Adding animations to your Google Slides presentations can make them more visually engaging and help convey information more clearly. While Google Slides offers limited animation capabilities compared to advanced programs like PowerPoint, you can still create basic yet impactful effects with some simple steps.
Benefits of Using Animation
Here are some of the key benefits of using animations in Google Slides:
- Draw attention to important points
- Visually reinforce concepts
- Make presentations more memorable
- Add clarity to complex ideas
- Make presentations more dynamic and visually appealing
Types of Animations in Google Slides
Google Slides supports the following basic animation effects:
- Appear/Disappear
- Fade in/Fade out
- Fly in/Fly out
- Zoom in/Zoom out
- Spin
You can apply these to individual text boxes, shapes, images, charts, and more. The animations will play as you advance through the slides during the presentation.
Step-by-Step Guide
Adding animations in Google Slides only takes a few clicks:
- Open the Google Slides presentation and select the object (text box, shape, image, etc.) you want to animate.
- Click the Insert tab.
- Select Animation.
- The right Motion pane will open up.
- Under the Add animation section, click the drop-down and select the desired animation effect.
- Customize options like duration, delay, triggers etc.
- Click Apply to add the animation.
You can add multiple animations to the same object by repeating the process.
Tips for Using Animations Effectively
When adding animations in Google Slides, follow these best practices:
- Use sparingly – Too many animations can be overwhelming and distracting.
- Keep it simple – Stick to subtle, clean effects instead of complex motion paths.
- Be consistent with animation styles throughout the presentation.
- Align animations with the flow of information.
- Time animations appropriately so they don’t feel too rushed or lagging.
Preview Animations
Before finalizing your presentation, preview the animations by clicking Play from the top of the Motion pane. Ensure the animations enhance your content without being distracting or disruptive.
Remove Animations
To remove an animation:
- Select the animated object
- Open the Motion pane
- Click the Remove link below the applied animation effect
This will delete the animation from the selected object.
Conclusion
Used correctly, animations can make your Google Slides presentations more engaging and impactful. Follow the steps outlined to easily add and customize animations without overdoing it. Pay attention to timing and consistency of animations to take your slides to the next level.
