.
App Requirements
If you want to install the Sway for Windows 10 app on your computer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 first. If you’re using a computer with an earlier operating system, the Upgrade to Windows 10 link will prompt you to upgrade first.
3. Wait while the Sway app downloads and installs.
4. Notice that a notification informs you when installation is complete.
5. Click the Open button.
6. Sway for Windows 10 displays.
Existing Sways
If you’ve already created any Sways using the Web-based Sway app, they also display on the My Sways page of Sway for Windows 10.
Installation Alternative
Another way to install this app is to navigate to https://sway.com, and then scroll down and click the Windows 10 button.
Taking and Inserting a Picture
The ability to take and insert a picture using your device’s built-in camera is one of the best features of the Sway for Windows 10 app. You can take a picture of yourself from a desktop device or use your tablet as a camera.
Take and Insert a Picture
You can take and add a picture to your Sway in just a few minutes.
1. Create or open a Sway, and then tap the Insert tab.
2. Select Camera from the drop-down list.
3. Tap the Camera icon to take a picture.
4. Drag your picture to fit in the cropping window.
Zoom In and Out
Use the zoom button in the lower-right corner to adjust what displays in your picture.
5. Optionally, tap See More to display descriptions below each button.
6. Tap Aspect Ratio to select a different aspect ratio.
What Is Aspect Ratio?
Aspect ratio is the proportion between the width and height of a picture. For example, 4 inches by 3 inches is an aspect ratio for a rectangular picture. Options include Widescreen, Square, and several specific sizes. Select Original to return to your original ratio.
7. Tap Apply to save your picture.
Start Over
If you don’t like your picture and want to start over, tap Cancel.
8. Sway displays the picture on the Picture Card.
