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Change the theme, background, or layout in Google Slides

Change
the theme, background, or layout in Google Slides

You can customize how your presentation looks in Google Slides by changing the theme, background, or layout. 

  • Theme: A preset group of colors, fonts, background, and layouts. 
  • Background: The picture or color behind your slide's content. 
  • Layout: The way your text and images are arranged on a slide.

Computer AndroidiPhone & iPad

Change theme

A theme is a preset group of colors, fonts, backgrounds, and layouts.

  1. On your computer, goopen toa Google presentation in DocsSheetsGoogle Slides, or Forms.
  2. At the toptop, click SlideChange theme.
  3. On the right, click the theme you want.

Note: Learn how to apply a theme to only one slide.

Change the background color or image

Change background color

A background is the picture or color behind your slide's content. You can change the background color of one slide or the whole presentation. 

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides.
  2. Choose a slide.
  3. At the top, click SlideChange background.
  4. To the right ,of "Color," click the box and choose a color.
    • To add the color to one slide, click Template GalleryDone.
    • To add the color to the whole presentation, click Add to theme.

Change background image

You can add an image saved in Google Drive or on your computer, then apply it to one slide or the whole presentation. 

Note: Images must be a .gif, .jpg, or .png, and less than 50 MB.

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides.
  2. Choose a slide.
  3. At the top, click Slide Change background.
  4. To the right of "Image," click Choose.
  5. Choose an image, then click Select.
    • To add the image to one slide, click Done.
    • To add the image to the whole presentation, click Add to theme.

Import new theme

Note: Your imported theme must be from an existing Google Slides or PowerPoint presentation. You can also use your own image as the background for the entire presentation

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides. 
  2. At the top, click Slide Change theme.
  3. In the bottom right, click Import theme.
  4. Double-click the presentation you want to use. 
  5. Click the templatetheme you want. 
  6. Click Import theme.

Edit your theme colors

You can change the individual colors that make up your presentation's theme.

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides
  2. At the top, click View Master.
  3. At the top, click Colors .
  4. To the right, under "Theme colors," choose the color you want to edit from the drop-down.
    • To use a pre-set color: Under "Default," click the color you want to use. 
    • To customize a color: In the multi-colored square, click the color you want to use or enter a hex value.

Change layout

A layout is the way your text and images are arranged on a slide. 

  1. On your computer, open a presentation in Google Slides.
  2. Select a slide.
  3. At the top, click Layout.
  4. Choose the layout you want to use.
  5. A copy of the template will open.

Tip: If the template you choose has "Add-on" next to it, you may have to install an add-on to use it. Learn more about add-ons.

Create your own custom template

If you don’t see the option to submit a template, your organization may not let you.

Before you submit a template

Submit a template

Follow Google’s content policies when using the template gallery.

 

Show or hide templates

  1. Open Google DocsSheetsSlides, or Forms home screen.
  2. At the top left, click Menu Menu and then Settings.
  3. Turn Display recent templates on home screens On or Off.