How to record audio for Google Slides

Google Slides works best when narration is divided into short, clearly named files. Write a brief script for each narrated slide and use the slide number in every filename.

If you need one continuous presentation recording, record the entire talk separately and share it alongside the deck.

Open the script and recorder side by side, choose the microphone, make a ten-second test, and record one slide at a time. Leave a short clean gap at each end for trimming.

Keep microphone distance and input level unchanged across the deck.

Remove false starts and long gaps, then export each finished segment. Use names such as 01-introduction and 02-key-question so the upload order remains obvious.

Listen to adjacent slides to catch changes in volume or tone.

Upload the audio files to Google Drive, set the intended sharing access, then use Insert, Audio in Google Slides and choose the correct file for each slide.

Open the playback settings to decide whether the clip starts on click or automatically and whether it continues or stops when the slide changes.

Test in presentation mode using the same account and sharing conditions your audience will have. Confirm every audio icon opens, the volume is consistent, and automatic playback behaves as expected.

Keep a copy of the narration outside Google Drive as a backup.