Let’s face it: most slide decks are flat. Text. Picture. Next. Repeat.
But the moment you add music, Whole different vibe.
Think of a wedding slideshow without music — awkward silence. Or a teacher’s deck with no sound at all — it feels empty. Music adds mood. It grabs attention. And yes, it actually helps people remember more. (One study found background audio can bump recall by around 30%.)
So, how to add music to Google Slides? That’s what we’re covering here.
The Big Question: Can You Actually Add Music in Google Slides?
Here’s the kicker — Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in “background soundtrack” button like PowerPoint. No magic feature.
But… there are workarounds. Good ones. You can:
- Drop in an audio file from Google Drive
- Embed a YouTube video and use it as music
- Link to a song on Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud
- Record your own voice narration
Let’s break down each option.
Method 1: The Google Drive Way (Best Option)
If you want music baked into your slides, this is the most reliable method.
Here’s how:
- Upload your song (MP3 or WAV) to Google Drive.
- Open your Google Slides deck.
- Click Insert > Audio.
- Pick the file from Drive.
- A little speaker icon shows up on your slide.
- Use Format Options (on the right side) to set how it plays:
- Autoplay when the slide opens
- Loop until you stop it
- Stop when changing slides
- Hide the speaker icon so it doesn’t clutter the slide
| Pro tip: Don’t forget Drive permissions. Set your audio file to Anyone with the link. Otherwise, your audience just sees “Audio unavailable.” (I’ve seen teachers trip on this mid-class. Not fun.) |
Method 2: Adding Music from YouTube
YouTube is a goldmine. Free, endless tracks, and easy to plug in.
How it works:
- Copy the YouTube link to your song.
- In Slides → hit Insert > Video.
- Paste the link.
- Resize the video box (you can even drag it off-slide so only the audio plays).
- In Format Options, choose autoplay.
Good for: Classroom projects, casual slideshows, anything where you don’t need polished audio.
Downside: Needs internet, and autoplay isn’t always smooth.
Method 3: Linking to Spotify, Apple Music, or SoundCloud
Already have a playlist ready? Just link it.
- Grab the share link from your music app.
- In Slides, select text, an image, or shape → click Insert > Link.
- Paste the URL.
- During your presentation, click it → song opens in a new tab.
Good for: Quick fixes, team collabs.
Weak point: Won’t play seamlessly in the background. You have to manually click.
Method 4: Add Narration or Voiceover
Sometimes what you need isn’t music, but your voice guiding the audience. Perfect for online lessons, training slides, or tutorials.
Quick setup:
- Record yourself with Voice Recorder (Windows), QuickTime (Mac), or Audacity.
- Save as MP3 or WAV.
- Upload to Google Drive.
- Insert it into your slide with Insert > Audio.
Now, each slide can have its own custom narration. Basically, you’ve just built a mini self-paced course.
How to Play Music Across Multiple Slides
Here’s the problem: music in Google Slides usually stops when you change slides. That’s a mood-killer.
Workarounds:
- Use a long track that covers your whole deck.
- Turn OFF the option “Stop on slide change” in Format Options.
- Or, copy the same audio onto multiple slides with autoplay on.
|
Friendly tip: Always test your deck before presenting. Nothing’s more awkward than your music cutting mid-speech. |
Adding Music on Different Devices
- On Phone (Android/iPhone): Pretty limited. You can insert links (like YouTube or Spotify), but inserting files works better from a desktop first.
- On iPad: Similar to desktop — upload to Drive, then insert.
- On Chromebook: Smooth sailing. Works just like a desktop.
In short: set it up on a desktop → it’ll play fine on any device when presenting.
Best Practices: Picking the Right Music
Adding music is easy. Choosing the wrong music? That’s where people blow it.
- Stay subtle. Music should support, not steal the spotlight.
- Match the mood. Upbeat for motivation, calm for teaching, dramatic for storytelling.
- Avoid lyrics when speaking. Your voice + someone singing = chaos.
- Watch copyright. Use royalty-free music from places like:
- YouTube Audio Library
- Free Music Archive
- Pixabay Music
| Fun fact: 85% of professionals say background music actually helps people focus during presentations. |
FAQs
Q: Why can’t I insert audio in Google Slides?
Most of the time, it’s one of three issues:
- Your file isn’t in the right format (Google Slides only supports MP3 or WAV).
- You’re trying from the mobile app (audio insertion works best on desktop).
- Your Google Drive permissions are blocking playback. Make sure the audio file is set to Anyone with the link so your audience can hear it.
Q: Can I hide the speaker icon in Google Slides?
Yes. Just click the speaker icon, go to Format Options → Hide Icon when presenting, and it won’t show during your slideshow. Super handy if you want background music without distractions.
Q: Does Google Slides support MP4 files?
Not as audio. MP4s are video files, so if you insert them, they’ll play as a video, not background music. For simple audio tracks, stick with MP3 or WAV.
Q: Can music autoplay when my slideshow starts?
Yes! In the Format Options → Audio Playback panel, select Autoplay. Your chosen track will start playing automatically as soon as the slideshow begins — no clicks needed.
Q: Is PowerPoint better for adding music than Google Slides?
Honestly, yes — if music and multimedia features are your top priority, PowerPoint has more advanced options. But Google Slides shines when it comes to real-time collaboration, easy sharing, and cloud access. It really depends on what matters most for your presentation.
Alternatives if You’re Not Happy with Slides
- PowerPoint: Handles audio more smoothly.
- Export as Video: Turn your Slides deck into a video, then add music with Canva, iMovie, or Adobe Premiere.
- Other tools: Prezi, Canva presentations — both are more media-friendly.
Final Thoughts
Here’s the truth: music can make or break a presentation. It’s not just background noise — it’s atmosphere. It sets the tone before you even say a word.
Whether you go the Google Drive route, drop in a YouTube track, or record your own narration, the tools are there. Test it out, tweak the playback, and pick a track that fits the story you’re telling.
Because when your slides sound as good as they look, people remember.
Visit: Pure Magazine
