How to Rotate an Object or Image in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you rotate an object in Google Slides?
Select the object and press Alt + Right arrow or Alt + Left arrow to turn it 15° (Option instead of Alt on Mac). Add Shift to turn it 1° at a time. The menu route is Arrange › Rotate. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then A R.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Arrange › Rotate. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Google's Built-in Shortcuts
| Command | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Rotate clockwise 15° | Alt+Right arrow | Option+Right arrow |
| Rotate counterclockwise 15° | Alt+Left arrow | Option+Left arrow |
| Rotate clockwise 1° | Alt+Shift+Right arrow | Option+Shift+Right arrow |
| Rotate counterclockwise 1° | Alt+Shift+Left arrow | Option+Shift+Left 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 or image.
- At the top, click Arrange › Rotate.
- Choose a rotation option.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- Select the object or image you want to rotate.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press A, then R. ShortieCuts runs “Rotate”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt JDAY | RotateShape Format key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Alt, A, R opens Google's Rotate menu from the keyboard, so you can pick an option without reaching for the mouse.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt DD | Duplicate SlideBuilt-in: Ctrl + D |
| Alt NSH | Insert a Shape |
| Alt GS | Slide Size |
| Alt WN | Speaker NotesBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S |
| Alt HR | Find and ReplaceBuilt-in: Ctrl + H |
| Alt DX | Delete SlideBuilt-in: Delete or Backspace |
FAQ
What is the keyboard shortcut to rotate an object in Google Slides?
Rotate clockwise 15°: Alt + Right arrow on Windows; Option + Right arrow on Mac. Rotate counterclockwise 15°: Alt + Left arrow on Windows; Option + Left arrow on Mac. Rotate clockwise 1°: Alt + Shift + Right arrow on Windows; Option + Shift + Right arrow on Mac. Rotate counterclockwise 1°: Alt + Shift + Left arrow on Windows; Option + Shift + Left arrow on Mac. These are Google's own shortcuts and work without any extension.
Does Alt + A + R work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + A + R there won't rotate an object. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then A, then R, and ShortieCuts runs its "Rotate" command.
How do I rotate an object in Google Slides on a Mac?
On a Mac, use Google's shortcut: Option + Right arrow (Rotate clockwise 15°). With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then A, 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.