Convert PowerPoint to Google Slides

6 minutes read

@ tutsplus.com

Use Google Slides to work on presentations created with other tools. For example, you can convert PowerPoint to Google Slides.

I'll show you how in this tutorial.

When you work with presentations, you don’t always have a choice in file type. But when you convert PowerPoint to Google Slides, you’ve got flexibility for many situations.

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It’s common to need to convert presentations. That’s why it helps to learn how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides. Been asked to change or update a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation? You can do it using Google Slides.

The PPTX to Google Slides process isn’t hard - in fact, it only takes a few clicks! In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to convert PPT to Google Slides step by step. Let’s get started!

Looking for the best Google Slides presentation themes? Turn to premium presentation templates on Envato Elements today.

How to Convert PowerPoint to Google Slides (Quick Video)

Ready to learn how to transfer PowerPoint to Google Slides designs? Here’s a screencast to quickly show you the first method of converting a PowerPoint presentation to Google Slides:

Can you convert from PPT to Google Slides? Absolutely. As it turns out, there are many methods that help you upload PPT to Google Slides formats. Read on to see the top PPTX to Google Slides techniques in action.

How to Convert a PowerPoint Presentation to Google Slides Format

Now, let’s learn how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides. There are three main ways to do this, and we’ll explore each one. Each method is easy, and knowing all three can be quite beneficial!

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I’ll explain how to convert PPT to Google Slides using the Enjoy PowerPoint Template from Envato Elements. We’ll use built-in tools as a PPT to Slides converter! Download it today to follow along.

This tutorial is based on the Google Chrome browser on macOS. The process is very similar for other browsers and systems, although some screens may vary slightly.

Method 1: Open a PPT Presentation in Google Drive

The first method to import a PowerPoint presentation into Google Slides is through your Google Drive. Drive is used to store files that you work with in Google Slides, Sheets, Docs, and more.

Step 1: Drag Your PowerPoint File Into Google Drive

To get started, open your Google Drive folder in Chrome and navigate to the folder where you’d like to store your imported presentation. Click on it to open it up. 

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In the center of your screen, you’ll see text reading Drop Files Here. Find the PPTX file that you want to upload into Google Slides to edit.

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Click on the PowerPoint file you’ve chosen, drag it over your Google Drive screen, and drop it into place. Drive will upload the file. This may take a few moments, depending on the file size and your connection speed. 

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Step 2: Open and Convert the PowerPoint File

You’ve uploaded a PowerPoint file to Google Drive! Now, double-click on the file to convert it to Google Slides format.

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By default, Google Drive launches the presentation in Google Slides, and the conversion process occurs automatically. It’s a streamlined process that saves you a ton of time.

Step 3: Edit File in Google Slides

With the presentation file converted, you can start editing! You just learned how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides, and now it works just like any other presentation in Google Slides.

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You can add text, images, and more. Plus, you can take advantage of Google Slides’ collaboration features to interact with your global team.

Method 2: Import From Within a Google Slides Deck

Need another option for how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides? You can start by opening a blank Google Slides presentation. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open a Blank Google Slides Presentation

Back in Google Drive, click New in the upper left corner of the screen. From the drop-down options, click Google Slides.

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A blank Google Slides presentation opens. You can now import a PPT presentation from here.

Step 2: Upload a PowerPoint Presentation

Go to the File menu and choose Open.

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The Open a File dialog box launches. From the tabbed options, click Upload. Browse for a stored PPTX file on your computer and click to insert it. Google Slides uploads the slide deck, and you can now convert and edit your slides!

Method 3: Import Some Slides into Google Slides

Our final method for how to convert PowerPoint to Google Slides lets you import select slides. You can do this in an existing or new presentation.

Step 1: Open a Google Slides Presentation

Create a new presentation or open an existing one in Google Slides.

Step 2: Import PowerPoint Slides

Click File > Import Slides from within the presentation.

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The Import Slides menu appears. Again, click Upload to select a presentation from your computer. Choose the file and click the Select button.

The Import Slides dialog box displays thumbnails of the slides in the presentation.

To select individual slides, click on each slide and then click the Import Slides button when you’re finished selecting slides.

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To import all the slides, click the All link and then click the Import Slides button.

The slides you’ve chosen will appear in your Google Slides presentation.

Step 3: Edit the Imported Slides

Once you’ve imported the PowerPoint slides, you can edit them as you choose. They’re now part of your new Google Slides presentation.

Convert Other Types of Files to Google Slides Format

PowerPoint is one of the most popular presentation packages, but it’s not your only option for creating presentations.

How to Convert OpenOffice Presentations to Google Slides

OpenOffice is a popular free presentation app that saves its files using the .odp file format. To use an OpenOffice .odp file in Google Slides, scroll up to Method 1 above and repeat those steps, choosing the .odp file to upload.

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How to Convert Keynote to Google Slides

Keynote is Apple’s presentation app that is growing in popularity. To upload Keynote presentations to Google Slides, go to File > Export To > PowerPoint in Keynote. This saves your presentation in PowerPoint format, allowing you to use Method 1 above to upload and edit it in Google Slides!

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How to Use Canva Presentations in Google Slides

Canva is an online app for creating presentations. If you want to collaborate on Canva slides in Google Slides, save your Canva slides in PowerPoint format, then upload them into Google Slides!

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Remember: always double-check the results after you upload PPT to Google Slides. Sometimes, files don’t convert perfectly, so take some time to rearrange slide content as needed.

7 Best Practices for Importing Files to Google Slides

You’ve learned how to convert from PPT to Google Slides, but here are some tips to ensure a smooth process:

  1. Control Quality. Start with a clean, original presentation.
  2. Manage File Size. Delete unused slides before uploading.
  3. Pay Attention to File Type. Export to a supported format if necessary.
  4. Be Aware of Font Changes. Fonts may not match perfectly after conversion.
  5. Expect Format Changes. You may need to tweak formatting post-import.
  6. Reinsert Links. Adjust hyperlinks after upload.
  7. Don’t Import PDFs. PDFs can’t be converted directly but can be screenshots.

The import process for PowerPoint files into Google Slides is similar to that of all Google Drive tools. For a complete tutorial on Google Drive file conversions, review:

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