Introduction
When you’re giving a presentation, it’s not always easy to remember everything you want to say. You might forget an important point, a statistic, or the order of your explanation. This is where speaker notes in Google Slides become incredibly useful.
Speaker notes let you add private notes for yourself that only you can see while presenting. Your audience sees clean, simple slides, while you have helpful reminders to guide your talk.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to add speaker notes in Google Slides, how to view them during a presentation, and best practices for using them effectively. Everything is explained in simple, natural language, perfect for beginners.
What Are Speaker Notes in Google Slides?
Speaker notes are hidden notes attached to each slide. They do not appear to your audience but are visible to you in presenter view.
You can use speaker notes to:
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Add talking points
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Explain charts or images
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Remember key facts
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Add timing reminders
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Prepare a smooth flow
Think of them as your personal presentation script.
How to Add Speaker Notes in Google Slides (Desktop)
Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Open Your Presentation
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Go to Google Slides
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Open the presentation where you want to add notes
Step 2: Select a Slide
Click on the slide you want to add speaker notes to.
Each slide has its own separate notes section.
Step 3: Find the Speaker Notes Section
“Click to add speaker notes”
If you don’t see it:
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Click View
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Select Show speaker notes
Step 4: Type Your Speaker Notes
Click inside the notes area and start typing.
Good examples:
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Explain this chart briefly
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Mention growth rate
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Ask audience a question
Your notes are saved automatically.
How to View Speaker Notes While Presenting
Speaker notes are only useful if you can see them while presenting.
Use Presenter View (Recommended)
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Click Present
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Choose Presenter view
In presenter view, you’ll see:
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Current slide
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Next slide preview
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Speaker notes
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Timer
Your audience will not see your notes.
How to Add Speaker Notes on Mobile
On the Google Slides mobile app:
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You can view speaker notes
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Editing notes is limited
For full control, it’s best to:
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Use a desktop or laptop browser
How to Edit or Delete Speaker Notes
To edit:
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Click inside the speaker notes area
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Make changes
To delete:
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Select the text
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Press Delete
Changes save automatically.
How to Print Slides with Speaker Notes
If you want printed notes:
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Click File
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Choose Print
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Select 1 slide with notes
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Click Print
This prints slides with notes below them.
Best Practices for Using Speaker Notes
To use speaker notes effectively:
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Use bullet points, not paragraphs
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Write cues, not full speeches
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Highlight key words
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Keep notes short and clear
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Practice once using notes
Speaker notes should guide you—not distract you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these mistakes:
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Writing your full speech in notes
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Reading notes word-for-word
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Ignoring notes during practice
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Forgetting presenter view
Use notes as support, not a script.
Who Should Use Speaker Notes?
Speaker notes are helpful for:
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Students
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Teachers
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Business professionals
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Trainers
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Webinar hosts
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Public speakers
If you present slides, speaker notes will help you.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Adding speaker notes in Google Slides is a simple but powerful way to improve your presentations. They help you stay confident, organized, and focused—without overcrowding your slides.
By using speaker notes and presenter view, you can deliver smooth, professional presentations whether you’re speaking in a classroom, office, or online meeting. If you haven’t used speaker notes before, try them once—you’ll never want to present without them again.