How to add a subtitle to your Google Slides presentation
To add a subtitle in Google Slides, click on the subtitle placeholder that appears below the title on your opening slide, then type your text. If your slide layout doesn't have a subtitle box, you can insert a text box manually by going to Insert > Text box, drawing it where you want the subtitle, and typing. The subtitle stays on only that one slide unless you add it to multiple slides yourself.
Most presentation templates in Google Slides come with a title slide that already has both a title and subtitle area built in. When you open a new presentation, the first slide is usually set up this way. You'll see two text boxes: one that says "Click to add title" and one below it that says "Click to add subtitle." Clicking either one lets you type directly into it.
Key Takeaways
- The subtitle placeholder appears automatically on the title slide of most Google Slides templates, positioned below the title box.
- You click the subtitle area once to select it, then type your text—no special formatting steps are needed.
- If your slide template has no subtitle placeholder, you can create one by inserting a text box manually from the Insert menu.
- Subtitles only appear on the slides where you add them; adding a subtitle to the title slide does not add it to every slide in your presentation.
Using the built-in subtitle placeholder
When you start a new Google Slides presentation, the opening slide comes with a subtitle box already in place. Look for the text that reads "Click to add subtitle"—it sits directly below the title area. Click once on that text, and the box becomes active for typing.
Type your subtitle text. You can use the toolbar at the top to change the font, size, color, or alignment if you want the subtitle to look different from the default. When you're done, click anywhere else on the slide or press Escape to finish editing that text box.
Adding a subtitle when the template doesn't have one
Some slide layouts or templates don't include a subtitle placeholder. If you need to add a subtitle to a slide that doesn't have one built in, use the Insert menu. Click Insert at the top of the screen, then select Text box from the dropdown menu.
Your cursor will change to a crosshair. Click and drag to draw a text box where you want the subtitle to appear—usually below the title. Release the mouse, and you can now type into that box. Format it using the toolbar options if you want it to match your presentation's style.
Positioning and formatting your subtitle
Google Slides lets you move and resize any text box, including subtitles you've added manually. Click on the subtitle box to select it, then drag it to a new position. To resize it, grab one of the small squares at the corners or edges and drag outward or inward.
To change how the subtitle looks, highlight the text inside the box and use the toolbar buttons. You can adjust the font family, font size, text color, background color, and alignment. You can also make text bold, italic, or underlined. These changes explore only to the subtitle text you've selected, not to other text on the slide.
Subtitles on multiple slides
If you want a subtitle on more than one slide, you need to add it to each slide separately. Google Slides does not automatically copy a subtitle from the title slide to the rest of your presentation. You can add a text box subtitle to any slide by following the Insert > Text box method described above.
If you find yourself adding the same subtitle to many slides, consider whether you actually need it on each one. Most presentations use subtitles only on the title slide to give context for the whole presentation. If you want a consistent element across slides—like a company name or topic—a footer or header might work better. You can add those through Insert > Header and footer.
Common issues and fixes
If you click on the subtitle area and nothing happens, the slide layout you're using may not have a subtitle placeholder. Switch to a different layout by clicking Slide at the top, then selecting Layout, and choosing one that shows a title and subtitle option. The layout panel on the right side of the screen also shows available layouts for your current slide.
If your subtitle text is hard to read, check the contrast between the text color and the background. Click on the text box, then use the text color button in the toolbar to choose a darker or lighter shade. You can also change the background color of the text box itself by clicking the fill color button (the paint bucket icon) in the toolbar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a subtitle to slides other than the title slide?
Yes. Any slide can have a subtitle if you add a text box to it. Use Insert > Text box, draw the box where you want it, and type. You'll need to do this for each slide that needs a subtitle.
What's the difference between a subtitle and a regular text box?
A subtitle is usually a built-in placeholder on the title slide that's formatted to match your presentation template. A text box is something you create manually and can place anywhere. Both hold text, but the subtitle placeholder is pre-sized and styled for that purpose.
Will my subtitle appear if I print or read my presentation?
Yes. Any text you add to a slide, whether it's a subtitle placeholder or a text box, will appear in printed copies and in downloaded versions like PDF or PowerPoint format.
Can I delete the subtitle placeholder if I don't want it?
Yes. Click on the subtitle box to select it, then press Delete or Backspace. The box disappears from that slide only. If you want to add it back later, change the slide layout to one that includes a subtitle placeholder.