The fastest way to add a video to Google Slides
Open your presentation in Google Slides, click the slide where you want the video, then go to Insert > Video. You can search YouTube directly, paste a video URL, or upload a video file from your computer. Google Slides will embed the video on your slide, and you can resize it by dragging the corners. The video plays when you click it during a presentation.
The entire process takes under a minute for YouTube videos. For files stored on your computer or Google Drive, you may need to upload them first, which adds a few extra steps depending on file size.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube videos embed directly into Google Slides through the Insert menu without uploading anything.
- You can also paste a video URL from other sources like Vimeo or embed videos from Google Drive.
- Video files from your computer must be converted to a format Google Slides accepts, or uploaded to Google Drive first.
- During a presentation, click the video to play it, and press Escape to stop and return to your slides.
Adding a YouTube video in three steps
Click the slide where you want the video to appear. Then click Insert in the top menu, and select Video. A search box will open.
Type the video title or search term into the box. Google Slides will show you results from YouTube. Click the video you want, and it will appear on your slide. You can then drag the corners to make it larger or smaller, or drag the video itself to move it to a different spot on the slide.
The video thumbnail will show on your slide, and a small play button appears when you hover over it. During a presentation, clicking the video will start playback in full screen.
Pasting a video URL from any website
If you have a link to a video on YouTube, Vimeo, or another platform, you can paste it directly. Go to Insert > Video, then click the link icon (it looks like a chain). Paste your URL into the box and press Enter.
Not all video websites work with Google Slides. YouTube and Vimeo are the most reliable. If you paste a URL and nothing happens, the site may not support embedding in Google Slides. In that case, you can try uploading the video file itself instead.
Uploading a video file from your computer
Google Slides accepts video files in MP4, WebM, and OGV formats. If your video is in a different format (like MOV, AVI, or MKV), you will need to convert it first using free tools like HandBrake or CloudConvert, or upload it to Google Drive and convert it there.
To upload a file, go to Insert > Video, then click the upload icon (it looks like an arrow pointing up). Select your video file from your computer. The upload speed depends on file size and your internet connection — large files can take several minutes. Once uploaded, the video will appear on your slide just like a YouTube video.
Using videos stored in Google Drive
If you have already uploaded a video to Google Drive, you can add it to your slides without uploading again. Go to Insert > Video, then click the Google Drive icon. Select the video file from your Drive, and it will embed on your slide.
This method is faster than uploading from your computer if the video is already in Drive. It also keeps your presentation file smaller, since the video stays in Drive rather than being copied into the presentation itself.
Resizing and positioning your video on the slide
Once a video is on your slide, you can move and resize it like any other object. Click the video to select it — you will see small squares at the corners and edges. Drag a corner square to resize the video while keeping its proportions correct. Drag the video itself to move it to a different location on the slide.
You can also right-click the video to access more options, such as replacing it with a different video, deleting it, or adjusting how it appears during a presentation. If you want the video to play automatically when you reach that slide during a presentation, right-click and look for playback settings.
Playing videos during a presentation
When you start a presentation by pressing the play button or pressing Shift + F5, your slides will display in full screen. Click any video on the slide to start playing it. The video will play in full screen, and you can pause, rewind, or adjust the volume using the standard video controls.
To return to your slides after the video finishes, press Escape or click outside the video. If you want to skip a video during a presentation, just press Escape before it finishes playing. The video will stop and you will return to your slide view.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add a video that is not on YouTube?
Yes. You can paste a URL from Vimeo or other video platforms, or upload a video file from your computer. If you paste a URL and it does not work, try uploading the file instead. Not all websites allow their videos to be embedded in Google Slides.
What video formats does Google Slides accept?
Google Slides accepts MP4, WebM, and OGV files. If your video is in MOV, AVI, MKV, or another format, convert it first using a free tool like HandBrake or CloudConvert. You can also upload it to Google Drive and convert it there.
Will the video make my presentation file larger?
YouTube and Vimeo videos do not increase file size because they stay on their original servers. Videos uploaded from your computer are stored in Google Drive, which counts against your storage limit. Videos in Google Drive do not significantly increase the presentation file size itself.
Can I make a video play automatically when I reach that slide?
Yes. Right-click the video on your slide and look for playback or autoplay options. You can set it to start playing automatically when you reach that slide, or to start muted. These settings only apply during a presentation, not when you are editing.
What if my video does not appear after I add it?
Check your internet connection — Google Slides needs to be online to display videos. If you uploaded a file, wait for the upload to finish completely before starting your presentation. If you pasted a URL, try copying and pasting it again to make sure there are no extra spaces or characters.