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How to Create a Free Google Slides Template

Working with custom templates in the free version of Google Slides

By Jack Wallen Jack Wallen Writer University of Indianapolis Purdue University University of Louisville Jack Wallen is a former Lifewire writer, an award-winning writer for TechRepublic and Linux.com, and the voice of The Android Expert. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 10, 2021 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email MS Office Powerpoint Word Excel Outlook

What to Know

Open Google Drive. Select New+ > Folder. Name the folder Slides Templates and select Create. Create a template on your PC.Click File > Save as > ODF Presentation (.odp) and name it. Go to the Google Drive Slides Templates folder. Click + > File upload.In the Slides Templates folder, right-click the template. Choose Make a copy. Rename it and make changes. This article explains how to create and use free templates for Google Slides, either by creating them in software on your computer and uploading them in the ODP format or by modifying existing templates in the Slides Template Gallery.

How to Create External Templates for Google Slides

Unlike working with Google Docs and Google Sheets, you cannot simply copy and paste the contents of a locally-created customized presentation into a Google Slides file. Instead, upload them in the supported .odp format. With a bit of work, you can use customized templates created with LibreOffice or MS Office. Because you cannot add new templates to the Slides Template Gallery, you first need to create a new folder that will house the customized templates. To create a locally-created customized template, do the following: Open Google Drive. Select New+ > Folder. Name the folder Slides Templates and select Create. This only has to be done once. Create a new custom template in your locally-installed application. When finished, click File > Save as (or type Ctrl + Shift + A). Select ODF Presentation (.odp) as the file format. Because Google Slides doesn’t support MS Office file format, you have to save the files with the .odp file extension. Name your presentation template something fitting for its usage. Go to the Google Drive Slides Templates folder. Click + and then click File upload. Locate the newly created template file and upload it to the folder.

How to Use Your Custom Templates

Now that you’ve created and uploaded your new template, you can’t just open it and start adding content. If you do that, the template is no longer a template, but regular presentation file. Instead, do the following: Open your Slides Templates folder. Right-click the template you want to work with. Choose Make a copy. This will create a copy of the template you want to use. The new spreadsheet will appear in the Slides Templates folder and the filename will start with Copy of. Right-click the file name and then click Rename. Give the presentation a unique name, and you can then open it and begin adding content. Since you made a copy of the original presentation template, the template is still intact and can be copied as many times as needed.

How to Create a Template From a Google Slides Template

If you don’t have software like LibreOffice to make your own custom templates, you’re not out of luck. Instead, you can modify one of the free templates in the Slides Template Gallery Open one of the templates from the Google Slides Template Gallery. Edit the template to suit your needs. Rename the template by selecting the current name (in the upper-left corner) and typing a new one. Give the new template a fitting name, such as Workflow Template or Project Template. Modify the design to fit your needs. After the changes are made, the new template is saved in My Drive. Don’t add content to the template at this time. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Make a Roblox Shirt How to Make a Timeline on Google Slides How to Move Google Docs From One Drive to Another How to Use Google Sheets How to Share and Collaborate With Google Drive How to Copy a PowerPoint Design Template to Another Presentation How to Open Google Docs How to Create a Free Google Docs Template How to Copy Folders in Google Drive How to Share a Folder of Google Drive How to Put a Spreadsheet in Google Slides How to Plan and Create WordPerfect Templates PPTX File (What It Is and How to Open One) How to Make a Schedule in Excel How to Save and Use Messages as Templates in Apple Mail 9 Best Places for Free PowerPoint Templates Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies