Setting a transition for a slide in Google Slides is an easy way to add some visual interest to your presentations. Transitions allow you to control the animation that occurs when moving from one slide to the next.
What is a Transition?
A transition is an animation effect that occurs when one slide changes to the next during a slideshow. Transitions can be subtle, like a simple fade or dissolve between slides. Or they can be more flashy, like having the next slide fly in from the side of the screen.
Transitions help:
- Smooth the flow between slides
- Keep the audience engaged
- Direct attention to important points
- Add style and pizzazz
But use transitions sparingly. Too many flashy transitions can be distracting. Simple and subtle is usually best.
Access the Transitions Pane in Google Slides
To add a transition in Google Slides:
- Open your presentation and select the slide you want to add a transition to. This will be the slide that precedes the transition.
- Click Insert > Transition in the top menu. This opens the transitions pane on the right side.
The transitions pane allows you to preview and select slide transitions.
Choose a Transition Type
The transitions pane shows a number of transition types to choose from, such as:
- Dissolve – The current slide fades out, revealing the next slide behind it.
- Fade – The current slide fades to black, then the next slide fades in.
- Slide – The next slide moves in from the left, right, top or bottom.
- Flip – The current slide flips over like a page in a book to reveal the next slide.
Click the transition you want to preview it, then click Apply to add it to your selected slide.
Customize the Transition
After adding a transition, you can customize it by:
- Changing the duration. Lengthen or shorten the transition.
- Selecting a sound to accompany the transition.
- Choosing a transition direction like left, right, up or down (depends on the transition type).
Add Transitions to Multiple Slides
Rather than adding transitions one slide at a time, you can add a standard transition to all slides at once.
On the transitions pane:
- Select the transition you want.
- Check the box Apply to all slides.
- Click Apply.
Now every slide transition will match. You can still go in and customize specific transitions if you choose.
Presenting With Transitions
When you present your Google Slides show, your transitions will display automatically as you advance through each slide:
- In Present mode, click to go to the next slide.
- In Slideshow mode, slides advance automatically.
To remove a transition, open the transitions pane and select No Transition.
Transition Tips
- Preview transitions to make sure they work well.
- Use subtle transitions to start; flashy can distract.
- Be consistent with transition style.
- Time transitions appropriately – not too fast or slow.
With the right transitions, you can make your presentations pop! Just don’t go overboard with too many effects. Simple and clean is best for slide transitions.