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Google Slides Basics: Getting Started with Presentations

Tap through each step to see how to go from a blank screen to a finished, shareable presentation.

  1. Create a new presentation

    In Google Slides, click "Blank" or use a template to start a new presentation.

  2. Choose a theme

    Pick a design theme from the panel on the right to set a consistent look for the whole presentation.

  3. Add text and images

    Fill in slides with a title, body text, and images as you build out your content.

  4. Share it and present

    Use the "Share" button to collaborate with teammates, and "Present" to start the slideshow.

  5. Why it helps

    There is no software to install -- everything runs in the browser, and multiple people can edit the same file at the same time, which is handy for team presentations.

When a team is building a deck together

Instead of emailing a file back and forth and merging changes by hand, several people can open the same Google Slides file at once and edit it in real time, seeing each other's cursors and changes as they happen -- which speeds up collaboration considerably.

A few habits that make slides easier to maintain

Keeping one idea per slide, reusing a small set of layouts instead of formatting every slide from scratch, and using speaker notes for the details you'll say out loud (rather than cramming them onto the slide) all make a deck faster to build and easier to update later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import an existing PowerPoint file?

Yes, uploading an existing PowerPoint (.pptx) file lets you open and edit it directly in Google Slides.

Can I work on a presentation offline?

If you enable offline access in advance in Chrome, you can keep working without an internet connection, and your changes sync automatically once you're back online.