How to Present Google Slides: Computer, Phone and Shortcuts

You've built the deck, a client is waiting, and the one thing left is getting it onto the screen without fumbling. Presenting from Google Slides is easy once you know where three or four controls hide, and a couple of them can make you look very well prepared.

This guide follows Google's own help pages. I'll cover the computer route, phone and tablet, the tools that stay hidden until you open them, and what to do when the screen in the room only shows a mess.

Starting a Google Slides presentation on your computer

1. Open the presentation in Google Slides.
2. Click Slideshow in the top right. Google says to present with Chrome for the best results.
3. Move through the slides with the arrow keys, or use the arrows at the bottom of the screen.
4. Press Esc when you want to leave full screen.

If your fingers prefer shortcuts, Google lists Ctrl + F5 to start presenting on Windows and Chrome OS. On a Mac, Cmd + Enter presents from the current slide and Cmd + Shift + Enter presents from the beginning. The second one is the safe habit, because starting on the wrong slide in front of a client is a classic.

Presenter view in Google Slides for notes and a second screen

Presenter view is the screen only you see. Google's help says it shows your speaker notes, and you open it from the arrow next to Slideshow. The catch is that Presenter view needs a second monitor to be useful: Google says you can't use Presenter view and Full screen at the same time with one monitor.

When you have a projector or a second display, the presentation display options let you choose Presenter view, Present from beginning or Full screen, and pick the monitor each one goes on. Check which screen is which before the room fills up.

Keyboard shortcuts while you present Google Slides

These come from Google's shortcut list and they make you calmer on the day:

Press	What happens
Right arrow or Left arrow	Next or previous slide
A slide number, then Enter	Jump to that slide
Home or End	First or last slide
s	Open speaker notes
a	Open audience tools
l	Turn the laser pointer on or off
b or w	Black or white blank slide; any key brings the slide back
Esc	Stop presenting

The blank-slide keys are my favourite. If a question takes the conversation off your slides, press b and the audience looks at you rather than at a slide that no longer matches what you're saying.

Drawing, pointing and taking questions in Google Slides

Three tools in the slideshow window help you hold attention:

• Pen tool: click Options, then Enable pen tool, and drag on the slide. Google says your annotations stay during the presentation but disappear when you end the slideshow, so don't rely on them for notes you need afterwards.
• Laser pointer: switch it on from the toolbar or with the l key.
• Audience questions: from Presenter view, the Audience tools window lets you start a Q&A session. A short web address appears on the slides, people type it into their own browser to ask a question, and the questions show up in your Presenter view window.

The Q&A tool suits workshops and webinars, where people would rather type a question than speak. For a one-to-one client pitch, I'd leave it switched off.

Presenting Google Slides from an iPhone or iPad

Google's help gives these steps for the Slides app on iPhone and iPad:

1. Open the presentation in the Google Slides app.
2. Tap Present, then choose Present on this device.
3. Swipe left or right to change slides.
4. To exit, double-tap the screen, then tap Close.

To show it on a bigger screen, Google describes casting to a Chromecast (both devices on the same Wi-Fi, then tap Cast) or mirroring with AirPlay. It also says presenting doesn't work in Chromecast guest mode. Android works along similar lines, but menus vary, so look for the Present button in the app.

Getting a Google Slides presentation ready before you walk in

A short routine saves a lot of embarrassment:

1. Open the deck on the exact computer and browser you'll use in the room.
2. Run it once in full screen to check videos, fonts and images show.
3. Open Presenter view if there's a second screen and make sure your notes are readable.
4. Close the email and chat apps, so a notification doesn't pop up mid-pitch.
5. Keep a copy of the deck somewhere you can reach it if the Wi-Fi drops.

If you're building the deck itself, my guide to creating a presentation people remember works for any tool, and my advice on beating stage fright before you present is worth a read the night before.

If Google Slides won't present the way you expect

1. Switch to Chrome, since that's the browser Google recommends for presenting.
2. If Presenter view and the audience screen look identical, you may only have one monitor connected. Check your display settings.
3. If keyboard shortcuts do nothing, click once on the slide so the page has focus.
4. If the Slideshow button is missing, you may only have view access to the file. Ask the owner for access.
5. If you're on an iPhone and Chromecast can't be found, Google says to turn on Local Network for the Slides app in your iOS settings.

If you'd rather compare tools before committing, my list of Google Slides alternatives shows what else is out there.

Frequently asked questions

How do I present Google Slides on my computer?

Open the presentation, click Slideshow in the top right and move through the slides with the arrow keys. Press Esc to leave full screen. Google recommends Chrome for the best results.

What is the shortcut to present Google Slides?

Ctrl + F5 on Windows and Chrome OS. On a Mac, Cmd + Enter presents from the current slide and Cmd + Shift + Enter presents from the beginning.

How do I see my speaker notes while presenting?

Open Presenter view from the arrow next to Slideshow, or press s while presenting. Google says Presenter view and Full screen can't run together on one monitor.

Can I draw on my slides while presenting?

Yes. Click Options, then Enable pen tool, and drag on the slide. Google says annotations disappear when you end the slideshow.

How do I present Google Slides from my phone?

On iPhone or iPad, open the Slides app, tap Present, choose Present on this device and swipe to change slides. You can also cast to a Chromecast or mirror with AirPlay.