how to make cool google presentations

30+ tips and tricks to make Google Slides presentation look good

Home 30+ tips and tricks to make Google Slides presentation look good

Let’s face it, it’s no fun to look at a slide with heavy texts and overcrowded images. It leaves the audience bored and disinterested. It’s very important for your Google Slides presentation to look good in order to have your audience on board. You don’t need to be a designer to learn how to make aesthetic google slides. You can make some basic editing and formatting easily in Google Slides presentation to take it to the next level. In this article, we present some amazing hacks to have a killer presentation that leaves the audience in awe.

Be prepared for a bonus at the end!

Use Google Slides layouts wisely

1. customize slide layouts.

Every presentation needs to follow a basic layout which is regular throughout. Google Slides have a set of layout and theme options to choose from. But in case you wish to edit certain elements, you are free to do it. This will make the presentation truly yours. Click here for a complete guide on using layouts any fresher can use.

2. Use pretty backgrounds for Google Slides

Most of the professional presentations contain a lot of jargon-heavy information written in plain texts on plain backgrounds. Instead, include a transparent or mild background to support your text. The background can either be related to the story or just a plain color wall that goes with the text font and the context.

3. Draw attention with dark background

Audience gets tired of looking at bright colors all day. So, using a dark background not only catches their attention, but is also pleasant for the eyes. But remember to use the matte finish or mild colors for text with the dark background.

4. Try black and white theme to look professional

Often, a black and white theme stands out both because of the professionalism it conveys. This keeps your presentation minimal in appearance and adds to the authenticity of your delivery. But you should be careful not to make it look boring.

5. Use the Master Slides tool

Any change you make in the master slide will automatically reflect on all other slides. Customize the master slide first so that you can save time. You can modify backgrounds, rearrange placeholders, or change theme for the whole presentation with Master slides tool.

6. Keep it minimal

Don’t go fancy with the designs and fonts, keep it minimal. Overcrowding the slides with bulky texts and images or vibrant colors is not a good idea. It will distract the audience and make the presentation look unprofessional.

How to make Google Slides look good with Images

1. use shape masks to make creative images.

Using regular shapes like square and rectangle for images can get boring. To make it interesting, give different shapes to the images.

How to use shape masks in Google Slides:

Select the image you want to apply a shape mask on. Crop the image to the size you want. In crop tool, go to Shapes and choose a shape from the drop-down menu.

2. How to import images from the web

Adding relevant and catchy images make your google slides aesthetic. But you may not have the perfect image to go with the slide. In that case, you can directly download the picture from Google without leaving the tab.

How to import Google images into Google Slides:

Go to Insert >> Image >> Search the web >> Type in the name of the image you want. Or, go to Explore section and Google directly from the Slides tab.

3. Reflect your images if it suits the context

This will be a really cool effect, especially for slides with a single important image. Reflecting your images is a creative way to grab the attention with a single slide. But, this is a bit outdated feature, so it’s better to avoid for professional presentations.

How to reflect an image in Google Slides:

Select an image. Go to Format options and tick the box next to Reflection. Use the slider to adjust the size and transparency.

4. Make the image transparent

Another tip is to adjust the transparency of your image rather than adding a plain image. Plus, you can write relevant text on top of a transparent image.

How to make an image transparent in Google Slides:

Right-click on the picture and go to Formats option. Go to Adjustments >> Transparency. Adjust the transparency as per your requirements.

5. Resize and rotate shapes and images

When you import an image from the web, it might not be the right size for your slides. Google Slides allows you to resize and rotate the images and shapes.

To resize a picture, simply select the picture and move the cursor to bring to the desired size. To rotate an image, click the picture and choose Arrange. Then, click Rotate and select the preferred orientation. Avoid these while using images in Google Slides presentation: Though there are a hundred things you can do to your image, overdoing it will beat the point of making your Google Slides presentation look good. Following are some of the things you should avoid so that the slides look professional.

Using blurry or irrelevant pictures. Stretching or cropping the image more than necessary Low resolution images Watermarked images Not adding citations while using a picture you don’t own Crowding the slides with pictures Using reflection or transparency settings in all the images

Make your Google Slides presentation interactive

1. use the interactive q&a tool.

Having a Q&A section at the end helps you clear any doubts your audience might have. You can make it more interesting by using the Q&A tool. The audience don’t have to wait till the end of the presentation, they can type in the question whenever they want.

How to use the Q&A tool:

During your presentation, activate the Q&A feature by clicking on the Q&A tool. Audience sees a weblink where they can submit their questions. You can answer them at the end of the presentation. You can check the past questions by going to Tools >> Q&A history

2. Create a timeline

In many business presentations, you might need to present the progress of a project and timeline is an important part of it. It is easy to understand and remember. This can be used for interactions and discussions with the audience.

How to create timeline in Google Slides:

Go to Insert >> Diagram This shows a list of different types of timeline templates in built with Google Slides. Choose the one you like and edit it for your data.

Color schemes for your Google Slides presentation

1. edit theme colors.

Every Google Slide theme you choose comes with a pre-set color scheme. However, you can customize the theme according to the color you prefer.

Go to Slide >> Edit Theme Choose a color from the drop-down menu. Here’s a guide on choosing the right color for your Google Slides presentation.

2. Use color split

Using two different colors on the same slide is visually appealing. Make sure you use complementary colors like yellow and blue. For example, if you are using a blue background, use orange color for the texts.

3. Create a color overlay

Color overlay is a technique to make transparent shapes appear on your images or text. You can either apply it to the whole slide or a part of it.

Go to Insert >> Shape Choose a shape if you want to overlay only a part of your slide. Place the selected shape on the slide. Click on the shape and go to Fill colors and choose the color you want. Avoid these while choosing colors for your Google Slides presentation: While adding colors in a smart way can grab the audience’s attention, there are certain rules you should stick to while using them. Here is a small list of things to avoid in order to make your Google Slides look good.

Using multiple bold colors in a single slide Using same color for theme and texts Not sticking to your brand colors Using bright colors for reflection of images or texts. Overusing color gradient

Tips for text in Google Slides presentation

1. try different font attributes.

No one is going to read all the text in your presentation. So, you can highlight the parts which you want to stress on. You can make the text bold, italics, or underlined.

2. Research the top text fonts to use in Google Slides

There are a number of text fonts available in Google Slides, but not all of them make it to a professional presentation deck. So, it’s very important to know the most preferred text fonts to use in Google Slides.

Here are the 5 top text fonts:

Open sans Montserrat Cabin Ubuntu Lato

3. Use text box to have neat texts

Texts randomly strewn across the slides can be distracting for your audience. So, use a text box to have the texts placed in a neat way. You can also align your texts to left, right or centered to make it look professional.

4. Add a drop shadow to the text

Another way to make your texts look interesting is to use a drop shadow effect for Google Slides. However, if you lack experience in designing, we suggest you not to use this effect.

How to add drop shadow:

Select the text you want to use drop shadow on. Go to Format and check the box near Drop Shadow. Use the slider to adjust blur, transparency, and angle.

5. Add the technical terms to your personal dictionary

There might be terminologies or names that are specific to your topic, which may come off as spelling errors. In slides, they may appear in red and you may lose your credibility. To remove this, you can add those terms to the personal dictionary.

Go to Tools >> Personal dictionary Add the technical terms. They will no longer be shown as spelling errors. Common mistakes people make in Google Slides text: While the above features can make your text professional and easy to read, most people miss out on the basics.

Omitting indentation Wrong alignment of text on the slide Using very large or very small texts Not proofreading for typos Inadequate spacing between texts or lines.

Include infographics in Google Slides presentation

1. experiment with different types of diagrams.

If you have a lot of data to present, it’s better to present as graphs or charts instead of pulling off large sheets of data. There are different types of graphs you can use like line graph, bar graph, histogram, pie chart, etc. So, use them in your presentation. This adds credibility to your work and presentation.

2. Let your graph speak for itself

This means you must label, highlight or add everything in the graph such that anyone can analyze it. A single graph with right labels and arrows to show the trend can convey the meaning much better than large amount of texts or spreadsheets.

Add animation to make Google Slides presentation attractive

1. add subtle animation effects on texts.

If you have a lot of information to share on a single slide, use animations to delay some texts instead of displaying everything at a time. This works well for bullet points where you can display one point after another.

2. Add a GIF or a meme

One of the main reasons why presentations are boring is the lack of fun element. Adding a GIF or a relatable meme is not only funny, but helps you put the message across easily. It is an effortless attention grabber.

But you have to make sure it gets added as an animated GIF rather than a still image. For this, the following steps will help:

Find the GIF in Google and copy the image address. Go to Google Slides >> Image >> by URL Paste the URL and click Insert. Remember you have to insert the image by URL for it to play.

3. Add trimmed videos in Google Slides

People recollect visuals better than written text. So, if there is a video on YouTube which can explain what you want to convey, use it. But instead of including the full video, you can add only the relevant part by using the embed option.

4. Use transitions for slides

Adding smooth transition effects for individual slides helps in keeping the flow. The most recommended transition effects to use in a professional presentation are dissolve, fade in, slide from the left, fly in from bottom and fly in from left to right.

Go to Insert >> Animation Select a transition from the available options. Apply to a single slide or all slides, as you wish.

Are you terrified by the amount of effort you have to put in researching about fonts, choosing best colors and get the formatting perfect? This can be time-consuming if you designing is not your biggest flex.

Don’t worry! Here’s the good news!!

You can skip all these steps and still have an amazing presentation deck if you use professional templates!

Use Google Slides presentation templates

Making a presentation from the scratch is wasted time and energy which could be spent on crafting the story you want to convey. That’s why we bring to you the best presentation templates to help you tell your story in your unique way. SlideKit has professional templates designed by experts and you can customize it according to your needs. This can be installed as an add-on in Google Slides for free. It ensures consistency of aspects like font, theme, color scheme and layout used throughout the deck.

SlideKit has slides in the business and other professional domains which you can download, edit and use for free. Premium membership gives you access to 3500+ templates over 35+ niches. Using these templates will make your Google Slides presentation stand out. Here are a few tips to make the most out of SlideKit’s professional google slides templates .

1. Customize the templates

The presentation deck you choose will have all the design and infographic elements you need; but you need to customize them according to your data and your preferred color and font. In SlideKit, you can add images, videos, or hyperlinks, and place them wherever you want on the slide. Additionally, you can acquire hyperlinks from other websites to your own which is referred as niche edits .

2. Use niche-specific templates

There are templates available for different domains, so choose the one that fits your industry. Templates are perfect for branding since they come with placeholders for logo, letterhead, contact details and website address. But it’s important to choose the one that is aligned with the industry. SlideKit makes it easier for you by giving you a variety of industry-specific options to choose from. Moreover, incorporating effective SEO strategies , such as optimizing presentation titles, using relevant keywords, and providing quality content, can significantly enhance the online visibility of your Google Slides presentations, making them more accessible to your target audience and boosting overall engagement.

3. Plug in your data to relevant infographics

As mentioned before, including graphs and charts is beneficial for both you and your audience. Depending on the domain, SlideKit offers relevant infographics which can be customized according to your data. You can change the labels, legends, scale and figures, among many other features.

Now you have the best resources and tools to make your Google Slides presentation look compelling.

Happy presenting!

Welcome Back!

Please sign in to continue.

Don't you have an account?

How To Make Google Slides Look Good [Complete 2024 Guide]

• Last updated January 2, 2024

Making a standard presentation is easy, but knowing how to make Google Slides look good is an entirely different challenge. In my guide, I will show you how to make your Google Slides better , both functionally and aesthetically.

Keep reading to learn how to take your Google Slides presentation from good to great !

Table of Contents

1. Choose a Google Slides Theme

Themes ensure your presentation has visually consistent colors, fonts, sizes, and layouts. This goes a long way toward providing a professional and polished appearance, and it’s much easier for the audience to follow along.

• Choose a theme that aligns with the tone and purpose of your presentation.
• Ensure slides have a consistent set of colors, fonts, and layouts.
• Select a visually appealing color scheme and legible font combination.

While you can handpick background color palettes, typefaces, and slide layouts, many of the best Google Slides templates are built into the program! In a blank presentation, you’ll find them on the right-hand side.

Creating Your Own Google Slides Theme

It’s fairly straightforward to create your theme in Slides. Add whatever background color, images, shapes, and page formatting you prefer. Right-click your chosen slide and select “ Add to theme .”

Related : Don’t want to make one from scratch? I’ve got you covered with some of my favorite Google Slides templates  at the bottom of this article.

How To Import a Theme to Google Slides

• Create a new presentation or open an existing one.

Note : Importing a theme into your presentation will impact all of your slides.  To revert to the previous version, use the “ Undo ” button by pressing the keyboard shortcut  Ctrl + Z  (on Windows) or use  Command + Z  (on Mac).

2. Choosing Color Schemes in Slides

A color scheme is one of the first things your audience will see, so it’s one of the most critical elements. Google Slides offers plenty of color options, including gradients  (which can be used for almost all the elements, including background, font, and shapes).

Use color theory principles  (like complementary colors) to create combinations that stand out for the right reason. Color psychology is also a great way to express emotions or convey messages purposefully:

• Warm colors (e.g., red, orange, yellow) can express warmth, energy, or even a warning.
• Cool colors (e.g., blue, green, purple) can represent relaxation, sophistication, or security.

Use Color to Make Sections Stand Out

Strategically use color to highlight essential elements (e.g., headings, critical data). To guide the audience’s attention:

• Use vibrant shades that contrast the color scheme.
• Assign specific colors to categories, sections, and team members.

Be Mindful of Contrast

Check that the text and background colors have enough contrast for better reading. The most readable combination is dark text on a light backdrop (or vice versa). In charts and graphs, use color to improve focus and understanding.

Note :  Avoid colors that can blend together or present difficulties for people with color blindness .

3. Choosing Text and Fonts

Your chosen font portrays information and dramatically improves your presentation’s overall aesthetic. If you’re trying to make a cool presentation on Google Slides, you’ve got a lot to consider!

Use Clear, Legible, and Easy-to-Read Fonts

Avoid overly decorative or ornate fonts because they can hinder readability (especially when projected on a larger screen). Stick to widely available and compatible fonts across devices like Arial, Georgia, or Open Sans.

Ensure Font Sizes, Weights, and Styles Stand out

Headings should stand out; supporting text should be smaller (or less emphasized). This is done to guide the audience’s attention and improve readability.

Note : While they can add visual interest, excessive use of font styles can be distracting and more challenging to read.

Complement Font Pairings

Select a combination of fonts  that contrast each other and create visual interest. Consider using online resources or font pairing tools for inspiration. We recommend sticking to a maximum of two to three fonts to prevent visual chaos.

Use Fonts That Align with Branding Guidelines

If your website uses a specific font and color scheme, incorporate them into your presentations to support the organization’s visual identity.

Align Text and Spacing

Align text and leave enough white space for a clean, organized look.

4. How to Add Word Art to Google Slides:

• Select “ Insert ” > “ Word Art ” from the drop-down menu.

• Type your text, then press the “ Enter ” key on your keyboard.

There you have it! Your Word Art will now appear on your selected slide.

Note: If you want to edit the font or color, click the Word Art, and a formatting box will pop up.

5. How To Add Google Slides Transitions

You can ensure seamless transitions from slide to slide with a couple of clicks:

• If you want to apply the selected transition to all slides in your presentation, click “ Apply to All Slides .”
• Any transitions applied to skipped slides won’t play during the preview.
• Click the “ Stop ” button when you’re finished.

Tip : You can configure your presentation to play automatically  using Google Slides’ automatic transitions. This removes the need to press the spacebar or click on the screen to trigger the next slide.

How Many Transitions Are Available in Google Slides?

At the time of writing, Google Slides offers seven built-in transitions . There is currently no option to add or download additional transitions.

6. How To Add Animations on Google Slides

Enhance the visual appeal of your slideshow by incorporating animations (i.e., effects that make elements move). They can be applied to almost every object, from images to tables to bullet points. Follow the steps below to add animations to your slides:

• You’ll notice that your selected object’s “ Animation Type ” is set to “ Appear .”

• Fade in : This transition introduces the object by gradually fading it in.

• Fly in from left/right or top/bottom : The object flies into the slide from one side.

• Zoom in : The object starts small and slowly increases in size.

Under “ Animation Type ,” you’ll see the “ Start Condition ” drop-down. Open it to select whether the animation should play upon clicking a slide, with the previous animation, or after the previous animation.

Note: The start conditions “With Previous” and “After Previous”  will only work if there is another animated object immediately before your selected object .

• Click on the “ Play ” button to preview your animation(s).
• Click the “ Stop ” button to end the preview and continue working on your slideshow.

Related : Google Slides vs. PowerPoint: Which Program Is Better?

Tips for Using Transitions & Animations

We recommend using these effects sparingly to emphasize essential elements or facilitate the flow of information. Avoid using them solely for decorative purposes.

Pick Subtle and Smooth Transitions

Flashy or distracting effects can overshadow your content. Your goal is to provide a seamless flow between slides. Try a simple fade or slide transition.

Adjust the Timing and Duration

Transitions shouldn’t be too fast or slow. Aim for a natural pace that allows the audience to follow along comfortably.

Highlight Specific Elements Within a Slide

Selectively animating text, images, or charts can emphasize critical points (or reveal information) in a controlled manner. Avoid excessive animation that appears gimmicky or distracting.

Be Consistent

Choose a specific transition style or animation effect — then stick to it. This will help you avoid distractions and inconsistencies.

7. Using Images and Videos

Adding images and videos to slides can greatly enhance visual appeal and engage your audience. Here are some points to consider when choosing an image:

• Choose images that are relevant to your content.
• Use high-quality images that are clear, crisp, and well-composed.
• Use images that evoke emotions or illustrate concepts.
• Strike a balance between text and images on your slides.
• Consider using images as slide backgrounds.
• Adjust transparency or apply overlays to maintain readability.
• Experiment with image formatting options (e.g., cropping, resizing, transparency, brightness).

8. How To Include Infographics in Google Slides

Infographics in a presentation can communicate complex information effectively. Use the drawing feature in Google Slides to make attractive and informative infographics. Keep these points in mind when using infographics:

• Keep your infographics clean and basic.
• Choose from bar charts, pie charts, line graphs, timelines, flowcharts, maps, and diagrams.
• Avoid overwhelming your audience: Use limited details, succinct labeling, and clear graphics.
• Use custom colors, typefaces, and visual styles to reflect your presentation or company identity.
• Highlight the most significant facts or data.
• Make sure infographic details are simple to read and understand.

How Can Poor Design Affect A Presentation?

Your presentation could be significantly impacted if you haven’t learned how to make Google Slides look professional. Here’s why:

Lack of Clarity

Poor aesthetics often make it more difficult for the audience to grasp — or focus on — details. Avoid cluttered or crowded presentations, imprecise typefaces, and insufficient color contrast. Key points might be missed, or the audience may get distracted.

Unprofessionalism

A disorganized presentation might give the appearance of being unprofessional, affecting the presenter’s credibility.

Poor Readability

Small fonts, poor contrast, and ornamental typefaces can strain the eyes and make it difficult to follow a presentation.

Lack of Visual Appeal

A presentation with a dull or unappealing design may fail to catch attention (and make the material less memorable).

9. A Few of My Favorite Google Slides Templates

If you’re not interested in using stock templates (let alone creating your own), I’ve got you covered with these slick presentations:

Ganymede Template

The Ganymede template offers a modern style with bold text for extra impact. Whether you aim to make a lasting impression with your pitch deck — or simply want to use colors that align with your brand — this template suits your needs.

Access Template

Dynamic Business Template

An effective project management report is characterized by clarity, and your color scheme plays a significant role. I love the streamlined theme of this Google Slides template and appreciate that a blank timeline chart, roadmap diagram, and funnel are included for incredible customization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make google slides vertical.

You can make Google Slides vertical  by following simple steps:

• Open a new or existing presentation.
• Click the “ File ” button to open a drop-down menu.
• Click the “ Page setup ” option.
• Select the “ Custom ” option and set your desired size (width and height)
• Hit “ Apply ” to save the changes.

Can You Do Hanging Indent in Google Slides?

Yes. There are three methods to do hanging indent in Google Slides:

• The ruler (blur triangle) along the top to position your hanging indent.
• The keyboard Tab key for quick indentation adjustments.
• Select “ Text Fitting ”> “ Indention ” > “ Hanging ” > “ First line indent ” > “ Hanging indent ” to the desired amount.

Are There More Google Slides Templates?

Yes. There are many free Google Slides templates out there. Here are ten additional templates  for you to use.

Bottom Line

Any presentation’s goal is to keep the audience’s attention, and you can do that with a balance between aesthetics and practicality.

I hope I’ve helped you learn how to make your Google Slides look good, express your message, and captivate your audience. If you need more assistance, Spreadsheet Point’s premium Google Slides templates  can take the pressure off you. When you use the code SSP, you’ll get 50% off !

Get Premium Templates

• How To Download Google Slides [Step-by-Step Guide]
• How To Add Bitmoji to Google Slides
• How To Make Google Slides Play Automatically

Most Popular Posts

How To Highlight Duplicates in Google Sheets

How to Make Multiple Selection in Drop-down Lists in Google Sheets

Google Sheets Currency Conversion: The Easy Method

A 2024 guide to google sheets date picker, related posts.

• Sumit Bansal
• May 16, 2024
• May 2, 2024

How to Insert a Google Sheets Hyperlink in 5 Seconds

• Chris Daniel
• April 15, 2024

How to Import Stock Prices into Google Sheets

• April 2, 2024

Thanks for visiting! We’re happy to answer your spreadsheet questions. We specialize in formulas for Google Sheets, our own spreadsheet templates, and time-saving Excel tips.

Note that we’re supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission at no extra cost to you.

Like what we do? Share this article!

15 Tips to Make an Amazing Google Slides Presentation Design!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

There are many reasons that people like to use Google Slides. It could be for a school project, work presentation or just to share information with friends and family.

Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: you want your design to look amazing! If you want an easy way to create a great-looking design for your next presentation then this blog post is for you.

In this article, we will go over 15 tips on how to make an amazing design using Google Slides. Whether it’s your first time creating a presentation on Google Slides or if you’re an experienced professional, these tips are sure to help guide you in the right direction!

So, let’s get started!

Note – if you are strapped for time , simply considering outsourcing the presentation design process to a professional! I’d recommend using Fiverr . It is completely hassle-free to set up and start using. Plus, you don’t need to pay anything to hire a professional. You only pay for the slide design! And, you can start with as little as $5 to $10 per slide!

Tips to Make an Amazing Google Slide Presentation Design!

Since this is going to be an action-packed article with a ton of suggestions, let’s just dive right in with the tips!

1. Create a Compeling Narrative Through a Story Arc

A presentation is only as good as the narrative it holds!

If your presentation doesn’t leave “ food for thought ” for your audience, they are less likely to remember your presentation, and even less likely to take any action afterward (which is mostly bad news especially if you are trying to convince your investors to give you more money!)

Presentation design goes hand-in-hand with the content that is going to be used for the presentation. Thus, start with a compelling story.

The best way to create a convincing story for your presentation is to use the “ Story Arc “.

A “ Story Arc ” or a “Narrative Arc” is something that has been successfully used by storytellers and writers for ages. The keyword here is “successfully”!

A powerful narrative can not only help your audience understand the intricacies of the subject of the presentation, but it also makes the presentation engaging and entertaining.

The best way to start working on a story arc is to either look at what is the most important aspect of your presentation and how can it be emphasized in a manner that takes the role of a protagonist?

Another way that I’ve used the story arc in my presentations successfully is to work backward. Think of what is the end outcome that you expect, and try to track things backward in order to achieve the end outcome.

No matter what approach you take, if you are able to fit a story arc in your presentation, you’d be golden!

Finally use stories from your life, or what you experienced while working on a project! I’ve seen this works really well and resonates with the audience. Here’s a quick video on tips for using storytelling in your presentation.

2. One Topic Per Slide

Now that you’ve identified the larger part of what you going to cover in your presentation – in other words, the content, you now need to lay it out on your presentation such that it can be consumed by your audience comfortably!

One of the simplest tips to design a better presentation is to make sure that you don’t cramp all the information in a single slide or 4-5 slides! Make sure that you spread out the presentation on multiple slides so that the audience can absorb all the information, but in short bursts, and then move on to the next topic!

A good rule of thumb for a good design is to try and cover just 1 topic on a slide.

I’ve seen this work plenty of times, and I personally also use this technique for my presentations. Simply divide the content of your presentations first into multiple key sections. Then, divide the sections further into key topics that should be covered within that section.

You can do this activity on a sheet of paper or just on the first slide of the presentation. Once you’re done with this activity, you’ll realize that the outline that you’ve just created also serves as the “Agenda” or the “Table of Contents” slide.

Now, all you’re left to do is fill in the information that needs to go under each topic.

You may be wondering how is this a design tip. Well, when you have just one concept present on a slide, it is not only easier for your audience to consume, but also easier to design. You’ll realize this when designing the presentation and thank me later!

Remember, there will be times when you will not have much to say about a particular topic, your slide will look empty, and you will be tempted to add another topic on the same slide. Don’t fall for that. Instead, use images that accentuate the text or the topic of the slide.

3. Start with a Template (Don’t Design from Scratch!)

This next tip might seem a bit obvious to some.

But, the reality is that quite a lot of people tend to miss out on the fact that you can use presentations that already look good, and just customize the slides for your content!

Google Slides already provides you with a number of free templates. Here’s how you can access them –

• First, visit your Google Slides dashboard page.
• Login to your Google Account (if prompted)
• Choose a template from “Start a new presentation” section
• You can also click on “Template Gallery” to view more templates.

The one template that I end up using over and over again is the file name “ Consulting Proposal “. It has got a sleek modern design, a good mix of image slides as well as different text placeholder slide layouts for you to easily edit your presentation.

But, feel free to check out other templates and see which one fits your need the best.

The point here is that if you are not great at designing a presentation, you’d perhaps be better off using a template rather than starting from scratch!

4. Use Fonts the Right Way

When it comes to designing a good presentation on Google Slides (or any application for that matter), fonts do play a key role in how your presentation looks!

Thus, it is important to make sure that you use the fonts correctly when creating your presentation.

Here’s what you need to remember when using fonts for your presentation –

• Use Just One or Two Fonts – Don’t use too many fonts in your presentation. Your presentation design will not look good. Plus, using too many fonts in a presentation shows lack of consistency and professionalism in design.
• Combine Fonts – Ideally, just use one font if you are unsure of which fonts work great together. But, you can also combine fonts to make the content of your presentation standout!

If you do want to go with a two-font option, use the Google Fonts tool to identify the font combination.

Here’s how you can find a good font combination for your presentation –

Step 1 – Visit Googe Fonts and Search for a Font

Google Fonts site provides free fonts that are compatible with most modern internet sites and web browsers. Google Fonts are considered the gold standard for sites as these look very modern and are light.

The best thing is – most of them are already available in your Google Slides presentation by default.

So, the first step is to visit the Google Fonts website . Then, search for a font, to begin with. My favorite font is Montserrat . But, you can also go with Lato, Roboto, or Source Sans Pro if you are looking for a Sans Serif Font .

If you are looking for a Serif font , I would recommend using Merriweather .

Step 2 – Choose the Font and click “Pairings”

The next step is to choose a font. You can either type one of the fonts that I mentioned in the search bar and click on it once it appears OR you can also simply choose from the list provided below.

Just make sure that you click on the font that you like to open it.

Once the font is open, click on the “Pairings” tab on the top (as shown in the image).

Step 3 – Choose a Font Pair

Now simply choose one of the font pairs provided by Google Fonts. You can also click on a font pair to see how it looks on the section on the right.

Play with the options provided and choose the font combination that you like.

Now, simply go back to your Google Slides presentation and change the fonts according to your selection.

5. Choose the Right Color Combination

Just the way fonts are an important part of your Google Slides presentation design, choosing a good color combination can make your presentation look visually appealing, consistent, and professional.

Unfortunately, a lot of struggle with choosing a good color combination. Thus, I highly advise going with a monochromatic color scheme.

A monochromatic color scheme in a presentation provides a variety of color combinations of the same color. This makes your presentation look consistent and professional.

Moreover, using a monochromatic color scheme is a perfect way option for a beginner as it requires the least amount of time and effort to set up!

Check out my other article on using a monochromatic color scheme for presentations to understand the topic in-depth.

Then, also check out how to use the eyedropper tool in Google Slides to implement the color scheme that you end up choosing.

Make sure that you change the color at the theme level in Google Slides instead of changing it on every single slide. This will save you quite a bit of time!

6. Use the Expore Tool to Generate Slide Designs

Once you’ve decided the fonts, color scheme, and theme, and you have the content structured out, you’ve done most of the hard work!

All you are now left to do is create the slide designs. And, to help you with that, make sure that you use the “ Explore Tool ” in Google Slides.

The “Explore” feature in Google Slides generates slide designs based on the content that is already present on the slide. It is a great way to get a slide designed almost instantaneously!

The “Explore” feature in Google Slides works much as the design ideas feature in PowerPoint.

Based on the content on the slide, it will throw a few suggestions on how the content can be laid out on the slide. You can choose the design you like. If not, you can still design your own slide. But, it is definitely worth trying out first. Pretty cool, isn’t it!

I wrote a detailed article on the Explore Feature in Google Slides . Make sure you check out that article to learn where to find this tool and know how to use it!

That said, one thing to keep in mind is that this feature is still an experimental tool . And, while it is getting better with time, I wouldn’t recommend using it with every single slide.

In my experience, I’ve noticed that using the “Explore” feature in Google Slides works best when you want to create a title slide, a section break slide, or just want to get a few ideas on how the slide can be designed.

7. Apply the 3 by 3 Design Rule

The 3 by 3 design rule, otherwise also known as “ the rule of thirds “, is a principle that has been borrowed from photography. But, it is every bit applicable even for slide designs and other design elements!

As per the 3 by 3 design principle, you basically need to divide the visual canvas into 3 equal-sized vertical and horizontal grids with the help of 2 vertical grid lines and 2 horizontal grid lines.

Here’s a video that explains the concept of the rule of thirds for presentations –

Using these grids helps place the content correctly in the grids such that the key message usually aligns with the way our eyes like to see them visually!

The 3 by 3 design principle may seem confusing at first, but once you’ve understood how to use it, you can literally take your presentation design skills a few notches above the rest!

Using 3X3 Grids to Properly Layout Content on your Slides

The interesting thing is, you can take the same principle to make it work with elements apart from the images that are present on your slide. And, the results are just amazing!

The picture above shows how most people design their slides (on the left). However, you can literally transform the way your slides look by applying the concept of 3×3 grids to any existing content on the slides! (as shown on the right part of the picture above)

Here’s another video that explains how this concept of 3 by 3 grids can be used to take any existing slides and make them better (if they aren’t properly organized).

8. Use Powerful Images

They say – “An image speaks a thousand words!”. This absolutely holds true when it comes to big impact presentation!

If you recollect any one of the top presentations from Steve Jobs. His presentation was almost always using powerful images with very few words on them.

Using images, as opposed to a lot of text, on your presentation has a few advantages of its own –

• Visual Appeal – Using images makes the slide visually appealing. Think about it – if there aren’t too many objects placed on the slide, the chances of making design related mistakes are also far lower!
• Emotional Connect – Using images creates a subtle emotional connect in the minds of the audience with the topic of the presentation and/or the presenter.
• Audience Focus – When you use text on a presentation, often the audience just reads the text and doens’t want to listen to the presenter. Instead, when using the images, you control the focus of the attention of your audience. Once you have their attention, making a presentation impactful is a lot easier!
• Faster Design Process – In most cases, it is faster to find an image and add it to the presentation rather than think of a way to design a slide to communicate a concept. This is especially true if you have only basic design skills.

If you watch some of the most famous TED or TEDx presentations ( know the difference between TED and TEDx presentations here ), it is quite common to see presenters using high-impact images with text. Ever wonder why is it so?

Well, one of the most important reasons is that you are able to control the attention of the audience!

Now, if you are wondering how to find images for your presentation, keep reading as I’ve got some great recommendations for add-ons later in the article!

9. Keep the Text on the Slide Readable

If using images for most slides is not the way for you, then this section is going to be quite important!

In fact, even if you do plan to use just images on your slides, there may still be a few slides where you will need to have some text. If so, make sure that the text on the slide is readable!

Make sure that you don’t use text that is too small to read.

As a general rule – the further the audience is going to be away from the screen, the larger the size of the text!

Here’s what to remember for the size of the text on the slides –

• Presentation seen on a computer screen – If the presentation that you are designing is going to be seen on a computer screen (either over an email or a zoom call), then make sure that the font size used for the presentation is not less than 16 points .
• Presentation seen on a large screen – If the presentation is going to be delivered in an auditorium, then it is recommended to use a font size no less than 30 points . For the rest of the situations, anything in between should be fine!

Also, make sure that you don’t use too much text on the same slide. Remember – you only need to cover one key topic on one slide.

It is totally okay to just use one word in the middle of the slide, and talk about that topic rather than using text from a complete word document on a slide!

If your audience will have to squint to read what is written, it just creates a bad user experience and they quickly lose interest.

Also, for the above reason, don’t include everything on the slide that you plan to say! If you do so, you may come across as a person who is just reading from the slide! Most importantly, the audience is going to end up reading the text from the slide faster than you speak, and end up losing interest in the presentation!

10. Ditch the Bullet Points (Use Infographics Instead!)

Using bullet points on a presentation is so 1990s! It’s just not the way good presentations are given anymore!

If you want your presentation design to look good, make sure that you get rid of bullet points. Instead, you can either use images, icons, or even infographics!

I’ve written an entire article on how to use infographics in Google Slides where I also talk about SmartArt and charts in Google Slides. Make sure you check out that article!

There are a ton of different ways in which you get infographics for Google Slides. I’ve talked about that also in the same article that I’ve linked above.

Likewise, you can also use icons instead of bullet points. Although adding icons to Google Slides is not an option that is available by default, there are a few ways you can work around this problem. For instance, you can use an add-on like “Flaticon” that provides free icons for Google Slides!

If you are wondering how to create a slide with bullet points and use icons or other methods, here’s a good example of an actual client slide that I redesigned –

As you can see on the image, simply using icons and structuring the text to give proper hierarchy to the information can make all the difference to the design of the slide!

In case you don’t want to use icons, you can also use numbers with circles, and use a similar design instead of just adding bullets to your presentation. If you do so, your presentation will still look good!

11. Avoid Using Just Table or a Graph

The next tip to remember is to avoid using just a table or a graph on a slide. Make sure that you also include a few points that act as key takeaways from the information that you provide.

Using just a table will present a lot of information on a single slide. This will definitely cause an information overload. And, even though your audience may be able to assess what is being presented to them, it is important to either highlight key pieces of information in the table or a graph.

Alternatively, you can also add a couple of lines of text indicating the key learnings from the data set.

Don’t get me wrong, it is important to have data sets on a presentation if you have one! But, just make sure that you also highlight key pieces of information that your audience should pay attention to.

12. Keep Animations and Transitions Subtle

Another design tip that you should keep in mind is the use of animations and transitions in Google Slides.

You want to make sure when using animations in Google Slides , you don’t add any funny movements. Think old school when using animations and transitions in your presentation.

Any additional movement or sudden transitions can distract the attention of the audience from the core topic and the messaging of the presentation.

So, make sure that you keep the use of such animations or transitions to the minimal!

13. Use Professional Google Slides Templates

If you find that the free template doesn’t have enough slide layouts for your presentation or doesn’t really fit the topic of your presentation, you may want to consider using professional templates!

There are a ton of different ways you can get templates for Google Slides. Unfortunately, most of the free options (and even most paid options) have outdated designs!

My personal favorite method for getting amazing Google Slides presentation templates is using Envato Elements .

The best part about using Envato Elements is that not only does it provide you with the best-in-class designs for your templates, but it also provides you with an option to download an unlimited number of presentations! (yes, you hear that right!)

Moreover, the pricing of Envato Elements is also really affordable! All you need to do is click on Envato Elements to visit the website, view the templates, and click on the “ Get Unlimited Downloads ” button on the top.

You will be prompted to sign up and pay a subscription. Just go for a monthly subscription and pay for one month (You can easily remove the payment method and cancel your subscription anytime).

Once you’ve logged in, simply cancel your subscription. Your subscription will be valid until the next date of renewal even if you cancel it.

Now, for the one month that you’ve paid, feel free to download all the templates that you like including templates for Google Slides, and PowerPoint!

14. Use Add-ons for Faster and Better Designs

One of the challenges with Google Slides, as opposed to some of the most reliable presentation design software, is the limited number of features it offers.

I suppose we should not really be complaining about it given that we do get a great presentation design application for free along with several additional advantages with Google Slides ! That said, you do feel the need for a few pro-features that PowerPoint has to offer.

However, one way to fix this problem is to use add-ons with Google Slides!

Using add-ons allows you to use third-party tools and bring additional functionalities to your Google Slides presentation!

Add-ons on Google Slides are easy to add. Simply go to the Google Marketplace, and search for the add-on that you would like to add. Install it, and you are done!

Check out my complete guide on using Add-ons on Google Slides where I not only talk about how to use add-ons in Google Slides, but I also provide you with my personal favorite top 5 recommendations of add-ons that you should be using in Google Slides!

15. Hire a Professional

Well, the last tip is not so much as a tool that you can use on Google Slides. But, it is a great hack to ensure that you create great presentation designs!

Simply hire a professional to do the design work for you! You may be wondering that hiring a presentation professional might be difficult. However, that is not the case.

You can easily find some really good presentation designers on Fiverr , and you can start at as little as $5 to $10 dollars per slide! I’ve personally used freelancers from the site, and although finding a good freelancer may take you 15-20 minutes, you can easily outsource your work and let the designer worry about the rest!

The best part is – you don’t have to pay a single penny to hire a professional. You only pay to get the work done!

There are a ton of other platforms to hire professionals that can design a good presentation for you. However, I have found Fiverr (especially for presentation design work) and Upwork to be the most effective.

A Few Things to Remember When Delivering the Presentation

Once you have created an amazing Google Slides presentation, you are perhaps ready to deliver the presentation. However, I’d like to also share a couple of tips that can be helpful when you plan to give the presentation!

So, here they are –

1. Use a Presentation Remote

It doesn’t matter whether you are giving a presentation in an auditorium or online through Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

Using a presentation remote helps you keep your hands free and allows for free movement and hand gestures. This does help engage with your audience.

Check out my other article on using presentation clickers with Google Slides where I provide you with a few tips and recommendations on which remote you should go with.

2. Use the Q&A Tool in Google Slides

A unique feature that Google Slides provides is the Q&A tool. This is great especially if you are delivering a webinar-style presentation or if you are simply addressing a large gathering.

This tool allows your audience to send questions during the course of your presentation. Then, at the end, you can simply view the questions in the Q&A session and answer them one by one!

It is a great way to deliver an engaging presentation using Google Slides!

Credit to cookie_studio (on Freepik) for the featured image of this article (further edited).

How to Make Your Google Slides Look Cool (A Guide)

Clean design, engaging visuals, subtle animations, and structured content elevate Google Slides for effective presentations.

How to make your google slides look cool

• Select the Object: Choose the object or text you want to emphasize.
• Go to Insert: Click on "Insert"/ ”link” in the top menu.
• Choose Link: Select "Link" and then "Slides in this presentation."
• Set Zoom: Pick the slide you want to zoom in on and adjust the zoom level.

• Apply: Click "Apply" to create the zoom effect.
• Select the Object: Choose the object you want to animate.
• Go to Slide: Click on "Insert" in the top menu.
• Select Animation: Choose "Animation" and pick from various animation options.
• Adjust Settings: Customize the animation settings, such as duration and direction.
• Apply: Click "Apply" to add the animation to your object.

• Insert Audio: Go to "Insert" and select "Audio."

• Choose a Track: You can upload an audio file from your computer or search for music in the YouTube Audio Library.
• Adjust Settings: Set the playback options, such as auto-play or looping.
• Place and Resize: Drag and resize the audio icon to position it on your slide discreetly.
• Open Theme Options: Click on "Slide" in the top menu.
• Choose Change Background: Select "Change background" and then "Theme."

• Browse Themes: Browse the available themes and pick one that suits your content.
• Apply Theme: Click "Apply" to change the theme for your presentation.

Sanskar Tiwari

Founder at MagicSlides

5 AI PowerPoint Generators Who Are Transforming Presentation Creation

24 April 2024

How to remove all animations from PowerPoint

How to change border color in PowerPoint

How to see unsaved PowerPoint files

22 April 2024

How to change bullet color in PowerPoint

How to edit a PowerPoint template

21 April 2024

How to fade a picture in PowerPoint

How to redo changes in PowerPoint

19 April 2024

How to mirror an object in PowerPoint

Stunning presentations in seconds with AI

Install MagicSlides app now and start creating beautiful presentations. It's free!

Free AI PPT Tools

How to Make Your Google Slides Look Cool

Creating a visually appealing and engaging presentation is an art. With Google Slides, you have a range of tools at your disposal to transform a bland presentation into something cool, dynamic, and eye-catching.

Whether you’re presenting to a classroom, a boardroom, or at a conference, the visual appeal of your slides can make a significant difference.

Here, we’ll explore various techniques to elevate the aesthetics and engagement level of your Google Slides presentations.

2 Million+ Google Slides Themes, Presentation Templates + More With Unlimited Downloads

Download thousands of Google Slides themes, and many other design elements, with a monthly Envato Elements membership. It starts at $16 per month, and gives you unlimited access to a growing library of over 2,000,000 presentation templates, fonts, photos, graphics, and more.

Ciri Slides Template

Clean & minimal.

Delica Google Slides

133+ unique slides.

Creative Template

Alloyz Business Template

Google slides.

Kloe Minimal Template

Clean & simple design.

Company Profile Template

Explore Google Slides Themes

Step 1: Choosing the Right Theme

Using a great Google Slides theme is the key to making your presentation look more professional. Not only that, it will also allow you to get a head start on your design process.

Start with a Strong Foundation

Your choice of theme sets the stage for your entire presentation. Access the “Slide” menu, select “Change theme,” and peruse the available options. The theme should align with your presentation’s purpose and tone, as well as resonate with your audience.

Customize the Theme

Once you select a theme, don’t shy away from tweaking it. Adjust background colors, fonts, and layout elements to tailor the theme to your specific needs. Customization can make your presentation more unique, reflecting your personal or organizational style.

Step 2: Using High-Quality Images and Graphics

A picture is worth a thousand words! Always use images, graphics, icons, and charts whenever possible.

Incorporate Professional Images

Utilize high-resolution images to bring visual richness to your slides. Websites like Unsplash or Pixabay offer free, professional-grade images that can significantly enhance the impact of your presentation.

Smart Use of Graphics and Icons

Well-placed graphics and icons can make your slides more engaging and help break up text-heavy content. Use the “Insert” menu to add relevant shapes, diagrams, or icons. Be mindful to keep them complementary to your content and avoid overloading your slides.

Step 3: Playing with Colors and Fonts

Be careful when choosing colors. The presentation should represent your brand style as well as the topic you’re discussing.

Color Schemes

Colors can set the mood of your presentation and influence how your message is perceived. Choose a color scheme that is visually appealing yet maintains professionalism. Tools like Coolors or Adobe Color can assist in finding a harmonious and appealing palette.

Font Pairings

Fonts play a critical role in the legibility and aesthetics of your presentation. Pair a strong, distinctive font for headings with a more subdued, easily readable font for body text. Resources like Google Fonts can be invaluable for finding effective font pairings.

Step 4: Effective Use of Animations and Transitions

Animations in slideshows are important. But make sure not to go overboard with it.

Subtle Animations

Animations add dynamism to your presentation but should be used judiciously. Opt for simple, elegant animations like “Fade” or “Fly in” to introduce new elements or highlight key points, while avoiding overly complex or jarring animations that can distract from your message.

Thoughtful Transitions

Slide transitions should be smooth and consistent. Using the same transition style throughout your presentation can help maintain a professional and cohesive feel.

Step 5: Creating Custom Layouts

Don’t be afraid to customize the designs and create your own custom layouts.

Break the Mold

Standard layouts can be limiting. Experiment with custom layouts by creatively combining text, images, and graphics. This approach can make your slides more engaging and unique, helping to tell your story in an innovative way.

Balance Your Elements

While creativity is key, it’s important to keep your slides uncluttered. Strive for a balance between various elements, ensuring each has enough space and the slide doesn’t feel overcrowded.

Step 6: Adding Multimedia Elements

In addition to using images, try to add video and audio to your slideshow to make it more engaging.

Embed Videos and Audio

Including videos or audio clips can make your presentation more interactive and engaging. Use the “Insert” menu to embed multimedia elements that are relevant and add value to your content.

Interactive Elements

For a more engaging experience, consider adding interactive elements like hyperlinks, embedded surveys, or quizzes. These elements can be particularly effective in educational and corporate presentations.

Step 7: Utilizing Data Visualization

Numbers look great when they are accompanied by graphs and charts.

Include Charts and Graphs

Data visualization can help convey complex information in an easy-to-understand format. Use Google Slides’ built-in chart tools to incorporate graphs and charts that are visually appealing and relevant to your data.

Customizing Data Representation

Customize your charts and graphs to align with your presentation’s color scheme and style. This not only makes your data more coherent with the overall design but also enhances readability.

Best Practices for Cool Google Slides

Follow these best practices to make even cooler and professional slideshows.

1. Consistency is Key

Maintain a consistent use of colors, fonts, and design elements throughout your presentation. This consistency creates a professional and cohesive look.

2. Less is More

Adopt a minimalistic approach. Overuse of colors, fonts, or animations can be overwhelming. Less clutter means your content can shine more brightly.

3. Focus on Readability

Ensure your text is easy to read. Pay attention to font sizes, and ensure there’s a strong contrast between text and background colors.

4. Quality Over Quantity

Prioritize high-quality images and graphics. Low-resolution images can diminish the professional look of your slides.

5. Test Your Slides

Always preview your slides on different screens and in various lighting conditions to ensure they look good universally.

6. Keep Up with Trends

Stay updated on the latest design trends, but make sure your presentation style is appropriate for your message and audience.

7. Tailor for Your Audience

Customize your presentation to resonate with your specific audience. This might mean using industry-specific terminology, relevant cultural references, or appropriate humor.

8. Seek Feedback

Get feedback on your presentation from peers or colleagues. Fresh eyes can offer valuable insights and help identify areas that need improvement.

By incorporating these techniques and best practices, your Google Slides presentations will not only look cool but also be more engaging and effective. Remember, the key is to balance creativity with clarity and professionalism.

Whether you’re presenting complex data or a simple narrative, these tips will help you deliver your message in a visually compelling way.

11 Best Google Slides Tips and Tricks to Use It Like a Pro

A C.A. by profession and a tech enthusiast by passion, Gaurav loves tinkering with new tech and gadgets. He used to build WordPress websites but gave it all up to develop little iOS games instead. Finally, he dropped out of CA to pursue his love for tech. He has over 5 years of experience as a writer covering Android, iOS, and Windows platforms and writes how-to guides, comparisons, listicles, and explainers for B2B and B2C apps and services. He currently divides his time between Guiding Tech (writer) and Tech Wiser (editor).

Google Slides makes it easy to create, manage, and collaborate on presentations anywhere. While fairly easy to use, there are still some Google Slides tips and tricks to boost your productivity. That’s why we have compiled a list of best Google Slides tricks to help you use it like a pro.

These tips will help you get more stuff done faster, make you more productive, and allow you to get more from Slides.

Let’s begin.

Note: I’ve used a dark theme extension for Google Chrome and that’s why the screenshots have a dark background.

1. How to Change Theme in Google Slides

You can change both background and themes in Google Slides. The later comes with a preconfigured set of background images, fonts, layout, and colors. Open a slide in your favorite browser and click on the Theme button in the toolbar above.

You will now notice a set of themes available to apply in the right sidebar. Scroll to choose the one you like and click on it to apply the theme.

There is no confirmation dialogue. Changes will be applied the moment you select a theme.

2. How to Change Google Slide Size

Click on the File menu and scroll a little to select Page setup.

You can now choose from the drop-down menu in the pop-up that follows.

You can set a custom value as well.

Click on Apply when done.

3. How to Print Notes in Google Slides

A lot of presenters, especially beginners, like to keep notes for each slide. Here is how to print notes for each slide. Open the slide, click on the File menu and select Print settings and preview.

Select the ‘1 slide with notes’ option here. You can choose any other option in the toolbar menu as per your needs.

When done, give the print command.

4. How to Loop Google Slides

Looping will allow you to play the entire Google Slide automatically on repeat mode. The presentation will begin playing from the first slide when the last one is done playing.

Open the Google Slide that you want to play on a loop and click on Present to begin the presentation.

Click on the gear icon at the bottom of the screen and select Loop under Auto-advance (when played) option.

You can now select the timer, which begins from 1 second and goes up to 1 minute.

5. How to Add Animation in Google Slides

You can add animations and transitions in Google Slides in no time. Just make sure not to go overboard with it. Keep it subtle.

6. How to Hide a Slide in Google Slides

You can hide or skip a slide in Google Slides so that it is not visible when giving a presentation. Right-click on the slide you want to hide/skip in the left window-pane and select Skip slide.

The slide should now have a canceled eye icon, which is not clearly visible in my case because I am using a dark mode in my browser.

7. How to Time Slides in Google Slides

The timing between each slide will be the same. You can’t time one slide after 5 seconds and the next one after 10. It can be limiting for some people, but that’s how it is for now.

Click on the File menu and select Publish to the web option.

Click on the drop-down menu below Auto-advance slides to select a timer.

There are a few other options for when you want to give a presentation, and they are all self-explanatory.

8. How to Add Music to Google Slides

There is no direct way to add music to slides in Google Slides. That’s a shame because a lot of presenters use music to showcase their work. There is a workaround to this problem , so you don’t have to worry.

9. How to Wrap Text in Google Slides

There is no way to wrap text in Google Slides. Period. That’s unacceptable because this is a basic feature that you would find on any decent word editor, including Google Docs . You can try resizing the image and moving it around, but that’s all. That sounds like too much trouble.

10. How to Change Text Color in Google Slides

That’s easy. Select the text you want to change the color of and click on the color icon denoted by A.

You can choose any color here or even select custom colors. Close the menu once done and deselect the text to see the effect.

The line below the color icon will change when you move the cursor there. You can use the same method to format the text any way you want, like bold, italic, underline, change color, and so on.

11. How to View Version History in Google Slides

Click on the File menu and select See version history under Version history. There is also an option to name the current version so you could find it quickly later.

You can now choose an older version of the presentation from the sidebar menu in the right. The versions are named by date and time by default.

As I noted earlier, you can name versions too.

Google Slides is super easy to use and comes with a lot of features. Some of these features are not so obvious. At the same time, it also lacks some basic ones like the ability to wrap text around an image. But you don’t get everything in life. Google Slides is free for life with no strings attached. That’s got to count for something.

Next up: Wondering how Google Slides stacks up against Microsoft PowerPoint? Click on the link below to learn more in our in-depth comparison between the two.

Was this helpful?

Last updated on 03 February, 2022

The above article may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. However, it does not affect our editorial integrity. The content remains unbiased and authentic.

The article above may contain affiliate links which help support Guiding Tech. The content remains unbiased and authentic and will never affect our editorial integrity.

DID YOU KNOW

Gaurav Bidasaria

More in internet and social.

5 Best Grammarly Alternatives for PC and Mobile

How To Post Multiple Landscape and Portrait Photos on Instagram

Join the newsletter.

Get Guiding Tech articles delivered to your inbox.

Unsupported browser

This site was designed for modern browsers and tested with Internet Explorer version 10 and later.

It may not look or work correctly on your browser.

• Presentations

How to Create Google Slides Presentations Using Cool (Customizable) Themes

Creating a presentation from scratch takes a lot of time. You've got to design the layout variations, make sure the fonts and design elements are well-chosen, and that all the slides work together as a cohesive presentation set—with an appealing style.

But, by using a quality, predesigned presentation theme, you'll save all that initial design time. Now, begin with a single focus: to jump right into customizing the content, imagery and colors of your presentation, instead of designing slide layouts from scratch.

Themes (also known as templates) exist for the commonly used presentation software like PowerPoint, Keynote, or alternatively Google Slides. You can use Google Slides themes to build beautiful presentations fast.

In this tutorial, we cover how to build a great presentation (both visually as well as content-wise) with Google Slides. The workflow we're using begins with the quick starting point of an existing Google Slides presentation theme . Let's learn more about Google Slides and then walk through each step of the customization process. 

Need Help? Download Our eBook on Making Great Presentations (Free)

We also have a helpful complement to this tutorial. Quickly grab it before you read on. Download our FREE eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . Learn how to write, design, and deliver the perfect presentation. 

Now, let's get started!

Getting Started: Google Slides vs PowerPoint

You might wonder, what does Google Slides offer in comparison to PowerPoint or Keynote?

Google Slides shines when it comes to collaboration with multiple people simultaneously to build a presentation.

It's a web-based tool, with a pared-down, simpler interface to use. This helps you to design a cleaner, more focused presentation. Your design options are more limited, but unlike the other tools, there are no endless bells and whistles to spice up your presentation with. Endless options tend to just waste time. Also, too many effects or animation lead to distracting viewers from your presentation content. 

Why Should You Use Google Slides?

Google Slides is an ideal tool if you want to create a clean presentation, with a focus on your content, and do so quickly—without fuss. A few reasons that Google Slides might be the right tool for your next presentation are:

• Collaboration . The real-time collaboration features allow multiple users to work in the same presentation simultaneously. Trade feedback, comments, and build slides with anyone you've shared the presentation to.
• Less is more .   While it's true that Google Slides doesn't have some of PowerPoint's features, it can actually be an advantage to focus on a few key tools and options that stay out of the way of your work. 
• Backward compatibility .   Upload all of those PowerPoint format (PPTX / PPT) presentations and keep working, thanks to the excellent support from Google.
• Total cost .   In case you haven't purchased PowerPoint or don't have a Mac with Keynote, you can use Google Slides instead. It's freely accessible as long as you've got a Google account, which you can create for free as well.
• Custom Google Slides themes . Even though Slides is a web-based tool, there's a massive library of custom Google Slides themes and templates that you can use to jump ahead while designing.

Learn more about what Google Slides is. Also, how it compares to PowerPoint and Keynote in these Envato Tuts+ articles: 

Create a Cool Google Slides Presentation With a Pro Theme (From Envato Elements)

The best Google Slides presentations are already built—you just need to add  your  content to make the most of them. Using pre-built Google Slides templates can save you hours of design work that you can re-dedicate to preparing for your next big presentation. 

That's why I always recommend using custom Google Slides themes. If you're wondering how to make Google Slides that stand out from the crowd, start here with a great template.

The best source for custom Google Slides themes is Envato Elements , an all-you-can-download service for creatives. Your subscription to Envato Elements unlocks thousands of great templates. You can create Google Slides presentations easily when you've got the help of beautiful templates.

How to Create Google Slides Designs from Templates

If you've never used a custom Google Slides theme, you might be wondering how to create Google Slides using a professional template. Templates give you pre-built elements, but you can still customize them to include your personalized content.

In this section, we'll sample a custom google Slides theme from  Envato Elements  and completely customize it for use in your next presentation. I'll show you three slides from  Vexana , one of my favorite custom Google Slides themes that you can download as a part of Envato Elements.

1. Get Started

Before we dive into learning how to create Google Slides custom presentations, let's look at how to start working with custom Google Slides themes.

After you download a custom Google Slides theme like Vexana , jump over to your Google Drive account. Open up the template on your computer, and you'll see that the download includes several color schemes. You might also notice that Google Slides templates often come packaged as PPTX (PowerPoint) template files.

In Drive, drag-and-drop one of the PPTX templates onto the window. Then, go the  File > Save as Google Slides  menu option. While Google Slides supports working directly with PPTX files, you'll need to convert it to the Slides format to take full advantage of customization.

Now that we've loaded our template, let's walk through customizing a few slides. You'll see just how easy it is to start with a custom Google Slides theme and make it your own.

2. Image Panels Slide

Custom Google Slides themes already have the important layout elements you need to design your presentation. This "four-up" slide with four image placeholders is the perfect way to build a Google Slides presentation with powerful visuals.

To learn how to make Google Slides customizations, it helps to understand  Slide Masters.  A slide master controls the design of multiple slides. Sometimes, custom Google Slides templates rely on editing the master to design the slide. In this case, go to the  View > Master  menu option.

Most of the time, you'll edit a custom Google Slides template master when you want to add shared elements, like a logo or tagline. Adjusting the master is more efficient than applying a tweak to each and every slide.

In the case of Vexana, you'll adjust the master so that you can add your custom imagery. On this slide, right click on the image placeholders and choose the  Replace Image > Upload from Computer  option to browse to your image and drop it in.

Once you've filled in the images in your Google Slides presentation, it's time to make other customizations. Just click in the text boxes and fill in your company-specific copy. In my version, I've also adjusted the Google Slides theme to use a single color.

That's it! Learning how to make Google Slides your own comes down to just swapping in your content. This opening slide is visually impactful and totally customized.

3. Welcome Slide

Every presentation needs a strong start. In this Google Slides template, there's a picture-perfect introduction slide that you can easily fill in.

In the example below, we'll use the same steps by entering the Slide Master to add the background image. In the image placeholder, again right click and choose  Replace Image.  Browse to a horizontal image that'll fill the space nicely.

Customize the introduction slide with copy that matches your purpose. Introductory slides should always cut straight to the chase and embody a "less is more" philosophy. In this case, you can again customize your Google Slides theme by typing in the text boxes.

Finally, I also customized the shape at the bottom to match my brand colors. Just click on the horizontal line and choose a new color from the dropdown option on the menu above it.

With this slide, you can see how to make Google Slides with less effort. Beautiful presentations come together in mere minutes when you use the headstart of a professionally-designed Google Slides layouts. Let's customize one more slide.

4. The Offer Slide

Rounding out our customizations, you can customize what I call "the offer slide" easily to show what you're proposing.

In the template below, you can see yet another image placeholder that you can customize on the Slide Master view. Then, just fill in the text. After customizing a few slides in the steps prior, you'll find the process to be familiar and straightforward.

By adding an image and your text details, you can quickly bring together a totally custom slide. How to create Google Slides comes down to repeating these same steps with new details on each slide.

Now that you've seen this section, you know how to make Google Slides with pre-built templates. Open them up, drop in your content, and you've built an excellent presentation that supports your speaking points.

How to Customize a Google Slides Presentation Theme (From GraphicRiver)

If you're still doubtful about Google Slides, give it a shot by following this presentation theme customization tutorial. It's a simple to follow workflow and an easy way to learn more about this presentation tool. Without further ado, let's get going!

1. Set Up the Theme 

For the design of this presentation, I'll be using Hipster , a Google Slides theme with a strong focus on imagery (shown below): 

If you're looking for additional  Google Slides themes you can find more on  GraphicRiver —each with different designs and purposes, such as our best-sellers shown here:

Or, take a look at the article below, it's a curation collection of our favorite Google Slide themes: 

Depending on the type of presentation you want to create, you can find different theme designs to suit your needs.  Also, note that even without finding a theme exactly the way you'd like, it's still easy to customize it to your needs, as you'll discover next.

Step 1. Import the Theme

Once you've downloaded the theme, you'll notice that there's a PowerPoint file. Even if you don't have PowerPoint, there's nothing to worry about. 

Open Google Slides  and start with an  Empty presentation . When you click on the  File menu, you've got the ability to Import slides . In this menu, you can select a file. Select the main PowerPoint file (the Hipster presentation file in this case) and start uploading. Through this process, the PowerPoint file will be converted to a Google Slides presentation.

Once the uploading has completed, you can choose which slides you'd like to import. To start, select all. This way, you've got an overview of the different slide layout templates you could use. Now, it's time to start customizing the design of your slides!

2. Customize the Theme

At first, you'll notice that there are many slides to choose from to start creating your presentation with. I recommend that, instead of deleting the ones don't need, just start by dragging the slides that you do plan to use to the top of your slide list.

Now, you can keep an overview of the different slide designs, which helps as you start putting together your presentation.

This makes it easy to have a handy overview of the different slide layouts you can work with while designing. Once you're done with the presentation design, you can delete the remaining slides that you won't use.

Step 1. Design a Cover Slide

The first slide in the theme is an ideal cover slide to use. A cover slide is the initial slide,  which displays the title of the presentation and acts as the introduction before diving into the rest of the presentation.

On the cover slide, we want to change the following elements:

• change the title
• add a background image

Work With Text in Google Slides

Updating the copy in a Google Slides presentation is easy. Click on the text on the slide and start typing your new title. As you notice, the title is embedded in a text box. Depending on the size and length of your title, your text box might be too small.

You can readily manipulate a text box in Google Slides. Just drag the corners surrounding the box in order to make the text box larger or smaller. In the toolbar, you also have the  Alignment options to make use of.

By changing the dimensions of the text box, the actual font size and using the alignment options, you're capable of manipulating the text on a slide as you see fit.  

Tip:  Typography will help you to create a better visual hierarchy in your slide. Make titles bigger and bold, while body text should be smaller. 

In the menu bar, you'll notice  Arrange  in the top menu. In there, you can choose to  Center on page , which is useful to help you arrange elements on a slide to improve the visual design. I'll be centering my title horizontally on this slide.

Tip:   While dragging elements around, you can hold the Shift key to keep the element on the same x-position or y-position. For example: if you'd like to shift the title a little bit more to the left while keeping it aligned on the horizontal axis.

Working with Images in Google Slides

To add an image, you can select on any of the placeholder images in a slide. In the toolbar, you'll see a  Replace image option. When you click on this, you're capable of uploading an image that'll be used in the slide. I recommend finding images through a free service such as Unsplash for example or use our affordable premium photos site  PhotoDune , which is part of Envato Market.

Once you've uploaded an image, you'll often be using two tools to perfect how the image looks on a slide. You'll be using:

• image options
• cropping tool

The  Image options is a useful tool to manipulate an image to make it fit your slide. For example, think of reducing the transparency, changing the colors by using any of Google's premade options or reducing the brightness of the image so that the white text on top becomes more legible.

With  Cropping you've got the ability to change how the image is displayed on the slide. You've got the  Mask, which is the area that'll be actually visible from the image on the slide and you've got the actual image itself. Visually, the mask area is the area of the image that's fully visible, the cropped area is the area of the image that's slightly transparent.

You can manipulate the mask, to define how the image should look on the slide and then you can manipulate the actual image, to change how the image will look in the mask.

With the title updated and a background image added, we're done with our title slide! An example of a finished slide is shown below.

Step 2. Design a Services Slide

Next up, let's design a traditional services slide, which is often found in a sales presentation. They usually contain the following elements:

• an overview of the services
• a brief description about said service
• pricing information

Now, let's take a look at the theme and see what slides we could use for this design. As you notice, there are some slides designed in the theme that could act specifically as a slide to present services.

However, I really like the design of slide 8, which you can see below. Let's customize this slide to use it as a service slide.

The following are elements on the slide that I'd like to change:

• image on the left half of the slide
• slide title
• features and icons on the right section of the slide

Let's first change the image. When you click on the placeholder image, you can use the  Replace image tool again, in combination with masking and cropping as described above to change the image as you please.

Now, let's change the text as well as change the icons that are used on the right section of the slide. First, let's see what icons we could use.

At the end of the different theme slides, you'll notice a collection of icons. For the services, instead of using the checkmark icon that's used in the template slide, you could use any of the other icons provided with the theme. In the Hipster theme, you can find the icon slides at the end of the presentation.

Simply copy an icon from the icon slide and paste it in the slide you'd like to use. You can use the toolbar menu to, for example, change the color or stroke size of the icon.

Tip: If an icon consists of different elements, you can select them all by dragging your cursor around the elements and group the elements by right-clicking and selecting 'group'. This makes it easier to, for example, change the color of the icon.

If you dislike the icon options that are provided in the theme, you could always discover icons on Envato Elements or The Noun Project for example. 

Time to practice! Use what you've learned to manipulate the text and add icons to your slide. Try to achieve a similar result as the finished slide below.

Step 3. Design a Portfolio Slide

To showcase some of the work you've done in the past, a presentation could include a portfolio slide.

A portfolio slide tends to contain a lot of images. They typically including either logos or images from projects.

In the theme, there are a few suitable portfolio slides. You could use one that includes a project description. If you're a photographer for example, you might want to pick a slide that only contains images.

I personally really like slide 23 . The only elements we need to change is to replace the images. As described in designing the cover slide, you'll probably have to work with cropping and masking the different images in order to get the design of the slide right.

This is a good slide to practice image composition as well. What images can you combine to create a nice look and feel? Perhaps you could use  Image options to give each image similar colors for example.

Tip: You can double-click on an image to open the cropping masking interface.

I replaced the images. You can see the completed portfolio slide design below.

Step 4. Design a Team Slide

Another commonly recurring slide in a presentation is a slide that features people, often known as a team slide.

Most themes include designs for a team slide. You've got slides that could feature multiple people or highlight one person. I've picked  slide 18 to   customize.

We're going to change the following elements:

• copywriting (name, title, bio)
• social media links

By now, we know how to change the image by using  Replace image . Changing the text should be easy by now as well.

How can you change the social media links? Select the piece of text that you'd like to make clickable. Go to  Insert in the menu bar and select  Link . Now you can paste the URL you'd like to link to. You can also use the link feature to link to different slides in the presentation.

Tip: In the future, instead of using the menu bar, you could also use the shortcut CMD+K for Mac or CTRL+K for Windows computers to insert a link.

Time to finish the design of the slide. You can use the finished design below as a guideline.

Learn More About Using Google Slides

Even though Google Slides is a beginner friendly presentation software, 

Check out the rest of these beginner resources to k

Make Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

We've got the perfect complement to this tutorial, which will walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to not just design, but also come up with great ideas, the process of writing presentations, and how to prep it to powerfully present to your audience.

Download our eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It's available for free with a subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.  

Choose & Customize Your Own Google Slides Themes

As you see, Google offers excellent presentation software alternative to quickly have a presentation ready using custom Google Slides themes. Here's our final set of slide designs for reference:  

Discover more great Google Slides themes on Envato Market with new designs trending weekly. Don't forget that Envato Elements is an all-you-can-download site for procuring the best custom Google Slides themes.

Also, if you're looking for some final advice to get your presentation straightened out, I recommend taking a look at the following article. It helps you understand how an efficient presentation is designed.

Editorial Note : This tutorial was originally published in September of 2016. It's been updated to include new information—with special assistance from  Andrew Childress.

• Help Center
• Get started
• Learn by product
• Learn by role & industry
• Hybrid workplace tips
• Gen AI tips
• Productivity tips
• Business tutorials
• Switch from Microsoft & others
• Support & accessibility
• Google Workspace
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Service
• Submit feedback
• What's new?
• Get started Welcome Get ready to switch What to do on your first day Your first week & beyond Cheat sheets & reference guides Open Google Workspace apps
• Learn by product Calendar Chat Chrome browser Docs Drive Gemini Gmail Meet Sheets Slides Managed teams Mobile & device setup All products
• Learn by role & industry Administrative assistants Digital marketing Finance Healthcare Human resources Law practices Manufacturing Media & entertainment Nonprofits Professional services Project management Research & development Retail Sales & marketing Technical support UX design Visual design Web development
• Hybrid workplace tips Hybrid work training & help Use Meet Companion mode Stay connected when working remotely Work from home Work with remote teams Plan & hold meetings from anywhere Hold large remote events Work with non-Google Workspace users
• Gen AI tips Generative AI training & help Get started with Gemini Gemini cheat sheet Role-specific prompts & use cases Tips for writing prompts for Gemini Gemini usage limits Learn about generative AI
• Productivity tips Set up business meetings Discuss topics with your team Brainstorm with colleagues Improve communication Make video conference calls Create great presentations Create strong proposals Onboard team members Optimize your inbox Analyze data Clean up data Go paperless
• Business tutorials Use generative AI at work Plan & manage a project Plan & hold meetings from anywhere Hold large remote events Stay connected when working remotely Collaborate with decision makers Share a final document Free up storage space Plan a project with external clients Delegate work when you're OOO Get up to speed after time off Additional training resources
• Switch from Microsoft & others Switch from Microsoft Switch from Slack Switch from Zoom, Skype, or Webex Switch from Box, Dropbox, or C:\ drive Switch from HCL Notes
• Support & accessibility Support for users Support for administrators Accessibility Save or customize Learning Center guides

Bring your best ideas to life with Gemini for Google Workspace. Get tips & real-life use cases for using gen AI at work .

Tips for great presentations

On this page, design your presentation, tips to build your presentation, tips when presenting.

Want advanced Google Workspace features for your business?

Try Google Workspace today!

Expand all   |   Collapse all

Get a jump start with templates

Whether you're creating a template that your team can reuse or keeping your external branding consistent, use templates to help your presentations look sharp and professional.

Use a template from the Template Gallery

• On your computer, go to Google Docs , Sheets , Slides ,  Forms , or Sites .
• At the top right , click Template Gallery .
• Click the template you want to use.
• A copy of the template opens.

Tip: If the template you choose has "Add-on" next to it, you may have to install an add-on to use it. Learn more about add-ons .

Learn more at the Google Docs Editors Help Center

Use a template with your organization's branding

• On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides .

• At right, click the template you want to use.

Note: The Templates option appears only if your administrator makes organization-branded slides available.

Use Theme builder to create template slides

Want to keep a consistent theme throughout your presentation? Use the Theme builder editor in Google Slides to create templates slides. You can change the background, theme, layout, and more for all your slides.

• Add your company logo or other branding to each slide.
• Keep text size and color consistent.
• Create unique layouts that you can reuse.
• Go to Slides .
• Open an existing presentation.

• (Optional) To rename your presentation, click Untitled presentation and enter a new name.

• (Optional) To choose an existing theme, on the right, select a theme.
• From the toolbar, choose options to customize the template.

Import themes from other presentations

See a presentation with a theme you like? Need consistent styles and branding across all your team's presentations? Instead of creating your slides or themes from scratch, import them using Google Slides.

• Train new employees remotely.
• Get clients up to speed with project ideas.
• Hold virtual conferences and present your ideas.
• Share your meeting notes, projects, roadmaps, and research with international stakeholders.
• Brainstorm and edit proposals with remote team members.

Import a theme from another presentation

Important:  Your imported theme must be from an existing Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation. You can also use your own image as the background for the entire presentation . 

• On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides. 

• In the bottom right, click  Import theme.
• Double-click the presentation you want to use. 
• Click the theme you want. 
• Click  Import theme.

Import slides from another presentation

• Open a presentation.
• Choose a presentation from Drive or choose a presentation to upload from your computer.
• Click Select .
• Click the slides in the presentation you’d like to import. Use the Select Slides: All option to quickly select all slides.
• Check the Keep original theme box if you want to import the slides unmodified. Uncheck the box if you want the slides to fit into the look of your new presentation.
• Click Import slides .

Do more with add-ons and scripts

Use ready-made add-ons to do more with Gmail and Google Docs , Sheets , Slides , and Forms . You can also create your own scripts in any of the Docs editors with Google Apps Script .

• Add Google Analytics to your spreadsheet.
• Add a thesaurus to your document.
• Add form responses in Docs to create a poll.
• Add interactive questions to your presentation.
• Manage sales and customer relationships directly in Gmail.
• Add custom menus and windows with Google Apps Script.

Install an add-on

• On your computer, open a document , spreadsheet , or presentation .

• Point to an add-on to find a short description. To find a full description, click the add-on.
• For most add-ons, a message will appear requesting access to data that the add-on needs to work. Read the message, then click Allow .
• After the add-on installs, click Done .

Create a script

• In Docs , Sheets , Slides , or Forms , open a document, spreadsheet, presentation, or form.

• Create your script.

For help, see Overview of Google Apps Script .

Analyze presentation data with charts

If your Slides presentation has a lot of data, help your audience easily visualize it by turning your information into charts. Just create a chart in Sheets and add it to your presentation. Your chart is linked to your Sheets data, so any changes you make to your data automatically update in your presentation.

Add a chart from Google Sheets to a presentation

• On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google Docs or Google Slides .

• Click the spreadsheet with the chart you want to add, then click Select .
• If you don't want the chart linked to the spreadsheet, uncheck "Link to spreadsheet."
• Click Import .

Edit chart data from a slide

• Click a chart or table to select it.

• You can now change the original file.

Update your chart to the latest data

If you make a change in your spreadsheet, you might want to make sure your chart gets updated in your presentation

• In the top right corner of the chart, table, or slide click Update .

Enhance your presentation with images

If you’re discussing complex processes in your presentation, use images to make your content easier to understand.

Add an image to a presentation

• On your computer, open a document or presentation in Google  Docs  or  Slides .
• Upload from computer : Insert an image saved on your device.
• Search the web : Search the web for an image.
• GIFs and stickers: Insert a GIF or a sticker to your slide.
• Drive : Use an image saved to your Google Drive.
• Photos : Use an image from your Google Photos library.
• By URL : Insert a link to your image or insert a .gif.
• Click Insert or Open .

Learn how to add images in Sheets.

Add transitions and animations

Transitions make moving from one slide to the next a little more interesting, by fading or sliding into the next slide. Animations make shapes, images, or text boxes dynamic—they can fade in or out, appear and disappear, or fly in and out with the click of a button.

Animate text or images

• Click the text or image you want to animate.

Add slide transitions

• On the left, click the slide you want to transition to.

Change animations and transitions

• Click the animation you want to change.
• To change the speed of the animation, drag the slider.
• To animate lists one line at a time, check the box next to "By paragraph."

Add flowcharts and diagrams

Flowcharts and diagrams make difficult concepts easy to understand. Create them right in your browser with Google Drawings , no software needed.

Create a flowchart, diagram, or other type of drawing

• On your computer, open a document.
• Click the drawing you want to insert. 
• Click  Select .

Add your drawing to a presentation

The inserted drawing is linked to the original drawing.

• To update the drawing— Click the drawing. In the top right, click Update .

Add a diagram to your presentation

Important:  You can insert a diagram in any language that uses the Latin alphabet.

• Go to the slide where you want to add the diagram.
• Choose your style, number of levels, and template.
• The diagram will get added to the slide. You can change it how you want.

Space table rows & columns evenly in Slides

In Google Slides, you can resize table rows and columns so that each one is evenly spaced.

Evenly space table rows & columns in Slides

• On your computer, open a document or presentation.
• Right-click a table.
• Click Distribute rows or Distribute columns .

Add text with your voice

Chrome Browser only, microphones required

You can type and edit by speaking in Google Docs or in Google Slides speaker notes. Anything you say turns into text.

• On the go? Speak your notes, edits, and feedback to add them to documents.
• Use voice commands to change font styles, add tables, insert links, and more.

Start voice typing in a document

• Check that your microphone works.
• Open a document in Google Docs with a Chrome browser.
• When you're ready to speak, click the microphone.
• Speak clearly, at a normal volume and pace (see below for more information on using punctuation).
• When you're done, click the microphone again.

Start voice typing in Slides speaker notes

• Open a presentation in Google Slides with a Chrome browser.

Change how text fits in placeholders and text boxes

When you’re entering text in a presentation, you can customize how text fits in placeholders and text boxes. For example, you can resize a placeholder to fit the amount of text you need. Or, size your text based on the size of a text box.

Customize how text fits in placeholders and text boxes

• Select the placeholder or text box.
• To allow text to exceed the placeholder or box, select Do not autofit .
• To resize text based on the size of the placeholder or box, select Shrink text on overflow .
• To resize the placeholder or box to fit the text, select Resize shape to fit text .

Customize default setting for new text boxes

You can change the setting for any new text boxes you create. Changing the setting will not affect any placeholders or boxes in templates.

• Check the Use custom autofit preferences box.
• Under Theme text placeholders and New text boxes , select Do not autofit , Shrink text on overflow , or Resize shape to fit text .

Update presentations on the go

Edit presentations on your mobile device with the Slides app . Whether you’re on the way to the airport or visiting a customer, it’s easy to update training modules, pitch decks, and more. Any changes you make automatically sync to all your devices, so you’re always up to date.

Use the Google Slides app

• Open the Play Store .
• In the top search bar, enter Google Slides .
• Tap Install . The Google Slides app will appear on your Home screen.

Present to remote audiences

You can use Google Meet to show a Slides presentation and share links to reference materials using the built-in chat. If you're presenting in an office meeting room, use Companion mode when presenting from your laptop to avoid echo.

Control Slides presentations in Google Meet

If you’re using Google Meet on an eligible work or school account, you can control Google Slides presentations from within a Google Meet video meeting. You can also make other people in the video meeting co-presenters.

Important : To control a Google Slides presentation from a Google Meet video meeting, you must use a computer with a Chrome browser.

• In a Chrome tab or window, open the Slides file you want to present.
• In a different Chrome window, open Google Meet and join a video meeting.
• You can either present from the Google Meet tab, or present directly from the Slides tab .
• Select the tab with the Slides presentation, then click Share .
• Important: You can only control a presentation in Google Meet when you're in slideshow mode.
• Click to the next or previous slide with the arrow buttons.
• Jump to a specific slide by clicking the slide number, and choosing from the list of slides.

Remember key points with speaker notes

Presentations can be long, detailed, and complex. Make your talking points easier to recall by using speaker notes in Slides. If you have a lot of ground to cover, use the timer feature to make sure you keep your presentation on track.

View a presentation with speaker notes

• Open a presentation in Google Slides .

• Click Presenter view .
• Click Speaker notes .

Focus your audience's attention with a built-in laser pointer

Have a lot of detailed information in your presentation? Focus your audience’s attention on specific parts of your slides by using your mouse as a laser pointer. Help your audience know where to look and when.

Use other options when you're presenting

When you present, you can choose more options from the toolbar at the bottom of the presentation window:

• Select slides to present from a list
• Open "Presenter" view
• Turn on laser pointer
• Print the presentation
• Download the presentation in PDF or PPTX format

Skip slides you don't want to show

You can skip slides you don't want to show to others when you're presenting. People you've shared the slide with will still be able to see the slide.

• At the left, right-click the slide or slides you want to skip.
• Click Skip Slide .
• Optional: To show a skipped slide, click Skip Slide  again.

Turn on closed captions

You can use automatic captions during your presentation to display your words in real time at the bottom of the screen.

Your computer microphone needs to be on and working and you need to be using Chrome. This feature is only available in U.S. English.

Learn how at the Google Docs Editors Help Center

Engage your audience with interactive Q&A sessions

Instead of giving a one-sided talk, get your audience involved by conducting a Q&A session right from Slides. Audience members can submit questions in real time and vote on them during the presentation. 

• If you can’t get through everyone’s questions, just answer the questions with the highest audience votes.
• Want to know what people are interested in before your presentation? Send your audience the presentation link first so they can submit questions before you present.
• Encourage shy people to interact by submitting questions in real time, anonymously.

You can start a live Q&A session in your Google Slides presentation and present questions at any time. Viewers can ask questions from any device.

Start your Q&A and get questions from viewers

• Open a Google Slides presentation.

• Click Presenter View .
• To start a new session, click Start new .
• To resume a recent session, click Continue recent .
• Tip : Even if you don't turn off Q&A, the Q&A view closes shortly after you end your Google Slide presentation.

When you start the session, a short URL for the presentation shows up at the top of the slides as you're presenting. Viewers can enter the URL in their browser to submit a question. You'll see questions in the Presenter view window.

Display a question to viewers

Presenters can display audience questions in a presentation:

• Under "Audience Tools," find a question to display.
• To change the question, find a different question and click Present .
• To hide the question, click Hide .

Google, Google Workspace, and related marks and logos are trademarks of Google LLC. All other company and product names are trademarks of the companies with which they are associated.

Was this helpful?

Learn how to print Learning Center guides, save them as PDFs, or customize them for your organization.

10 quick tips to spice up your Google Slides presentations

Presentations can be tough. We’re here to help. Gain expertise with these 10 essential Google Slides tips

PowerPoint may be the most popular presentation software out there, but not everyone can afford to pay for it. This is why many people consider Google Slides as one of the best alternatives to PowerPoint. It’s free, easy to use, and easily accessible. All you need is a Google account and Internet access, and you’re ready to roll!

So, how do you actually make the most of Google Slides and get your presentation looking top notch?

Well today we’ve reached out to our friends over at 24Slides for some Google Slides tips. As leading experts in custom presentation design, they know a thing (or ten) about how to make any slideshow more impactful, and your audience hooked.

So, here are ten quick Google Slides tips from 24Slides that will help make presentation wow your audience.

More of a Microsoft fan? Check out our pro- PowerPoint tips , or get some general presentation pointers here .

1) Insert images directly from Google Images

Google Image Search has billions of images indexed. When you use Google Slides, you don’t need to download images and then upload them again to your slide. Nope, you don’t even need to leave your browser tab to look for suitable images for your presentation.

All you have to do is click on Insert > Image. Then select ‘Search the web’ from the dropdown list. The side panel ‘Search for Google Images’ will appear on the right side of your screen (see screenshot below):

Simply type in the keyword(s) for your image and the results will appear below the search box. The last step would be for you to click on the photo(s) you want to use in your slide. And that’s it! The entire process will only take you anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes!

2) Themes for Google Slides

You can do this by clicking on any slide thumbnail on the left side panel. You’ll then see these options in the menu bar:

Click on Theme to access the Themes side panel. You will see something like this on your screen:

Note that there’s no preview button. You simply need to click on the Theme you like and the changes will be applied in real time. Also, if you want to import a theme from an existing presentation, you can click on the yellow Import Theme button. Play around with the different theme options until you find one that works best for your presentation!

3) Mask your images into different fun shapes

Your photos need not be in the usual rectangular or square shape all the time. With Google Slides, you can change your image into various shapes, arrows, callouts, or equations. Here’s how:

• Click on the image you want to mask to access the hidden photo masking options. For this example, I used this image I found on Google Images.

• Click on Mask image (it’s the small triangular button beside the Crop icon)

• Select the shape, arrow, callout or equation you want to reshape your image to. As you can see below, there are a lot of different shapes you can choose from:

• For this example, I chose the lightning shape. By clicking on the lightning shape, I effectively transformed my boring, rectangular photo into this fun and exciting shape!

Feel free to experiment and explore the many different options. Remember, you can always undo your changes on Google Slides.

4) Insert different types of Google Slides diagrams

To insert a diagram on your slides, click on Insert > Diagram. The Diagrams side panel will appear on the right side of your screen. As you can see below, you can choose from 6 different types of diagrams: Grid, Hierarchy, Timeline, Process, Relationship and Cycle diagrams.

For this example, I clicked on the box for Timeline diagram. In the screenshot below, you’ll notice that I was able to customize my Timeline diagram. I changed the number of timeline dates from 4 to 6; I was also able to change the timeline’s color to green.

Play around with the different options until you find the perfect diagram(s) for your presentation.

5) Got links?

With Google Slides, you’re not limited to adding just links to websites, you can also link to images, your files on Google Drive, and even to other slides in your presentation!

Here’s what you need to do:

• Click on the text you want to add the hyperlink to. Then either hit CTRL+K or right-click on your mouse and look for the Link option.

• To add a web link, type in or paste the web address. Then hit the Apply button.

• To link to slides in the same presentation, select from available slides like you see below:

• For even more link options, click on Find More and the Explore side panel will appear on your screen. You can then type your query in the Title box and Google will then search for relevant websites, images, and even your files saved on Google Drive.

6) Make global changes by editing the slide master

If you’re only working with a few slides, then you may not have much need for a slide master. However, once you get to double figures (say from 10 slides onwards), then you’ll see just how much of a timesaver a slide master is. You don’t need to edit each individual slide, instead you can just go directly to the slide master and all slides in your presentation will automatically be updated.

To edit your slide master, simply go to Slide > Edit Master. This is how it looks like:

Click on the elements you want to change. For example, if you want all titles and subtitles to use Monserrat font, then you can change that here. There’s a lot of things you can do with the master slide. You can add your company logo in the footer section or the header, and it will automatically appear on all your slides.

The main thing to remember is if you want something to appear on all your slides, the best way to go about this is by editing the slide master itself.

7) How to embed YouTube videos in Google Slides

One of the best ways to make your presentation come alive is by adding videos to it. To do so, click on Insert > Video and you’ll see this on your screen:

As you can see, you can search YouTube videos directly from your slides (no need to open up another tab and type YouTube ). You can also add a direct link (URL) to a video online, or you can search for videos stored in your Google Drive account.

To edit and format your video, click on the video itself so the Format options button will appear on the menu bar. Click on this button and the Format options side panel will appear on your screen.

Feel free to adjust the video playback options, size and position, and drop shadow settings.

8) How to do transitions on Google Slides

Google Slides transitions are easy to set. To add them, you’ll need to click on the slide thumbnails so you can see the hidden Transition button on the menu.

As you can see in the screenshot above, there aren’t a ton of options on Google Slides (unlike PowerPoint). It’s not necessarily a bad thing though. Most experts recommend keeping transitions to a minimum because it can distract the audience and can even cause motion sickness in some cases.

So, take your pick from the 7 transition options and focus on making your message heard loud and clear. For best results, I recommend you use the same transition effect throughout your presentation.

9) Accept questions from your audience

An interactive presentation is bound to get more attention than, say, a one-sided one. Since Google Slides is cloud-based, it’s easier to get your audience to interact and ask you questions in real time. Here’s how:

• Click on Present > Presenter View (Present with audience Q&A and view speaker notes).

• You’ll then see this pop-up on your screen. Click on Audience Tools then hit the Start new button at the bottom.

• Google Slides will now generate a link to your online presentation. Simply copy the link and send it to your audience.

• When people start sending you questions, they’ll appear in the box. You can then answer the questions one by one.

The really cool thing about this feature is you can use it whether you’re in the same room as your audience or they’re halfway across the globe!

10) Collaborate with teammates in real time

Google products stand out with their top-notch online collaboration features. Google Slides is no different. If you’re working with a team of designers and content makers, then the yellow Share button is your friend.

Once you click on Share, you’ll see this pop up on your screen:

You can either get a shareable link and send it to people via email or chat. Or you can type in people’s name and/or email addresses, then hit the blue Done button to send out your invite. Now, you’ll have an extra pair of eyes to look over your presentation and make sure it’s the best it can possibly be!

Bonus tip: use vector drawings

If you’re looking to wow with your presentation, you are probably using a lot of visuals. This means adding in a lot of JPEGs, videos perhaps even the occasional PDF. These files can be heavy, and quickly stack up, which runs the risk of your Google Slides presentation lagging and testing the patience of your audience.

But, there’s another way. If you have a designer at hand, open up Adobe Illustrator and give vector graphics a try. Creating something unique, custom and exporting as a PNG is likely to keep your slides looking stylish and functioning effectively.

Huge thanks to Guillaume Proux, co-founder of Oomnis Limited for the bonus pro tip!

Loving Google Slides Already?

Did we miss any pro-Google Slides tips? Let us know your favorite!

It’s really no wonder why Google Slides is touted as the best PowerPoint alternative by many experts in the presentation industry. It’s user-friendly, it’s highly customizable, it’s cloud-based, and it’s free.

On the other hand, if you’re pressed for time or simply want to focus on more important things, you can leave the design work to 24Slides. It costs as little as $7 per slide for a custom design and we can turnaround presentations in 24 hours.

Even better, we’re offering Airtame customers and readers a 20% discount off their first order. Simply visit  24slides.com and use the coupon code AIRTAME at checkout.

If you would like to know how to present from your mobile or computer devices to your TV screen or projector wirelessly, watch this short video:

Interested? Let’s talk.

Stay connected!

Expect updates, guidance, and campaigns.

© 2024 Airtame. All rights reserved.

Get 50% off your first Airtame Hub + Hybrid today!

Are you ready to host video calls with rock-solid performance on Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, Zoom, and Webex all on a single system?

Get your first Airtame Hub + Hybrid today for 50% off MSRP with 30 days risk-free trial! Don't like it? Send it back for a full refund.

Use the code BetterMeetings24 at checkout or click the button below to buy now.

Top searches

Trending searches

meet the teacher

30 templates

education technology

246 templates

28 templates

48 templates

412 templates

change management

6 templates

Create engaging presentations, faster

Free templates for google slides, powerpoint and canva, or kick off your next project with ai presentation maker.

Inside Out Disney

5 templates

137 templates

Slidesclass

312 templates

Editor’s Choice

3403 templates

196 templates

3764 templates

Social Media

665 templates

Mental Health

372 templates

1117 templates

414 templates

Presentation Maker

1168 templates

1000 templates

3016 templates

Latest themes

It seems that you like this template!

Ronnie the bunny easter stickers minitheme.

Download the Ronnie The Bunny Easter Stickers Minitheme presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using...

Premium template

Unlock this template and gain unlimited access

Cartoon Acid Hip Hop Stickers Student Pack for Middle School

Download the Cartoon Acid Hip Hop Stickers Student Pack for Middle School presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. If you’re looking for a way to motivate and engage students who are undergoing significant physical, social, and emotional development, then you can’t go wrong with an educational template designed for Middle...

Bowling Business Plan

Download the Bowling Business Plan presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Conveying your business plan accurately and effectively is the cornerstone of any successful venture. This template allows you to pinpoint essential elements of your operation while your audience will appreciate the clear and concise presentation, eliminating any potential misunderstandings....

Customer Referral Program for Marketing

Download the Customer Referral Program for Marketing presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and start impressing your audience with a creative and original design. Slidesgo templates like this one here offer the possibility to convey a concept, idea or topic in a clear, concise and visual way, by using different...

Biology Subject Activities for Elementary: Mammals

Download the Biology Subject Activities for Elementary: Mammals presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and easily edit it to fit your own lesson plan! Designed specifically for elementary school education, this eye-catching design features engaging graphics, and age-appropriate fonts; elements that capture the students' attention and make the learning experience...

Audio Visual Studies School Center

Download the Audio Visual Studies School Center presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Are you looking for a way to make your school academy stand out among the competition? This template is designed to showcase all the fantastic aspects of your center. With perfect slides that allow you to easily...

Popular themes

Minimal Charm

Are you looking for a monochromatic theme that is interesting at the same time? How about using a simple and clean theme, along with black-and-white pictures, to convey business or corporate content in a professional way?

Minimalist Business Slides

Minimalism is an art style that frees the canvas and that lets the content stand out for itself. It’s a way of conveying modernism, simplicity and elegance and can be your best ally in your next presentation. With this new design from Slidesgo, your business presentations will be as professional...

Notebook Lesson

These are the last days before the Summer break! We know that there are some pending lessons that you need to prepare for your students. As they may be thinking about their friends and their holidays, catch their attention with this cool template!

Strategic Roadmap Infographics

How far can your company go? We know that for you there are no limits and that your company is capable of surpassing everything it decides to do. This is great, but to organize all the goals you want to achieve, designing a strategic roadmap will be a great idea...

Elegant Bachelor Thesis

Present your Bachelor Thesis in style with this elegant presentation template. It's simple, minimalist design makes it perfect for any kind of academic presentation. With an array of features such as section dividers, images, infographics and more, you can easily create a professional and creative presentation that stands out from...

Problem-based Learning

Download the "Problem-based Learning" presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and prepare to receive useful information. Even though teachers are responsible for disseminating knowledge to their students, they also embarked on a learning journey since the day they decided to dedicate themselves to education. You might find this Google Slides...

Infographics

Fresh Lemon Pattern Newsletter Infographics

Download the Fresh Lemon Pattern Newsletter Infographics template for PowerPoint or Google Slides and discover the power of infographics. An infographic resource gives you the ability to showcase your content in a more visual way, which will make it easier for your audience to understand your topic. Slidesgo infographics like...

College Lessons with Cycle Diagrams

Download the College Lessons with Cycle Diagrams presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. As university curricula increasingly incorporate digital tools and platforms, this template has been designed to integrate with presentation software, online learning management systems, or referencing software, enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of student work. Edit this...

Watercolor Cottagecore Infographics

Download the Watercolor Cottagecore Infographics template for PowerPoint or Google Slides and discover the power of infographics. An infographic resource gives you the ability to showcase your content in a more visual way, which will make it easier for your audience to understand your topic. Slidesgo infographics like this set...

Education presentation templates

313 templates

857 templates

565 templates

111 templates

747 templates

978 templates

3085 templates

Thesis Defense

958 templates

Teacher Toolkit

121 templates

790 templates

59 templates

Editable in Canva

Social Studies Subject for Elementary - 4th Grade: Economics

Download the Social Studies Subject for Elementary - 4th Grade: Economics presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and easily edit it to fit your own lesson plan! Designed specifically for elementary school education, this eye-catching design features engaging graphics, and age-appropriate fonts; elements that capture the students' attention and make...

Nonprofit Business Plan

Download the Nonprofit Business Plan presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides. Conveying your business plan accurately and effectively is the cornerstone of any successful venture. This template allows you to pinpoint essential elements of your operation while your audience will appreciate the clear and concise presentation, eliminating any potential misunderstandings....

Huge Herbivores

Download the Huge Herbivores presentation for PowerPoint or Google Slides and teach with confidence. Sometimes, teachers need a little bit of help, and there's nothing wrong with that. We're glad to lend you a hand! Since Slidesgo is committed to making education better for everyone, we've joined hands with educators....

What's new on Slidesgo

See the latest website updates, new features and tools and make the most of your Slidesgo experience.

Make presentations with AI

How to present a business plan (with tips and templates)

Slidesgo for Education: How to use it being a school district

Browse by tags.

• Kids 1794 templates
• Food 910 templates
• Technology 1012 templates
• Travel 415 templates
• Animal 1027 templates
• Art 790 templates
• Health 3677 templates
• History 1347 templates
• Environment 510 templates
• Galaxy 178 templates
• Fashion 239 templates
• Biology 471 templates
• Summer 197 templates
• Architecture 146 templates
• Music 414 templates
• Research 1615 templates
• Culture 1994 templates
• Background 9476 templates
• Back to School 179 templates
• Coloring Page 352 templates

What do our users say about us?

I just wanted to thank you! I learned more about slides in one day of quarantine than in my whole life

Gabriela Miranda

Your slides are so unique and gorgeous! They really help me with PowerPoint presentations for school and now even my mom uses them for work

Marie Dupuis

I would like to thank to you for these amazing templates. I have never seen such service, especially free! They are very useful for my presentation.

Ali Serdar Çelikezen

Thank you Slidesgo for creating amazing templates for us. It's made my presentation become much better.

Thiên Trang Nguyễn

Create your presentation Create personalized presentation content

Writing tone, number of slides.

Register for free and start editing online

39 Free Google Slides Templates For Your Next Presentation

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter

By Iveta Pavlova

in Freebies

6 years ago

Viewed 2,875,155 times

Spread the word about this article:

Google Slides Logo

Update June 2022: We added more free templates for Google Slides. Scroll down to check them out.

Google Slides have been gaining popularity more and more in the last few years as an alternative to PowerPoint . The cloud-based software used for presentations comes with plenty of opportunities and convenient features for modern users saving them time and effort in their busy day-to-day schedules.

To help you save even more time preparing your presentation, we browsed the web to gather 39 eye-catchy free Google Slides templates that you can use as a base for your own presentation.

Before we move on, let’s see why some people use Google Slide templates instead of PowerPoint templates. Here are the advantages of Google Slide templates :

• Fully free to use.
• You get automatic saves while you create your presentation which means no loss of data.
• You also have access to history and all changes made by team members. This allows you to restore previous versions if needed.
• Multiple users can work on one presentation simultaneously and all the edits appear instantly. You can also chat with your team members while you work.
• Google Slide templates are saved on cloud storage which allows for easy access from any desktop and mobile device. This also means no set up needed before presenting.*
• Google Slides are also adapted for Chromecast, Google Meet, and AirPlay.
• You can easily convert PowerPoint presentations into Google Slides . You can also edit PowerPoint templates but you need to install  Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides if you haven’t already.
• It’s easy to insert links, videos, YouTube videos, and images.
• Includes a gallery of pre-made templates for various purposes.
• You can install 3rd party Add-ons to Slides to add additional features and speed up your work.

* You can also use Google Slides offline by following our guide , this way you can edit and present your project without an internet connection.

With all of these features in mind, it’s no wonder that Google Slides is rapidly becoming a preferred software for presenting ideas and strategies . Now, if you decide that it’s high time you give this software a shot, we give you a collection of 39 free templates for Google Slides  that may come in quite handy for different occasions and presentations. Enjoy!

1. Volos Free Presentation Template 

– Elegant and classy business design – 23 Slides with handy layouts – Compatible with Google Slides, Powerpoint, Keynote

2. Free Template with Conceptual Outline Illustrations

– Associations: business planning, teamwork, marketing strategy; – Free to download; – 25 Slides for presenting different concepts; – 16:9 Aspect ratio which can be changed in Google Slides; – A nice violet theme and attractive conceptual outline illustrations; – Includes over 80 icons, a world map, and more; – Download for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

3. 20 Free Infographic Templates for Google Slides

Bundle of slide templates with over 500 premade infographics. The bundle includes 20 free infographic slides, which you can import into your Google Slides presentation. You will find a wide range of styles and slide themes, such as timelines, comparisons, steps, options, etc. – 20 Free Templates (539 total infographics) – Editable in Google Slides, PowerPoint, Keynote, Adobe CC – Well-structured and organized files

4. Presentation Template in Pastel Color Scheme

– Associations: tranquillity, feminine, childhood; – Free to download; – 25 Slides in different pastel colors and presentation concepts; – 16:9 Aspect ratio that can be modified in Google Slides; – Comes with more than 80 icons, a world map, etc; – Available for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

5. Classy Minimal Google Slides Theme

– An ultramodern minimalist design – 12 Tasteful free slides with handy layouts – Compatible with Google Slides, Powerpoint, Keynote

6. Free Bright Yellow Google Slides Template

– Download it for free; – Easy to change the color from yellow to your brand color; – 25 Slides for different content types; – 16:9 Ratio which can be turned into 4:3 in Google Slides; – Comes with more than 80 icons, a world map, and more; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

Google Slides Tip:

Experts recommend up to six words per slide is enough to gain the attention and get the audience to listen to what you have to say.

7. Free Black & White Google Slides Theme 

– Fully free to download; – Minimalist theme suitable for any kind of projects; – 25 Slides adapted for various content types; – 16:9 Ratio with the option to turn into 4:3 in Google Slides; – In the package you’ll find 80 icons, a world map, and more; – Use Google Slides or PowerPoint, it’s up to you.

8. Free Artsy Google Slide Theme

– Free to download and use; – Watercolor backgrounds and brush stroke effects; – 25 Slides purposed for different content; – 16:9 Ratio which can be adapted for 4:3 in Google Slides; – You’ll receive 80 icons, a world map, etc; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

9. Geometric Colorful Google Slides Template with Circles

– Fully free to download; – Bright design with colors and circles; – 25 Slides that can be used for various content; – 16:9 Ratio with the option to be turned into 4:3; – Comes with 80 icons, a world map, and more; – Compatible with both Google Slides and PowerPoint.

10. Free Business Google Slides Template

– Free dark blue theme perfect for business presentations; – 25 Slides adaptable for all kinds of content; – 16:9 Ratio that can be changed to 4:3; – Contains over 80 icons and a world map; – Use in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

11. Free Stylish Google Slides Presentation Template

– Soft colorful gradient theme for modern presentations; – 25 Slides for various types of content; – 16:9 Aspect ratio that can be altered to 4:3; – The package includes over 80 icons and a world map; – Use in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

12. Blue & Orange Clean Free Google Slides Template

– Flat design in contrasting blue and orange shades; – 25 Slides suitable for different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio that can be turned into 4:3; – The template includes more than 80 icons and a world map; – Get it for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

13. Free Google Slides Template with Color Gradients

– Free presentation design with 6 gradient themes; – 25 Slides useful for different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio which can be modified into 4:3; – The presentation includes over 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

14. Open Book Free Google Slides Template

– A realistic design with an open book on wooden background; – 25 Slides that can be used for different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio which can be changed to 4:3; – The template comes with over 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

15. Lively Green Google Slides Presentation Template

– A vibrant green design with geometric icons; – The color can easily be changed to another of your choice; – 25 Slides purposed for different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio that can be changed to 4:3 according to your preferences; – The presentation comes with over 80 icons and a world map; – Use the design in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

16. Neon Theme Free Google Slides Template

– Super trendy neon gradients on a dark background; – Geometric shapes and semi-transparent elements; – 25 Slides that can be used for various content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio with the option to be changed to 4:3 in Google Slides; – The template comes loaded with over 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

17. Free Minimalist Multi-Color Google Slides Template

– Clean and professional design changing colors on each slide; – 25 Slides in different colors and different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio which can be turned into 4:3 in Google Slides; – The template comes with more than 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

18. Rainbow Google Slides Presentation Template

– A simple presentation template with a different color on each slide; – 25 Slides adaptable for different content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio changeable to 4:3 in Google Slides; – A collection of 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

19. Red Color Free Google Slides Presentation Design

– Fully free to download the template that can be adapted to your brand color; – 25 Slides suitable for different types of content; – 16:9 Aspect ratio which can be changed to 4:3 if needed; – Comes with a pack of over 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

20. Free Google Slides Template in Fresh Colors

– Modern geometric shapes which create a dynamic and fresh design; – 25 Slides that can be used for various content; – 16:9 Widescreen ratio that can be turned into 4:3; – Contains over 80 icons, a world map, and more; – You can use the template in Google Slides and PowerPoint.

21. Square Blocks Free Google Slides Template Design

– Square tiles with conceptual photos that can be changed according to your taste; – 25 Slides for various content types and graphics; – 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio with the option to be changed to 4:3; – The template contains more than 80 icons, a world map, and more; – Use it in Google Slides and PowerPoint according to your preference.

22. Flat Blue Free Template with Icon Pattern

– Soft blue on icon patterned background which conveys safety and tranquillity; – 25 Slides that can be adapted for various types of content; – 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio which can be turned into 4:3 if necessary; – The package includes over 80 handy icons, a world map, and more; – Use it in Google Slides or PowerPoint according to your needs.

23. Yellow Free Google Slides Template Design

– An attention-grabbing template fully free to download; – 25 Slides to help you present different types of content; – 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio (change to 4:3 if preferred); – The download file comes with 80 useful icons, a world map, and more; – Use the template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

24. Free Business Google Slides Template Presentation

– A free-to-download classy template suitable for business presentations; – 25 Slides for various data and graphics; – 16:9 Aspect ratio (switch to 4:3 if necessary); – The template includes over 80 useful icons and a world map; – You can use the free template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

25. Blackboard Free Template for Google Slides

– A fun design of an old school blackboard and writing with chalk; – 25 Slides suitable for presenting various data; – 16:9 Screen layout that can be changed to 4:3; – The design comes with over 80 useful icons and a world map; – Free to download for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

26. Free Technology Google Slides Template with Hexagons

– A modern design with geometric shapes and trendy colorful gradients; – 25 Slides that will help you present different types of content; – 16:9 Screen layout which can be adjusted as 4:3; – The template contains more than 80 handy icons and a world map; – Available for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

27. Colorful Free Google Slides Template With Circles

– A cheerful design with bright circles on a white background; – 25 Slides that come completely for free; – 16:9 Widescreen ratio that can be turned into 4:3; – The design includes over 80 useful icons and a world map; – You can use the free template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

28. Feminine Pink Google Slides Template

– A feminine design with soft colors and pleasant patterns; – 25 Slides that can be used for different content and graphics; – 16:9 Aspect ratio is easy to be turned into 4:3; – The template comes with more than 80 nice icons and a world map; – Use it in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

29. Elegant Minimalist Google Slides Presentation Template

– A professionally looking free template with diamond shapes and a minimalist color scheme; – 25 Slides that can be adapted for various content types; – 16:9 Aspect ratio that can easily be changed to 4:3; – The template is available with over 80 icons and a world map; – You can use the free template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

Fun fact about Google Slides:

Did you know that the people behind the Google Slides development are actually ex-Microsoft employees? It means Google Slides has a Microsoft DNA.

30. Dark Free Google Slides Template Design

– An elegant and free to use the black and white template with an accent color; – 39 Slides applicable for all kinds of content; – 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio; – Vector-shaped graphics, editable without loss of quality; – You can use the free template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

31. Modern Free Google Slides Business Template

– Fully free to download template with a grey overlay and a flat design; – 28 Slides that can be used for all kinds of written and graphic content; – 16:9 Widescreen layout; – Vector-shaped graphics, editable without loss of quality; – You can use the template in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

32. Stylish Free Google Slides Presentation Template

– A free template in grey and muted blue suitable for corporate presentations; – 34 Slides purposed for various textual and graphic content; – 16:9 Widescreen aspect ratio; – Vector-based shapes and icons; – Use it in Google Slides or PowerPoint.

33. 10 Modern Free Templates for Google Slides

– 10 Free Google Slides Themes in different styles – Purposes: business planning, startup projects, marketing, analysis, etc. – Styles: cartoon, hand-drawn, modern, corporate, pastel, etc. – 16:9 Aspect ratio – Total of 78 impressive slides for different purposes – Fully Editable – Compatible with Google Slides and Powerpoint

34. Free Template for Google Slides Presentation Pole

– A modern design with flat cartoon characters – 17 Attractive slides with diverse layouts – A collection of editable icons – Compatible with Google Slides and Powerpoint

35. Nash Free Multipurpose Template for Google Slides

– Stylish minimalist design with flat and outline geometric elements – A multifunctional design that can easily fit into different themes – 18 attractive slides with diverse layouts – Compatible with Google Slides and Powerpoint

36. Multipurpose Free Presentation Template with Bright Yellow

– Fresh and eye-catching multipurpose design – 25 slides with diverse layouts for your needs – Compatible with Google Slides and Powerpoint

37. Modern Minimal Free Google Slides Template

– Impressive minimalist design – 10 Modern slides with great layouts – Compatible with Google Slides and versions for Powerpoint and Keynote

38. Investor Free Google Slides Template

– A professional design in a fresh green – 16 Useful slides with easy-to-edit content – Compatible with Google Slides, Powerpoint, Keynote

39. Nature-Inspired Free Green Google Slides Template

– Associations: growth, freshness, creativity; – Negative space elements in the design; – Available for free download; – 25 Slides for different presentation concepts; – 16:9 Widescreen ratio that can be changed to 4:3 in Google Slides; – Contains more than 80 icons, a world map, etc; – Get this template for Google Slides or PowerPoint.

While riding the Google Slides wave, why don’t you check out these related articles, as well:

• 56 Impressive free presentation backgrounds for outstanding presentations
• 20 Google Slides tutorials to help you master the popular tool
• How to convert your PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides
• How to add audio to Google Slides and make your presentation awesome

Did you enjoy this collection of premade Google Slides presentations?

Awesome! See how you can boost your presentation even more:

Add some character to your visuals

Cartoon Characters, Design Bundles, Illustrations, Backgrounds and more...

Like us on Facebook

Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know what’s new in the world of graphic design and illustrations.

• [email protected]

Browse High Quality Vector Graphics

E.g.: businessman, lion, girl…

Related Articles

31 free modern powerpoint templates for your presentation, simple vector robot character in illustrator (tutorial + freebie), 16 free vector infographic design templates: on different themes in different styles, 40 of the coolest web designs with pattern backgrounds + freebies, character clipart: a collection for every taste & every project, 500+ free and paid infographic templates compatible with google slides:, enjoyed this article.

Don’t forget to share!

• Comments (6)

Iveta Pavlova

Iveta is a passionate writer at GraphicMama who has been writing for the brand ever since the blog was launched. She keeps her focus on inspiring people and giving insight on topics like graphic design, illustrations, education, business, marketing, and more.

Thousands of vector graphics for your projects.

Hey! You made it all the way to the bottom!

Here are some other articles we think you may like:

30 Free Marketing Presentation Templates with Modern Design

by Al Boicheva

The Best Free Icon Packs to Download in 2021

10 Last-Minute Ideas to Decorate Your Website for Christmas (+Freebies)

by Iveta Pavlova

Looking for Design Bundles or Cartoon Characters?

A source of high-quality vector graphics offering a huge variety of premade character designs, graphic design bundles, Adobe Character Animator puppets, and more.

The 10 Best Google Slides Presentation Tools and How to Use Them

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

How to Stop WhatsApp From Saving Photos

Turn your 2d images into 3d with these ai tools, how to fix "cannot start microsoft outlook" on windows.

In the era of online meetings and conferences, Google Slides has gradually become a favorite tool, and it's easy to see why. It offers cool and useful features that benefit not only the speaker but also the audience. If you're looking to use Google Slides in your next presentation, here are ten of its best features that you should take advantage of.

1. Customized Slide Sizes

Tired of boring presentations with the same old format? Google Slides takes care of that. With its custom slide size feature, you can turn your presentations into any format you like.

You can use custom sizes for your slides' height and width, or you can simply choose from one of the three default sizes (Standard 4:3, Widescreen 16:9, and Widescreen 16:10). To change your slide size, go to File > Page setup . Pick the size you want, and then hit Apply .

2. Download as a PDF

If you're making a presentation, you're likely going to share it with your audience, too. However, since Google Slides is a web-based application, you'd need an internet connection to access it. This wouldn't always be feasible, and most people prefer having a local file that they can view offline anytime.

Fortunately, Google Slides lets you export your presentations to various formats for offline use. The most flexible and commonly used format is PDF, but you can also download it as a Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), Plain Text (.txt), and even PNG (.png). To do so, go to File > Download , and pick the format of your choice.

3. Different Image Sources

Images are a big part of an effective presentation, and Google Slides makes it very convenient for you to insert photos from multiple sources.

Aside from the typical way of uploading them from your computer, you can also just paste the photo's URL or take a picture with your camera. There are also options for looking up images from the web, your Google Drive, and your Google Photos.

The best part is that you won't have to switch to a different tab just to do so. The images will be displayed right in Google Slides! To add a photo to your presentation, click on Insert > Image . Then, select which source you want to use.

4. Video Trimmer

It's always a good idea to add videos to a presentation, as more people enjoy watching a clip than listening to the speaker. However, it can be a bit of a hassle to do so, especially when you have a long one-hour video but only want to show a three-minute part of it. You'd have to edit the video in another app just to get the clip you need.

Google Slides fixes this issue for you with its built-in video trimmer. All you have to do is insert your video, right-click on it, and then select Format options from the menu. From here, you can select what time to start and end the video. You can also change other settings, like muting the audio, editing the size and rotation, and adding a drop shadow.

5. Google Font Support

When comparing Microsoft PowerPoint and Google Slides , the latter has more built-in font options to offer. You can choose from over 800 options from the Google Fonts library, giving you more flexibility in how to style your presentations. You won't have to install them, unlike how you would in PowerPoint, as they're readily available online.

Another great thing about the Google Slides font feature is that you can add your preferred fonts from the library to the drop-down menu in the toolbar. This is particularly helpful, so you won't need to scroll through the library every time you want to use your font of choice.

To do this, click on the fonts drop-down menu and go to More fonts . You can then select your favorite fonts on the list, and they will automatically be added to the drop-down menu.

6. Audience Q&A

Your audience will almost always have something to ask after your presentation, and the last thing you want is to scroll through the endless messages in the meeting chatbox just to find their questions. This is where Google Slides' Q&A feature comes into play.

Once you start a Q&A session, you will have a unique link where your audience can submit their queries, either anonymously or using their email address. You will then see all the questions on your end, and you can choose which ones to present to your listeners.

To start a Q&A session while presenting, click on the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner of the screen. Select More > Q & A . It will open a Presenter view window. Then, click on the Start new button in the Audience Tools tab.

7. Live Captions

Ever attended a presentation where you had trouble understanding the speaker? Google Slides solves that with live captions. Although it only supports English at the moment, it's still a very cool feature to use.

Just toggle on the captions while you're presenting, and it will automatically present your words at the bottom of the screen as you talk. You can also change the text position and size for your audience's convenience.

8. Laser Pointer

It's common to see speakers using laser pointers in live presentations, and fortunately, Google Slides comes with an online version. While presenting, you can click on the three vertical dots in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Then, select Turn on the laser pointer . You will now have a virtual laser pointer following your mouse movement. This is especially useful when emphasizing things in your presentation and pointing out little details that your audience might have trouble noticing.

9. Publish to the Web

Aside from sharing your presentation offline as PDFs and PPTs, you can also share it online using Google Slides' publish-to-the-web feature. This makes your presentation accessible to everyone, whether or not they have a Google account.

When you publish it online, you need to set a timer for when the slides stay on the screen. This can be as fast as a second to as long as a minute. You can also set the presentation to repeat after the last slide is shown. To use this feature, click on File > Publish to the web . Then, set your timer and other settings before clicking the Publish button.

10. Add-Ons

There are tons of useful add-ons for Google Slides that can help you create engaging and powerful presentations. You have Lucidchart Diagrams for creating diagrams easily, Easy Accents for inserting accents to your slide text, and Magic Rainbow Unicorn for changing your font color to a rainbow one.

To use an add-on to Google Slides, select Add-ons > Get add-ons from the toolbar. Then, install the add-on of your choice.

Create Impressive Presentations With These Google Slide Tools

With these nifty tools and features, you can turn your Google Slides presentations into something more effective and interactive. Make sure to utilize them in your next talk, and watch as they make your slides come to life.

• Productivity
• Google Slides
• Presentations

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Website Application Instructions
• Google Applications

How to Create a Presentation Using Google Slides

Last Updated: November 30, 2023

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 17 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 241,537 times. Learn more...

This tutorial will show you how to make a PowerPoint-like presentation using Google Slides. Presentations can be used for school, business, and so much more.

• You can also just type in https://slides.google.com , log in if you haven't already, and will be taken to the Slides page.
• If you don't have a Google account, learn to create one now!

• For more options, hover over the arrow on the right edge of the Google Slides option, where a smaller drop-down menu will appear. From here you can select to create a presentation from a template or a blank slide.

• Be sure to add a title and subtitle by clicking where you are prompted to add text.

• You can also change a pre-existing slide's layout by clicking the layout option on the upper editing bar.

• As you add animations to each element by clicking the blue "+ Select an object to animate", they will begin to pile up. Click on each one to edit it.
• Change the transition from slide to slide by clicking the default "Slide: No transition" at the top of the sidebar. You can choose whether to apply to all slides or just one.
• Preview your animations by clicking Play at the bottom of the sidebar.
• Remove an animation by clicking the small x on its rectangle, and drag each animation up or down to change the order.

Community Q&A

wikiHow Video: How to Create a Presentation Using Google Slides

• If you have a pop-up blocker, make sure to disable it so Slides can work properly. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Hover over each tool to see its keyboard shortcut and function. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Remember, these are the basic functions- Google Slides contains many more tools that you can work with as you explore the creator. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

You Might Also Like

About This Article

To create a new Google Slides presentation, open a web browser and go to Slides.Google.com. If you want to start from a template, you can choose one from the template gallery. Otherwise, click "Blank" to create a new blank presentation. Your blank presentation starts with a single simple slide with space to enter a title and subtitle. You can personalize this slide, as well as other slides you add, by editing the placeholder text, as well as choosing a slide theme from the panel to the right. To insert another slide, click the "Insert" menu and select "New Slide," or press "Control M" for a quick keyboard shortcut. You'll also find other things you can add to your slide on the Insert menu, including the option to add an image, a text box for typing, videos, shapes, charts, and other features. After adding a new slide, click the "Layout" menu to choose a slide layout—you can give each slide its own layout or reuse the same layout as much as necessary. Edit the placeholder text, and then insert objects from the Insert menu. To move an object, click the arrow in the toolbar, hover the mouse cursor around the object's border line until it turns to a 4-point arrow, and then click and drag it. Each slide you add will have a thumbnail in the left panel—click a slide's thumbnail to open that slide for editing. To see your presentation as a viewer would, click your first slide in the left panel, and then click "Present" at the top corner. Click the Escape key to go back to editing. Google Slides also has some built-in effects you can access from the "Transition" menu—here you can animate a slide's transition into the next slide, as well as animate individual objects. To apply an effect, background, theme, layout, or any other setting to more than one slide at once, select the slides in the left panel by holding down the Control key as you click each thumbnail. Your presentation will automatically save to your Google Drive as you work—type a name for the presentation in the top-left corner so you can easily find the file when you need it. Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

Partner Center

Android Police

How to use gemini to create ai images in google slides.

Your changes have been saved

Email Is sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Google's Gemini AI can generate images in Google Slides, so you don't have to open a separate tab or app to find images for your presentation. This is a quick and effective way to reinforce your presentation's message. When paired with the most helpful templates , you can create a professional slideshow in minutes, not hours.

We show you how to use Gemini AI to generate images in Google Slides on a desktop. You can access this tool on all desktop computers, including budget-friendly Chromebooks , and whip up your presentation on the go.

How to use Gemini in Google Slides

AI image generation with Gemini isn't available in Google Slides by default. To access Gemini in Google Slides, you need access to one of the following Google AI programs:

AI image generation was previously available in Google Slides with Duet AI. Google replaced Duet AI with Gemini for Google Workspace in February 2024.

• Gemini Enterprise and Gemini Business add-ons for Google Workspace accounts
• Google One AI Premium for personal accounts
• Google Workspace Labs
• The Gemini Education add-on for Google Workspace for Education.

All Gemini AI features are only available in English but can be accessed worldwide. Google Workspace Labs is free, but access is restricted, so you may have to wait months before you can use Gemini in Slides. If you need access quickly, we recommend one of the other programs.

The easiest way to access Gemini in Google Slides is a Google One AI Premium subscription for a personal account. This service is free for two months, after which it costs $20 a month. In addition to all Gemini tools and 2TB of Google One storage, you get access to features like Fitbit Premium, Nest Aware, and unlimited Magic Editor saves in Google Photos.

Gemini Education is a paid add-on for Google Workspace education accounts. It's available in a basic plan or premium plan, and both have monthly usage limits per license.

ChatGPT vs. Gemini: Which gives the better answers?

Gemini is bringing ChatGPT some much needed competition

How to use AI to generate images in Google Slides

To get started, check that you're signed in to your Google account and have access to Gemini. Then, open Google Slides. If you aren't sure if you have access to Gemini, follow Step 1. If the Create image with Gemini button is missing, you don't have access to the AI tool.

• Enter a prompt in the text box on the right side of your screen.

• Wait for Gemini to generate four images based on your prompt. The process usually takes no longer than 20 seconds.

The image can now be edited like any image in Google Slides, including cropping, rotating, and adjusting transparency settings . Click View more to generate another four images (this doesn't remove the ones already generated).

Add feedback by clicking the thumbs-up or thumbs-down icon on each image.

Tips for using AI to generate images in Google Slides

Gemini is a handy tool for adding relevant images to Google Slides. Like any AI image generator, it requires specific prompts to generate the image you want.

Use specific details when creating prompts

Use descriptive words to generate the right image. Think of features you can see or feel. Colors, shapes, texture, and lighting are important elements of an image that you can add to your prompt. For example, "red vase with a rough surface on a windowsill in the morning" is a better prompt than "vase on a windowsill."

Add styles to fine-tune the output

Underneath the text box is the Add a style drop-down menu. Selecting an option from this list generates an image in a style such as a watercolor or sketch.

Check previously generated images

Google Slides saves the images you generated in the sidebar for your session. Scroll down to see all the images you generated. These disappear when you refresh or close the page.

Generate beautiful presentations in minutes

Gemini is a handy asset in Google Slides as it can help create the non-essential parts of your presentation a breeze. There's more to the AI tool than image generation. Try these Gemini tips and tricks to see how you can use it across multiple Google products.

• Applications
• AI & Machine Learning
• Google Slides

• Artificial Intelligence

Figma announces big redesign with AI

Figma is launching a presentation feature, too..

By Jay Peters , a news editor who writes about technology, video games, and virtual worlds. He’s submitted several accepted emoji proposals to the Unicode Consortium.

Share this story

Figma is announcing a bunch of new features at its Config conference today, including a major UI redesign, new generative AI tools to help people more easily make projects, and built-in slideshow functionality.

Let’s start with the redesign, which is intended to “lay the foundation for the next decade,” according to a blog post . You’ll see things like a new toolbar, rounded corners, and 200 new icons. As part of the design refresh, the company wants to “focus the canvas less on our UI and more on your work” and make something that’s approachable to new users while still being useful to Figma experts.

Figma says this is the company’s third “significant redesign” since Figma’s closed beta launch. The new look is rolling out as part of a limited beta, and users can join a waitlist if they want to try it out.

Beyond the redesign, the headline feature addition is new generative AI tools, which look like a useful way to quickly get started with a design. They’re basically a Figma-focused version of the “draft an email”-type AI tools we’ve seen many times.

In a briefing, Figma chief product officer Yuhki Yamashita showed me an example of how Figma could create an app design for a new restaurant. A few seconds after he typed the prompt into a textbox, Figma mocked up an app with menu listings, a tab bar, and even buttons for delivery partners like Uber Eats and DoorDash. It looked like a generic mobile app mock-up, but Yamashita was able to start tweaking it right away.

In another example, Yamashita asked Figma AI to spin up a design for a recipe page for chocolate chip cookies, and sure enough, it did — including an AI-generated image of a cookie. Over Zoom, it looked like a pretty accurate image, but I can’t imagine that a basic image of a chocolate chip cookie is hard for an AI generator to make.

Figma is also introducing AI features that could help speed up small tasks in big ways, such as “AI-enhanced” asset search and auto-generated text in designs instead of generic Lorem ipsum placeholder text.

Ideally, all of the new Figma AI tools will allow people who are newer to Figma to test ideas more easily while letting those who are more well versed in the app iterate more quickly, according to Yamashita. “We’re using AI to lower the floor and raise the ceiling,” Yamashita says in an interview with The Verge — something CEO Dylan Field has said to The Verge as well .

Figma AI is launching in a limited beta beginning on Wednesday, and interested users can get on the waitlist. Figma says the beta period will run through the end of the year. While in beta, Figma’s AI tools will be free, but the company says it might have to introduce “usage limits.” Figma is also promising “clear guidance on pricing” when the AI features officially launch.

In a blog post, Figma also spelled out its approach to training its AI models. “All of the generative features we’re launching today are powered by third-party, out-of-the-box AI models and were not trained on private Figma files or customer data,” writes Kris Rasmussen, Figma’s CTO . “We fine-tuned visual and asset search with images of user interfaces from public, free Community files.”

Rasmussen adds that Figma trains its models so they learn patterns and “Figma-specific concepts and tools” but not from users’ content. Figma is also going to let Figma admins control whether Figma can train on “customer content,” which includes “file content created in or uploaded to Figma by a user, such as layer names and properties, text and images, comments, and annotations,” according to Rasmussen.

Figma won’t start training on this content until August 15th; however, you should know that Starter and Professional plans are by default opted in to share this data, while Organization and Enterprise plans are opted out.

The company is likely being specific about how it trains its AI models because of Adobe’s recent terms of service disaster, where the company had to clarify that it wouldn’t train AI on your work .

In addition to the redesign and the new AI features, Figma is adding a potentially very practical new tool: Figma Slides , a Google Slides-like feature built right into Figma. Yamashita says that users have already been hacking Figma to find a way to make slides, so now there’s an official method to build and share presentations right inside the app.

There are a few Figma-specific features that designers will likely appreciate. You’ll be able to tweak designs you’ve included in the deck in real time using Figma’s tools. (Note that those changes will only appear in the deck — tweaks won’t currently sync back to the original design files, though Yamashita says that Figma wants to make that possible eventually.)

You can also present an app prototype right from the deck, meaning you don’t need to make a convoluted screen recording just to demonstrate how one piece connects to another. You can also add interactive features for audience members, like a poll or an alignment scale, where people can plot on a range if they agree or disagree with something.

Figma Slides will be available in open beta beginning on Wednesday. It will be free while in beta but will become a paid feature when it officially launches. The company is also adding new features for its developer mode in Figma , including a “ready for dev” task list.

This year’s Config is the first since Adobe abandoned its planned $20 billion acquisition of Figma following regulatory scrutiny . With the dissolution of the merger, Adobe was forced to pay Figma a $1 billion breakup fee.

Steam is getting an official controller, but Valve isn’t making it

Twitch banned dr disrespect after viewing messages sent to a minor, say former employees, rivian teases five new vehicles, and i have no idea what they are, windows on arm finally has legs, the boox palma is an amazing gadget i didn’t even know i wanted.

More from Design

This macOS Sequoia wallpaper pays tribute to classic Macintosh icons

Canva tackled digital design — and now the office suite is next

Spotify made its own font, and it’s going everywhere inside the app

The VWFNDR Keirin is an expansive new concept for the future of cameras