Getting a shareable link from Google Slides

To share a Google Slides presentation with others, you need to generate a shareable link. Open the presentation you want to share, click the blue Share button in the top right corner, then click Copy link. Google creates a unique URL that you can send to anyone — they can view, comment on, or edit the slides depending on the permission level you set.

The link appears in a small popup window. Click the copy icon next to the link, or highlight and copy it manually. You can then paste this link into an email, message, document, or anywhere else you need it. The person who receives the link doesn't need a Google account to view the slides, though they may need one to comment or edit, depending on your settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Click the blue Share button in the top right of your presentation, then click Copy link to generate a shareable URL.
  • You can set permission levels to let people view only, comment, or edit the slides before you share the link.
  • Anyone with the link can access the presentation — you don't need to know their email address or add them individually.
  • The link stays the same each time you share it, so you can reuse the same URL for multiple people.

Setting permission levels before sharing

Before you copy the link, decide what you want people to do with the presentation. In the Share window, look for the permission dropdown — it usually says Viewer, Commenter, or Editor. Click the dropdown to change it.

Viewer means people can only look at the slides and cannot make changes. Commenter lets them add notes and feedback but not edit the actual content. Editor gives them full control to change text, add slides, delete content, and modify formatting. Choose the level that matches what you need — if you're sharing a final presentation, Viewer is usually safest. If you're working on something together, Editor lets them contribute directly.

Copying and sending the link

Once you've set the permission level, click Copy link in the Share window. Google copies the full URL to your clipboard automatically. You don't need to manually select and copy it — the button does that for you.

Now paste the link wherever you're sending it. Open your email, messaging app, or document and use Ctrl+V (Windows) or Command+V (Mac) to paste. The link looks something like docs.google.com/presentation/d/[long string of characters]/edit?usp=sharing. Send it to anyone who needs to see the slides.

Changing permissions after you've shared

If you've already sent the link and want to change who can do what, go back to the Share button and click it again. The Share window shows the current permission level. Click the dropdown and select a new level — the change applies to everyone who has the link, not just new people.

You can also turn off sharing entirely by clicking Restricted in the permission dropdown. This removes the link's access for anyone who doesn't have explicit permission. Only people you've added by email address can view it after that. Be careful with this option — it cuts off access for anyone you've already sent the link to.

Troubleshooting when the link doesn't work

If someone says they can't open the link, the most common reason is that the permission level is set to Restricted. Check the Share button — if it says Restricted, you'll need to change it to Viewer, Commenter, or Editor so the link works for people outside your organization.

Another possibility is that the person is signed into a Google account that doesn't have permission. Ask them to sign out and try the link in an incognito or private browser window. If the link still doesn't work, copy a fresh link from the Share button and send that instead — sometimes older links can have issues.

Revoking access to a shared link

If you need to stop sharing with a specific person, you have two options. The first is to change the permission level to Restricted, which stops the link from working for everyone. The second is to click the Share button, find the person's name in the list, and click the trash icon next to their name — this removes only that person's access while keeping the link active for others.

Keep in mind that if you've shared the link publicly and someone has copied it, they can still access it even if you remove their name from the list. The link itself remains valid. If you need to completely stop access, change the permission to Restricted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do people need a Google account to view a presentation I've shared?

No. If the permission is set to Viewer or Commenter, anyone with the link can see the slides without signing in. If you set it to Editor, they'll need a Google account to make changes, but they can still view without one.

Can I see who has opened the link I shared?

Google Slides doesn't show you a list of who has clicked the link. You can see who you've explicitly shared with by email in the Share window, but not anonymous viewers who received the link from someone else.

What happens if I delete the presentation?

The link stops working immediately. Anyone who tries to open it will see an error message. If you need to remove the presentation but keep sharing access, move it to a folder instead of deleting it.

Can I change the link itself to something shorter or custom?

No. Google generates the link automatically and you cannot customize it. The link is always the long URL with the presentation ID. You can shorten it using a URL shortener if you want, but the original Google link is what actually grants access.