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The beginner's guide to google slides.

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What is google slides, how to sign up for an account, how to create a blank presentation, how to import a microsoft powerpoint presentation, how to check your spelling in google slides, how to collaborate on presentations, how to see all recent changes to a presentation, how to link to a specific slide, how to insert special characters into a slide, how to use google slides offline.

If you’re just getting started with Google Slides, its extensive features and add-ons can be a little overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you get going with this powerful alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint.

If you’ve heard of Google Slides before, feel free to skip ahead; if you haven't, here’s a crash course on what you need to know. We’ll go over the basics and get you brushed up on what Google Slides is and how you can get started right away.

Slides is a free, web-based presentation program designed to compete with Microsoft Office PowerPoint. It's part of G Suite---Google's complete office suite (though some people refer to it all as Google Docs). The other main services included in the cloud-based suite are Sheets (Excel) and Docs (Word).

Related: What is Google Workspace, Anyway?

Google Slides is available on all devices and platforms; all you need is an internet connection and a web browser (or, in the case of mobile, the Android and iOS apps ). Google does the rest and handles the brunt of the heavy lifting, while it runs the software in the cloud.

Slides supports several file types, including  .ppt, .pptx , .odp, .jpg, .svg, and .pdf. This makes it easy to view or convert Microsoft Office files directly from Google Drive or insert images directly into a slide.

Related: What Is a PPTX File (and How Do I Open One)?

And since Slides is an online presentation program, you can share and collaborate with multiple people on the same file, and track revisions, changes, and suggestions, all in real-time.

Have you heard enough? Let’s get started.

Before you can use Google Slides, you have to sign up for a Google account (an @gmail account). If you already have one, feel free to move on to the next section. If not, we’ll go over the simplest way to create a Google account and get you set up with Slides.

Head over to  accounts.google.com , click "Create Account," and then click "For Myself."

On the next page, you provide some information---first and last name, username, and password---to create your account.

Also, you have to verify your phone number, so Google can make sure you’re not a bot.

After you verify your phone number, the subsequent pages require you to provide a recovery email address and your date of birth and gender. You must also agree to the privacy statement and terms of service. After that, you’re the proud new owner of a Google account.

Now that you have a Google account, it’s time to create your first presentation. Head over to  Google Slides  and place the cursor on the multicolored "+" icon in the bottom-right corner.

The + turns into a black pencil icon; click it.

Pro Tip: Type 

 into the address bar from any browser and hit Enter to automatically create and open a new blank document.

Even if you’re new to Google Slides, you might already have a collection of Microsoft PowerPoint files you’d like to be able to use. If that’s the case, then you have to  upload all your presentations  before you can view them. While it might not support some of the more advanced features and effects of some PowerPoint presentations, it works pretty well.

When you import a PowerPoint presentation, you can use either Google Slides or  Drive  to upload your files. Both methods let you drag and drop a file from your computer directly into the web browser for easy uploads. Your Drive houses all of your uploaded files, but---for the sake of convenience---when you go to the Slides homepage, it only shows you presentation-type files.

From the Slides homepage, click the folder icon in the top right, and then click the "Upload" tab. Now, drag and drop any files you want to upload directly into this window.

Once the file uploads, Slides opens it automatically, and it's ready for you to edit, share, or collaborate.

To open a PowerPoint presentation that you want to edit, click the filename with the "P" next to it from your Google Slides homepage.

Click to either view the PowerPoint file or edit it in Slides.

After you’ve finished editing your file, you can download and export your presentation back into a Microsoft PowerPoint format. Just go to File > Download As, and then click the "Microsoft PowerPoint" option.

If you’d rather download your presentation as a PDF, ODP, JPEG, TXT, etc., you can do that here, as well.

Related: How to Import a PowerPoint Presentation into Google Slides

Now that you have a few presentations, it’s time to make sure your  spelling and grammar are correct . Slides is equipped with a spellchecker. If you misspell something, it underlines the error with a squiggly line and prompts you to make a change.

This should be on by default, but you can make sure in Tools > Spelling > Underline Errors.

To see spelling corrections and suggestions, right-click the word with the line underneath. Alternatively, press Ctrl+Alt+X (Windows) or Command+Alt+X (Mac) to open the Spell Check and Grammar tool.

Along with a spellchecker, Google Slides comes loaded with a built-in dictionary and thesaurus. To use them, highlight a word, right-click it, and then click "Define [word]."

While this should get you started, we have  a deeper dive into Google’s spelling and grammar checker  if you want more info.

Related: How to Check Your Spelling in Google Docs

One of the best features of Google Slides is its ability to  generate a shareable link.  Anyone you share the link with can view, suggest edits to, or directly edit the presentation. This eliminates the hassle of sending a file back and forth between collaborators. Each person has her own text entry cursor to use on her computer.

To do this, click the orange "Share" button in the file you want to share. Next, choose how and with whom you want to send a link to the file. You can type email addresses or click "Get Shareable Link" in the top corner to hand out the invitation yourself.

From the drop-down menu, you can select one of these options for what other users can do:

• Off:  Sharing is disabled. If you’ve previously shared a link with others, it will no longer work and revokes any permissions they once had.
• Anyone with the link can edit:  Gives the shared users full read/write access. They still can’t delete it from your Drive, though---this is just for the contents of the file.
• Anyone with the link can comment:  Allows shared users to leave comments which is handy for team projects.
• Anyone with the link can view : Shared users can view the file, but can’t edit it in any way. This is the default action when you share a file, and it's the best option if you’re trying to share a file for download.

You can do a lot more with these shareable links, as they also work with other Drive files and on mobile. For a deeper look at how links work and how to generate them,  check out our post .

Related: How to Create Shareable Download Links for Files on Google Drive

When you share documents with others, it’s difficult to keep track of all the small changes that happen if you’re not present. For that, there’s  revision history . Google keeps track of all the changes that occur in a document and groups them into periods to reduce clutter. You can even revert a file to any of the previous versions listed in the history with a click of your mouse.

You can view a list of all recent changes by clicking File > Version History > See Version History. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+H (Command+Option+Shift+H on Mac).

Related: How to See Recent Changes to Your Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides File

You can also share a link to a specific slide in your presentation with a friend or coworker, without having to mention which one you're referencing. When someone clicks the link and the presentation loads, it jumps directly to the slide you're referencing. You do have to enable file sharing before you can link to a specific slide in your presentation, though.

Because each slide has a unique URL, all you have to do to link to one is click it in the left pane, and then copy the URL from the address bar.

Google Slides also has a character insertion tool. This allows you to insert special characters into your presentation without having to remember any Alt-codes. There are tons of symbols, characters, languages, and so much more. So, whether you want an arrow, different language scripts, or if you just want a few silly emojis to spruce up your presentation, Google Slides makes it easy to include them.

To open the character insertion tool, click "Insert," and then click "Special Characters."

From here, you can manually search for specific characters with the drop-down menus.

Use the search bar to find a specific character or emoji.

You can also use your drawing skills to search.

Related: How to Insert Symbols into Google Docs and Slides

What happens if you need to access Google Slides but don’t have an internet connection? Although Slides is a web-based product, that  doesn’t mean you can’t use it offline . Any changes you make to the file offline will update the next time you connect to the internet. First, download the extension for Chrome.

To enable a presentation for offline use, go to the Google Slides’ homepage and, in the top-left corner, click the Hamburger menu > Settings. Once here, toggle "Offline" to the On position, and then click "OK."

To save storage space on your local machine, Google only downloads and makes the most recently accessed files available offline. To manually enable a file, click the three dots icon, and then toggle "Available Offline" to On.

Related: How to Use Google Docs Offline

Google Slides is a powerful, feature-rich alternative to Microsoft Office's PowerPoint. It's also completely free to use with an internet connection and a Google Account, making it a legitimate competitor for Microsoft.

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Build beautiful presentations together

Create and deliver impactful presentations in your browser, from anywhere - no installation required.

This feature is available on Gemini add-on to Workspace plans and Google One Premium plan .

Get more done with Gemini in Slides

Catch up with quick summaries of your content. Generate a slide with a simple prompt and your Drive content. Easily generate unique images, and visualize something that never existed. Try Gemini for Google Workspace today.

Polished presentations, made easy

Bring your presentations to life in Google Slides with enhancements like videos, animations, smooth transitions, and more.

Get started with templates

Choose from an array of high-quality pre-designed templates with different layouts, images, colors, and fonts.

Stay on brand

This feature is available on some Google Workspace Business and Google Workspace Enterprise plans.

Create with consistency with domain templates that can be applied across your organization, in just a few clicks.

Add flair with GIFs and stickers

Give your presentations a pop of creativity with GIFs and stickers, available directly in Slides. 

Flexible collaboration

Stay in sync with live editing and comments, whether you’re working on a presentation with your business partner, your whole team, or even external contacts.

Meet directly in your documents

Collaborate in context by meeting in Google Slides, Docs or Sheets.

Simple sharing controls

Easy-to-manage sharing permissions allows you granular control over who gets to edit, comment, or view your slides.

Live pointers

Follow along with your co-creators and pinpoint important information while collaborating.

Connect with audiences

Land your message with confidence, with the flexibility to present live or record your presentation inside of Slides. 

These features are available on some Google Workspace Business and Google Workspace Enterprise plans.

Present like a pro, directly from Google Meet

Access all of your Slides and Meet controls in one place, and enjoy smoother high resolution presentations.

Showcase presenters, front and center

Keep the focus on you with speaker spotlight, which places your video directly into your presentation.

Easily record your presentation

Record and share your presentations so your audience can watch when it works best for them.

Your data is encrypted by default, and an array of safety measures – like advanced client-side encryption , anti-abuse measures, and privacy controls – keep your data private .

Works well with others

Import Microsoft PowerPoint or Canva presentations online, and enhance your collaboration with Slides’ features like comments, action items, and granular sharing controls.

Do more with Google Slides

Work, wherever you are

View, present or collaborate in Slides on your mobile phone or tablet, available in the App Store and Play Store, or connect from your computer.

Stay productive, even offline

Access, create, and edit Slides even without an internet connection, helping you stay productive from anywhere.

Integrate your workflows

Extend the power of Slides to fit your workflows with Slides add-ons, or build your own with a range of developer tools. 

Curious about Google Slides?

Take a look at our FAQs to learn more.

Anyone with a Google Account can create in Slides.

However, some features such as Slides recording and speaker spotlight are only available on Google Workspace plans, and Gemini for Workspace features like help me visualize are available as an add-on; see plans and pricing for organizations or Google Workspace Individual . 

Yes. You can convert Microsoft PowerPoint presentations into Google Slides format, or you can directly edit PowerPoint presentations, without having to make a copy. The original file will remain intact.

Co-editing means that multiple people can work on the same slide at the same time, without having to send versions back and forth. Sharing settings allows you to control who can view and edit a slide, and revision history enables you to revert to earlier versions. Also available in Google Docs and Sheets .

Create, collaborate, and present with Google Slides

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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 248,168 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

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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

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How to use Google Slides, Google's free slideshow presentation maker

• Google Slides is Google's slideshow presentation program that allows real time collaboration.
• Google Slides is part of the Google Workspace suite, which also includes Google Docs and Gmail.
• Google Slides differs from Microsoft PowerPoint in its simplicity and collaboration options.

Google Slides is a presentation program that's part of Google Workspace, a group of productivity apps that also includes Gmail, Google Sheets, Goole Docs, Google Meet , and more. Workspace has more than 3 billion users worldwide. 

With Google Slides, users can create, present, and collaborate via online presentations from various devices. You can present during Google Meet calls directly from Slides and embed charts from Google Sheets. You can also add YouTube videos to Slides presentations. 

Google recently announced plans to add artificial intelligence features like its Gemini AI tool to its Workspace programs, which include Slides. Users will be able to use Gemini to create images or written content for slides, or even reference other files in their Drives or emails in their Gmail accounts.

What is Google Slides? 

Google Slides is a cloud-based presentation program that's part of the Google Workspace. Google Slides can be used to create and deliver presentations online. 

Several different themes are available in Slides for designing presentations. Users can customize Slides presentations in a variety of colors and styles. You can add photos, videos from YouTube, charts from Google Sheets , and information from many other sources. Different members of a team can contribute and collaborate on the presentation in real time. 

There's no specific limit on how many slides you can add to your Google Slides presentation, but there is a 100 MB file size limit.

How to download Google Slides 

To access Google Slides, visit slides.google.com . 

You can also open Slides while Gmail or Google Chrome is open by clicking on the Google Apps icon in the upper-right corner (shown as three rows of dots) and selecting Slides. 

Another option is to download the Google Slides app for your Apple or Android device. Search for Google Slides in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Related stories

What templates are available? 

Dozens of Google Slides templates are available, depending on your needs. For instance, there are general presentation templates, photography portfolios, pitch decks, case studies, science fair projects, and more. 

To browse the templates available, open Google Slides. Then, click Template Gallery in the upper-right corner. Scroll through the options, choose the one that meets your needs, and start creating a presentation. 

What's the difference between Google Slides and PowerPoint? 

Both Google Slides and PowerPoint are presentation programs. Google Slides is a program within Google Workspace, and PowerPoint is a Microsoft program. PowerPoint is an offline program, while Slides is online which allows for real time collaboration.

The programs share many features that allow for presentation creation and delivery, but PowerPoint may offer more advanced design features. 

You can convert Google Slides into PowerPoint presentations, and vice versa. From the top menu in Slides, click File, Download, and choose Microsoft PowerPoint. 

How to learn to use Google Slides 

Through Google Workspace, you can access several quick-start guides, cheat sheets, and troubleshooting resources to help you learn to use Google Slides. There are also many YouTube videos with tutorials for using Slides.

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Google Slides

In this free tutorial, learn how to use this free cloud-based program for creating professional presentations.

Google Drive

• 1 All About Google Drive arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn all about using Google Drive.
• 2 Getting Started with Google Drive arrow_forward_ios ✓ Get started using Google Drive.
• 3 Creating Google Docs arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to create new documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, and drawings.
• 4 Uploading Files to Google Drive arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to upload and sync Google Drive files.
• 5 Managing Your Files arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to manage and organize your Google Drive files.
• 6 Sharing and Collaborating arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to share and collaborate on Google Drive files.
• 7 Converting and Printing Docs arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to convert, download, and print Google Drive files.
• 8 Getting Started with Your Presentation arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to get started with your Google Slides presentation.
• 9 Slide Basics arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to insert, arrange, and change the layout of slides.
• 10 Text Basics arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to cut, copy, paste, and format text in Google Slides.
• 11 Adding Pictures and Shapes arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to add pictures and shapes to your Google Slides presentation.
• 12 Adding Transitions and Animations arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to add transitions and animations to your Google Slides presentation.
• 13 Presenting Your Slide Show arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to present your slide show.
• 14 Editing Master Slides and Layouts arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn all about editing master slides and layouts in Google Slides.
• 15 Inserting and Editing Diagrams arrow_forward_ios ✓ In this lesson, you'll learn how to insert and edit diagrams into your presentation.
• 16 Audience Q&A arrow_forward_ios ✓ In this lesson, you'll learn how to use the Audience Q&A tool to accept and share audience questions.
• 17 Linking Between Slides arrow_forward_ios ✓ In this lesson, you'll learn how to link between slides.
• 18 Inserting and Editing Videos arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to insert and edit videos in Google Slides.
• 19 Adding and Editing Free Templates arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to add and edit free Google Slides templates.
• 20 Installing Add-ons arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to install add-ons for Google Slides.
• 21 Printing and Creating PDF Files arrow_forward_ios ✓ Within Google Slides, learn how to print and create PDF files.
• 22 Skipping Slides arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to use the skip slide tool to hide slides from your presentation.
• 23 Voice Type Speaker Notes arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to use the voice type speaker notes feature.
• 24 Arranging Objects arrow_forward_ios ✓ Learn how to arrange objects on your slides.
• 25 Inserting Charts from Google Sheets arrow_forward_ios ✓ Within Google Slides, learn how to insert charts from Google Sheets.
• 26 Google Slides Quiz arrow_forward_ios ✓ Test your knowledge of Google Slides by taking our quiz.

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• What is Google Slides
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How to Use Google Slides Presentation Collaboration Tools Online

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Teamwork and collaboration are important to many businesses. Team projects benefit from the give and take of varied ideas. Plus, teamwork can improve employee morale as team members interact with each other and learn to work together.    

If you create online presentations as part of a team, presentation collaboration is important to the way you work. Team members need to access the presentation and provide their input in a timely fashion. Yet, the security of your online presentation project is also important. Not every team member needs to have the same level of presentation access.

With Google Slides, real-time presentation sharing makes collaboration and teamwork easy. Plus, you can control who accesses the online presentation and what changes they can make to it.

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to use Google Slides for presentation collaboration. First, we'll explore how to provide team members with access to an online presentation. Next, you'll learn how to leave comments and reply to comments. We'll even discuss some real-time collaboration features you can use.

Guide to Making Great Presentations (Free eBook Download)

Before going further, be sure to grab our Free eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . It will help you master the entire presentation process, from: initial idea, through to writing, design, and delivering with impact.

How to Use Google Slides Presentation Collaboration Tools (Video)

In the screencast above learn how to use Google Slides presentation collaboration tools online. Or, read on for comprehensive written instructions to help you use collaboration tools.

1. How to Share a Google Slides Presentation

The first step to collaborating is giving others access to your online presentation. To start, open Google drive by typing the following in your browser's address field: drive.google.com.

In your Google Drive, click on the thumbnail of the online presentation you want to collaborate on to open it:

Note: This presentation uses the Everland template from Graphic River. For more great professional Google Slides templates, check Envato Elements or Graphic River.

Click on the Share button in the upper right corner to begin sharing your Google Slides presentation with others. The Share with others dialog box appears:

There are several ways you can share your Google Slides presentation through the dialog box:

1.  Share Through Email

The first, and simplest, method of sharing your online presentation through the Share with others dialog box is to type an email address into the People field. As you type the email address, the dialog box expands to allow you to add a note to your invitation to share:

2. Control Email Presentation Access (Edit, Comment, View)

Although you're collaborating on your presentation, you may not want to give your team member full access to it. Fortunately, you can control the level of presentation access your team member had. 

To control presentation access, click on the Edit files directly icon (it looks like a pencil) in the upper right corner of the Share with others dialog box:  

The drop-down menu gives you three options for access level:

• Can edit . The system defaults to this option. Your collaborator has full access rights to the online presentation. They can make changes and comment on the presentation.
• Can comment . Your collaborator can view the presentation and make comments, but they can't make changes to the presentation itself.
• Can view . Your collaborator can view the presentation, but they can't comment or make changes to it.

To select the level of access, click on it in the drop-down menu. Click the Send button on the lower left corner of the dialog box to send an email invitation to your team member.

Note: Your team member doesn't need a Google account to access your Google Slides presentation. They can access it through the link in the email they receive.

3. Share Via Shareable Link

A second way to collaborate on a Google Slides online presentation is to provide your team member with a shareable link:

Click the Get shareable link icon (it looks like a chain) in the upper right corner of the Share with others dialog box. The dialog box expands to show the shareable link:

By default, the link is copied to your computer's clipboard when you expand the dialog box. However, you can make sure it's in your clipboard by clicking the Copy Link button on the right of the dialog box.

You can send the link through email, social media, text message, or even link to it on a website if you want to make your presentation public. The shareable link option is a good choice if you're collaborating with many people, but don't have all their contact information.

Caution: Anyone with the shareable link can access your presentation. For example, if a contact forwards the link to someone else, that third party can use the link to access your presentation.

4. Control Shareable Link Presentation Access (Edit, Comment, View)

Fortunately, you can control the level access people who use the shareable link have to your presentation.

Click the down arrow next to Anyone with link can view . A drop-down menu appears:

The options are can edit , can comment , or can view . Click the option you want to apply to the shareable link. Click the Done button when you're finished.

5. How to Change or Revoke Presentation Access

Online presentation collaboration is great, but what if someone leaves the team? You may not want them to still be able to access your presentation. 

You can change or revoke access to your presentation. Here's how:

Click the Advanced link in the lower left corner of the Share with others dialog box. The Sharing settings dialog box displays:

Let's look at the collaboration options on the Sharing settings dialog box field by field:

Link to Share

In this field of the Sharing settings dialog box you see the shareable link again. Copy the link to share it. You can also click on one of the social media icons below the link to automatically share the link through social media.

Who Has Access

In this section of the Sharing settings dialog box you see a list of everyone who has access to the presentation.

In this example, you can see that there's a shareable link and one person has been invited via email. As owner, you should also see your own name on this list. 

To edit a collaborator's presentation access or give them owner status, click the Edit files directly icon to the right of their name. To revoke a collaborator's access to the online presentation, click the X symbol by their name.

Note: An owner has full access to the presentation and can't be deleted from it.

To change the shareable link options, click the Change link next to Anyone who has the link can view. The Link sharing dialog box appears :

From this dialog box you can turn the shareable link off or on. You can also change the level of access a link holder has to your presentation.

When you're finished making changes, click the Save button.

Invite People

The Invite people field of the Sharing settings dialog box works like the Share with others dialog box above. Use it to give access to team members through email. Use the Edit files directly icon to control the access level for each team member.

The Owner settings section of the Sharing settings dialog box provides some extra check boxes to give you additional control over who accesses your presentation and how they access it. 

• The first checkbox keeps collaborators from sharing your presentation with others and change the access level of other team members.
• The second checkbox means that only collaborators with editor access ( Can edit ) are able to download, print, or copy your presentation. This checkbox is particularly important if you're sharing your presentation publicly.

2. How to Comment on a Google Slides Presentation

Once you've shared your Google Slides presentation, you're ready to begin collaborating with team members. Let's take a closer look at the some of the Google Slides presentation collaboration options:

1. Leave a Comment

One of the most popular ways for team members to collaborate on a presentation is through the Google slides Comments feature.

To use comments, select the text or object that you want to comment on or place your cursor next to it. Click the Comments button in the upper right. The Comments pop-out appears:

Click Comment icon on the right (it has a + symbol next to it). You'll see an empty comment:

Type your comment in the field. Press the Comment button when you're done. 

2. Reply to a Comment and "Chat"

If you're looking at the same slide as a commentator, click on the comment to leave your reply:

You can also open a Chat mode if you see that another team member is in the presentation at the same time as you. To do this, look for the team member's icon in the thumbnails. Active users appear as a brightly colored square or profile image on the thumbnail of the slide they're looking at. If a chat is already open, you'll see the chat icon at the top of the screen.

When you find a team member's icon, click on it to open real-time chat mode with that team member:

3. Turn Comment Notifications On

Since comments are such a useful presentation collaboration feature, it can be helpful to know when a team member leaves a comment. To do this, you'll need to turn comment notifications on.

First, enable comment notifications in Google Drive. Type drive.google.com into the address field of your browser. Click the Settings icon (it looks like a gear) in the upper right of your Google Drive screen. The Settings screen appears:

Make sure all the boxes are checked and click Done . Next, open your presentation again. Click the Comments button and select the Notifications icon (it looks like a bell). A drop-down menu appears:

To receive notification of all comments, select All . To receive notification only of comments involving you, select Only yours . To turn off receiving comments, select None .

Once comments are turned on, you'll receive an email when changes are made to the presentation.

Note: Each team member must decide for themselves whether they want to receive notifications. You can't turn notifications on for another user.

4. Email Collaborators

Another handy Google Slides presentation collaboration tool is the ability to email some or all collaborators at once from within the slide presentation. To access the capability, go to File > Email Collaborators . The Send Message dialog box appears:

Type your message, select the collaborators you want to send it to, and click Send .

5. Resolve a Comment

The final collaboration tool you may wish to use has to do with managing comments. After a comment has been addressed, it's likely you no longer want it to appear on the presentation.

Notice that each comment has a Resolve button on it:

Once you've addressed the issue raised by the comment, click the Resolve button. The comment is no longer visible on the slide.

Conclusion & Additional Resource

Work more productively as a team by learning to make full use of Google Slides' presentation collaboration tools.

Learn All About How to Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook)

Take the knowledge you gained in this tutorial further with our new eBook:  The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations . Grab this PDF Download now for Free with your subscription to the Tuts+ Business Newsletter.

This guide will help walk you through the complete presentation process. Learn how to write your presentation, design it like a pro, and prepare it to present powerfully.

Why not start collaborating with your team members today? What online presentation collaboration tools are your favorites? Share your answers in the comments below. 

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Present slides

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You can present Google Slides so they show on a full screen.

View a presentation

To present a full-screen presentation in Google Slides:

• Open a presentation in Google Slides .

• From the current slide, the presentation will become full screen. To change slides, use the arrow keys on your keyboard or click the arrows at the bottom of the presentation.
• To exit full-screen, press the Esc key.

Present with notes, auto-advance slides & more

View a presentation with speaker notes.

• Click Presenter view .
• Click Speaker notes .

Advance slides automatically

• You present your presentation.
• Someone clicks on a link to your published presentation.
• Someone views your published presentation that's embedded in a website.

Advance slides automatically while you present

• Open a presentation in Google Slides.

• Choose how quickly to advance your slides.

Advance slides automatically for a published presentation

• If you use Google Slides through work or school, you can only share the link with people within your organization.
• After you publish your presentation, anyone with the link will be able to see your presentation.
• Choose Link or Embed .
• Under "Auto-advance slides," choose how much time you want to add between slides.

Stop publishing

Highlight & annotate as you present.

When you present, you can use a pen tool to draw or make annotations. Annotations stay during your presentation, but disappear after you end your slideshow.

Use the pen tool during a slideshow

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

• To draw or annotate, click and drag on your slide.

Other actions while 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

PC keyboard shortcuts

Mac keyboard shortcuts

Chrome keyboard shortcuts

Need more help, try these next steps:.

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How to Use the Presenter View in Google Slides: Simple Guide

When giving a presentation, maintaining control and ensuring that your delivery is smooth and professional is important. Google Slides offers a powerful tool called Presenter View, which helps you manage your presentation effectively. This guide will walk you through how to use the Presenter View in Google Slides, enhancing your public speaking engagements and making your slideshows more impactful.

What is the Presenter’s View?

Presenter View is a feature in Google Slides that allows the presenter to see notes, upcoming slides, and a timer while the audience only sees the current slide. This tool is incredibly useful for staying on track and ensuring that you cover all your key points without having to remember everything.

How to Enable Presenter View in Google Slides: Step-by-Step Guide

• Open Your Presentation: Start by opening your Google Slides presentation.
• Enter Present Mode: Click the “Slideshow” button at the top right of your screen.
• Activate Presenter View: After entering Present mode, hover your mouse over the bottom left corner of the screen. A menu will appear with several icons. Click on the “Presenter View” icon, which looks like a small screen with a rectangular window in the top right corner.
• Separate Windows: Presenter View will open in a new window. This window shows your speaker notes, a thumbnail of the next slide, and a timer. Your main screen will show the slide as the audience sees it.

Customizing Your Presenter View

• Speaker Notes: Ensure your speaker notes are ready. These notes can be prepared while you create your slides. If you need to know how to add speaker notes, check our detailed guide on “ How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint Presentation “
• Timer and Clock: Use the timer to keep track of your presentation duration. The clock helps you manage your time effectively, ensuring you don’t overrun your session.
• Audience Tools: The Presenter View also includes tools like the Q&A feature, where audience members can submit questions during the presentation.

Tips for Effective Use of Presenter View

• Practice: Familiarize yourself with Presenter View before your actual presentation. This will help you navigate the tool smoothly and avoid any last-minute surprises.
• Use Speaker Notes Wisely: Keep your notes concise. Long paragraphs can be hard to read quickly. Bullet points work best for quick reference.
• Time Management: Pay attention to the timer to keep your presentation within the allotted time.
• Engage with Your Audience: Even though you have your notes in front of you, make sure to maintain eye contact with your audience to keep them engaged.

Enhancing Your Presentation with Free Google Slides Themes

Using pre-made Google Slides themes can significantly enhance the visual appeal of your presentation. These themes are professionally designed and can save you a lot of time. There are many free Google Slides themes available online that cater to various topics and styles. Incorporating these themes can make your presentation more engaging and visually attractive.

Additional Features and Hacks

Google Slides offers various features that can enhance your presentation experience. For more tips and tricks on how to get the most out of Google Slides, visit our tips & tricks page . Here, you’ll find a wealth of information on how to create stunning presentations that captivate your audience.

The Presenter View in Google Slides is an invaluable tool for anyone looking to deliver a polished and professional presentation. By utilizing speaker notes, managing your time effectively, and using free Google Slides themes, you can enhance your presentations and make a lasting impression on your audience. Remember to practice using the Presenter View to ensure a smooth delivery, and don’t hesitate to explore additional features to make your presentations stand out.

By following these guidelines, you can master the Presenter View in Google Slides and elevate your presentation skills. Enjoy a more organized, confident, and engaging presentation experience!

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Arockia Mary Amutha

Arockia Mary Amutha is a seasoned senior content writer at SlideEgg, bringing over four years of dedicated experience to the field. Her expertise in presentation tools like PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Canva shines through in her clear, concise, and professional writing style. With a passion for crafting engaging and insightful content, she specializes in creating detailed how-to guides, tutorials, and tips on presentation design that resonate with and empower readers.

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Slides is good for shiny 6-pagers or 600 page snoozefests. Not only does it have everything you need to pull together an awesome presentation, but you’ll never have to hit “save” again. Get it done together Tell a story together with rich animations, customized drawings, seamless transitions, a variety of themes, and much more. Care to comment? Comment on a shape or an entire slide to give context to your discussion. Send an email notification by adding someone to a comment. Access anywhere, anytime All your presentations are automatically saved and stored in Google Drive. Access them wherever you go, from any device. Plus, you can open and edit other presentations without any special software.

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