Adding audio to Google Slides in three steps

Google Slides lets you add music or sound in two ways: embed an audio file directly into a slide, or insert a YouTube video that plays audio. The direct file method works best if you have an MP3 or WAV file saved to your computer or Google Drive. The YouTube method works if the song or audio exists on YouTube — which covers most popular music, podcasts, and sound effects.

Both methods play the audio when you present the slideshow, and both let you control when the sound starts and stops. You cannot record audio directly inside Google Slides the way you can in PowerPoint, so you'll need the file or a YouTube link before you begin.

Key Takeaways

  • Upload your audio file to Google Drive first, then insert it into a slide — Google Slides does not accept audio files uploaded directly from your computer.
  • YouTube videos work as an audio source if the song or sound you want exists there, and they play full-screen during presentation mode.
  • Audio plays automatically when you reach that slide during a presentation, but you can set it to play only when you click it instead.
  • Downloaded music files must be in MP3 or WAV format; other formats like M4A or FLAC will not work in Google Slides.

Uploading an audio file to Google Drive

Before you can add music to a slide, the file must live in Google Drive. Open Google Drive in a browser, click the "New" button on the left, select "File upload", and choose your MP3 or WAV file from your computer. Wait for the upload to finish — you'll see a checkmark when it's done.

If you have many audio files, create a folder in Google Drive called "Slideshow Audio" or similar, and upload them all there. This keeps your Drive organized and makes it faster to find the file you need when you're building your presentation.

Inserting audio directly into a slide

Open your Google Slides presentation and go to the slide where you want the music to play. Click "Insert" in the menu bar, then scroll down and click "Audio". A window will open showing your Google Drive files. Find and click the audio file you uploaded, then click "Select".

Google Slides will place a small speaker icon on the slide. During presentation mode, clicking that icon plays the audio. If you want the audio to start automatically when you reach that slide, right-click the speaker icon, click "Audio options", and check the box that says "Autoplay". You can also adjust the volume slider in that same menu.

Using YouTube videos as your audio source

If your music or sound exists on YouTube, you can insert the video itself. Click "Insert" in the menu bar, then "Video". Search for the song or audio you want, click the result, and click "Select". Google Slides will embed the video on your slide.

During presentation mode, the video plays full-screen when you click it. This works well if you want background music during a section of your talk, or if you're showing a music video or podcast clip. The video will not autoplay — you control when it starts by clicking it during your presentation.

Controlling when audio plays during your presentation

By default, audio files play only when you click the speaker icon. If you want music to start automatically the moment you reach that slide, right-click the speaker icon and select "Audio options". Check "Autoplay" and set the volume to your preference. The audio will then begin playing as soon as that slide appears on screen.

You can also set audio to loop, meaning it will restart and play again when it reaches the end. This is useful for background music that you want to continue throughout multiple slides. In the same "Audio options" menu, check "Loop audio" if you need it.

Troubleshooting audio that won't play

If your audio file doesn't appear in the Insert menu, the file format may not be supported. Google Slides accepts MP3 and WAV files only. If you have an M4A, FLAC, or other format, convert it to MP3 using a free tool like Audacity or an online converter before uploading to Google Drive.

If the file is in the right format but still doesn't show up, make sure you uploaded it to Google Drive and waited for the upload to complete. Files that are still uploading will not appear in the Insert menu. Refresh your browser and try again if the file still doesn't show.

Audio file formats and where to find them

MP3 is the most common audio format and works everywhere. WAV files also work in Google Slides but are much larger — a three-minute song in WAV format can be 30 MB or more, while the same song in MP3 might be 3 MB. For most presentations, MP3 is the better choice because files upload faster and take less storage space in Google Drive.

If you own music files that came from iTunes or Apple Music, they are usually in M4A format and will not work directly. You can convert them using Audacity (free, works on Windows and Mac) or an online converter. YouTube audio also works, as mentioned above, and requires no conversion or file upload.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add music to multiple slides?

Yes. Insert audio on each slide separately using the same process. Each slide can have its own audio file, or you can use the same file on multiple slides. During presentation mode, the audio on each slide plays independently when you reach it.

Will my audience hear the audio if I'm presenting remotely?

Yes, if you're sharing your screen in Google Meet, Zoom, or another video call. Make sure you have "Share system audio" or "Share computer sound" enabled in your meeting settings. Test it before your presentation to confirm your audience can hear it.

What if the audio file is too large to upload?

Google Drive allows files up to 5 TB, so file size is rarely the problem. If upload is very slow, try converting the file to MP3 format if it isn't already — MP3 files are much smaller than WAV. You can also use YouTube as your audio source instead, which requires no file upload.

Can I trim or edit audio inside Google Slides?

No. Google Slides plays the entire file from start to finish. If you need only part of a song, edit the audio file in Audacity or another audio editor before uploading it to Google Drive.

Does audio work on the Google Slides mobile app?

Audio files work in the mobile app, but YouTube videos do not. If you're presenting from a phone or tablet, use MP3 or WAV files inserted directly into slides rather than YouTube videos.