Adding music to Google Slides in three steps
Google Slides does not play audio files directly from your computer the way some presentation software does. Instead, you embed a YouTube video that contains the music you want, or you insert an audio file hosted online using a third-party tool. The simplest route for most people is to find the song on YouTube, then embed that video into your slide — the audio plays when you present, and the video window stays hidden if you only want sound.
If you want to use a song file you own (an MP3, for example), you will need to upload it to a hosting service first, then embed a player. Google Drive itself does not host audio files for embedding, so this route takes an extra step.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest way to add music is to find the song on YouTube, then use Insert > Video > Search YouTube to embed it into your slide.
- When you present, the YouTube video plays with sound; you can resize the video window to be very small or position it off-screen if you only want the audio.
- To use your own MP3 files, upload them to a free hosting service like Soundcloud or Dropbox, then embed a player using Insert > Embed.
- Audio from embedded YouTube videos plays during a slideshow, but audio from embedded players may not work in all presentation modes — test before you present.
- Downloaded music files and copyrighted songs require you to own the rights or have permission before embedding them in a presentation you share.
Embedding a YouTube video for music
Open your Google Slides presentation and click the slide where you want the music to start. Click Insert in the top menu, then select Video. A panel will open with a search box. Type the song title or artist name, and YouTube results will appear. Click the video you want, and it will be added to your slide.
The video will appear as a thumbnail on your slide. You can resize it by dragging the corners, or move it by clicking and dragging the center. If you only want the audio and not the video visible during your presentation, drag the video window to the very edge of the slide or make it very small — the audio will still play when you click it during the slideshow.
When you present the slideshow, click the video thumbnail to start playback. The audio will play through your speakers. This method works reliably across all presentation modes, including presenting on a different screen or sharing your screen remotely.
Using your own audio files with a hosting service
If you have an MP3 or other audio file on your computer, you will need to upload it to an online hosting service first. Soundcloud, Dropbox, and Google Drive all work, though each has different steps. Soundcloud is designed for audio and makes embedding easiest; Dropbox and Drive require you to get a shareable link first.
For Soundcloud: upload your audio file to a free Soundcloud account, then right-click the track and select "Share" to get an embed code. In Google Slides, click Insert, then Embed, and paste the embed code into the box that appears. The Soundcloud player will be added to your slide.
For Dropbox or Drive: upload your file, right-click it, and select "Get link" or "Share". Copy the link. In Google Slides, click Insert, then Embed, and paste the link. This method is less reliable for audio playback during presentations — test it thoroughly before you present to a group.
Playing audio during your presentation
When you start your slideshow (press Shift + F5 to begin from the current slide, or click the play button in the top right), the embedded video or player will appear on the slide. Click it to start the audio. The music will play through your computer's speakers or headphones.
If you are presenting on a projector or external screen, make sure your computer's audio is connected to the room's sound system, or use a portable speaker. Test the audio level before your presentation begins — YouTube videos and embedded players can vary in volume.
If you embedded a YouTube video and want the audio to loop or play automatically when the slide appears, click the video, then click the three-dot menu icon that appears. Select Video options and check the boxes for "Autoplay" and "Loop" if you want the music to start and repeat without you clicking it.
Resizing or hiding the video window
When you embed a YouTube video, it appears as a visible window on your slide. If you only want the audio and prefer the video not to be seen, you have two options: make the video very small, or move it completely off the slide.
To resize, click the video and drag one of the corner handles inward. To move it off-screen, click and drag the video to the edge of the slide or beyond. The audio will still play when you click it during the presentation, even if the video window is not visible.
Alternatively, you can place the video on a slide that is not part of your main presentation flow — for example, a hidden slide or a slide you skip during the talk. Insert the video there, then link to it from another slide using a button or text link if you want to trigger the audio at a specific moment.
Copyright and music rights
If you are embedding a YouTube video, you are linking to content hosted on YouTube's servers, so YouTube's copyright system applies. Most popular songs have official uploads or licensed versions on YouTube that you can embed without issue for personal or educational presentations.
If you are uploading your own audio file to a hosting service, make sure you own the rights to the music or have permission from the copyright holder. Using copyrighted music in a presentation you share with others without permission can result in takedown notices or account suspension, depending on the hosting service.
For presentations in a classroom or nonprofit setting, many songs are available under Creative Commons licenses on sites like Free Music Archive or Incompetech, which allow you to use them legally without asking permission.
Troubleshooting audio that does not play
If your audio does not play during a presentation, check that your computer's volume is turned up and that your speakers or headphones are connected. Click the video or player to make sure it is actually playing — some embedded players require you to click them to start.
If you embedded a Dropbox or Drive link directly, the audio may not play in all presentation modes. YouTube videos are the most reliable option. If you need to use a file you own, upload it to Soundcloud instead, which is designed for audio playback and embeds more reliably.
If you are presenting remotely and sharing your screen, make sure your audio is not muted in your video conferencing software. Some platforms like Zoom have separate audio controls for screen sharing — check those settings before you present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I upload an MP3 file directly to Google Slides?
No, Google Slides does not accept audio file uploads the way it does images or videos. You must host the file on a third-party service like Soundcloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive, then embed a link or player into your slide.
Will the music play if I share my presentation with someone else?
Yes, if you embedded a YouTube video or a Soundcloud player, the music will play for anyone who opens your presentation — as long as they have internet access and the video or file is still available online. If the YouTube video is removed or the Soundcloud account is deleted, the audio will stop working.
Can I add background music that plays automatically when a slide appears?
If you embedded a YouTube video, click it and select Video options, then check "Autoplay" to make the music start without clicking. For other embedded players, autoplay depends on the hosting service and may not work in all presentation modes.
What if I want different music on different slides?
Add a separate video or player to each slide where you want music. When you present, click each one to start the audio on that slide. You can arrange them so the music stops when you move to the next slide, or overlaps if you want a continuous soundtrack.
Does the music keep playing if I switch to a different slide?
No, audio stops when you advance to the next slide. If you want music to continue across multiple slides, you will need to embed the same video on each slide, or use a single long video that spans the slides you want it to cover.