Ever felt the need to liven up your Google Slides presentation with a video? Embedding a video can captivate your audience, provide engaging learning experiences, or simply showcase an entertaining moment. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to embed a video on Google Slides, making your presentation as enthralling as your content.
Before we dive in, make sure your video meets Google's size and format requirements. For optimal performance, your video should be in MP4 format and less than 100MB. If your video is larger, you'll need to compress it or use a service like YouTube or Vimeo.
The Text Box Method
The text box method is the simplest way to insert videos into Google Slides. It's perfect for YouTube videos and works on almost any device.
To start, open the slide where you want to embed the video. Click on "Insert" in the top menu and select "Video" from the options.
Embedding a YouTube Video
Choose "By URL" to embed a YouTube video. Copy the URL of the YouTube video you want to embed, paste it into the text box, and press "Insert".
A preview of the video will appear as a text box on your slide. You can adjust its size by dragging the corners and move it around the slide by clicking and dragging. To play the video, click on the preview. The video will expand to full screen and start playing.
Embedding a Video from Your Device or the Web
Choose "By File" to embed a video stored on your device or on the web. Click on "Upload from computer" to select a video from your device, or click on "Search the web" to find a video on the web.
Once your video starts processing (which may take a few minutes depending on the size), you can position and size it like a YouTube video. However, note that embedded files will not play automatically, and the video may not be visible on all devices.
The Animation Method (Legacy)
Another way to embed a video in Google Slides is using the animation method, although this is a legacy feature and may be deprecated in future versions.
To use this method, go to "Insert" and click on "Image". Upload the image you want to use as a placeholder for your video. Next, right-click on the image and select "Link" from the menu.
Linking to a YouTube Video
In the "Link" dialog box, paste the URL of the YouTube video you want to embed. Click "Apply" to link the image to the YouTube video. Now, whenever you play the animation, the image will play the linked video.
To adjust the animation settings, right-click on the image, select "Format" from the menu, and then "Position & Size". Under the "Advanced" tab, adjust the "Trigger" setting to "On click". This way, you can control when the video starts playing.
Linking to a Video File
The process is similar for linking to a video file. After uploading an image and linking it, click on the linked image and press "Enter". Then, click on "Insert" and select "Video" from the options. Upload the video file and position it behind the placeholder image.
Once set up, when you click on the image, the video will play. However, this method is more tedious and less reliable than the text box method.
There you have it! Now you know how to embed a video on Google Slides, and you're ready to create presentations that are both engaging and informative. Incorporate videos wisely, ensuring they enhance your message and keep your audience captivated. Happy presenting!