The two ways to embed video in Google Slides

Google Slides lets you add video in two ways: embed a video from YouTube directly into a slide, or upload a video file from your computer. YouTube embedding is simpler and works reliably. Uploading a file gives you more control but has limits on file size and format.

YouTube embedding is the faster route if your video is already on YouTube or if you can upload it there first. The video plays inside the slide during your presentation, and you control it with play and pause buttons. Uploading a file directly works if you have a video saved locally and do not want to use YouTube, but Google Slides accepts only MP4 and WebM formats, and the file cannot exceed 5 GB.

Most people use YouTube embedding because it is more reliable during presentations and does not eat up your Google Drive storage. If you are presenting offline or need the video completely private, uploading a file is the better choice.

Key Takeaways

  • YouTube embedding is the fastest method: search for the video in Google Slides, click it, and it inserts automatically.
  • Uploading a file works for MP4 and WebM videos under 5 GB, but takes longer and uses your Google Drive storage.
  • During a presentation, you can pause, rewind, and adjust volume using the video player controls that appear on the slide.
  • If your video is not on YouTube yet, uploading it to YouTube first takes a few minutes but gives you the most reliable playback.

How to embed a YouTube video

Open your Google Slides presentation and click the slide where you want the video. Go to the menu and click Insert, then Video. A search box opens. Type the video title or creator name, or paste the YouTube URL if you have it. Click the video you want from the search results.

Google Slides inserts the video as a thumbnail on your slide. You can resize it by dragging the corners, or move it by clicking and dragging. During your presentation, click the video to play it. The video plays full-screen by default, but you can click the small window icon in the player to keep it on the slide instead.

If the video does not appear in the search results, check that you are logged into the same Google account that owns the YouTube channel, or try pasting the full YouTube URL instead of searching by title.

How to upload a video file directly

Open your presentation and click the slide where you want the video. Go to Insert, then Video. Instead of searching, click the Upload tab at the top of the search box. Click Choose a file from your computer and select your MP4 or WebM file.

Google Slides uploads the file to your Google Drive and inserts it into the slide. The upload takes longer for large files — a 500 MB video might take a minute or two depending on your internet speed. Once it finishes, you can resize and move the video the same way as an embedded YouTube video.

Check your file format before uploading. If you have a video in MOV, AVI, or another format, convert it to MP4 first using free tools like Handbrake or CloudConvert. Google Slides will reject unsupported formats and show an error message.

Controlling video playback during your presentation

When you start your presentation and click a video, a player appears with standard controls: play, pause, a progress bar, volume, and a full-screen button. You can scrub backward and forward by clicking on the progress bar. The video stays muted until you click the volume icon.

If you click the full-screen button, the video expands to fill your monitor or projector. Press Escape to return to the slide. If you do not click the video, it does not play — you have to start it manually each time, which is useful if you want to talk before the video begins.

If the video lags or stutters during a live presentation, it is usually a network issue with YouTube embedding. Uploading a file avoids this problem because the video is stored locally in your Google Drive. If you are presenting in a location with weak internet, upload the file instead of embedding from YouTube.

Resizing and positioning video on your slide

Click the video thumbnail on your slide to select it. Drag any corner handle to resize it while keeping the proportions correct. Drag the middle of the video to move it around the slide. You can layer text and other objects over or under the video by right-clicking and choosing Arrange.

Make the video large enough to see during a presentation — a video smaller than 3 inches across is hard to watch from the back of a room. Leave space for a title or speaker notes above or below it. If you are presenting on a projector, test the size and readability before the actual presentation.

Troubleshooting video problems

If a YouTube video does not play during your presentation, check your internet connection first. YouTube videos require a live connection. If the connection is good but the video still does not play, try refreshing the page or re-inserting the video.

If an uploaded file does not play, make sure it is in MP4 or WebM format and under 5 GB. If the file is larger, compress it using Handbrake or another video tool. If the file is the right format and size but still does not work, try uploading it again — sometimes the upload fails silently.

If you are sharing the presentation with others and they cannot see the video, check your sharing settings. YouTube videos play for anyone with the link if the video is public or unlisted. Uploaded files only play for people who have access to your Google Drive folder, so make sure you have shared the presentation with the right people.

When to use YouTube versus uploading a file

Use YouTube embedding if the video is already public on YouTube, if you want the smallest file size, or if you are presenting with a reliable internet connection. YouTube videos play smoothly and do not use your Google Drive storage.

Upload a file if you are presenting offline, if the video is private or sensitive, or if you want to avoid relying on internet speed. Uploading also works if the video is on a platform other than YouTube — read it first, convert it to MP4 if needed, then upload it to Google Slides.

For most classroom and work presentations, YouTube embedding is the right choice. For sensitive content, offline presentations, or videos you do not want public, upload the file instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a video from Vimeo or another platform?

Google Slides does not have a built-in search for Vimeo or other platforms. read the video file from Vimeo, convert it to MP4 if needed, and upload it to Google Slides using the file upload method. This works for any video file on your computer.

What happens to the video if I move the presentation to a different Google account?

YouTube videos play as long as they remain public or unlisted. Uploaded files stay with the presentation only if you move the entire Google Drive folder and share it with the new account. If you only share the presentation file, the video may not appear because the new account does not have access to the original file in your Drive.

Can I edit or trim a video inside Google Slides?

No. Google Slides plays videos but does not edit them. Trim or edit your video before uploading using free tools like iMovie, Windows Photos, or Shotcut. Then upload the edited version to Google Slides.

Will the video play if I read the presentation as a PowerPoint file?

YouTube videos may not play in PowerPoint. Uploaded files also may not transfer correctly. If you need to use the presentation in PowerPoint, read the video file separately and insert it into PowerPoint using PowerPoint's own video insertion tool.

How much storage does an uploaded video use?

Uploaded videos count against your Google Drive storage limit. A 500 MB video uses 500 MB of your quota. YouTube videos do not use your storage because they play from YouTube's servers instead.