Get the Most Out of Google Slides with These Tips

Google Slides is one of the most used tools out there when it comes to creating presentations. Getting the most out of Google Slides may sound more complicated than it really is. Once you get to know the features, it has to offer you may even feel a little silly you were ever intimidated by it in the first place.

These Google Slides tips and tricks will help you create the best presentations possible. By the time you’re finished trying these tips and tricks, you can consider yourself a Google Slides Master.

How to Make Videos Auto-Play When You Get to a Slide

If you have an audience with a short attention span, this video auto-play feature is a real lifesaver. To insert the video simply click on the insert option at the top and choose video. You can insert the video either through YouTube, URL, or Google Drive.

Once the video is inserted right-click on the video icon and select video options. The video auto-play feature will be to the right, just above the Mute audio option.

How to Quickly Edit a Video

This option is to simply shorten the video. If you need other video editing tools then you should go with a regular video editing software.

If you’re still in the same are after completing the first tip, right below the preview of the video you’ll see a ¨Start at¨ and a ¨End at¨ box. Just fill in the times when you want to video to start and end and it will be edited automatically.

How to Zoom in and Out Of Your Slides

The bigger the text is the easier it is to read. If that’s what you need then being able to zoom in will definitely come in handy. To zoom in and out on a Mac just press Command + Alt Option + either plus or minus symbol. To do the same on a PC press CTRL + Shift and either the plus or minus symbol.

Add Comments from Your Android Device

One of the many great things about Google is that you can sync your changes. If you haven’t already go to Google Play and install Google Slides. Open up the project you’re working on and tap on the plus sign at the top right. Select comment and add whatever it is you want to add.

How to Add Google Sheets to Slides

It’s always best if the information you’re going to present is the latest available.  If your Google Sheets is always up to date and that’s what you want to include in your presentation, you’re in luck.

To add Google Sheets to slides just click on Insert > Chart > From sheets.  The latest version of your sheets will be added but if you click on Update in the upper right-hand corner, Google Sheets will be automatically updated so you’ll have the latest version.

Modify the Image Shape with Masking

The better your presentation looks the less likely your audience will fall asleep. One way to get their attention is by making the images more attractive with masking. To give your images the shape you want, click on the image you want to change and then to the right of the crop tool.

A new window with various options will appear, choose the shape you’re interested in. As soon as you click on the shape, your image’s form will change.

Highlight Any Text in An Image

Sometimes there are images that take up the entire Slide. That can be a problem when you want to insert text but can find a white area to put it in. Not to worry since this tip will help you make text pop off an image by selecting a shape from the menu and place it in the area where you want the text to go.

Now, click on the fill color button that’s the paint bucket/pencil icon. A small window will appear and when it does, choose Custom. It’s best if you choose an off-white color and move the opacity bar until it’s transparent enough for you. As you move the slider, you are able to read the text more easily.

Conclusion

Google Slides has a lot more features to offer but you’d have to write a novel to cover them all. I recommend that you explore the features Google Slides has to offer since that way you’ll discover features that you probably didn’t know it had. Which tip are you going to try first? Leave a comment and let me know.