To upload a PDF to Google Slides, you can insert PDF pages as images, convert the PDF to a PowerPoint file and open it in Google Slides, or link to a PDF stored in Google Drive.
Because Google Slides doesn’t support direct PDF uploads, these workarounds let you include the content of a PDF in your deck. In this guide, we will walk you through each method step by step so you can seamlessly incorporate the desired files into your Google Slides.
Key Takeaways
- Google Slides won’t let you upload a PDF directly, but there are workarounds you can consider if you want to present your PDF’s content in a deck.
- The first option is to convert your PDF’s pages into images and then insert them in your Google Slides; you can use PDF.net’s conversion tools for this.
- Converting your PDF to a PowerPoint file and uploading it to Google Slides is a solid alternative but requires light editing.
- The third option is to insert a PDF link in your Google Slides via Google Drive; this is easy to do and keeps your deck lightweight, but it will prompt viewers to leave your Google Slides.
- When using PDFs in Google Slides, you should keep files small, use high-quality PDF-to-image conversions, maintain aspect ratio, add alt text, and check your sharing permissions.
Can You Upload a PDF Directly to Google Slides?
No, you can’t upload a PDF directly to Google Slides. This app does not support PDF as an import format, so you can’t drag and drop such a file and turn it into editable slides. However, there are several workarounds you can consider:
- Converting the PDF pages into images and inserting them in Google Slides, which embeds the content onto your slides so that viewers can see it directly.
- Converting the PDF into .pptx and uploading it to Google Slides, which stores the PowerPoint document in your Google Drive and enables you to open it as a Google Slides file.
- Inserting a PDF link via Google Drive, which adds a clickable hyperlink to the PDF and directs your viewers to a different tab to view the file.
How to Upload a PDF to Google Slides: 3 Proven Methods
Now, let’s take a closer look at the three ways to upload a PDF to Google Slides:
#1. Convert PDF Pages to Images and Insert Them into Google Slides
The first workaround to upload a PDF to Google Slides is to convert the document’s pages into images and then insert them into the slides. For the first part of this process, you can use our PDF-to-PNG or PDF-to-JPG conversion tools.
You should choose the latter if your PDFs mostly contain photos or gradients, like travel brochures, posters, or scanned images. JPG is also the preferred format if you want smaller file sizes for easier uploads and don't mind a slight loss in quality.
If your PDFs include text, line art, charts, or logos that need to stay sharp, choose to convert to PNG. This format is also better if you need transparent backgrounds for your slides or want lossless quality, which keeps all the original data.
Once you have the images converted from a PDF format, insert them in Google Slides by following these steps:
- Open the file in Google Slides.
- Select Insert in the top toolbar > Image, and then choose Upload from computer or Drive & Photos if you have already uploaded the images onto Drive.
- Resize and reposition your images as needed.
This method of uploading a PDF file to Google Slides is straightforward and works well if you want to maintain your PDFs’ visual fidelity. However, it can be time-consuming and tedious if you have many pages that need to be converted.
Moreover, when you add your PDF as images in Google Slides, they won’t be editable; you can’t correct typos, change the fonts, or adjust the layout within the images. This also means screen readers can’t detect the text on images, which makes your slides less accessible to viewers who rely on assistive technologies.
#2. Convert PDF to PowerPoint and Upload to Google Slides
Another option is to convert your PDF to a PowerPoint file (.pptx) and then upload it to Google Slides. You can choose a reliable converter online to complete the task; the specific steps will vary from converter to converter, but generally, they will be as follows:
- Upload the PDF file.
- Wait for the converter to complete the process.
- Download the converted PowerPoint file.
Now, you can upload the .pptx file to Google Drive by doing the following:
- Open Google Drive, select New > File upload.
- Right-click the uploaded .pptx and choose Open with > Google Slides.
- Google Slides will import and convert your PDF to editable slides.
This method will keep the content editable; however, the fonts and formatting might change, and you will have to spend some time fixing such issues manually. Nonetheless, it gives you a high level of control over your content.
#3. Insert a PDF Link via Google Drive
Inserting a PDF link via Google Drive is the last workaround to consider. You can do this in six simple steps:
- Upload the PDF to Google Drive (New > File upload).
- Right-click the uploaded document and select Share.
- Click the drop-down arrow next to Restricted under General access and customize your sharing settings.
- Open your Google Slides file.
- Add a text box, shape, or button, where you can insert the link to the PDF.
- Right-click, choose Link, paste the link in, and click Apply.
Using this method means viewers will click to open the PDF in Drive, outside of the Google Slides file. It keeps your file small and gives viewers access to the original PDF, so you won’t have to worry about any changes in quality.
It’s also a good option if you don’t want to spend time converting the PDF and editing the conversions in Google Slides. However, remember that viewers will be prompted away from your slides because you are not importing any PDF pages to Google Slides.
Finally, the method is also suitable for large PDFs or those that viewers need to refer back to, like manuals, policies, or research papers. With these, viewers usually want to download the full document.
Best Practices When Using PDFs in Google Slides
When using PDFs in Google Slides, keep the following practices in mind:
- Keep file sizes small for faster loading. Large PDFs or high-resolution images can make slide transitions laggy or cause loading errors, which can be frustrating for both you and your viewers. To avoid this, compress the PDF before uploading or use optimized image formats, like JPG instead of PNG.
- Use high-quality PDF-to-image conversions. Poor quality conversions can blur the content of your images, especially when resized for slides. Therefore, it is important to check the clarity before you share your slides with others. Try to open it on a large screen or projector, and use tools that maintain vector quality for charts and images with lots of text when turning your PDF into a presentation.
- Lock the aspect ratio when resizing PDF pages or images. This means keeping the width and height changes together in proportion to prevent the inserted pages or images from looking stretched, squashed, or distorted. Hold Shift on your keyword while using the corner handles to resize.
- Ensure accessibility. Add alternative text for every image so screen readers can describe the content to users with visual impairments. To do this, right-click the image and click Alt text or press Ctrl+Alt+Y (Mac) or Command+Alt+Y (Windows).
- Double-check permissions when using shared linked PDFs. If the sharing settings are Restricted, your audience may see an error message instead of the document. Before sending your slides to others or presenting, make sure that the PDFs you are linking to are set to Anyone with link can view.
Final Thoughts
Even though you can’t upload PDFs directly to Google Slides, the workarounds above make it possible to still bring your PDF content into your presentation.
Think about what matters most for your presentation (such as visual consistency, flexibility, or simplicity) to choose the best method. Regardless of what you opt for, remember to apply the best practices we outlined to ensure your end result is professional and accessible!
How to Upload a PDF to Google Slides FAQs
#1. Can I upload a multi-page PDF to Google Slides?
No, you can’t directly upload a multi-page PDF to Google Slides. However, you can use our PDF editor to convert the PDF’s pages into images and insert them into your slides. Another option is to convert the PDF to PowerPoint, then upload it to Google Drive to open as a Google Slides file.
#2. What’s the best way to make a PDF editable in Google Slides?
The best way to make a PDF editable in Google Slides is to convert it to .pptx format and then open it in Google Drive as a Google Slides file. However, this means you will have to find a reliable PDF-to-PPTX converter; you should always check the converter’s privacy policy to make sure your information stays secure.
#3. Will converting a PDF to Slides change the formatting?
Converting a PDF to .pptx and then opening it as a Google Slides file will change the formatting. However, it will usually only be the fonts and slight shifts in the placement of certain elements. You can manually edit these right on Google Slides.