“Did you know that adding videos to your slides can increase audience retention by 83%?” Yes, videos make presentations way more engaging, and if you’re using Google Slides, you’re in luck—it’s pretty easy to add MP4 videos! By the end of this blog, you’ll be a pro at spicing up your slides with multimedia elements. Let’s dive in!
Why Add an MP4 video to Google Slides?
Before we get into the steps, let’s talk about why you’d even want to add a video to your presentation.
Videos are a fantastic way to break up the monotony of text-heavy slides. They can:
- Capture attention and keep your audience engaged: A short, engaging MP4 video can instantly grab attention and keep people focused.
- Explain complex ideas more effectively: Videos can simplify complicated topics—sometimes, a two-minute clip does more than a thousand words.
- Add a visual and auditory element to your presentation: People are more likely to remember what they’ve seen in action versus what they’ve read.
Sounds good? Alright, now let’s get to the point—adding your MP4 to Google Slides!
Step 1: Upload Your MP4 Video to Google Drive
Since Google Slides doesn’t let you directly upload MP4 files, the first step is to add the video to your Google Drive. Here’s how:
- Open your Google Drive.
- Click the “+ New” button (top-left corner) and choose “File Upload.”
- Select your MP4 video and wait for it to upload. (Pro tip: Name your file something easy to recognize!)
Step 2: Insert the Video into Your Slide
Once your MP4 is in Google Drive, it’s super easy to add it to your slide.
- Open your Google Slides presentation.
- Go to the slide where you want to add the video.
- Click “Insert” > “Video” from the top menu.
- Choose the “Google Drive” tab in the pop-up window.
- Find your uploaded MP4, click on it, and hit “Select.”
That’s it! The video will now appear on your slide as a thumbnail.
Step 3: Adjust the Video Settings
Now that your video is in the slide, you can customize how it looks and plays:
- Resize or Move It: Click and drag the corners to resize or move the video anywhere on the slide.
- Playback Settings: Click the video, then go to “Format Options” (on the toolbar or by right-clicking). From here, you can:
- Set the video to autoplay when the slide opens.
- Mute or adjust the volume.
- Choose a start and end time if you only want to show part of the video.
Step 4: Test It Out!
Before you wrap up your presentation, test the video to make sure it plays the way you want. Simply click “Present” (top-right corner) and watch how it looks in slideshow mode.
What If the MP4 Isn’t Playing?
If you’re having trouble with playback, don’t panic! Here are some quick fixes:
- Check Internet Connection: Videos on Google Slides require an active internet connection to play.
- File Permissions: Make sure your MP4 in Google Drive is set to “Anyone with the link can view”. Right-click the file in Drive, select “Share”, and update the settings.
- File Compatibility: Double-check that your video is in MP4 format, as Google Slides works best with this file type.
Pro Tips for Using Videos in Google Slides
- Keep It Short: People have short attention spans—keep your videos under two minutes for maximum impact.
- Use High-Quality Videos: Blurry or pixelated videos can distract from your message.
- Add Context: Include a short sentence or bullet point explaining the video’s purpose so your audience knows what to expect.
Conclusion
And there you have it—a complete guide on how to insert MP4 into Google Slides! Whether it’s a product demo, a tutorial, or just a fun clip to liven things up, videos can make your presentations way more dynamic and effective.
So, go ahead and give it a try. Once you start adding videos, you’ll wonder how you ever made slides without them!
