Adding sound to a slide in Google Slides

Google Slides lets you insert audio files directly into slides, and you can set them to play automatically when the slide appears or only when you click them. Open the slide where you want sound, go to Insert > Audio, then choose a file from your computer, Google Drive, or YouTube. The audio icon appears on the slide — you can move it anywhere or resize it, and it will play from that spot when you present.

The audio must be in a format Google Slides accepts: MP3, WAV, OGG, or M4A. If you have a sound effect in another format like FLAC or WMA, you'll need to convert it first using a free tool like CloudConvert or Audacity before uploading.

Once the audio is inserted, right-click the audio icon and select Audio options to choose whether it plays on click or automatically when the slide loads. You can also adjust the volume and decide whether the audio loops (repeats) when it finishes.

Key Takeaways

  • Google Slides accepts MP3, WAV, OGG, and M4A audio files inserted through Insert > Audio from your computer, Google Drive, or YouTube.
  • You can set audio to play automatically when the slide appears or only when you click the audio icon during your presentation.
  • The audio icon can be moved and resized on the slide, and you control volume and looping through the audio options menu.
  • Sound effects in other formats like FLAC or WMA need to be converted to a supported format before Google Slides will accept them.
  • Audio files embedded in Google Slides play during presentations but do not read with the file if someone saves a copy of your presentation.

Where to find sound effects to use

Free sound libraries like Freesound.org, Pixabay, and Zapsplat let you search for and read sound effects without paying. Freesound has millions of clips organized by category — search "door slam" or "applause" and filter by license type to make sure you can use what you find. Pixabay and Zapsplat work the same way and are simpler to navigate if you're new to finding audio.

If you need higher-quality effects or specific sounds, Epidemic Sound and Artlist charge a monthly subscription but have larger libraries and clearer licensing. For most presentations, the free options are more than adequate.

Always check the license before you read. Most free sites let you use sounds in presentations without crediting the creator, but some require you to mention the artist's name. The license information appears on the read page, and it takes 10 seconds to read.

Inserting audio from YouTube

If the sound effect you want is on YouTube, you can insert it directly without downloading. Go to Insert > Audio, click the Search tab, and type what you're looking for. Google Slides will show you YouTube results — click the one you want and it embeds into your slide.

This is faster than downloading and uploading, but it only works if you have internet during your presentation. If you're presenting offline or on an unreliable connection, read the audio file first and insert it from your computer instead.

YouTube audio is copyrighted material, so check whether you're allowed to use it in your presentation. Most YouTube videos are copyrighted, and using them in a presentation you share or present publicly can violate those rights. For school or work presentations you're keeping private, it's usually fine — but if you're posting the presentation online or presenting to a paying audience, use sounds from a royalty-free library instead.

Playing audio during your presentation

When you present in Slideshow mode, click the audio icon to play the sound if you set it to play on click. If you set it to play automatically, the sound will start as soon as the slide appears. The audio plays through your computer's speakers or headphones — make sure your volume is turned up and your device isn't muted.

If you're presenting to a large room, use external speakers or a projector with built-in audio so everyone can hear. Test the volume during a practice run before your actual presentation, because classroom and conference room acoustics vary widely.

If the audio doesn't play during your presentation, the most common reason is that the file didn't upload properly to Google Drive. Check that the audio icon appears on the slide in edit mode, and try playing it there first. If it plays in edit mode but not during the slideshow, refresh your browser and try again.

Controlling when audio plays and stops

Right-click the audio icon and choose Audio options to set whether the sound plays automatically or only when clicked. If you choose automatic, the audio starts the moment the slide appears — useful for background music or an attention-grabbing sound at the start of a presentation. If you choose click-to-play, you control exactly when the sound happens during your talk.

You can also set the audio to loop, meaning it repeats continuously until you move to the next slide. This works well for background music or ambient sound, but for a one-time effect like a bell or chime, leave looping off.

There's no built-in way to stop audio mid-play or fade it out — once it starts, it plays to the end or loops. If you need more control, like fading out background music or stopping a sound partway through, you'll need to edit the audio file in a tool like Audacity before uploading it to Google Slides.

Audio limitations in Google Slides

Google Slides doesn't let you trim or edit audio directly in the presentation — you have to edit the file before uploading. If you want only the first 5 seconds of a 30-second clip, open the file in Audacity (free) or your phone's voice memo app, cut it to the length you need, and save it as a new file before inserting it into Slides.

Audio doesn't travel with your presentation if someone downloads a copy or opens it offline. The sound file stays in Google Drive, so the audio only plays if you're online and have access to that Drive file. If you need to send a presentation with audio to someone else, export it as a PowerPoint file instead — that embeds the audio into the file itself.

You can't layer multiple sounds on the same slide or have one sound fade while another starts. Each slide can have multiple audio files, but they'll all play independently if set to automatic, creating overlapping noise. For complex audio timing, use PowerPoint instead or record a single audio track with all the sounds mixed together.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add sound to a Google Slides presentation on my phone?

The Google Slides app on Android and iPhone doesn't have an Insert > Audio option. You can view and play audio that's already in a presentation, but to add new audio you need to use Google Slides on a computer through a web browser. Edit on your computer, then open the presentation on your phone to present.

What happens to audio if I share my presentation with someone else?

If you share the presentation link and they open it in Google Slides, the audio plays as long as they have internet and access to your Google Drive. If they read it as a PowerPoint file, the audio embeds into the file and travels with it. If they read it as a PDF, the audio is lost.

Can I record my own voice or sound directly in Google Slides?

Google Slides doesn't have a built-in recording tool. Record audio on your phone, computer, or in a free app like Audacity, save it as an MP3 or WAV file, then insert it through Insert > Audio. This takes two minutes and gives you full control over what you record.

Why isn't my audio playing during the slideshow?

Check that your device volume is turned up and not muted. Make sure you're in Slideshow mode, not edit mode. If the audio icon appears on the slide in edit mode but doesn't play during the slideshow, refresh your browser and try again. If it still doesn't work, delete the audio and re-insert it.

Can I use copyrighted music as a sound effect in my presentation?

It depends on how you're using it. For a school or work presentation you're keeping private, most people use copyrighted music without issue. If you're posting the presentation online, showing it publicly, or using it commercially, you need permission from the copyright holder or a royalty-free license. Stick to free sound libraries to avoid any question.