How to Change a Google Slides Background

You can customize the appearance of a Google Slides presentation by changing the theme, layout, or background image. The approach that you use will depend on whether you are using a computer or a mobile device.

Change the Theme

In Google Slides, a theme is a collection of presets that includes colors, fonts, background, and layouts. You can select a new theme to modify the way your presentation looks.

1. Open the presentation you want to customize.

2. If you are using Google Slides on a computer, click Slide and then click Change Theme.

3. On a mobile device, tap More on the top right and then tap Change Theme.

4. Click the theme you want to use from the Themes pane that appears on the left.

5. Click on different themes to see how they look. Close the Themes pane after you have applied the one you want to use.

Import a New Theme

If you want to apply a theme from another Google Slides presentation or a PowerPoint slideshow, you can import it into your current presentation.

1. Open the presentation you want to customize.

2. Click Slide and then click Change Theme.

3. Click Import Theme in the bottom right corner of the Themes Pane. The Import Theme dialog box will open.

4. Click the Presentations tab to import a theme from another Google Slides presentation you have used.

5. Click the Upload to use the theme of a presentation on your computer. Drag the file to the box or click Select a File from Your Computer to browse for the file.

6. Click Select to apply the theme.

Change the Layout

The layout of a presentation in Google Slides is the manner in which text and images are arranged on a slide. You can change the layout in Google Slides on a computer, an Android device, or an iOS device.

1. Open the presentation you want to customize.

2. If you are using Google Slides on a computer, click Slide and then point to Layout.

3. On a mobile device, tap More on the top right and then tap Change Layout.

4. Click or tap on the layout you want to use.

Change the Background Color

You can change the background color of a slide or an entire presentation.

1. Open the presentation you want to customize.

2. Click on the slide you want to change.

3. Click Background or Change Background on the toolbar at the top of the slide. The Background dialog box will open.

4. Click the Color drop-down arrow.

5. Click the Gradient button if you want to apply a color gradient.

6. Click on the color you want to use.

7. Click Add to Theme if you want to apply the color to the entire presentation.

8. Click Done to apply the color.

Change the Background Image

You can change the background of a slide or an entire presentation using an image from your computer or from Google Drive.

1. Open the presentation you want to customize.

2. Select the slide you want to change.

3. Click Background or Change Background on the toolbar at the top of the slide. The Background dialog box will open.

4. Click the Choose Image button next to Image. The Insert Background Image dialog box will open.

5. Click the Upload tab to browse for an image on your computer. Alternatively, you can drag an image into the dialog box to upload it.

6. Click the Google Drive tab to find an image saved on your Google Drive account.

7. You can also choose to take a snapshot, enter the URL of an image or search online for an image.

8. Click on the image you want to use and then click Select.

9. Click Add to Theme if you want to apply the color to the entire presentation.

10. Click Done to apply the image.