How to Center or Align Text in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you center or align text in Google Slides?
Select the text and press Ctrl + Shift + E to center it, or Ctrl + Shift + L, R or J for left, right or justified. On a Mac, use ⌘ instead of Ctrl. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then H A C.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Home › Align Center. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Google's Built-in Shortcuts
| Command | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Center align | Ctrl+Shift+E | ⌘+Shift+E |
| Left align | Ctrl+Shift+L | ⌘+Shift+L |
| Right align | Ctrl+Shift+R | ⌘+Shift+R |
| Justify | Ctrl+Shift+J | ⌘+Shift+J |
These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension. To see Google's full list, press Ctrl + / (⌘ + / on Mac) in Google Slides.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- Select the text, or click into the paragraph.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press H, A, then C. ShortieCuts runs “Align Center”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt HAL | Align LeftHome key-tips |
| Alt HAR | Align RightHome key-tips |
| Alt HAJ | JustifyHome key-tips |
| Alt OI | Align & IndentFormat key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Alt, H, A, C (and L, R, J) are the Home-tab alignment key-tips Office users know. ShortieCuts sends Google's own alignment shortcuts, so the result is identical.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt DX | Delete SlideBuilt-in: Delete or Backspace |
| Alt ACH | Center on Page |
| Alt NV | Insert a Video |
| Alt GB | Change Background |
| Alt WN | Speaker NotesBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S |
| Alt SH | Skip Slide |
FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to center or align text in Google Slides?
Center align: Ctrl + Shift + E on Windows; ⌘ + Shift + E on Mac. Left align: Ctrl + Shift + L on Windows; ⌘ + Shift + L on Mac. Right align: Ctrl + Shift + R on Windows; ⌘ + Shift + R on Mac. Justify: Ctrl + Shift + J on Windows; ⌘ + Shift + J on Mac. These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension.
Does Alt + H + A + C work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + H + A + C there won't center or align text. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then H, then A, then C, and ShortieCuts runs its "Align Center" command.
How do I center or align text in Google Slides on a Mac?
On a Mac, use Google's shortcut: ⌘ + Shift + E (Center align). With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then H, then A, then C.
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.