How to Add a Voiceover to Google Slides Easily

Adding a voiceover to your Google Slides presentation can make your content more engaging, informative, and personal. Whether you’re creating a tutorial, narrating a story, or enhancing a business presentation, voiceovers are a great way to communicate your message clearly and creatively. Though Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in recording tool, you can still easily add voiceovers to each slide. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Record Your Voiceover

Since Google Slides doesn’t allow direct recording, you’ll need an audio file to upload. Most smartphones and computers have built-in recording apps, but here are a few easy options:

• Voice Memos (for iPhone users)
• Voice Recorder (for Windows users)
• Voice Recorder app on Android

1. Open your recording app and hit “Record.”
2. Speak clearly and keep each audio clip short if you’re recording for individual slides.
3. Save the audio files in a format that Google Slides supports, such as MP3 or WAV.

If you’re recording multiple slides, label each file to keep them organized.

Step 2: Upload Your Audio to Google Drive

Once your audio files are recorded and saved, upload them to Google Drive. Google Slides can only access audio files from Google Drive, so this step is essential.

1. Open Google Drive and click on “New” > “File upload”.
2. Select the audio files and upload them.

After uploading, make sure the files have the correct sharing settings, so anyone viewing your presentation can hear the audio. Right-click on each file, select “Share”, and set the access to “Anyone with the link.”

Step 3: Insert the Audio File into your Google Slides

With your audio files ready in Google Drive, it’s time to insert them into your presentation.

1. Open your Google Slides presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to add the audio.
2. Click on “Insert” in the top menu, then select “Audio.”
3. A list of your Google Drive audio files will appear. Choose the file you want for that slide and click “Select.”

Now, an audio icon will appear on your slide. You can click and drag this icon to position it anywhere you like on the slide.

Step 4: Adjust Audio Playback Settings

To control how your voiceover plays, adjust the playback settings:

1. Click on the audio icon on your slide.
2. In the “Format options” panel on the right, go to “Audio playback.”
3. Here, you can choose to play the audio “Automatically” when the slide opens, or “On click” if you’d prefer to control when the audio starts.
4. You can also adjust the volume, hide the icon, or set the audio to loop if needed.

Tips for Using Voiceovers in Google Slides

• Practice Timing: When creating a longer presentation, match your voiceover’s timing to the content on each slide.
• Use Clean Themes: Voiceovers work best on slides that aren’t too text-heavy. A clean, minimalist theme helps ensure that viewers focus on your voiceover. Google Slides themes are also perfect for adding a professional look to each slide.
• Test Before Presenting: Play through your slides to ensure the audio flows smoothly and there are no issues with playback.

Wrapping Up

Adding a voiceover to Google Slides might take a few steps, but the results are worth it. With just a microphone, Google Drive, and a little setup, you can create a more interactive and memorable presentation. Voiceovers let you add a personal touch, explain complex information, or simply make your slides more engaging.