March 5, 2024

Google Slides: Animations & Transitions

Carly

We've all sat through our fair share of dull online presentations.

There’s a reason they don’t capture our attention - 65% of us are visual learners.

That's why it's crucial to spice up your Google Slides with animations and transitions.

In this article, you'll learn:

  • The difference between animation & transition

  • How to add animations & transitions in Google Slides

  • How to customize them

What is the difference between custom animation and slide transition?

Custom animation refers to effects applied to specific elements within a slide, like text or images, making them move or appear in different ways.

Slide transition controls how one slide smoothly moves to the next during a presentation, determining the visual effect between slides.

How to add custom animations in Google Slides

Start by opening the presentation in Google Slides where you want to add animations.

Click on the text or image you want to animate. Go to the top menu, click on Insert, then choose Animation.

How to add slide transitions in Google Slides

Click on the slide where you want to apply a transition. Go to the top menu, click on Slide, then select Transition.

A box will appear on the right-hand side of your screen where you can choose which transition you’d like to add. 

You can also choose to apply the transition to all slides. 

How to customize animations & transitions

When you add new animations in Google Slides, they're set to Fade in by default.

To change them, click on View in the top menu, then select Motion.

Click on the animation or transition you want to change in the panel.

Drag the slider to change the speed of the animation.

If you have lists, you can choose to animate them one line at a time by clicking By paragraph. This will apply the animation you’ve selected to every individual line. 

Remember to test your slides beforehand to ensure everything works smoothly. By adding animations and transitions, you can make your Google Slides more engaging and memorable. 

So, next time you're putting together a slideshow, give these features a try and see the difference they can make

Frequently asked questions

Can you set automatic transitions on Google Slides?

Yes, you can set automatic transitions on Google Slides. While in slideshow mode, simply move your cursor to the bottom left corner of the screen, then click on the three-dot menu icon. 

After that, just hover over Auto-play and pick how quickly you want your slides to change. This lets your slides move forward on their own, making it a smoother experience for your audience.

How do you transition in Google Slides without clicking?

In Google Slides, you can transition between slides without clicking by using the arrow keys on your keyboard. Simply press the right arrow key to move forward to the next slide and the left arrow key to go back to the previous slide. 

You can also use the arrows at the bottom of the screen to move between slides. This makes your presentation flow smoothly without having to click each slide manually.

How do you make text appear one by one in Google Slides?

To make text appear one by one in Google Slides, select your text box, click Animate, choose Add animation, and click Appear. Adjust settings as necessary and repeat for each text box. That way, your points unfold smoothly during the presentation. 

How can you record a video of your presentation?

You can't do this by default in Google Slides. However, using Tella.tv, you can do this very easily.

That’s a wrap

To sum up, using animations and transitions in Google Slides can really improve your presentations.

By using these features smartly, you'll grab your audience's attention and make your message stick.

And if you want to take it a step further, record your presentation with Tella. Give it a try, practice, and make your Google Slides stand out. 

Tella & Google Slides





Tella — Screen recording for entrepreneurs

Tella — Screen recording for entrepreneurs