Make Google Slides Vertical
5 minutes read
Want to instantly reinvent your Google Slides presentations? Let’s face it: we’re all used to wide, standard slides. So why not use Google Slides portrait mode for a unique, attention-grabbing presentation?
In this tutorial, I’ll explain how to make a slide vertical on Google Slides. This process works with any slide template or deck that you edit. With a few simple settings, you can transform any slide from horizontal to vertical.
Use Google Slides Portrait Mode With a Premium Template
With vertical slides, you can flip things around. Truly, it’s the way to make your slides stand tall. Knowing how to rotate a slide in Google Slides layouts is a key part of being a skilled editor.
Let’s walk through how to make Google Slides vertical in just a few quick steps. We’ll also explore how to rotate slide content without moving the entire slide. This technique gives you style control in a classic presentation form factor.
To get started, consider using a premium Envato Elements template. With templates, you’ll enjoy stunning slide layouts made by creative experts.
For this tutorial, let’s use the MAON - Google Slides Template from Elements. This one features over 70 unique and custom slide layouts. It’s packed with HD slides and plenty of customization options. You’ll even see hundreds of cool icons! Want to follow along? Download it today.
In this tutorial, I’ll use the Safari web browser on macOS. You can also use Microsoft Windows or another web browser. Some steps may be slightly different, depending on your OS and browser selections.
How to Make a Google Slide Vertical (Step by Step)
Can you make Google Slides vertical? Absolutely. In fact, there are two unique ways to do exactly that. First, you can make the slide itself vertical. Or, you can rotate individual objects on the slide. Here, let’s explore the first option: how to make Google Slides portrait in their entirety.
1. Open the Page Setup Menu
Layouts in Google Slides are controlled with the Page setup menu under the File menu option. This is a standard feature across the Google Drive suite of apps.
With Page setup, you’ll control things like dimensions and orientation. This is how you make a Google Slide portrait mode.
Begin by opening the presentation that you want to make vertical. Keep in mind: going vertical is an all-or-nothing adjustment. In other words, your entire slide deck is either vertical or horizontal. You can’t alternate between slides, for example.
To open the Page setup menu in Google Slides, go to the File drop-down. You’ll find it in the upper left corner of the screen. Click on File, and from the listed options, select Page setup.
2. Select and Apply a Custom Orientation to Make Slides Vertical
The Page setup menu has a drop-down button on it. This is where you’ll control the orientation and dimensions of your slides. In other words, it’s how to make a Google Slide vertical!
Click on the drop-down. On it, you’ll see four options listed. Three are presets: Standard 4:3, Widescreen 16:9, and Widescreen 16:10. The fourth option is what you need to pick to learn how to make a Google Slide portrait. It’s labeled Custom. Choose Custom by clicking on it.
3. Apply Effects and Edit Your Vertical Slides
With Custom selected, you can type in vertical dimensions for your slides. By default, dimensions are listed in terms of width by height.
As you learn how to make a slide vertical on Google Slides, it helps to remember the key units of measure. You can set dimensions by Inches, Centimeters, Points, or Pixels.
For this example, let’s use inches as the dimension option. You can choose any dimensions that you want. For an easy example, try 8.5 x 14 inches, which matches the size of legal paper. Type these dimensions in and click Apply.
Watch as your slide deck transforms! You may need to spend some time rearranging the content. That’s why it’s a good idea to set slides to vertical and then make edits. Move content back into place, and you’re ready to edit. From here, simply build out your slide decks as you always would.
Just like that, you’ve learned how to make slides vertical! It’s an easy edit. Now, you’re ready for mobile sharing and presenting in a new and creative way.
How to Rotate a Slide in Google Slides Content (Quickly and Easily)
Above, you learned how to make Google Slides vertical. As you can see, it’s a very simple and easy edit. But it’s far from being the only adjustment you can make to vertically orient slide content!
Instead of rotating an entire slide, you can also make slide content vertical. In other words, slides will remain in the orientation of your choice. But you can rotate text, images, and other objects individually. It’s a cool artistic effect that’s often useful for sharing.
1. Choose Objects to Rotate
On your slide, select the content you want to rotate. You can use text, images, or any other objects that you have. This is your starting point for applying rotation effects.
2. Apply Rotation Effects With Ease
With your content selected, find the menu bar at the top of Google Slides. Look for the Arrange tab on the right side and click on it.
A drop-down list will appear. From it, select Rotate by hovering over it. You’ll see four options to choose from:
- Rotate clockwise 90°
- Rotate counter-clockwise 90°
- Flip horizontally
- Flip vertically
Choose any of these options and click once to apply the effect. You’ll see the selected object rotate on the slide! To rotate additional slide content, simply repeat these steps. Select any object and return to the Rotate menu.