How to Add Animations in Google Slides

Introduction

Presentations don’t have to be boring. If your slides are full of plain text and static images, your audience can quickly lose interest—no matter how important your content is. That’s where animations in Google Slides come in.

Google Slides offers simple yet effective animation features that help bring your presentation to life. You can animate text, images, shapes, and even entire slide elements to make your presentation more engaging, professional, and memorable.

In this complete guide, you’ll learn how to add animations in Google Slides, how to control timing, apply motion effects, avoid common mistakes, and use animations smartly without overdoing them. This article is written in clear, natural, human-friendly language, making it perfect for beginners, students, teachers, professionals, and business users.

What Are Animations in Google Slides?

Animations in Google Slides are visual effects that control how objects appear, move, or disappear on a slide. Instead of showing everything at once, animations let you reveal content step by step.

You can animate:

  • Text boxes

  • Images

  • Shapes

  • Icons

  • Charts

  • Buttons

Animations help guide the viewer’s attention and make your message easier to understand.

Why Use Animations in Google Slides?

Animations are not just for looks—they serve a real purpose.

Here’s why animations are useful:

  • Keep the audience engaged

  • Highlight important points

  • Control the flow of information

  • Make explanations clearer

  • Improve storytelling

  • Add a professional touch

When used correctly, animations make your presentation feel smooth and well-structured.

Types of Animations Available in Google Slides

Google Slides keeps animations simple, which is a good thing.

1. Entrance Animations

Examples:

  • Fade in

  • Fly in

  • Appear

2. Emphasis Animations

These draw attention to an object already on the slide.

Examples:

  • Pulse

  • Spin

3. Exit Animations

These control how an object leaves the slide.

Examples:

  • Fade out

  • Fly out

  • Disappear

4. Motion Animations

These move an object along a path.

Example:

  • Move left, right, up, or down

How to Add Animations in Google Slides (Desktop)

Let’s walk through the process step by step.

Step 1: Open Google Slides

  1. Open your web browser

  2. Go to Google Slides

Step 2: Select the Object You Want to Animate

Click on the object you want to animate, such as:

  • Text box

  • Image

  • Shape

  • Icon

The object must be selected before adding animation.

Step 3: Open the Animation Panel

There are two easy ways to open animations:

  • Click Insert → Animation
    OR

  • Right-click the object and select Animate

The Motion panel will open on the right side of the screen.

Step 4: Choose an Animation Type

In the Motion panel:

  1. Click Add animation

  2. Choose the animation type:

    • Entrance

    • Emphasis

    • Exit

Then select the animation style (for example, “Fade in” or “Fly in”).

Step 5: Set When the Animation Starts

You can control when the animation plays:

  • On click – plays when you click

  • After previous – plays automatically after the last animation

  • With previous – plays at the same time as the last animation

This helps you control the timing of your presentation.

Step 6: Adjust Animation Speed

Use the speed option to choose:

  • Slow

  • Medium

  • Fast

Slower animations feel smoother, while faster ones feel more energetic.

How to Animate Text Line by Line

This is very useful for bullet points.

Steps:

  1. Select the text box

  2. Add an entrance animation

  3. Enable “By paragraph” option

Now, each bullet point will appear one by one instead of all at once.

This keeps your audience focused and avoids information overload.

How to Add Multiple Animations to One Object

You can add more than one animation to a single object.

For example:

  • Fade in

  • Then pulse

  • Then fade out

Steps:

  1. Select the object

  2. Click Add animation again

  3. Choose a new effect

Use this carefully—too many effects can look distracting.

How to Animate Images in Google Slides

Animating images can make your presentation visually appealing.

Good uses:

  • Product showcases

  • Step-by-step visuals

  • Before-and-after comparisons

Tips:

  • Use simple entrance animations

  • Avoid spinning or bouncing effects for professional slides

  • Match animation speed with your speaking pace

How to Add Animations on Mobile (Limitations)

Currently, Google Slides mobile apps do not allow full animation editing.

You can:

  • View animations

  • Play presentations

But to add or edit animations, you need:

  • A desktop browser

  • Or desktop mode on mobile browser

How to Preview Animations

Before presenting, always preview your animations.

Ways to preview:

  • Click Present

  • Use the play button in the Motion panel

This helps you check timing and flow.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Animations

Animations are helpful—but only when used wisely.

Avoid these mistakes:

  • Using too many animation effects

  • Mixing random animation styles

  • Using fast animations that feel rushed

  • Animating every single element

  • Distracting the audience from the message

Remember: animations should support your content, not steal attention.

Best Practices for Using Animations in Google Slides

Here are some expert tips:

  • Keep animations consistent

  • Use simple entrance effects

  • Animate only key points

  • Match animations with your speaking flow

  • Test your presentation before sharing

  • Use “By paragraph” for bullet lists

These habits make your presentation look polished and professional.

When Should You Use Animations?

Animations are especially useful when:

  • Explaining step-by-step processes

  • Teaching lessons or tutorials

  • Presenting data or ideas gradually

  • Delivering sales or marketing pitches

  • Conducting training sessions

For formal reports, minimal animation works best.

Benefits of Using Animations in Google Slides

When used correctly, animations help you:

  • Communicate ideas clearly

  • Improve audience engagement

  • Control slide flow

  • Highlight important information

  • Deliver confident presentations

Even simple animations can make a big difference.

Final Thoughts (Conclusion)

Adding animations in Google Slides is a simple yet powerful way to transform your presentations from basic to engaging. With just a few clicks, you can control how information appears, guide your audience’s attention, and create a smoother storytelling experience.

The key is balance. Use animations thoughtfully, keep them consistent, and always focus on clarity over decoration. When animations support your message instead of distracting from it, your presentation becomes more effective and memorable.

If you’re new to Google Slides animations, start small. Experiment with simple entrance effects, preview your slides, and gradually build confidence. Over time, you’ll learn how to use animations as a natural part of your presentation style.

Latest Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *