| ✅ Quick Tips: How to Add Citations in Google Slides * Type your source in a small text box under your slide. * Use the Insert → Text Box option to add it. * Keep the text small and neat, usually at the bottom. * You can add URLs, book names, or author names. * Use the “Explore” tool in Google Slides to find sources quickly. * Follow a simple style like APA, MLA, or Chicago if needed. |
“Giving credit is like saying thank you in a smart way.”
Did you know? Over 65% of students forget to add sources while making presentations. But it’s very important! Citations help others know where your information comes from. It makes your work look clean, honest, and professional.
Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in “citation button” like Google Docs. But no worries! You can still add neat, clear citations in a few easy ways. In this blog, I’ll walk you through them one by one, in the simplest way possible.
📖 What is a Citation in Google Slides?
A citation is like a little note telling people where you got your information. It can be a website link, book name, author, or article. It shows that your facts aren’t made up and you’ve done your homework.
📌 Why Adding Citations is a Good Idea
- Shows honesty in your work
- Makes your slides look professional
- Helps people check your sources
- Avoids plagiarism (copying without giving credit)
- Builds trust with your teacher or audience
✏️ Easy Ways to Add Citations in Google Slides
1️⃣ Use a Text Box at the Bottom
- Click Insert → Text Box
- Drag it to the bottom of the slide
- Type your citation inside
- Example: Source: www.example.com
👉 This is the simplest way. You can make the font smaller so it doesn’t take up much space.
2️⃣ Add a “Sources” Slide at the End
- At the end of your presentation, add a new slide
- Title it “References” or “Sources.”
- List all your links, books, or article names
- Example:
- www.example.com
- “Learning Facts” by John Doe
👉 This keeps your slides clean and organized.
3️⃣ Use the Explore Tool (For Quick Web Citations)
- At the bottom-right corner of your Google Slides, click Explore (the star icon)
- Search your topic
- Click the small quotation mark (“) beside the result to copy a citation
- Paste it into your slide or sources page
👉 This is great when you need quick, ready-made citations.
4️⃣ Follow a Citation Style (If Needed)
If your teacher asks, you can follow simple formats like:
- APA: Author, Year, Title, Source
- MLA: Author. “Title.” Website, Date
Example: Smith, J. (2023). Fun with Science. www.sciencefun.com
🎯 Best Practices for Citations
- Keep them small and neat
- Use the same style on every slide
- Make sure every fact has a source
- Double-check spelling and links
🙋♂️ FAQs on Adding Citations in Google Slides
Q1. Can I add footnotes in Google Slides?
Nope, there’s no direct footnote option in Google Slides. But you can add small text boxes at the bottom as a footnote.
Q2. Is it okay to put all my citations at the end?
Yes! It’s a clean way to handle it. Just make sure your sources are easy to match with your slides.
Q3. Can I use Google Docs for citations and link it to Slides?
Sure! You can make a citations page in Google Docs and share its link in your final slide.
Q4. How do I cite a YouTube video in Google Slides?
Add the video’s title, uploader’s name, date, and link.
Example: “Fun Facts” by Smart Videos, 2024. www.youtube.com/abc123
🎉 Final Thoughts
Citations might look boring, but they show you’re smart, careful, and honest with your work. Plus, it’s super easy to add them to Google Slides once you know how.
Next time, when you make a presentation, don’t forget to add those little thank-yous for the information you borrowed!
