Step 1: Prepare Your Music File

The first thing you need to do is prepare your music file. Google Slides doesn’t support directly uploading music files like MP3s or WAVs, but it allows you to insert audio from Google Drive or YouTube. So, you need to have your music uploaded to Google Drive, or you can use a YouTube video for the music you want.

1. Upload Your Music to Google Drive:
   • Go to Google Drive.
   • Click the “New” button on the left sidebar and choose “File upload.”
   • Select your music file (MP3 or other supported formats) and upload it to Google Drive.
2. Get Your YouTube Music Link:
   • Go to YouTube.
   • Find the music video you want to add to your presentation.
   • Copy the link of the YouTube video.

Step 2: Inserting Music into Google Slides

Once your music is ready, you can insert it into your Google Slides presentation. Here are the steps for both methods:

Method 1: Adding Music from Google Drive

1. Open your Google Slides presentation.
2. Go to the slide where you want the music to start.
3. Click on Insert in the top menu.
4. From the dropdown menu, choose Audio.
5. A pop-up window will appear, showing the files in your Google Drive.
6. Select the music file you uploaded earlier.
7. After selecting the music, it will appear as an icon on your slide.
8. Click on the music icon, and a toolbar will appear at the top.
9. You can set the music to play automatically by selecting Format Options and checking the Autoplay when presenting box.
10. You can also adjust the volume and start/stop options from here.

Method 2: Adding Music from YouTube

1. Go to the slide where you want to add the music.
2. Click on Insert and select Video.
3. In the pop-up window, choose By URL.
4. Paste the YouTube link of the music video you want to use.
5. Once the video appears on your slide, resize and position it as needed.
6. To make it seamless, you can hide the video by resizing it to a very small size or positioning it off the slide area.
7. Adjust the settings to ensure the music plays automatically when the slide shows.

Step 3: Adjusting Music Playback Settings

Now that you’ve added the music to your Google Slides, you need to ensure it plays correctly during the presentation. Here’s how you can adjust the playback settings:

• Autoplay: Set the music to automatically start playing when the slide is shown by selecting the autoplay option.
• Looping Music: If your music is short, you can set it to loop during the presentation so it plays continuously.
• Fade-in or Fade-out: Some audio clips may need a fade effect to sound smooth at the beginning and end of the slide.

These settings can be adjusted by clicking on the audio icon, then choosing Format Options from the toolbar.

Step 4: Previewing Your Presentation

It’s essential to preview your presentation to ensure the music plays correctly and adds the desired effect. Go through the slides in presentation mode and check if the audio starts and plays as expected.

• Test Different Devices: Since Google Slides can behave differently on various devices (PCs, mobile phones, etc.), it’s crucial to test your presentation on the devices you’ll use for the actual presentation.
• Check Audio Levels: Ensure the audio is neither too loud nor too quiet. Adjust the volume settings based on the content of your presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Music Doesn’t Play: Make sure the audio file is properly uploaded to Google Drive and accessible. Check that you have granted permission for the file to be shared and played.
• Audio Quality Issues: Low-quality music files may not sound as good. Ensure you use high-quality MP3 or YouTube videos for the best sound experience.
• Audio Won’t Autoplay: Sometimes, autoplay may not work if there’s a delay or issue with the file loading. Double-check the autoplay setting or manually click to play the audio during the presentation.

Step 5: Saving and Sharing Your Presentation

Once you’re happy with the music in your Google Slides, it’s time to save and share your presentation. You can share your slides with others by:

• Clicking File > Share to send a link to others.
• Downloading it as a PowerPoint or PDF file if needed for offline use.