How to Add Media to Google Slides: Audio, Video, Music, GIFs & More (Complete 2026 Guide)

Adding media in Google Slides sounds simple until you're 20 minutes before a presentation and your audio won't play, or your embedded video shows a blank screen. Sound familiar?

This guide covers everything you need to know about how to add media to Google Slides: audio, video, music, GIFs, voiceovers, drawings, and more. Whether you're a student, teacher, or professional, you'll find exact step-by-step instructions for every media type. Plus fixes for when things go wrong.

What Types of Media Can You Add to Google Slides?

Google Slides supports audio files, videos, animated GIFs, drawings, vectors, and even background music and voiceovers. Each works a little differently, and some have limitations most people don't know about.

How to Add Audio to Google Slides

The audio file you want to add must be stored in Google Drive before you can add it to Google Slides. Once that's clear, the rest is straightforward.

Step-by-Step: Add Audio from Google Drive

1. Upload your audio file to Google Drive
2. Open your Google Slides presentation
3. Click on the slide where you want to add audio
4. Go to the Insert menu in the top toolbar
5. Click Audio from the dropdown menu
6. Select the "My Drive" tab in the pop-up
7. Find and select your audio file
8. Click the Select button
9. An audio icon will appear on your slide - drag and resize/reposition it as needed

Google Slides supports MP3 and WAV formats.

How to Make Audio Play Automatically

1. Click on the audio icon on your slide
2. Click Format options in the toolbar (or right-click > Format options)
3. Under the Audio playback section, select "Automatically"
4. Check "Loop audio" if you want it to repeat
5. Check "Stop on slide change" if needed
6. Close Format options panel

Note: Chrome's autoplay policy may block audio from starting automatically until the viewer clicks somewhere on the slide.

How to Add Audio from Your Computer

1. Go to drive.google.com
2. Upload audio file (drag & drop or +New > File Upload)
3. Wait for the upload to complete
4. Return to Google Slides and follow the Google Drive method above

How to Add Music to Google Slides

Adding music uses exactly the same steps as any other audio file.

Background Music for Google Slides (Plays on All Slides)

1. Add your music file to your first slide using the audio method above
2. Click the audio icon and open Format options
3. Set playback to Automatically
4. Uncheck "Stop on slide change"

The music continues playing as you advance through your slides without restarting.

Free Music Sources for Google Slides Presentations

Can You Add Music to Google Slides from Spotify?

No. Spotify's DRM prevents its audio from being downloaded or used in other applications.

How to Insert Audio into Google Slides (All Methods Compared)

How to Add a Video to Google Slides

There are two main methods: embedding a YouTube video or uploading your own video from Google Drive.

Method 1 — Add a YouTube Video to Google Slides

1. Copy the YouTube video URL you want to embed
2. Open Google Slides and click the slide you want to add the video to
3. Click Insert in the top menu
4. Select Video from the dropdown
5. Select the By URL tab or Search YouTube to find it directly
6. Paste the YouTube link and click Select
7. The video thumbnail appears on your slide - drag to resize and position it
8. Click the video, then click Video options to set autoplay, start/end time, and mute

Method 2 — Add a Video from Google Drive or Computer

1. Upload your video to Google Drive if it's saved on your computer
2. In Google Slides, go to Insert > Video
3. Click the Google Drive tab
4. Locate your video file and click Select
5. Adjust the size and position on your slide

Important: Videos from Google Drive must be shared with viewers. Change the Drive file's sharing setting to "Anyone with the link can view".

Video Playback Settings (Autoplay, Mute, Loop)

Common Video Problems and Fixes

• Black screen: Refresh the presentation, or switch to Chrome browser
• Video won't load: Check your internet connection and Drive sharing permissions
• No sound: Unmute in Video options and check your system volume
• Video too slow or choppy: Compress the video file before uploading (HandBrake is a free tool)
• Can't find YouTube video via search: Use the direct URL tab instead

How to Draw on Google Slides

Google Slides has a built-in drawing tool called Scribble that allows freehand drawing directly on any slide.

Using the Scribble Tool in Google Slides

1. Open your Google Slides presentation
2. Click Insert in the top menu
3. Click Line from the dropdown
4. At the top of the sub-menu, select the Scribble tool
5. Your cursor becomes a crosshair/pencil
6. Click and drag on your slide to draw freely
7. Release your mouse to finish the stroke
8. Use the toolbar to change color, line thickness, and line style

Limitations of Drawing in Google Slides

• No pressure sensitivity (line thickness stays uniform)
• No eraser tool within Scribble (use Ctrl+Z / Cmd+Z to undo)
• Cannot draw easily on mobile
• Limited to lines and curves (no paint bucket or fill tool)
• Drawings can't be exported as separate files

How to Add GIFs to Google Slides

GIFs are easy to add. The key thing: GIFs only animate in Presentation (Present) mode. In edit mode, they appear as static images.

Method 1 - Upload GIF

1. Save the GIF to your computer
2. In Google Slides, go to Insert > Image > Upload from computer
3. Select your GIF file and click Open
4. The GIF appears on your slide (animates in Present mode only)

Method 2 - Insert by URL

1. Copy the direct GIF URL from a site like Giphy or Tenor
2. Go to Insert > Image > By URL
3. Paste the GIF URL and click Insert
4. The GIF appears on your slide

Best GIF Sources

How to Add a Voiceover to Google Slides

Google Slides doesn't have a built-in recorder. Record outside Slides and then import via Google Drive.

How to Record Your Voiceover (Free Tools)

Once recorded, export as MP3 and upload to Google Drive. Then insert it using Insert > Audio.

How to Sync Voiceover with Specific Slides

1. Add a separate audio file to each slide
2. In Format options, enable Stop on slide change
3. Each slide plays its own narration and stops automatically when you advance

Google Slides Supported Media File Formats (Quick Reference)

How to Add Media to Google Slides on Different Devices

Adding Media on Windows PC or Mac

Everything in this guide applies to Windows and Mac. Use Google Slides in Chrome for the best experience.

Adding Media on a Chromebook

Chromebooks run the full web version of Google Slides. Use the web version at slides.google.com, not the Android app. For audio recording, use any online tool like Online Voice Recorder or the Chrome extension Screencastify.

Adding Media on iPhone or iPad

The Google Slides iOS app does not support adding audio at all. Use the web version in Safari (request desktop site) instead. Images can be added from your Camera Roll directly through the app.

Adding Media on Android

Audio must be added using the desktop web version. The Android app doesn't support audio insertion. For the best experience, switch to a desktop browser when you need to add audio or complex media.

Troubleshooting Media Problems in Google Slides

Google Slides Audio Not Working

• Wrong file format → Convert your file to MP3
• File too large → Compress with Audacity before uploading
• Drive permissions wrong → Set to "Anyone with the link can view"
• Browser issue → Switch to Google Chrome
• Still not working → Clear your browser cache and try again

Google Slides Video Not Playing or Shows Black Screen

• Refresh the presentation (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)
• Check your internet connection
• Try presenting in Chrome
• If using Google Drive video, verify sharing permissions are set to "Anyone with the link can view"

Can't Find Audio Option in Insert Menu

• The Insert > Audio option only appears in the web version, not the mobile app
• Make sure you're using slides.google.com in a browser
• Make sure you're signed into your Google account

GIF Not Animating in Google Slides

GIFs do not animate in edit mode. They only animate when you enter Presentation mode (click Present in the top right).

Video Loads But Has No Sound

• Click the video and open Video options
• Make sure Mute audio is not checked
• Check your system volume and browser volume

Frequently Asked Questions About Media in Google Slides

Can you add audio to Google Slides?

Yes. Upload your audio file (MP3 or WAV) to Google Drive, then go to Insert > Audio in Google Slides and select your file. This feature is only available in the web version, not the mobile app.

Can you embed a video in Google Slides?

Yes. Go to Insert > Video, then either search YouTube or paste a YouTube URL. You can also add videos from Google Drive. YouTube videos require an internet connection to play during presentations.

What media types can you add to Google Slides?

Google Slides supports audio files (MP3 or WAV), videos (YouTube links and Drive uploads: MP4, AVI, MOV), images (PNG, JPG, SVG, GIF, WebP), animated GIFs, and freehand drawings using the built-in Scribble tool.

How do I add a GIF to Google Slides?

Go to Insert > Image > Upload from computer and select your GIF file, or use Insert > Image > By URL and paste the direct GIF link. GIFs only animate in Presentation mode.

Can you draw on Google Slides?

Yes, using the Scribble tool. Go to Insert > Line > Scribble, then draw freely on your slide by clicking and dragging. You can adjust color, line thickness, and style after drawing.

How do I add voiceover to Google Slides?

Record your voice using any audio recording tool (Audacity, QuickTime, or Online Voice Recorder), save as MP3, upload to Google Drive, then insert via Insert > Audio. For slide-specific narration, add separate audio to each slide and enable "Stop on slide change."

How do I add background music to Google Slides?

Upload your music to Google Drive, go to Insert > Audio and add it to your first slide. In Format options, set playback to "Automatically" and uncheck "Stop on slide change" so the music continues playing as you advance through slides.