How to Change the Background in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you change the background in Google Slides?
Choose a slide, click Slide › Change background, then pick a color or choose an image. Click Done for that slide only, or Add to theme to use it on every slide. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then G B.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Design › Background. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Using the Menus
- Choose a slide.
- At the top, click Slide › Change background.
- To the right of Color, click the box and pick a color. Or, to the right of Image, click Choose and pick an image.
- Click Done for this slide, or Add to theme for the whole presentation.
Background images must be .gif, .jpg or .png files under 50 MB.
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides has no shortcut for this.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- In the panel on the left, click the slide you want to change.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press G, then B. ShortieCuts runs “Background”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt DB | Change BackgroundSlide key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: PowerPoint keeps background settings on its Design tab (Alt, G), so ShortieCuts puts them there too: Alt, G, B opens Google's background options.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt SH | Skip Slide |
| Alt ADH | Distribute Objects |
| Alt NU | Insert Audio |
| Alt SC | Present (Slideshow)Built-in: Ctrl + F5 |
| Alt HAC | Align TextBuilt-in: Ctrl + Shift + E |
| Alt HL | Change Layout |
FAQ
Is there a keyboard shortcut to change the background in Google Slides?
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides doesn't include one. Choose a slide, click Slide › Change background, then pick a color or choose an image. Click Done for that slide only, or Add to theme to use it on every slide. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then G, then B.
Does Alt + G + B work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + G + B there won't change the background. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then G, then B, and ShortieCuts runs its "Background" command.
How do I change the background in Google Slides on a Mac?
The steps above work the same way on a Mac. With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then G, then B.
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.