How to Insert a Video in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you insert a video in Google Slides?
Click the slide, then Insert › Video. Search YouTube, paste a URL or pick a file from Google Drive, choose the video, and click Select. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then N V.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Insert › Video. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Google's Built-in Shortcut
| Command | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Play the selected video | Enter | Enter |
Google's list has no shortcut for inserting a video, only this one for playing it.
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
- Click the slide where you want the video.
- Click Insert › Video.
- Choose Search YouTube, By URL or Google Drive, pick the video, and click Select.
To change when it plays, select the video, click Format options in the toolbar, and choose an option under Video playback: on click (the default), automatically or manually.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- Click the slide where you want the video.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press N, then V. ShortieCuts runs “Video”.
When the ALT route helps: Alt, N, V is Video on PowerPoint's Insert tab. ShortieCuts opens Google's video picker with the same keys.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt HI | New SlideBuilt-in: Ctrl + M |
| Alt JPC | Crop an Image |
| Alt GB | Change Background |
| Alt WN | Speaker NotesBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S |
| Alt HR | Find and ReplaceBuilt-in: Ctrl + H |
| Alt DD | Duplicate SlideBuilt-in: Ctrl + D |
FAQ
Is there a keyboard shortcut to insert a video in Google Slides?
Not exactly. Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides has no shortcut to insert a video. It does list Play the selected video (Enter on Windows and Mac). Click the slide, then Insert › Video. Search YouTube, paste a URL or pick a file from Google Drive, choose the video, and click Select. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then N, then V.
Does Alt + N + V work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + N + V there won't insert a video. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then N, then V, and ShortieCuts runs its "Video" command.
How do I insert a video 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 V.
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.