Insert Spreadsheets into Google Slides

Google Slides is a powerful presentation tool that lives in your browser. Google Sheets is an equally adept web-based tool for data logging and analysis. Learn how to insert Google Sheets into Google Slides for a seamless presentation link to your data.

Why Connect Spreadsheets to Google Slides

Google Slides is a powerful tool you can use to build presentations. It differs from other popular applications like Microsoft PowerPoint and Apple Keynote because it exists fully online. Instead of a desktop app, you make edits right inside your web browser, making Google Slides a robust tool for global collaboration.

Google Slides is part of the Google Docs Editors suite, which also includes Google Sheets for building spreadsheets. Just as Google Slides is similar to PowerPoint, Google Sheets resembles Microsoft Excel.

Both Slides and Sheets are incredibly versatile, and they work well together. Here are some advantages of linking Google Sheets to Google Slides:

• Save Time: If you have data in Google Sheets, you don’t have to re-enter it in Google Slides. Inserting Sheets allows you to utilize the work you’ve already done.
• Stay Up to Date: When you link to a file, the linked version updates automatically when you change the original file. For instance, a linked table in Slides updates when you make a change in Sheets.
• Control Access: Anyone with access to your Google Slides presentation can view linked data from Google Sheets without needing access to the original Sheets file.
• Better for Sharing: Google Slides enables you to create shareable content, making it easier to present data effectively.

These advantages highlight why linking Google Slides and Sheets is beneficial. Let’s explore how to insert a spreadsheet into Google Slides.

How to Put a Spreadsheet in Google Slides

To insert Google Sheets into Google Slides, you first need a presentation to work with. For this tutorial, we’ll use the Forward - Multipurpose Google Slides Presentation from Envato Elements, which features 86 custom slide layouts. Download it to follow along.

Note: It’s best to use Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox for this process, as certain features may not work well in other browsers like Apple Safari.

1. Create Data to Insert Sheets Into Slides

Start by identifying a table of data in Google Sheets that you want to feature in your Google Slides presentation. You don’t have to re-type this data—instead, you can directly insert it.

Select the range of cells in Google Sheets you want to insert. Copy them to your clipboard by going to Edit > Copy.

2. Add Your Data to Google Slides

Now, navigate to the slide where you want to add the data in your Google Slides presentation. On the menu, go to Edit > Paste.

When you click Paste, a dialog box will appear, presenting you with two options: Link to Spreadsheet and Paste Unlinked.

• Link to Spreadsheet: This links the data in the Slides table back to Google Sheets. Any changes in Sheets will be reflected in Slides. Choose this if you want to keep your data current.
• Paste Unlinked: This option pastes the data as it is, without linking. Changes in Sheets won’t affect your Slides, and you’ll need to update it manually if needed.

Once you’ve made your selection, click Paste. The table will appear on your slide, and you can manipulate it just like any other text or image in Slides.

3. Update Linked Sheet Data

If you chose the Link to Spreadsheet option, your Google Slides deck will remain in sync with any changes made in Google Sheets. Here’s how to update linked data:

• Individual Update: Go to the slide with your linked table, and click the Update button in the upper right corner of the table to refresh the data.

• Bulk Update: To update all linked tables at once, go to Tools > Linked Objects in the Google Slides menu. In the sidebar that opens, click Update All.

How to Add a Chart From Google Sheets Spreadsheets

You can also insert charts from Google Sheets into Google Slides, providing a powerful visual representation of your data. To do this, go to Insert > Chart in Google Slides. Hover over Chart to see options, and select From Sheets.

Browse your Google Sheets collection to find the file containing the chart you want to add. Once you select it, choose the appropriate chart from the Import Chart box, and decide whether to link it or not.

How to Add a Screenshot of Spreadsheets

If you want to use data from another spreadsheet application that doesn’t directly integrate with Google Slides, you can insert a screenshot.

Capture a screenshot of your data from the other application, ensuring it’s focused and clear. In Google Slides, go to Insert > Image > Upload From Computer to add your screenshot to the slide. Resize and move the image as needed.

Now You Know How to Insert Google Sheets Into Google Slides

You’ve learned various methods to insert a spreadsheet into Google Slides. With options for linking data, you can choose the best way to present your information effectively. This streamlined process saves you time and enhances your presentations, making it a valuable skill for anyone looking to impress their audience.