Uncover the Hidden Features of Google Slides

Google Slides is one of the most popular online presentation tools, offering a wide range of features that allow users to create visually engaging and interactive presentations. While most users are familiar with its basic functions, there are many hidden features within Google Slides that can elevate your presentations to the next level. In this article, we will uncover these lesser-known features, show you how to use them, and provide tips to make your slides more dynamic, efficient, and visually appealing. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, you’ll discover something new to enhance your Google Slides experience.

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Google Slides: Features You Didn’t Know About

Google Slides is packed with functionality, but many users only scratch the surface of its capabilities. Let’s dive into some of the most useful and hidden features of Google Slides that you might not be aware of yet.

1. Add a Custom Theme to Your Presentation

While Google Slides offers several pre-made themes, creating a custom theme can give your presentation a unique look. Here’s how to do it:

Click on “Slide” in the top menu.
Select “Edit master” to open the master slide view.
Customize fonts, colors, and background images as desired.
Once you’ve designed your theme, click on “Close master” to return to your presentation.

This custom theme will now apply across all slides, giving your presentation a cohesive and professional appearance.

2. Use Keyboard Shortcuts to Boost Productivity

Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time when creating slides. Some of the most useful Google Slides shortcuts include:

Ctrl + M (Windows) / Command + M (Mac) – Insert a new slide.
Ctrl + D (Windows) / Command + D (Mac) – Duplicate the selected slide.
Ctrl + Shift + C (Windows) / Command + Shift + C (Mac) – Copy formatting.
Ctrl + Shift + V (Windows) / Command + Shift + V (Mac) – Paste formatting.
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H (Windows) / Command + Option + Shift + H (Mac) – Hide the toolbar.

Using these shortcuts regularly can significantly speed up your workflow.

3. Explore the “Explore” Feature for Design Suggestions

Google Slides has an intelligent feature called “Explore,” which can help you design slides more efficiently by offering layout suggestions based on the content of your presentation. To access it, simply click on the “Explore” button located at the bottom-right corner of the screen.

Google Slides will then analyze the content of your slide and provide design recommendations, including font choices, color schemes, and slide layouts. This is particularly helpful when you’re in a hurry or need design inspiration.

4. Insert Interactive Elements Like Links and Buttons

Interactive elements can make your presentation more engaging. One of the simplest ways to add interactivity is by embedding hyperlinks and buttons into your slides. Here’s how to do it:

Select the object or text where you want to add the hyperlink.
Click on “Insert” in the top menu and select “Link.”
In the pop-up window, enter the URL of the page you want to link to.
Click “Apply” to save the link.

You can also create navigation buttons within your presentation by linking slides to each other. This is particularly useful for creating interactive presentations, like self-paced learning modules or product demos.

5. Use Google Slides for Real-Time Collaboration

One of the standout features of Google Slides is its real-time collaboration. Multiple people can work on the same presentation simultaneously, making it a great tool for teams. You can easily share your presentation by clicking the “Share” button in the top-right corner and choosing the appropriate sharing permissions (view, comment, or edit).

Real-time collaboration allows for seamless teamwork, as changes are automatically synced across all devices. Comments and suggestions can be added directly within the presentation, further enhancing communication among collaborators.

6. Master the Use of Animations and Transitions

Adding animations and slide transitions can make your presentation more engaging and visually dynamic. Here’s how to add animations:

Select the object or text box you want to animate.
Click on “Insert” in the top menu, then choose “Animation.”
In the animation sidebar that appears, select the type of animation you’d like to apply (e.g., fade in, fly in).
Choose the animation speed and trigger options (e.g., on click, after previous).

In addition to object animations, you can also apply transitions between slides. To do this, select “Slide” in the top menu, then “Change transition” to choose a transition effect for how one slide changes to the next.

7. Import and Edit Images with the Mask Tool

Google Slides includes a powerful image editing tool called the “Mask” feature, which lets you crop images into various shapes, such as circles, arrows, and stars. To use this feature:

Insert an image by clicking on “Insert” and then “Image.”
Select the image and click on the small arrow next to the crop tool in the toolbar.
Choose a shape from the dropdown menu, and the image will automatically be cropped into that shape.

This feature adds a creative touch to your presentations, making it easier to integrate visuals that match your slide’s design.

8. Record and Embed Audio

Google Slides now allows users to insert audio directly into their presentations, which can be particularly helpful for presentations requiring voiceovers or background music. Here’s how to insert audio:

Click on “Insert” in the top menu and select “Audio.”
Choose an audio file from your Google Drive, or upload one from your computer.
Once inserted, you can adjust the playback settings, such as whether the audio starts automatically or on click.

Adding audio can enhance the storytelling aspect of your presentation, keeping your audience engaged from start to finish.

9. Access a Variety of Fonts from Google Fonts

If you’re looking to use custom fonts in your Google Slides presentation, you’re in luck. Google Slides offers a wide range of fonts through Google Fonts, and you can easily add them by following these steps:

Click on a text box and highlight the text.
In the font dropdown menu, click “More fonts” to access the full library of fonts.
Browse or search for your desired font, then click “OK” to add it to your font list.

With a vast selection of fonts, you can ensure that your presentation reflects your style and branding.

10. Troubleshooting: Common Issues in Google Slides

Even with its many features, you may encounter some issues when working in Google Slides. Here are some common problems and solutions:

Problem: Slides Not Saving
Solution: Ensure that you are connected to the internet. Google Slides automatically saves your work in real-time, but a lack of connectivity can cause delays or errors.
Problem: Fonts Not Displaying Properly
Solution: This often occurs when a presentation is opened on a different device. To avoid this, use standard Google Fonts or embed the font in your presentation.
Problem: Missing Images or Links
Solution: Check if your image files are hosted on Google Drive or if the links are still active. Re-upload images or update broken links to fix this.

By following these tips, you can resolve most issues quickly and keep your presentation on track.

Conclusion

Google Slides is a versatile and powerful tool that goes beyond simple slide creation. With the hidden features we’ve discussed, you can create more engaging, interactive, and professional presentations. Whether you’re adding custom themes, collaborating with a team in real-time, or incorporating animations and audio, these features will help you deliver a presentation that leaves a lasting impression. Start experimenting with these tips today, and unlock the full potential of Google Slides!

For more tips on improving your presentations, check out this comprehensive guide to Google Slides features for further exploration.

And if you’re interested in learning how to integrate your Google Slides with other Google Workspace tools, visit the official Google Support page for detailed instructions.

This article is in the category Guides & Tutorials and created by SlidesGuide Team

Uncover the Hidden Features of Google Slides