Adding videos to your Google Slides presentations can make them more engaging and memorable for your audience. Videos allow you to demonstrate concepts visually, provide instructions, or simply capture attention in a more dynamic way.
Embedding and playing videos directly within Google Slides is a straightforward process. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step instructions for adding videos from YouTube, Google Drive, or a video URL. I’ll also cover best practices for playback, formatting, and customization.
Table of Contents
Why Add Videos to Google Slides Presentations?
Here are some of the key benefits of embedding videos in your Google Slides:
- Engage your audience: Videos grab attention and break up blocks of text or static slides. This improves information retention and keeps viewers interested.
- Explain concepts visually: Some concepts are better shown than described. Demonstrate a process, highlight features, or provide a visual aid with video.
- Provide instructions: Embed tutorial or instructional videos right within your presentation to walk users through a task.
- Tell a story: Video can elicit emotions and connections that text alone cannot. Use video clips to humanize your presentation.
- Enhance credibility: Displaying videos directly within slides instead of links adds an element of professionalism and reliability.
Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Videos
Adding videos to Google Slides only takes a few clicks. Here is the process:
Embed a YouTube Video
- Open your Google Slides presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to embed the video.
- Click Insert > Video from the top menu.
- In the sidebar that appears, select the YouTube tab.
- Enter keywords to search for the desired YouTube video or paste the video URL into the box.
- Click Select once you’ve located the correct video to add it to your slide.
- Resize or reposition the video as needed by clicking and dragging the edges and corners.
Embed a Google Drive Video
- Upload the video file you want to embed to Google Drive if it is not already there.
- Open your Google Slides presentation and navigate to the desired slide.
- Click Insert > Video from the top menu.
- Select the Google Drive tab in the sidebar.
- Locate and click the video file to embed.
- Click Select to add it to your slide.
- Customize sizing and positioning as needed.
Embed a Video from a URL
- Copy the URL of the video you want to embed from any video platform.
- Open your Google Slides presentation and go to the slide.
- Click Insert > Video in the top menu.
- Choose the By URL tab in the sidebar.
- Paste the video URL into the box.
- Click Select once the correct video thumbnail and title appear in the preview.
- Adjust sizing and positioning of the embedded video as desired.
Customizing Video Playback in Google Slides
Google Slides provides options to control video playback right within your presentations:
Playback Triggers
By default, videos play when you advance to their slide during presentation mode. You can change this to:
- Play automatically: Video plays as soon as you reach the slide
- Play on click: Video plays when you click to move to the next slide
- Play manually: Video only plays when directly clicked
Start and End Times
Trim longer videos by setting custom start and end times. The video will play only that clipped portion.
Mute Audio
Toggle audio on or off for embedded videos.
Access these options by:
- Clicking the video to select it
- Clicking Format options beside the video thumbnail
- Changing settings in the Video Playback section of the sidebar
Best Practices for Google Slides Videos
When embedding videos in Google Slides, keep these tips in mind:
- Keep videos short – Under 2 minutes is best. Long videos may lose audience interest.
- Preview videos – Double check that links work and videos play as expected before presenting.
- Mind positioning – Ensure embedded videos are visible on all screen sizes and don’t cover text.
- Check audio levels – Make sure volume is loud enough but not overpowering.
- Use captions – Improve accessibility and understanding with closed captions if available.
- Credit sources – Provide attribution for any videos you did not create yourself.
Enhance Presentations with Video
Adding videos can take your Google Slides presentations to the next level. Follow the embedding options covered here to seamlessly incorporate YouTube, Google Drive, or third-party videos.
Remember to optimize playback control and formatting for the best viewer experience. Well-placed and formatted videos will boost engagement, interest, and recall of your content.
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you the tools to start enhancing your Google Slides presentations with high-impact video. Let me know if you have any other questions!