How to Bring an Object to the Front in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you bring an object to the front in Google Slides?
Select the object and press Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow (⌘ + Shift + Up arrow on Mac) to bring it to the front, or Ctrl + Up arrow (⌘ + Up arrow) to move it forward one layer. The menu route is Arrange › Order › Bring to front. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then A O R.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Arrange › Bring to Front. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Google's Built-in Shortcuts
| Command | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Bring to front | Ctrl+Shift+Up arrow | ⌘+Shift+Up arrow |
| Bring forward | Ctrl+Up arrow | ⌘+Up arrow |
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
- Select the object.
- At the top, click Arrange › Order.
- Click Bring to front, or Bring forward to move it up one layer.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- Select the object you want to move.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press A, O, then R. ShortieCuts runs “Bring to Front”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt AOFW | Bring ForwardArrange key-tips |
| Alt JDAFF | Bring to FrontShape Format key-tips |
| Alt JDAFW | Bring ForwardShape Format key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Useful if you'd rather not hunt for the arrow-key combos: Alt, A, O, R brings the object to the front, and Alt, A, O, F, W brings it forward one step.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt HL | Change Layout |
| Alt NSN | Slide Numbers |
| Alt GB | Change Background |
| Alt KT | Add Transition |
| Alt HU | Bullet PointsBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + 8 |
| Alt HI | New SlideBuilt-in: Ctrl + M |
FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to bring an object to the front in Google Slides?
Bring to front: Ctrl + Shift + Up arrow on Windows; ⌘ + Shift + Up arrow on Mac. Bring forward: Ctrl + Up arrow on Windows; ⌘ + Up arrow on Mac. These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension.
Does Alt + A + O + R work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + A + O + R there won't bring an object to the front. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then A, then O, then R, and ShortieCuts runs its "Bring to Front" command.
How do I bring an object to the front in Google Slides on a Mac?
On a Mac, use Google's shortcut: ⌘ + Shift + Up arrow (Bring to front). With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then A, then O, then R.
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.