How to Insert Timer into Google Slides

When you are giving a Google Slide presentation, it is good to know how to keep track of the time and pace of your presentation.

Timing is vital when giving a presentation at work because otherwise, you can end up lost in one slide only and potentially lose your audience's attention. Or, perhaps, if you are going too fast, you might leave your audience confused.

To prevent that from happening, we are here to help. We can show you how to set a timer on your presentation slide so you to stay on track ⏲

Let's see how this can be done.

Bonus read: How to lock an image in Google Slides?

Reasons why to add a timer in your Google Slides presentation

• To start your presentation on time.
• Keep track of the time you spend on specific slides of your presentation so you stay on schedule as planned.
• Use the video timer to present your thoughts effectively.

Another bonus read: How to rotate text in Google Slides?

How to insert a timer in Google Slides (2 Ways)

Important Info: Google Slides does not have a built-in timer function, but users can incorporate some third-party timers (using an app, an extension, or an add-on in their browser).

Insert a timer by inserting a video through YouTube:

1. On your computer, open the Google Slides presentation you want to set the timer on.
2. Choose the slide you want to insert a timer to (left side bar).
3. Select ‘Insert’ and then ‘Video’ (top toolbar).

4. Find a length timer by your preference.
5. If you already have the YouTube URL, paste it into the search bar and click the video thumbnail when it shows up.
6. You can also open a new tab and find a specific timer video on YouTube and copy-paste its URL, or use a video from your Google Drive.

7. Then, choose the option ‘Select’.

8. Resize the video as you want and repeat the process for the other slides if needed.

And that is all you need to do.

Important Note: Keep in mind that the video on your slide will be visible to everyone while you are giving the presentation.

The minute timer will start when you click the video, or you can set it to autoplay when the slide appears in your presentation.

To do it, follow these couple of steps:

1. Right-click on the timer video and choose ‘Format options’.

2. From the side menu, click on ‘Video playback’.

3. Check the box ‘Play (automatically)’.

Insert a timer by using the Slides Timer extension:

For those that don’t want to add a video to their presentation, they can use the Slides Timer extension. It comes as a Google Chrome browser extension that also offers more adjustments.

To add this extension, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Chrome web store to get the Slides Timer extension.
2. Click on ‘Add to Chrome’.

3. Click on ‘Add Extension’ to allow access.

4. You will be notified that the Slide Timer extension has been added.
5. Click on the Slides Timer extension.
6. Open your Google Slides presentation > click on the Extension icon > find the Slides Timer extension.

7. To create a countdown timer, click on the ‘Text box’ icon (right toolbar under the menu bar) and insert your preferred time - for example, type in ‘<<5:00>>’.
8. Click on the Slideshow/Present option, and the text will be converted to a countdown timer.

Bottom line

A video timer is a very handy tool to add to your Google Slides presentation. It creates a sense of importance and urgency around a certain topic and keeps an audience focused at all times.

You might also want to know how to insert Google drawing in Google Slides, how to highlight in Google Slides, or how to curve text there - we have guides to show you how that can be done.