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How to Add Animations in Google Slides

Short Answer

How do you add an animation in Google Slides?

Click the text or image, then click Insert › Animation (or View › Motion) and choose an effect under Object Animations. New animations start as Appear (On click). With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then N A.

Add to Chrome (14 Days Free) All Slides Shortcuts

In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Insert › Animation. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.

Google's Built-in Shortcut

CommandWindowsMac
Open the animations panel Ctrl+Alt+Shift+B ⌘+Option+Shift+B

These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension. To see Google's full list, press Ctrl + / (⌘ + / on Mac) in Google Slides.

Using the Menus

  1. Click the text or image you want to animate.
  2. Click Insert › Animation, or View › Motion.
  3. Under Object Animations, choose the animation you want.
  4. Set when it starts and drag the slider to change its speed. To bring a list in one line at a time, check By paragraph.

The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut

  1. Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
  2. Click the text or image you want to animate.
  3. Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
  4. Press N, then A. ShortieCuts runs “Animation”.
KeysAlso in ShortieCuts
Alt OA AnimateFormat key-tips
Alt WM Motion PanelView key-tips

When the ALT route helps: One short sequence beats two menus: Alt, N, A adds an animation to what you've selected, and Alt, W, M opens the Motion panel to adjust it.

More Google Slides How-Tos

KeysHow To
Alt DD Duplicate SlideBuilt-in: Ctrl + D
Alt AOK Send to BackBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + Down arrow
Alt NSH Insert a Shape
Alt GB Change Background
Alt HU Bullet PointsBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + 8
Alt DX Delete SlideBuilt-in: Delete or Backspace

FAQ

Is there a keyboard shortcut to add an animation in Google Slides?

Not exactly. Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides has no shortcut to add an animation. It does list Open the animations panel (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + B on Windows, ⌘ + Option + Shift + B on Mac). Click the text or image, then click Insert › Animation (or View › Motion) and choose an effect under Object Animations. New animations start as Appear (On click). With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then N, then A.

Does Alt + N + A work in Google Slides?

Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + N + A there won't add an animation. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then N, then A, and ShortieCuts runs its "Animation" command.

How do I add an animation in Google Slides on a Mac?

The steps above work the same way on a Mac. With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then N, then A.

Is ShortieCuts free?

ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.