How to Create an Animated Slideshow in Google Slides: Step-by-Step Guide

Google Slides can do more than static slides. You can make objects fly in, fade out, or spin. You can set slides to transition smoothly from one to the next. And you can build a slideshow that plays on its own. The process is simple once you know where to look.

This guide covers how to create an animated slideshow in Google Slides everything: adding animations on a computer, the mobile limitations, and how to make a self-running slideshow. No design skills needed.

Add Animation to Objects on a Computer

This is the main way to animate text, images, and shapes. You need a computer for this. The mobile app does not support editing animations .

Step-by-Step

1. Open your presentation in Google Slides on your computer.

2. Click the object you want to animate. This could be a text box, an image, or a shape.

3. Go to Insert > Animation . Or click View > Motion .

4. A panel opens on the right side. Click Add animation .

5. Choose your animation from the dropdown. The default is "Fade in." You can pick from "Fly in," "Zoom in," "Spin," and more .

6. Set the timing. The second dropdown controls when it starts:

   • On click: Starts when you click or press space.

   • After previous: Starts right after the last animation finishes.

   • With previous: Starts at the same time as the last animation .

7. Adjust the speed using the slider. Drag it left for faster, right for slower .

8. Preview by clicking the Play button in the panel .

Animate a Bullet List Line by Line

If you have a text box with multiple bullet points, you can make each one appear separately.

Select the text box. Add an animation. Check the box next to "By paragraph" . Now each bullet will appear one at a time when you click.

Read More: How to Make a Slideshow Video: Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Add Slide Transitions

Transitions control how you move from one slide to the next. They are different from object animations.

1. Click a slide in the left-hand thumbnail panel.
2. Go to Slide > Transition .
3. In the panel on the right, choose a transition from the "Slide transition" dropdown. Options include Dissolve, Fade, Slide from right, and Cube .
4. Adjust the speed with the slider.
5. Click "Apply to all slides" if you want the same transition everywhere. This keeps things consistent .

How to Create an Animated Slideshow in Google Slides Android?

Here is the important part. You cannot add or edit animations in the Google Slides Android app. The app only lets you view and present slides that already have animations set up .

So how do you do it on Android?

The Workaround: Use Chrome Browser

You can access the desktop version of Google Slides through your phone's browser.

1. Open Chrome on your Android phone.
2. Go to slides.google.com.
3. Open your presentation.
4. Tap the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
5. Check the box for "Desktop site" .
6. The page will reload. You can now pinch to zoom and navigate the desktop interface.
7. Follow the same steps as the computer method: select an object, go to Insert > Animation, and set it up.

This is clunky on a small screen. But it works if you have no other option.

How to Add Animation in Google Slides on Tablet?

Tablets have the same limitation. The Google Slides app for iPad and Android tablets does not support animation editing .

The Workaround: Request Desktop Site

On an iPad or Android tablet, the screen is big enough for the desktop interface to be usable.

1. Open Safari (on iPad) or Chrome (on Android tablet).
2. Go to slides.google.com.
3. Tap the "aA" icon in the address bar (Safari) or the three-dot menu (Chrome).
4. Select "Request Desktop Website" .
5. The desktop version of Slides will load. You can now add animations using the Motion panel, just like on a computer.

Keep in mind that touch targets are small. It takes patience for serious editing, use a computer.

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Make the Slideshow Play Automatically

If you want a self-running slideshow (for a display, a kiosk, or a loop), you can set it to advance on its own.

Method 1: Publish to the Web (Uniform Timing)

This is the easiest way. Every slide shows for the same amount of time.

1. Go to File > Share > Publish to the web .
2. In the dialog box, check "Auto-advance slides" and choose a time (e.g., every 5 seconds).
3. Check "Start slideshow as soon as the player loads" .
4. Check "Restart the slideshow after the last slide" if you want it to loop.
5. Click Publish. Copy the link. Open it in a browser. It will play automatically.

Method 2: Custom Timings per Slide

If some slides need more time than others, use the transition settings.

1. Click a slide.
2. Go to Slide > Transition.
3. In the Motion panel, find "Advance slides."
4. Uncheck "On click."
5. Check "After" and enter the number of seconds for that slide .
6. Repeat for each slide.

FAQs

1. How do I add animation in Google Slides on my phone?

You cannot do it in the app. Open Chrome on your phone, go to slides.google.com, and request the desktop site. Then use the Insert > Animation menu .

2. Can I create an animated slideshow in Google Slides Android?

The Android app does not support animation editing. You must use the desktop version through a browser. The app is for viewing and presenting only .

3. How do I add animation in Google Slides on a tablet?

Same workaround. Open a browser (Safari or Chrome), go to slides.google.com, and request the desktop website. The Motion panel will appear .

4. How do I animate on Google Slides?

Select the object. Go to Insert > Animation. Choose an effect from the panel on the right. Set when it starts and how fast it runs. Click Play to preview .

5. What is the difference between animation and transition?

Animation affects objects on a slide (text, images). Transition affects how the whole slide changes to the next one .

6. How do I make bullet points appear one at a time?

Select the text box with the bullets. Add an animation. Check the box next to "By paragraph." Each bullet will appear on a separate click .

8. How do I make my slideshow play automatically?

Go to File > Share > Publish to the web. Check "Auto-advance slides" and choose a timing. Check "Start slideshow as soon as the player loads." Copy the link and open it in a browser .