When creating presentations in Google Slides, keeping images aligned and unaltered can be tricky. You may accidentally move an image that messes up the entire thing. It would be fantastic to be able to “lock” an image into position, right? In fact, Google Slides hasn’t yet invented this feature. But don’t worry, I’ve got an easy way to solve this. This guide walks you through the process in an easy-to-follow style.
Why Lock Images in Google Slides?
Before showing you how to do this, let’s take a minute to discuss why you might want to lock an image. If you’re working on a slide with lots of elements including text boxes, shapes, and images it is quite easy to move something you didn’t intend to. It will stay exactly in place when you lock an image so it won’t move around and you’ll save time and headache.
Steps to Lock an Image
Step 1: Add Your Image to the Slide
- Open your presentation in Google Slides.
- Insert the image you would like to lock by selecting “Insert” > “Image” and then choose the source: Upload from computer, Search the web, URL, Google Drive, etc.
- Place the image exactly where you’d like it to be on the slide.
Step 2: Save the Slide as an Image
Since Google Slides, won’t let you actually lock images you’ve inserted into your presentation, we’re going to have to use a bit of a hack: convert the slide to an image.
- Open “File” > “Download” > “PNG Image (.png)” or “JPEG Image (.jpeg)”.
- This saves the slide with your positioned image as a flat image file.
Step 3: Set the Slide Background
Replace the content of the slide with the flattened image:
- In Google Slides, click “Background” at the top.
- Select “Choose Image”, and import the downloaded PNG or JPEG.
- Click “Done” to apply the image as the background.
Lock it up now! Your image is stuck in the slide background and cannot move or edit itself.
Locking Multiple Images or Elements
If your slide contains multiple elements, you could group them and then apply the same background trick. Simply:
- Select the elements you want to lock by dragging your cursor over them or Shift + Clicking each.
- Right-click and select Group.
Then proceed with the steps in saving and setting the slide as the background.
Other Tips for Image Management
Image locking is just one of the ways to manage your visuals in Google Slides. Here are a few more tips to improve your presentations:
Apply Image Effects
Want to make your images really pop? Adding a shadow or reflection to an image will make your slides more interesting. Check out our blog on “How to Apply Image Effects in Google Slides” for more ideas.
Easy Image Editing
Sometimes you need to make a slight adjustment to get the perfect shot. Learn how to edit images in the Google Slides presentation from our blog “How to Edit the Images in Google Slides Presentation” and adjust brightness, crop, and more from within the platform.
Free Google Slides Themes
A great theme can tie your entire presentation together. Explore Free Google Slides Themes to find stylish and professional designs that suit your needs.
Final Thoughts
Although Google Slides doesn’t have an image-locking feature, this background hack will be able to hold your slides nicely. Combine this trick with others from our design hacks collection, and you’ll be able to build cool presentations with so little effort. Don’t forget to have a look at pre-designed templates to save your time on the slide creation and still look great.
By mastering these tips, you can keep your images secure and your slides looking sharp—no more accidental adjustments!
