You’re building a presentation in Google Slides, and you want to add some audio to make it stick. Maybe it’s background music for a product demo, a sound effect for emphasis, or an actual audio track that’s central to your message. The problem? Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in “Insert Audio” button like you might expect. But don’t worry—it’s absolutely doable, and I’m going to walk you through exactly how to add music to Google Slides in a way that actually works.
Adding music to your Google Slides presentation can transform a boring deck into something memorable. Whether you’re presenting to a room full of people or sharing your slides online, audio can reinforce your message and keep your audience engaged. The trick is knowing which method works best for your situation.
Method 1: Insert Audio Using Google Drive (The Most Reliable Way)
This is the straightforward approach that works consistently. Here’s the reality: Google Slides can’t directly embed audio files, but it can link to them through Google Drive. Think of it like creating a bridge between your presentation and your audio file.
- Upload your audio file to Google Drive. You’ll need an MP3, WAV, or OGG file. Head to Google Drive, click “New,” then “File upload.” Select your audio file and wait for it to finish uploading.
- Get the shareable link. Right-click the uploaded audio file in Google Drive, select “Get link,” and make sure it’s set to “Anyone with the link can view.” Copy that link—you’ll need it in a moment.
- Go back to your Google Slides presentation. Click on the slide where you want the audio to appear.
- Insert a text box or shape. Click “Insert” in the menu, then choose “Text box” or “Shape.” This will be your clickable audio player. Size it however you want.
- Add the link to your element. Select your text box or shape, then click the link icon in the toolbar (or press Ctrl+K on Windows, Cmd+K on Mac). Paste the Google Drive link you copied earlier and click “Apply.”
- Label it clearly. Make sure your audience knows what they’re clicking. Something like “Click to play audio” or “Listen to the intro” works perfectly.
The limitation here is that clicking the link opens the audio file in a new tab or window rather than playing it inline. It’s not seamless, but it works reliably across all browsers and devices.
Method 2: Embed Audio via YouTube (Better for Presentations)
If you want a smoother experience where audio plays directly in your slides, upload your audio to YouTube first. I know it sounds weird, but this actually gives you a playable embed.
- Upload your audio to YouTube. You can upload just the audio file with a static image or a simple video. YouTube accepts MP3 and other audio formats. Go to YouTube.com, click your profile icon, select “Create a video,” and follow the upload process.
- Make it unlisted or private. You probably don’t want random people finding your presentation audio on YouTube. Set the privacy to “Unlisted” so only people with the link can access it.
- Copy the video URL. Once uploaded, grab the URL from your browser’s address bar.
- Go to your Google Slides presentation. Click on the slide where you want the audio.
- Click “Insert” → “Video.” Paste the YouTube URL and click “Search” or just click the result that appears.
- Resize and position the video player. The YouTube player will embed right into your slide. You can drag it to resize and move it wherever you want.
This method gives you a proper video player that your audience can control. They can pause, play, and adjust volume directly from the slide. It’s much more polished than the Google Drive method. However, you’ll need internet access during your presentation for this to work smoothly.
Method 3: Use Third-Party Add-ons (For Advanced Control)
Google Slides has an add-on ecosystem. Some of these add-ons are specifically designed to handle audio embedding. Here’s how to find and use them:
- Open your Google Slides presentation. Click “Extensions” in the top menu, then “Add-ons.”
- Search for audio add-ons. Look for options like “Audio for Google Slides,” “SpeakLine,” or similar tools. Read the reviews and check the ratings before installing.
- Install the add-on. Click “Install” and grant the necessary permissions. Most reputable add-ons are safe, but check that they’re from trusted developers.
- Follow the add-on’s instructions. Each add-on works slightly differently. Some let you upload audio directly, others link to external sources. The add-on will guide you through its specific process.
The advantage here is that some add-ons offer better playback controls and a more integrated experience. The downside? You’re relying on a third-party tool, which means potential compatibility issues or changes to the add-on’s functionality over time. For critical presentations, I’d stick with Methods 1 or 2.
Method 4: Audio Through Speaker Notes (For Presenter Reference)
This one’s a bit different. If you want to add audio that only you (the presenter) can hear, you can embed it in your speaker notes. This is useful for cue tracks or presenter reminders, but your audience won’t hear it.
- Click on the slide you want to add audio to. In the bottom right corner, click “Notes.” If you don’t see it, go to “View” and check “Speaker notes.”
- In the notes section, click “Insert” → “Audio.” Upload or link to your audio file.
- During your presentation, you can play it from the notes view. This is only visible to you, not projected to your audience.
This method is handy for practice runs or when you want background audio cues, but it’s not suitable for audience-facing audio.
Best Practices for Presentation Audio
Adding music to Google Slides is one thing. Doing it well is another. Here are the real-world lessons I’ve learned:
Test everything beforehand. Audio playback can be finicky depending on your internet connection, browser, and device. If you’re presenting on a projector, test the audio through that setup specifically. Nothing kills a presentation faster than silence when you expected sound.
Keep audio files small. Large files take longer to load and can cause lag. Compress your audio using free tools like Audacity before uploading. Aim for MP3 format at 128 kbps for presentations—it’s a solid balance between quality and file size.
Use volume wisely. Background music should be quiet enough that people can still hear you talk. If you’re using sound effects, they should pop without being jarring. Test your audio levels in the actual presentation space if possible.
Have a backup plan. If you’re relying on internet for YouTube embeds, have a Plan B. Maybe download a local copy of your audio and be ready to play it through your computer’s media player if the embed fails. According to Google’s official documentation on multimedia in Slides, internet connectivity can occasionally cause playback issues.
Consider your audience. Not everyone has speakers on their device if they’re watching remotely. Include captions or transcripts for important audio content. This is also an accessibility best practice.
Keep presentations mobile-friendly. If people might view your slides on phones or tablets, remember that audio playback behavior varies across devices. Always test on mobile if that’s a possibility.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Audio won’t play in the presentation. First, check your internet connection. If you’re using YouTube embeds, make sure the video is set to unlisted, not private. For Google Drive links, verify that sharing is enabled. Try refreshing the slide or reloading the presentation.
The audio plays but there’s no sound. Check your computer’s volume settings. Make sure your speakers are actually on and connected. If you’re presenting through a projector or external speakers, verify they’re properly connected and powered on. This is surprisingly common and easy to miss in the moment.
The embedded video player shows but won’t load. This usually means a connectivity issue. If you’re presenting without reliable internet, switch to a downloaded audio file and play it through your computer’s native media player instead, or use the Google Drive method and have the file open in a separate tab ready to go.
File format isn’t supported. Google Slides works best with MP3, WAV, and OGG formats. If you have an M4A or FLAC file, convert it to MP3 using a free tool like CloudConvert or Audacity before uploading.
The presentation is running slow. Too many audio or video files can bog down your presentation, especially if they’re large files. Consider removing unnecessary audio or breaking your presentation into multiple files if it’s getting unwieldy.
For more detailed troubleshooting, check Google Slides’ official support page for audio and video issues.
Pro Tip: When you’re adding music to Google Slides for a live presentation, always arrive early and do a full run-through with the actual equipment you’ll be using. Audio issues are one of the easiest things to catch before you start, and one of the most embarrassing things to deal with during.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add background music that plays automatically when a slide appears?
– Not directly. Google Slides doesn’t have auto-play functionality built in for audio. You’ll need to click the audio player or embed a YouTube video set to auto-play. If auto-play is critical to your presentation, consider using presentation software like PowerPoint or Keynote instead, which have better audio automation features.
Will the audio work if I download my presentation as a PowerPoint file?
– Probably not. Audio embedded through Google Drive links or YouTube embeds may not transfer properly when you convert to PowerPoint format. If you need to export your presentation, I’d recommend re-embedding the audio in PowerPoint directly rather than relying on the Google Slides conversion.
What’s the file size limit for audio uploads to Google Drive?
– Google Drive allows files up to 5TB in size, so audio file size isn’t really a limitation. However, larger files take longer to upload and may cause playback lag. Keep your audio files under 50MB for presentations to be safe.
Can I add music to specific slides only, or does it play throughout the whole presentation?
– You control this completely. Each audio file is embedded on a specific slide, so you can have different music on different slides, or no music on some slides. You’re in full control of what plays where.
Is there a way to hide the audio player so it doesn’t show visually on my slide?
– With YouTube embeds, you can make the player smaller and position it off to the side or corner. With Google Drive links, you can use a transparent text box or small button as the clickable element. Neither method truly hides the player, but you can make it unobtrusive.
What if I want to add music but I don’t have the rights to use it?
– Use royalty-free music instead. Sites like Freepik, Unsplash Music, or YouTube Audio Library (accessible through YouTube Studio) offer free or affordable music you can legally use in presentations. Always check the license terms to make sure presentation use is allowed.
Can I record my own voiceover and add it to Google Slides?
– Yes, absolutely. Record your voiceover using any audio recording tool (Audacity is free and excellent), save it as an MP3, then use one of the methods above to embed it. This is a great way to create narrated presentations.
