Google Slides Keyboard Shortcuts
60+ Google Slides shortcuts for presentations, text, objects, and slideshow mode. Mac and Windows reference.
General
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New presentation | |
| Open presentation | |
| Save | |
| Undo | |
| Redo | |
| Find | |
| Find and replace | |
| Compact controls / hide menus |
Slides
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New slide | |
| Duplicate slide | |
| Delete slide | |
| Previous slide | |
| Next slide | |
| First slide | |
| Last slide | |
| Move slide up | |
| Move slide down |
Text
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Bold | |
| Italic | |
| Underline | |
| Strikethrough | |
| Insert link | |
| Clear formatting | |
| Increase font size | |
| Decrease font size |
Alignment
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Left align | |
| Center align | |
| Right align | |
| Justify |
Lists
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Numbered list | |
| Bulleted list | |
| Increase indent | |
| Decrease indent |
Objects
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Select all objects on slide | |
| Select next object | |
| Select previous object | |
| Group objects | |
| Ungroup objects | |
| Send forward / backward | |
| Send to front | |
| Send to back | |
| Nudge object 1px | |
| Nudge object 10px | |
| Toggle guides |
Present
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Present from beginning | |
| Present from current slide | |
| Exit presentation | |
| Previous / next slide | |
| First slide (in present mode) | |
| Last slide (in present mode) | |
| Jump to slide number | |
| Black out screen | |
| White out screen | |
| Toggle laser pointer |
View
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in | |
| Zoom out | |
| Toggle full screen editing | |
| Film strip panel toggle |
Pro tips
Master Slide for Consistency
Edit the master slide (Slide → Edit theme) to set fonts, colors, and layouts that apply across all slides. Changes to the master automatically update every slide.
Laser Pointer in Presentations
Press L during a presentation to toggle the laser pointer. It's a red dot that follows your mouse - perfect for drawing attention to specific elements without a physical pointer.
Speaker Notes Are Essential
Add notes below each slide. During presentations, use Presenter View to see notes on your screen while the audience sees only slides. Access via the Present dropdown arrow.
Duplicate and Modify
Use Ctrl+D to duplicate slides and modify them. This is faster than creating from scratch and ensures visual consistency across your deck.
Import Slides from Other Decks
File → Import slides lets you pull slides from other Google Slides presentations or uploaded PowerPoint files. Great for reusing content across presentations.
Link Between Slides
Select text or an object → Insert → Link → choose 'Slides in this presentation'. Create interactive navigation, table of contents, or non-linear presentation flows.
Frequently asked questions
How do I present from a specific slide?
Click on the slide in the film strip, then press Ctrl+Shift+F5 (Windows) or ⌘+Return (Mac) to present from that slide. Or use the dropdown arrow next to the Present button.
Can I use Google Slides offline?
Yes. Install the Google Docs Offline Chrome extension and enable offline access in Drive settings. Recent presentations will sync for offline editing and presenting.
How do I add animations?
Select an object → Insert → Animation. Choose entrance, exit, or emphasis effects. Set triggers (on click, after previous, with previous) and adjust duration. Use the Animations panel to reorder.
Can I convert PowerPoint files?
Yes. Upload .pptx files to Google Drive and open them with Google Slides. Most formatting, animations, and transitions convert automatically. Some complex PowerPoint features may not transfer perfectly.
How do I add audio or video?
Insert → Audio (from Google Drive) or Insert → Video (from YouTube or Google Drive). You can set audio to play automatically, loop, and hide the icon during presentation.
How do I collaborate in real-time?
Share your presentation (Share button) with editing permissions. Multiple people can edit simultaneously. Use comments (Ctrl+Alt+M) and the cursor of each editor is visible in real-time.
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