How to Put Background Music on Google Slides: A Detailed Guide with Multiple Perspectives

In today’s world, where technology is advancing rapidly, even simple tasks like creating presentations have become more dynamic and engaging. Google Slides, a popular presentation tool, allows users to add various elements to enhance their slides, including background music. The right background music can help set the mood and pace, as well as captivate an audience’s attention. Here’s a detailed guide on how to put background music on Google Slides, exploring multiple perspectives and viewpoints.

1. Understanding the Basics of Adding Music in Google Slides

To add background music to your Google Slides presentation, you need to understand the basic steps involved. First, open your Google Slides presentation and navigate to the ‘Insert’ tab at the top of the screen. From the dropdown menu, select ‘Audio’ or ‘Music’ option. This will prompt you to search for and select a music file from your computer or from the internet. Once you have chosen your music file, you can place it on a slide or make it play throughout the entire presentation.

2. Tips for Selecting the Right Background Music

When choosing background music for your presentation, consider the purpose of your presentation and your audience. For instance, if you are presenting a business report, choose a more professional and calm track that won’t distract from your content. On the other hand, if you are creating a fun and creative presentation, opt for lively music that reflects the energy of your content. Also, consider the length of your presentation and ensure that the music track you choose is long enough to accompany your entire content without interruption.

3. Ensuring Quality of Music and Compatibility

When adding music to Google Slides, it’s essential to ensure the quality of the track and its compatibility with your presentation. Ensure that the music file is in a compatible format like MP3 or WAV and has good quality. If you are using a copyrighted track, ensure you have the necessary permissions to use it in your presentation. Otherwise, opt for royalty-free music that you can use freely without any legal issues.

4. Managing Music Playback

After adding music to your slides, you need to manage its playback. You can set the music to play automatically when the slide shows or add a play button for the audience to control it manually. To set the music to play automatically, click on the ‘audio’ or ‘music’ icon on your slide and select the ‘autoplay’ option. If you want to give your audience control over the music, add a play/pause button using the ‘shapes’ or ’text boxes’ tool and hyperlink it to your music file.

5. Considerations for an Effective Presentation with Background Music

While background music can enhance your presentation, it’s crucial to use it effectively. Ensure that the music doesn’t overshadow your content or distract your audience from your message. Use it as a complementary element that enhances the viewing experience. Also, avoid using too much music or using different tracks throughout your presentation; this can be overwhelming for your audience.

Now let’s answer some related questions:

Q1: What are some best practices for selecting background music for a business presentation?

A: For business presentations, it’s best to choose professional and calm tracks that won’t distract from your content. Consider using tracks with a positive and upbeat tone to inspire and motivate your audience.

Q2: Can I use copyrighted music on Google Slides?

A: Yes, you can use copyrighted music on Google Slides if you have the necessary permissions to do so. However, it’s always advisable to use royalty-free music to avoid any legal issues.

Q3: How do I make my background music loop in Google Slides?

A: To make your background music loop in Google Slides, you need to set the music track to repeat. You can do this by selecting the ’loop’ option after uploading your music file. Ensure that the track length is long enough to accommodate continuous looping without interruption during your presentation.