How to Add a Voiceover on Google Slides

Creating engaging presentations often involves incorporating multimedia elements, and a voiceover can add a personal touch to presentation slides. This guide walks you through the process of adding a voiceover to your Google Slides presentation, making your content more interactive and accessible.

1. Preparing Your Script and Equipment

Before recording your voiceover, it's crucial to prepare your script and ensure you have the right equipment.

Preparing Your Script:

• Write a clear and concise script for each slide.
• Practice reading your script to ensure smooth delivery.
• Break your script into sections that correspond to each slide.

Required Equipment:

• A computer with Google Slides access.
• A quality microphone (built-in or external).
• Audio recording software (such as Audacity, GarageBand, or any built-in recording app).

2. Recording Your Voiceover

You'll need to record your voiceover audio files before adding them to Google Slides, as Google Slides does not have a built-in recording feature.

Recording with Audacity:

1. Download and Install Audacity: If you don’t have Audacity, download and install it from the official website.
2. Set Up Your Microphone: Connect your microphone to your computer and ensure it’s properly configured.
3. Record Your Script: Open Audacity, click the red record button, and start reading your script. Press the stop button when finished.
4. Edit Your Recording: Use Audacity’s editing tools to trim any unwanted sections and adjust the audio quality.
5. Export Your File: Once satisfied, export the file as an MP3 or WAV.

Repeat this process for each slide, saving each audio file separately with clear, descriptive names.

3. Uploading Your Audio Files to Google Drive

Since Google Slides can only add audio from Google Drive, you’ll need to upload your recordings there.

1. Open Google Drive: Go to Google Drive.
2. Upload Your Files: Click on the “+ New” button, select “File upload,” and choose your audio files.
3. Organize Your Files: Create a folder specifically for your presentation’s audio files to keep them organized.

4. Adding Voiceover Audio to Google Slides

Now that your audio files are in Google Drive, you can add them to your slides.

1. Open Your Google Slides Presentation: Go to Google Slides and open your presentation.
2. Insert Audio:
   • Select the slide you want to add audio to.
   • Click on “Insert” in the menu, then select “Audio.”
   • A window will appear showing your Google Drive files. Locate and select the appropriate audio file for the slide.

5. Customizing Audio Playback

Once your audio file is added, you can customize how it plays during your presentation.

1. Select the Audio Icon: Click on the audio icon on your slide.
2. Format Options: A sidebar will appear on the right. Here you can adjust playback options such as:
   • Start Playing: Choose whether the audio starts automatically or when clicked.
   • Volume: Adjust the playback volume.
   • Looping: Set the audio to loop if needed.
   • Hide Icon: Choose to hide the audio icon during the presentation.

6. Reviewing and Testing

Before finalizing your presentation, review and test each slide to ensure the audio plays correctly.

• Play the Presentation: Click on “Present” to start your slideshow and check that each audio file plays as intended.
• Adjust as Necessary: If any issues arise, go back and make adjustments to the audio settings or re-record if needed.

7. Sharing Your Presentation

Once everything is set up, share your presentation with your audience.

• Share Link: Click on the “Share” button in the top-right corner and set your sharing preferences.
• Present Online: Use Google Slides’ built-in presenting tools to present live to an audience.