How to Add Music to a Google Slideshow - Ways Explained

Understanding Google Slides

Google Slides is an incredible tool for creating, editing, and sharing presentations online. You can collaborate in real-time, access files from any device, and integrate multimedia elements. Its user-friendly interface helps you design professional slideshows effortlessly. Whether for work, school, or personal projects, you can enhance your presentations with animations, transitions, and embedded media. Get insights on why adding music to Google Slides is crucial down below:

• Enhances engagement

You can keep your audience interested by adding music to your slideshow. A well-chosen track grabs attention and makes your presentation more dynamic, helping you maintain viewer focus.

• Improves retention

When you pair key points with music, your audience remembers them better. Audio reinforces your message, making it easier for you and your viewers to recall important information later.

• Adds emotional impact

You can set the tone of your presentation with the right music. Whether you want to inspire, motivate, or create suspense, background audio helps you convey emotions more effectively.

• Boosts professionalism

A well-prepared slideshow with music makes you look more polished and credible. High-quality audio enhances your presentation, giving you a refined and professional touch.

• Supports different learning styles

Not everyone processes information the same way, and you may have auditory learners in your audience. By adding music, you make it easier for them to engage with and understand your content.

• Smooth transitions

You can improve the flow of your presentation with background music. Instead of abrupt shifts between topics, audio creates smooth transitions, making your slideshow feel more cohesive and structured.

How to add music to a slideshow in 2 ways

Method 1: Through Google DriveUploading audio file

STEP 1
1. Uploading audio file

Ensure you have an audio file ready for upload. Google Slides supports only MP3 and WAV formats. Go to drive.google.com and click on "New," then select "File Upload." Choose your audio file and wait for the upload to complete. Once done, you will see a success message in the bottom right corner.

STEP 2
1. Insert the audio file into Google Slides

Open the Google Slides presentation where you want to insert music. Click on "Insert" and then select "Audio." Locate your uploaded audio file in Google Drive. If you can't find it immediately, use the search bar. Click on the file to choose it, then click "Insert" to finish adding it to your slide.

STEP 3
1. Configure audio settings

Once added, the audio file appears as a small button on the slide. You can click on it to resize or move it. Open the "Format Options" menu to adjust the audio settings. You can set it to start playing automatically or click. If you prefer background music, enable the looping option. If autoplay is enabled, you can also hide the audio icon.

STEP 4
1. Customize the audio icon (optional)

You can change the appearance of the audio icon to match your slide's design. Click on the icon and select "Replace Image." You can upload a personalized icon image from your computer or search for one online. Resizing and repositioning the icon is also possible to make sure it blends into your slideshow.

Method 2: Through YouTube

You can embed a YouTube video and hide it from the slide area. This method works well for background music that you want to autoplay without downloading a file.

STEP 1
1. Search the YouTube video and copy link

Search for the track you want on YouTube. Once you find it, copy the video link.

STEP 2
1. Embed the YouTube video in Google Slides

Open your Google Slides presentation. Click on "Insert," then select "Video." Paste the URL into the search bar. Click on the video, then press "Insert" to add it to your slide.

STEP 3
1. Configure the video and hide it

After inserting the video, open the "Format options" menu. Set it to "Play (automatically)." This ensures the music starts when you reach the slide. To hide the video, you can't just move it off the slide. Instead, cover it with a shape. Create a rectangle slightly larger than the video. Resize the video if needed. Match the shape's color to your slide background. Remove any outline to make it blend in. Right-click the video, go to "Order," and select "Send to Back." This places it behind the rectangle, keeping it hidden.

How to make a slideshow with music in Google Photos

STEP 1
1. Create a movie project

Open up Google Photos and navigate to the album or folder containing the images you want in your slideshow. Choose the photos that best fit your presentation. Click the "+" icon at the top or in the menu. Select "Highlight video" from the drop-down list to start your slideshow with built-in transitions. In the movie editor, adjust the duration of each photo. It will eventually enhance your slideshow's visual flow.

STEP 2
1. Add background music

Tap the music icon to add a background track. Choose from Google Photos' built-in music or upload your audio for a personalized touch.

STEP 3
1. Preview and save

Review your slideshow to ensure smooth transitions and the right music balance. Once satisfied, click "Save."

However, you get limited audio editing features on Google Slides and Google Photo, restricting how you adjust audio playback. That's where you should use CapCut. It offers copyright-free music and powerful editing tools. With CapCut, you can easily enhance your slideshow, ensuring smooth transitions and high-quality sound without extra hassle. Let's explore more on CapCut below.

How to make a slideshow with music using CapCut

CapCut is a powerful video editor that makes it easy for you to create a slideshow with music. Its built-in music library offers royalty-free tracks, ensuring legally compliant audio files. You can enhance your slideshow using features like noise reduction, sound effects, and volume adjustments. CapCut also allows you to sync music perfectly with transitions for a polished result. Whether you're creating a personal or professional slideshow, this tool gives you complete creative control. Download CapCut today to add high-quality music effortlessly to your slideshows!

Key features

• Royalty-free music tracks: You can access a vast library of copyright-free music to enhance your slideshow without legal concerns.
• Diverse video transition effects: You can smoothly switch between slides using professional video transitions that keep your audience engaged.
• Rich slideshow editing tools: You can add text, filters, and animations to create visually appealing and polished presentations.

Steps to create a slideshow with copyright-free music

STEP 1
1. Import media files

Start by gathering all the media you need for your slideshow. Next, open CapCut and create a new project. Then click on "Import" to upload images, videos, and audio files into CapCut. CapCut allows you to upload your music by selecting the "Audio" option, or you can also choose audio from the CapCut music library.

STEP 2
1. Edit the slideshow with music

Now, arrange your media elements into a smooth sequence on a timeline. Then, adjust the music volume, speed, and effects to meet your slideshow. Moreover, apply texts, stickers, and transitions to enhance engagement.

STEP 3
1. Export and share your slideshow

Once satisfied with your edits, tap the "Export" tab in the top right corner. Choose the best resolution, frame rate, and format for your needs. Next, share your slideshow directly on YouTube or TikTok or download it for offline use.

Common issues & troubleshooting when adding music to a slideshow

• Issue 1: Music infringement

You must ensure that the audio you use is legal for your slideshow. Avoid copyrighted music for commercial or public presentations. CapCut's audio copyright detection tool helps you check whether your chosen music is safe to use. Always opt for royalty-free or licensed tracks to prevent legal issues.

• Issue 2: Audio doesn't play

If your audio isn't playing, check if the file format is supported (MP3, WAV). Make sure the file permissions allow access, especially if it's stored on Google Drive. Also, verify playback settings in Format Options to confirm the audio is enabled.

• Issue 3: Audio is too loud or too soft

You can adjust the volume in Format Options to balance the audio. If it's still not right, use an external editor to modify the file before uploading it. This ensures the audio plays at an appropriate level.

• Issue 4: Autoplay doesn't work

If autoplay isn't working, enable it in Format Options. Also, check your browser settings to ensure autoplay is allowed. Some browsers block autoplay by default, so you may need to adjust permissions.

• Issue 5: Audio stops playing after one slide

By default, Google Slides doesn't allow continuous playback across slides. To fix this, enable the Loop option in Format Options. You can also add the same audio file to multiple slides for seamless transitions. Ensure your slide transitions don't interrupt the audio.

• Issue 6: Audio is delayed or skips

Poor-quality audio files or unstable internet connections can cause delays or skips. Use high-quality files and ensure your internet is stable if streaming from an online source. Closing unnecessary background processes on your device can also help improve playback performance.

Conclusion

How to add music to a Google Slideshow enhances your engagement, retention, and professionalism. You can use Google Drive for audio files or embed YouTube music in Google Slides. However, Google Slides and Google Photos lack audio editing tools, hence making the process less flexible. To create a seamless slideshow with high-quality audio, use CapCut. It offers a built-in music library, advanced audio editing, and seamless integration. You can enhance your slideshow with professional-quality sound, noise reduction, and smooth transitions. For a hassle-free experience, try CapCut and create engaging presentations effortlessly. Download CapCut today to take your slideshows to the next level!

FAQs

1
1. How do you ensure background music does not distract the audience?

Keep the volume low so it complements, rather than overpowers, your presentation. Choose instrumental tracks or subtle melodies to avoid competing with your narration. Ensure smooth transitions by adjusting fade-in and fade-out effects. If your slideshow includes spoken content, lower the music volume during key moments. You can easily adjust the background music in CapCut by using its rich tools and its audio copyright detection tool.

2
1. Where can I download free music for a Google slideshow?

You can find royalty-free music on platforms like CapCut's built-in library, Audio Library, and Bensound. These sources offer legal, high-quality tracks suitable for presentations. Before using any audio, detect copyright using CapCut's audio copyright detection tool to avoid copyright issues.

3
1. How do I control when the audio starts playing?

To control when the audio starts playing, go to "Format Options" in Google Slides after inserting the audio. You can choose to play it automatically or by clicking. If you want seamless playback across slides, enable looping. Proper settings ensure that music enhances rather than disrupts your slideshow.