How to Change the Slide Size in Google Slides

Google Slides is a great free alternative to Microsoft PowerPoint, allowing you to easily make slideshows and presentations from within your browser. While Google Slides has a standard slide size, you might want to change it for certain types of presentations, such as if you want the slideshow to fit onto a widescreen monitor rather than a regular screen. Whatever the reason, it's simple to do. Here's how to change the slide size in Google Slides, both through presets and manually.

How to Change Slide Size in Google Slides

Does your presentation need changing around a little? Perhaps resizing it is the key to making sure your results and infographics truly pop on screen while you're presenting. Here's how to change the slide size in Google Slides to one of the presets, all in a matter of a few simple steps.

1. Go to https://docs.google.com/

2. Click the hamburger icon on the top left corner.

3. Click Slides.

4. Click the presentation you wish to edit.

5. Click File.

6. Click Page Setup.

   You may need to scroll down the menu to find the option.

7. Click on the drop down menu displaying Widescreen 16:9.

8. Choose the size you want to use.

9. Click Apply.

10. The presentation has now been automatically changed to the chosen size.

How to Change Slide Size in Google Slides Manually

The Google Slides presets are very useful but what if you want to change your slides to a specific size of your choosing? Here's what to do if you have a different size in mind.

1. Go to https://docs.google.com/

2. Click the hamburger icon on the top left corner.

3. Click Slides.

4. Click the presentation you wish to edit.

5. Click File.

6. Click Page Setup.

   You may need to scroll down the menu to find the option.

7. Click the drop down menu displaying the current size.

8. Click Custom.

9. Enter the size you desire to change your presentation to.

   You can click on the measurement to change to inches, centimeters, points, or pixels.

10. Click Apply when done.

Why Do I Need to Change the Slide Size on Google Slides?

Not everyone will need to change the slide size on their Google Slides presentations. Google Slides defaults to a commonly used size but there are some key reasons why it can be helpful. 

• Different screens. Different monitors have different aspect ratios and it's useful to adapt to them. 16:9 for instance is widescreen and your presentations will look better if they fit accordingly on screen.
• Flexibility. Not sure what screen your presentation will be on? Go with 16:9. 4:3 used to be the standard but more screens use widescreen. However, if you know it will be viewed on a mobile device, stick with 4:3.
• Printouts. Are you planning on printing out your slides? 4:3 is the best ratio for this situation.