Introduction
Giving a presentation is not just about beautiful slides—it’s also about what you say while presenting. Many presenters struggle to remember key points, statistics, or explanations while standing in front of an audience. This is exactly where speaker notes in Google Slides become incredibly helpful.
Speaker notes allow you to add private notes for yourself that only you can see while presenting. These notes help you stay confident, organized, and focused, without cluttering your slides with too much text.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to add speaker notes in Google Slides, how to view them while presenting, how to edit or print them, and best practices for using speaker notes effectively. This article is written in simple, natural, human-friendly language, making it perfect for beginners, students, teachers, and professionals.
What Are Speaker Notes in Google Slides?
Speaker notes are private notes attached to each slide. They are visible only to the presenter and do not appear to the audience during a presentation.
You can use speaker notes to:
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Add talking points
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Include explanations
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Remember key statistics
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Note timing reminders
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Add cues for demos or transitions
Think of speaker notes as your personal script or cheat sheet.
Why Use Speaker Notes in Google Slides?
Speaker notes are useful for many reasons:
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Help you stay on track
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Reduce nervousness during presentations
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Keep slides clean and simple
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Improve flow and confidence
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Prevent forgetting important points
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Useful for live and online presentations
They allow you to speak naturally without reading from the slides.
Where Are Speaker Notes Located in Google Slides?
Speaker notes are located below each slide in the editing view.
If you don’t see them:
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Click View in the top menu
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Select Show speaker notes
A notes section will appear below your slide.
How to Add Speaker Notes in Google Slides (Desktop)
Let’s go step by step.
Step 1: Open Your Google Slides Presentation
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Open your browser
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Go to Google Slides
Step 2: Select a Slide
Each slide has its own separate speaker notes, so you can customize notes for every slide.
Step 3: Click on the Speaker Notes Area
At the bottom of the screen, you’ll see a section labeled:
“Click to add speaker notes”
Click inside that area.
Step 4: Type Your Speaker Notes
Start typing your notes. You can add:
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Bullet points
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Short sentences
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Key phrases
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Reminders
Example:
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Explain chart briefly
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Mention growth percentage
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Ask audience a question
Your notes are saved automatically.
How to View Speaker Notes While Presenting
Speaker notes are most useful when you can see them during the presentation.
Option 1: Present with Presenter View (Best Method)
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Click Present
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Select 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
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Audience tools
Your audience only sees the slides, not your notes.
Option 2: Use Two Screens
If you have:
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Laptop + projector
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Or dual monitors
Presenter view will automatically:
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Show slides to audience
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Show notes on your screen
This is perfect for professional presentations.
How to Edit or Update Speaker Notes
Editing speaker notes is easy.
Steps:
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Click the slide
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Click inside the notes area
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Make changes
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Notes are saved automatically
You can edit notes anytime—even minutes before presenting.
How to Print Speaker Notes in Google Slides
Sometimes you may want printed notes.
Steps:
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Click File
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Select Print
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Choose 1 slide with notes layout
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Click Print
How to Use Speaker Notes for Online Presentations
Speaker notes work great for:
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Google Meet
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Zoom
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Microsoft Teams
Tips:
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Use presenter view
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Keep notes short and clear
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Avoid long paragraphs
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Practice once before presenting
Speaker notes help you sound confident and well-prepared online.
How to Copy Speaker Notes Between Slides
If you want to reuse notes:
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Select the text in speaker notes
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Copy (Ctrl + C)
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Paste into another slide’s notes section
This is useful for repeated explanations or reminders.
Best Practices for Writing Speaker Notes
To get the most value, follow these tips:
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Use bullet points instead of paragraphs
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Write cues, not full scripts
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Highlight key words
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Add timing reminders
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Keep language natural
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Practice once using notes
Speaker notes should guide you—not replace you.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
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Writing full speeches in notes
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Relying too heavily on notes
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Ignoring notes during practice
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Adding notes to the wrong slide
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Forgetting to use presenter view
Speaker notes should support your presentation, not control it.
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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Sales presenters
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Webinar hosts
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Public speakers
If you speak during a presentation, speaker notes are for you.
Benefits of Using Speaker Notes in Google Slides
Using speaker notes helps you:
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Speak confidently
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Stay organized
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Maintain eye contact
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Reduce anxiety
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Deliver smooth presentations
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Keep slides visually clean
They turn you into a better presenter instantly.
Final Thoughts (Conclusion)
Speaker notes in Google Slides are a simple but powerful feature that can completely transform how you present. They allow you to prepare talking points, stay focused, and deliver your message clearly without overcrowding your slides.
Whether you’re presenting in a classroom, office, or online meeting, speaker notes help you feel confident and in control. By using presenter view and writing clear, concise notes, you can deliver professional-quality presentations every time.
If you’re not using speaker notes yet, start today. Once you do, you’ll wonder how you ever presented without them.