- How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Google Slides Format
- Convert Other Types of Files to Google Slides Format
- 7 Best Practices for Importing Files to Google Slides
- Learn More About Presentations
- Another Great Presentation Resource for 2023
- Best Presentation Templates on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use)
- Find Great Presentation Templates
When you work with presentations you don't always have a choice in the type of file you receive to work with. If you create and update presentations with Google Slides, it's common to need to convert. That's why it helps to learn how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides.
Google Slides can convert presentations in other formats to a Google Slides presentation format. If you're asked to change or update a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, you can do it using Google Slides.
The conversion process isn't hard, but many Google Slides users may not realize it's available. Or you may know it's available, but not know exactly how to go from PowerPoint to Google Slides. That's where this tutorial comes in.
This tutorial explains how to convert a PowerPoint presentation to a Google Slides presentation.
Review the quick video guide below or read through the step-by-step written instructions. We'll also look at best practices for importing PowerPoint files and provide tips on how to import other file types.
How to Convert PowerPoint to Google Slides (Quick Video)
Ready to learn how to transfer PowerPoint to Google Slides designs? Here's a screencast to quickly show you the first method of converting a PowerPoint presentation to Google Slides:
How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Google Slides Format
Now, let’s learn how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides. There are three main ways to do this, and we’ll explore each one. Each one is easy, and it pays to know all three. You’ll find that you use these simple steps every day!
We’ll explain using the Enjoy PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements. Download it today to follow along.
Method 1: Open a PPT Presentation in Google Drive
The first method to import a PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides is through your Google Drive. Drive is used to store files that you work with in Google Slides, Sheets, Docs, and more. It's the first step as you learn how to transfer PowerPoint to Google Slides.
Here are step-by-step instructions:
Step 1: Drag Your PowerPoint File Into Google Drive
To get started here, open your Google Drive folder in Chrome. Navigate to the folder where you’d like to store your imported presentation. Click on it to open it up.
In the center of your screen, you’ll see text reading Drop Files Here. With Google Drive still open in your browser, launch File Explorer on Windows. Navigate to the PPTX file that you want to upload into Google Slides to edit.
Step 2: Open and Convert the PowerPoint File
Just like that, you’ve uploaded a PowerPoint file to Google Drive. The next step is to convert it to Google Slides format so that you can get to work making edits. To do this, double-click on the file in Google Drive.
By default, Google Drive launches the presentation in Google Slides. The conversion process is performed automatically. You don’t have to do any manual work to kick it off. It’s a streamlined process that saves you a ton of time.
Step 3: Edit File in Google Slides
With the presentation file converted, you can get started editing! It works just like any other presentation in Google Slides. You can add text, images, and more. And you can take advantage of Google Slides’ robust collaboration features to interact with your global team.
Method 2: Import From Within a Google Slides Deck
The second method of importing a PowerPoint presentation is to start by opening a blank Google Slides presentation. Here's the process:
Step 1: Open a Blank Google Slides Presentation
Back in Google Drive, click New in the upper left corner of the screen. From the dropdown options, click Google Slides.
A blank Google Slides presentation will open. You can now import a PPT presentation from here.
Step 2: Upload a PowerPoint Presentation
To import a PPTX file, go to the File menu and choose Open.
The Open a File dialog box will launch. From the tabbed options, click Upload. Then, click Browse. Browse to a stored PPTX file on your computer, and click to insert it.
Google Slides will upload the slide deck. You’ll see preview slides appear in a new view. At the top, click Open with Google Slides. The presentation will convert and be ready to edit, just like any other Google Slides presentation design.
Method 3: Import Some Slides into Google Slides
Our final method lets you import only select slides into a new or existing presentation. It’s useful if you don’t need to work with every slide in a PowerPoint that you already have built out.
Step 1: Open a Google Slides Presentation
Creating a new presentation? Follow the first step of Method 2 above to open a blank presentation.
If you're importing slides into an existing presentation, open it in Google Slides.
Step 2: Import PowerPoint Slides
Once your Google Slides presentation is open, click File > Import Slides from within the presentation.
You’ll see the Import Slides menu appear. Again, click Upload to select a presentation from your computer. Once you find the file you want to import slides from, click on it and click the Select button in the lower left corner.
The Import Slides dialog box displays with thumbnails of the slides in the presentation. It gives you a sneak peek as you navigate your upload PPT to Google Slides process.
To select individual slides to import, click on each slide to select it. Click the Import Slides button in the lower right corner of the dialog box when you've finished selecting slides.
To import all the slides, click the All link in the upper right of the dialog box and click the Import Slides button.
The slides you've chosen to import appear below the current slide in your Google Slides presentation.
Step 3: Edit the Imported Slides
Once you've imported the PowerPoint slides of your choice into your Google Slides presentation, you can edit them as you choose. They're now part of your new Google Slides presentation.
The conversion process is automatic. But you may notice font and formatting differences after importing.
Convert Other Types of Files to Google Slides Format
PowerPoint is one of the most popular presentation packages. For that reason, we've covered how to convert PowerPoint presentations to Google Slides format in detail in this tutorial. But it’s far from being your only option for a robust presentation app.
For example, you may build presentations in Open Office, using the .odp file format. To use .odp files in Google Slides, follow the steps from Method 1 above. Browse to an .odp and upload it into Google Slides.
If you've got a presentation in a format that doesn't convert to Google Slides, return to the software the presentation was created in. (Learning how to convert PPT to Google Slides sometimes takes trial and error!)
Save the presentation in PowerPoint PPTX format and try to import it again. Note though, that your fonts and formatting may change on import. Remember: it pays to double check the results after you upload PPT to Google Slides.
7 Best Practices for Importing Files to Google Slides
Conversions between file types has never been easier—especially when it comes to importing files from PowerPoint into Google Slides.
Here are some best practices to use as you upload PPT to Google Slides:
- Control Quality. Start with a clean original presentation. If you start with a low-quality presentation before import, you'll wind up with a low-quality presentation after you convert PPT to Google Slides. Make sure that slides are designed well and your images are clean. Also, be sure that your fonts are readable and the links work.
- Manage File Size. If there are slides you don't need in the presentation you're importing, delete them before you import the file. This reduces the file size and the amount of work you've got to do after the conversion.
- Pay Attention to File Type. If the presentation file type you're trying to import into Google Slides isn't supported, go back to the package that was used to create it and export it to a supported format (such as PowerPoint). Retry your import. (Depending on the original file type, you may lose some features or formatting after import).
- Be Aware of Font Changes. Google Slides may not match the fonts you originally used. Instead, it converts your fonts to the closest available font. The fonts may not be an exact match. (Google Slides uses web fonts by default and PowerPoint uses locally installed fonts.)
- Expect Format Changes. Likewise, your formatting after the import into Google Slides will be like your original formatting, but it may not be the same. You may need to tweak the presentation to improve the formatting.
- Reinsert Links. Currently, links embedded into a PowerPoint presentation don't work after you convert PPT to Google Slides. Make sure you know where each link is supposed to go before you convert the file so you can add the hyperlinks after conversion.
- Don't Import PDFs. At this time, a PDF File cannot be imported as a Google Slides presentation or into one. But you can take a screenshot of a PDF and insert the image into your Google Slides presentation.
The import process for importing PowerPoint files into Google Slides is like the import process for all Google Drive tools. To read a complete tutorial on Google drive file conversions, review:
Learn More About Presentations
You've just learned how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides. If you need to convert Google Slides to PowerPoint, learn how in this tutorial:
After you master how to transfer PowerPoint to Google Slides, I'll bet that you're hungry for more tips. Do you need more information about presentation software in general? Here are some articles to help you out:
Should Google Slides Replace PowerPoint in Your Workflow?
PowerPoint vs Keynote vs Google Slides: Best Presentation Software?
Over 20+ Best Presentation Making Software Alternatives to PowerPoint (2021)
Another Great Presentation Resource for 2023
Learn the best presentation strategies in our eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations (grab it now for FREE). Get your ideas formed into a powerful presentation that'll move your audience!
Best Presentation Templates on Envato Elements (With Unlimited Use)
Before we get into the main tutorial on how to convert PowerPoint slides to Google Slides, I'd like to share a fantastic deal with you. Let me tell you about Envato Elements.
You can find hundreds of the best presentation templates on Envato Elements, with a great offer: download as many as you want for one low price.
Explore Presentation Templates
You'll find a variety of templates for Google Slides, PowerPoint, and other presentation software packages. The premium Envato PowerPoint presentation templates can be customized quickly. (And after this post, you'll learn how to upload PowerPoint to Google Slides, so these are all usable!)
Just add your ideas and key data to these already visually impactful slides, quickly prep your Envato Elements template, and you’re ready to go. Convert PPT to Google Slides for even more options.
Here are just a few of the great presentation templates you'll find:
1. Karmel
Karmel is a minimalist style presentation. It takes on the less is more mindset for clean and clear presentations. This presentation template can be used for many different purposes.
2. Cleanical
This fully editable presentation template is great for any purpose. There are five premade color schemes making it easy to customize the presentation. Remember: after you learn how to upload PowerPoint to Google Slides, templates like this will work great for you.
3. Splash
This PowerPoint template is a multi-purpose presentation template. With its simple design you can easily edit the template to fit your needs.
Envato Elements has thousands of options for any presentation topic. It’s your best bet in 2023 and beyond to create stunning slide decks. With unlimited downloads, you have unlimited possibilities.
Now that you've seen some premium presentation templates from Envato Elements let's learn how to import files to Google slides. Learning how to upload PowerPoint to Google Slides means that you have limitless design options.
Find Great Presentation Templates
So far, you've learned how to convert PPT to Google Slides designs. Think about it: when you can upload PPT to Google Slides and change format, you unlock limitless templates.
You know how to convert a PowerPoint to Google Slides template. But, if you want, original Google Slides designs, we've got you covered. Here are more great presentation templates:
25 Best Google Slides Presentation Themes (Premium Templates to Download in 2022)
34 Best Google Slides Templates for Business Presentations in 2023
The Best New Presentation Templates for 2023 (Top PowerPoint PPTs & More)
You're Ready to Convert PowerPoint to Google Slides
You can work with presentations originally created in PowerPoint. Or you can work with files created by other packages, even if those packages are unavailable to you. Now that you know how to upload PowerPoint to Google Slides, you're never locked out of your presentation. The key is to convert from PowerPoint (or another presentation format) to Google Slides format.
Converting a PowerPoint presentation to Google Slides isn't hard, once you know what to do. You've just learned how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides. Now, put your new convert PowerPoint to Google Slides skills to work!
You've also seen some great presentation templates from Envato Elements to help you create a visually-appealing slideshow. If you're creating a new presentation, why not choose one of these templates?
Editorial Note: This post was originally published in 2017. It's been comprehensively revised to make current, accurate, and up to date by our staff—with special help from Andrew Childress and Sarah Joy.
