Adding videos to presentations is one of the most effective ways to capture attention and communicate ideas clearly. Videos help explain concepts faster, reduce text-heavy slides, and keep your audience engaged throughout your presentation.
If you are working with MP4 videos, you are in luck; MP4 is one of the most widely supported and stable video formats. While Google Slides does not allow direct MP4 uploads from your computer, it does provide different easy and effective methods to insert and play MP4 videos smoothly during a presentation.
In this Step-by-Step guide, you will learn how to add an MP4 video on Google Slides, explore the best insertion methods, understand common playback issues, and discover practical tips to create professional, visually appealing slides with confidence.
Why Use MP4 Videos in Google Slides?
MP4 is one of the most widely supported video formats. When added correctly to Google Slides, MP4 videos can:
- Improve audience engagement
- Explain difficult ideas visually
- Reduce text-heavy slides
- Make presentations more interactive
However, Google Slides does not directly upload MP4 files from your computer as PowerPoint does, but there are easy approaches to do so.
How to add MP4 Videos into Google Slides - Different Methods
Method 1: The YouTube Quick Embed
This is the fastest and most common method for using publicly available video content.
1. Open Your Slide: Navigate to the slide where you want the video to appear.
2. Go to Insert: In the top menu bar, click Insert, and insert a video.
3. Use Search: The default option lets you search for any video directly on YouTube.Enter your keywords (e.g., “add mp4 video on Google Slides) and select the video you need.
4. Use By URL: If you already have the YouTube video URL copied, click the By URL tab and paste the link.
5. Select and Insert: Click Select. The video will appear on your slides, where you can resize and reposition it.
6. Playback Options: A Format Options sidebar will appear automatically.Under Video Playback, you can set the video to:
Play (on click): Default.
Play (automatically): The Video starts as soon as you reach the slide.
Play (manual): Requires a manual click during the presentation.
Method 2: Embedding from Google Drive
If your video is private, self-recorded, or hosted on your Google Drive, this method is your best option.
1. Upload to Drive: Ensure the video file (e.g., .mp4, .mov) is uploaded to your Google Drive account.
2. Go to Insert: In Google Slides, click Insert, and insert a video.
3. Use Google Drive: Click the Google Drive tab. You will see a list of your most recent videos and other media.
4. Select and Insert: Choose the video file you want and click Select.
5. Check Permissions (Important): If the video is set to Restricted in Google Drive, your audience will not be able to view it when you share the presentation. Before sharing the slides, ensure the video’s sharing settings are set to Anyone with the link or specifically shared with the required viewers.
Method 3: Embedding a Specific URL
While Google Slides initially prefers YouTube and Drive, it will sometimes accept direct video links for insertion through the “By URL” tab in the “Insert” and select “video menu”. However, for videos hosted on third-party platforms (like Vimeo, Wistia, etc.), the platform hosting them must allow direct embedding and provide a compatible link format.
For the most robust third-party video, the best practice is to download the video and upload it to Google Drive (Method 2) for maximum consistency during your live presentation.
Common Issues When Adding MP4 Video to Google Slides
Video not playing?
- Ensure the MP4 is uploaded fully to Google Drive
- Check sharing permissions
- Confirm the video format is supported
Video lagging?
- Use YouTube embedding
- Reduce video resolution
- Avoid very large file sizes
Best Practices for Using Videos in Google Slides
- Keep videos short and relevant
- Avoid auto-playing long videos
- Always test playback before presenting
- Use captions or explanations where needed
Important Tip you Should know:
Creating slides with videos often means spending extra time on layout, spacing, and content structure. If you regularly work on presentations, tools like MagicSlides.app can help simplify this process by automatically generating well-structured slides, allowing you to focus more on refining visuals, adjusting video playback, and delivering your message clearly rather than formatting each slide manually.
Ready to save time! Try MagicSlides.app AI Presentation Maker and let it handle the slide layouts while you perfect your videos and visuals.
Conclusion
Adding an MP4 video to Google Slides is simple when done the right way. Whether you upload the video through Google Drive, embed it via YouTube, or enhance your workflow using tools like MagicSlides.app, videos can significantly improve your presentations.
By following these steps and best practices, you can create professional, engaging, and smooth presentations without technical issues.
Quick FAQ’s
Q 1: What video formats are supported by Google Slides?
Google Slides supports MP4, MOV, AVI, and WebM when uploaded through Google Drive.
Q 2: Can I add MP4 videos to Google Slides offline?
No. Video playback requires an internet connection unless the video is cached and permission allows access.
Q 3: Is MagicSlides Free to use?
MagicSlides offers free and premium features depending on usage and presentation needs.
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