Voice Recording for Google Slides

The Short Answer

Google Slides can't record audio, and it only plays audio files stored in your Google Drive. It reliably accepts MP3 and WAV. Recordings made in Chrome or on a Chromebook are usually WebM files, which is why they don't show up.

Record straight to MP3 in your browser, upload it to Drive, and insert it. There's no extension or app to install.

Step 1: Record Your Voice as MP3

1. Open the Audio to MP3 Converter in Chrome.
2. Click Record and allow the microphone when Chrome asks.
3. Speak, then click Stop. The recording is turned into an MP3 straight away. Play it back to check it.
4. Click Download MP3. It's saved to your Downloads folder as recording.mp3.

Already have a recording? Choose the file instead, whether it's a WebM from Chrome or a Chromebook, or an M4A voice memo from a phone, and click Convert to MP3. Your voice is recorded and converted on your device, not on a website's server.

Step 2: Put It in Google Drive

Go to Google Drive, click New → File upload, and choose the MP3. Rename it to something you'll recognize, like Slide 3 narration, especially if you're recording one clip per slide.

Step 3: Insert It Into the Slide

1. In Google Slides, go to the slide and choose Insert → Audio.
2. Find the MP3 in My Drive or Recent, select it, and click Insert. A speaker icon appears on the slide.
3. With the icon selected, use Format options to choose whether it starts when you click it or plays automatically.

Step 4: Make Sure Others Can Hear It

Slides doesn't copy the audio into the presentation. It plays the file from your Drive, so anyone watching needs permission to the audio file too. If they don't have it, the audio won't play for them.

• When you insert the audio, Slides' access checker can offer to share the file with everyone who has the presentation. Accept it.
• Otherwise, share the MP3 in Drive with your teacher or class. A school account may also offer "anyone in your school", and other accounts "anyone with the link".
• Check by opening the presentation from another account, or asking someone to press play.

Tips for a Clear Recording

• Record somewhere quiet, close to the Chromebook's microphone, and speak a little slower than normal.
• Record one short clip per slide. It's easier to redo one slide than the whole talk.
• If the recording is quiet, raise it with the Audio Volume Booster. To cut silence off the start or end, use the Audio Splitter.
• On a school Chromebook, the microphone or the site may be blocked by your school. Ask your teacher or IT team rather than trying to get around it.