Google Slides Basics: A How-To Guide

Google Slides is a free, web-based presentation tool that allows you to create, edit, and share presentations online. This guide will walk you through the basics, complete with screenshots and examples.

1. Creating a New Presentation

• Go to your Google Drive (drive.google.com).
• Click "+ New" and select "Google Slides."
• Choose "Blank presentation" to start fresh or select a template.

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  Opens in a new window support.google.com
  Google Drive with + New button and Google Slides option highlighted

2. Understanding the Interface

• Slides: Individual pages of your presentation.
• Speaker notes:  Add notes below each slide to help you during your presentation.
• Toolbar: Contains various tools for formatting text, adding images, shapes, and more.
• Themes: Pre-designed styles that apply to your entire presentation.
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  Opens in a new window ittrainingcontent.iu.edu
  Google Slides interface with labels for slides, speaker notes, toolbar, and themes

3. Adding and Editing Content

• Text boxes: Click on a slide and start typing to add text.
• Images: Click "Insert" > "Image" to add images from your computer or the web.
• Shapes: Click "Insert" > "Shape" to add various shapes to your slides.
• Layouts:  Choose different slide layouts (title slide, title and body, etc.) from the toolbar.
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  Opens in a new window edu.gcfglobal.org
  Google Slides toolbar with Insert menu and options for images and shapes highlighted

4. Formatting and Design

• Themes: Choose a theme from the "Theme" panel on the right side of the screen.
• Backgrounds:  Change the background color or image of your slides.
• Fonts and colors:  Customize the font style, size, and color of your text.
• Animations and transitions: Add visual effects to your slides and transitions between slides.
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  Opens in a new window slidesgo.com
  Google Slides Theme panel with various theme options

5. Presenting Your Slides

• Present button: Click the "Present" button in the top right corner to start your presentation.
• Navigation: Use the arrow keys or your mouse to move between slides.
• Pointer:  Use your mouse to point to specific elements on your slides during the presentation.
• Speaker view:  Enable speaker view to see your notes and upcoming slides.
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  Opens in a new window slidesgo.com
  Google Slides presentation mode with navigation arrows and pointer

Example: Creating a Simple Presentation

Let's say you want to create a presentation about your favorite hobby.

1. Choose a theme: Select a theme that matches your hobby.
2. Add a title slide: Introduce your hobby with a title and image.
3. Add content slides:  Include information about your hobby, such as its history, benefits, and how to get started.
4. Add images:  Use images to illustrate your points and make your presentation more visually appealing.
5. Practice your presentation:  Use the "Present" mode to rehearse your presentation and make sure it flows smoothly.

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   Opens in a new window www.slidemembers.com
   simple Google Slides presentation about a hobby, with a title slide and content slides with images

This is just a brief overview of Google Slides. With its user-friendly interface and collaborative features, it's a great tool for creating engaging presentations. Explore and experiment to discover all its capabilities!