IT Skills

Google Slides Basics




1. Basics of Google Slides

Key Features:

  • Creating a Presentation:
  • Open Google Slides "Blank" or choose a template.

  • Add slides by clicking the "+" icon or using Ctrl+M (Cmd+M).

  • Customizing Slides:

  • Use Themes: Found in the toolbar (provides pre-designed styles).
  • Change slide layout: Click "Layout" to select titles, images, or text boxes.
  • Add text: Insert text boxes with the "Text Box" tool.

  • Add images: Use Insert > Image to upload or search the web directly.

  • Collaboration:

  • Share presentations with others using the "Share" button.
  • Collaborators can comment, suggest edits, or make changes in real time.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Duplicate Slide: Ctrl+D (Cmd+D)
  • Undo/Redo: Ctrl+Z / Ctrl+Shift+Z (Cmd+Z / Cmd+Shift+Z)
  • Insert Link: Ctrl+K (Cmd+K)
  • Start Presentation: Ctrl+F5 (Cmd+F5)

2. Examples of Google Slides in Action?

Use Cases:

  1. Business Presentations:
  2. Use graphs and charts for financial reports.

  3. Add transition effects for professionalism.

  4. Educational Presentations:

  5. Include interactive quizzes using links.

  6. Embed videos for multimedia learning.

  7. Marketing Pitches:

  8. Use bold visuals and infographics.

  9. Add animations to emphasize key points.

  10. Team Updates:

  11. Present team progress with timelines.
  12. Embed shared documents or Google Sheets.

Templates:

  • Pitch Decks
  • Project Proposals
  • Lesson Plans
  • Monthly Reports

3. Formulas in Google Slides (Using Linked Google Sheets)

Google Slides itself doesn’t support direct formulas, but you can:

  1. Embed Sheets with Live Data:
  2. Insert Chart From Sheets.
  3. Select a Google Sheet with a formula-driven chart.

  4. Enable live updates when the Sheet data changes.

  5. Use Formula Data in Slides:

  6. Example: In Google Sheets, use formulas like =SUM(A1:A10) to calculate totals, then link or paste the chart or table into your slide.

  7. Interactive Scenarios with Sheets:

  8. Create dashboards in Sheets and insert them into Slides for dynamic presentations.

4. Specific Scenarios & Tips

Scenario 1: Creating an Agenda Slide

  • Use a bulleted list to outline the agenda.
  • Add icons for visual appeal (Insert > Image > Search Web).
  • Apply animation to reveal agenda items one by one.

Scenario 2: Embedding Videos for Engagement

  • Insert > Video > Add YouTube link or upload.
  • Resize and place it anywhere on the slide.
  • Right-click on the video Format Options Adjust playback settings (e.g., auto-play).

Scenario 3: Using Animations to Highlight Key Points

  • Select an object or text Format Animation.
  • Choose effects like fade-in, zoom, or fly-in.
  • Adjust timing for smoother transitions.

Scenario 4: Presenting Data Effectively

  • Insert pie charts, bar graphs, or line charts from Sheets.
  • Use high-contrast colors for visibility.
  • Include a text box for a quick explanation of key trends.

Scenario 5: Interactive Scenarios (Hyperlinks)

  • Add links to external resources or internal slides for navigation.
  • Example: Link from an agenda slide to specific content slides.
  • Insert a table of contents with clickable links to sections.

5. Advanced Tips and Tricks

  • Use Master Slides:
  • Edit the "Master" to create consistent designs across all slides.

  • Go to Slide Edit Theme.

  • Add Backgrounds:

  • Right-click on the slide Change Background Choose color/image.

  • Collaborate Effectively:

  • Assign specific comments to team members with @mention.

  • Use the version history (File Version History) to track changes.

  • Export Options:

  • Download presentations as PDF, PPTX, or images (File Download).
  • Publish slides to the web for easy sharing (File Publish to the web).
❤ If you liked this, consider supporting us by checking out Tiny Skills - 250+ Top Work & Personal Skills Made Easy