How to Add Screen Recordings to Google Slides

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Adding screen recordings to your Google Slides presentations can be a great way to enhance your slides and better communicate your ideas. Screen recordings allow you to demonstrate processes, software tutorials, or simply share your screen to reinforce concepts.

While Google Slides doesn’t have built-in screen recording capabilities, it’s easy to add recordings you’ve created externally. This article will walk you through everything you need to know to add screen recordings to Google Slides.

Why Add Screen Recordings to Google Slides?

Here are some of the key benefits of using screen recordings in your Google Slides presentations:

  • Demonstrate processes or tutorials: Easily walk your audience through how to use a software program, complete tasks, or follow along through any process by recording your screen.
  • Explain concepts visually: Some ideas are best explained visually rather than just verbally. Use screen recordings to show exactly what you mean.
  • Increase engagement: Video elements like screen recordings can boost engagement and help your audience stay focused on your presentation.
  • Enhance understanding: Allowing your viewers to both see and hear what you’re explaining leads to better comprehension and retention.

How to Record Your Screen

Since Google Slides doesn’t have built-in recording capabilities, you’ll need to use third-party software to capture your screen. Here are some options:

Screencastify (Chrome Extension)

Screencastify is a simple Chrome extension that makes it easy to record your screen. With Screencastify, you can capture your entire screen, a specific area, or individual browser tab. It also allows you to record your webcam video alongside your screen.

Screencastify saves your recordings directly to Google Drive for easy access later.

OBS Studio (Windows & Mac)

OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) Studio is free and open source software for video recording and live streaming. It offers extensive features to capture not only your screen, but also video sources like webcams.

With OBS you can record your screen, microphone audio, and webcam simultaneously. It gives you lots of control over your recordings.

QuickTime Player (Mac)

Mac users can utilize QuickTime Player to record screen activity. QuickTime Player is pre-installed on Macs and provides basic screen recording capabilities, including the ability to record microphone audio.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps to add a screen recording to Google Slides:

  1. Create your screen recording: Use your preferred screen recording software to capture your screen. Make sure the video demonstrates what you aim to show your audience.
  2. Save recording to Google Drive: Most screen recording software allows you to save directly to Google Drive. Saving your video here makes it easy to access in Google Slides.
  3. Open Google Slides presentation: In Google Drive, open the Slides presentation you want to add the screen recording to.
  4. Insert video: On the slide you want to add your video to, go to Insert > Video. Select Google Drive to pick your video file.
  5. Trim recording (optional): If needed, trim down your video by selecting it and going to Video tools > Edit video timing. Drag handles to set start and end points.
  6. Format video: Use sizing handles to resize your video and alignment tools to position as needed.

And you’re done! Your screen recording is now seamlessly integrated into your Google Slides presentation.

Tips for Effective Screen Recordings

Follow these tips to create screen recordings that effectively engage your audience and communicate your message:

  • Script out what you plan to demonstrate and say. Outline key steps.
  • Remove unnecessary browser tabs and desktop clutter to minimize distractions.
  • Speak clearly and loudly enough to be heard if recording microphone audio.
  • Zoom in on critical areas you refer to so viewers can see.
  • Use cursor and text annotations to call attention to key elements.
  • Keep videos short, around 1-3 minutes max. Trim recordings down to what’s essential.

Presenting with Screen Recordings

There are a couple options for presenting your Google Slides with embedded screen recordings:

  • Present in-person: Connect your laptop to a projector as you normally would. Videos will play directly from your file.
  • Present remotely: Share your screen via Zoom, Meet, etc. and present your Slides file. Screen recordings will playback inline like any other content.

Now that you know how to integrate screen recordings into your Slides presentations, you can start enhancing your decks! Adding short, targeted video elements is an impactful way to boost engagement and understanding.

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