Google Slides has a cleaner shortcut set than PowerPoint but with its own logic — Ctrl + M makes a new slide, Ctrl + F5 starts presenting, and live captions have a shortcut of their own. This complete list of Google Slides keyboard shortcut keys (Windows/ChromeOS; on Mac replace Ctrl with Command) explains editing, objects, text and presenting — in plain words.
Slide and File Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + M | Insert a new slide |
| Ctrl + D | Duplicate the selected slide(s) or object(s) |
| Ctrl + F5 | Start presenting from the beginning |
| Ctrl + Shift + F5 | Start presenting from the current slide |
| Ctrl + P | Print the presentation |
| Ctrl + Z / Ctrl + Y | Undo / redo |
| Ctrl + A | Select all objects on the slide (or all slides in the filmstrip) |
| Ctrl + F | Find in the presentation |
| Ctrl + H | Find and replace |
| Ctrl + / | Show the keyboard shortcuts help |
| Alt + / | Search the menus |
| Page Up / Page Down (filmstrip) | Move between slides |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + H | Open the version history |
Text Formatting Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + B / I / U | Bold / italic / underline |
| Alt + Shift + 5 | Strikethrough |
| Ctrl + , (comma) | Subscript |
| Ctrl + . (period) | Superscript |
| Ctrl + Shift + . / , | Increase / decrease font size |
| Ctrl + Shift + L / E / R / J | Align left / center / right / justified |
| Ctrl + Shift + 7 | Toggle a numbered list |
| Ctrl + Shift + 8 | Toggle a bulleted list |
| Ctrl + ] / [ | Increase / decrease the indent of a list item |
| Ctrl + \ | Clear formatting |
| Ctrl + K | Insert or edit a link |
| Ctrl + Shift + V | Paste without formatting |
Object Shortcuts
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Ctrl + Alt + G | Group the selected objects |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + G | Ungroup |
| Ctrl + Alt + C / Ctrl + Alt + V | Copy / paste formatting (paint format) |
| Arrow keys | Nudge the selected object |
| Shift + Arrow keys | Nudge in larger steps |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Up Arrow | Bring the object to the front (supported builds) |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Down Arrow | Send the object to the back (supported builds) |
| Tab | Select the next object on the slide |
| Shift + Tab | Select the previous object |
| Esc (while editing text) | Exit text editing and select the object |
| Enter or F2 (object selected) | Edit the object's text |
| Ctrl + Alt + M | Add a comment |
| Ctrl + Alt + Shift + A | Open the comments history |
Presenting Shortcuts (during a presentation)
| Shortcut Key | Function |
|---|---|
| Right Arrow / Down Arrow / Space / Enter | Advance to the next slide or build step |
| Left Arrow / Up Arrow / Backspace | Go back one slide or step |
| Home | Go to the first slide |
| End | Go to the last slide |
| Type a number, then Enter | Jump to that slide number |
| B | Show a black screen (pause the visuals) |
| W | Show a white screen |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Toggle live captions (captions preferences permitting) |
| Esc | Exit the presentation |
| Ctrl + + / Ctrl + - (in editor) | Zoom the slide canvas in / out |
| Ctrl + Alt + 1 | Zoom to fit the slide in the editor |
Tips for Google Slides Users
Remember that Slides flips one famous key: Ctrl + M is "new slide" here (not minimize). Presenting is equally keyboard-friendly — the number + Enter jump takes you straight to an appendix slide during questions, and B blanks the screen when the discussion leaves the deck. In the editor, Tab-cycling through objects plus the arrow-key nudges make alignment work fast without a mouse, and Ctrl + Shift + V keeps pasted text in the deck's own style.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add a new slide in Google Slides?
Press Ctrl + M. Ctrl + D duplicates the current slide instead, keeping its layout and content.
How do I start presenting in Google Slides?
Press Ctrl + F5 to present from the beginning, or Ctrl + Shift + F5 to present from the current slide.
How do I jump to a specific slide while presenting?
Type the slide number and press Enter — Slides jumps directly to that slide.
How do I group objects in Google Slides?
Select the objects and press Ctrl + Alt + G. Ctrl + Alt + Shift + G ungroups them.
By Umar Farooq, Tech Know.
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