How to Lock an Image in Google Slides

Written by Tanja Google Workplace / Slides

- 5 min read
Key Points

To lock an image in Google Slides 🔐

Open a Google Slides file > click on ‘Background’ (upper toolbar menu) > Select the option ‘Choose image’ > Click on ‘Browse’ to upload your background image, or click on Insert > Images/Shapes to add an image or a shape > click on File > Download > Click on PNG image ( the image will be downloaded and saved on your computer) > Click on Background > Choose Image > Browse > Downloads and upload the image you just saved > click on Done.

You want to protect your images in Google Slides presentations because they might be deleted, changed by others, or moved afterward.

Well, you've landed on the right post for you because you can easily prevent your audience from doing all of that and lock the images or shapes in your Google Slides file.

Quick Note: Google Slides does not have an in-built feature for locking individual photos or objects. However, you can take a screenshot of the slide and insert it as a background photo on your slide to prevent any unwanted modifications or movements to it.

Bonus read: How to highlight in Google Slides?

Follow our instructions to learn how to lock an image in your Google slides.

How to lock an image in Google Slides

  1. Open a Google Slides file.
  2. To lock something in the background, click on ‘Background’ (upper toolbar menu).

Background option - Google Slides

  1. Select the option ‘Choose image’.

Choose image - Google Slides

  1. Click on ‘Browse’ to upload your background image (you can choose pictures from your computer’s files by URL or Google Drive).

Browse option - Google Slides

  1. You can also add an image or shapes as well by clicking on Insert > Images/Shapes.
  2. You can insert several images and shapes you don’t want to move before saving them as a PNG file.

Insert > Images / Slides

  1. Also, you can add Word Art on your slides and many shapes and images.
  2. The images and shapes you have added will be movable will you lock them.
  3. To lock an image, click on File > Download > Click on PNG image ( the image will be downloaded and saved on your computer).

File > Download > PNG image

  1. Next, click on Background > Choose Image > Browse > Downloads and upload the image you just saved > click on Done.

Done option - Google Slides

And that is all you need to do. Now both the images and shapes will be locked and unmovable.

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

How to lock the aspect ratio in Google Slides

  1. Open a Google Slides presentation and select the image from your slide.
  2. Go and click on Format > Format options.
  3. Tick the Lock aspect ratio checkbox to turn it on.

Can I lock an image in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can do that because PowerPoint has a new feature for formatting your images, including locking an image and its size and position. Also, for objects, all of their contents can be locked.

To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and select an image.
  2. Go to the Picture Format tab.
  3. Choose the option Selection Pane (upper toolbar menu).

Selection pane - Google Slides

  1. When the window opens, select the image and click the lock button on the right (to lock its position and size), or right-click on the image and then select Lock.

Lock aspect ratio

Final words

We showed you an easy and quick way to lock images or objects in your Google Slides. So, next time you create a new presentation, try our tips to protect and secure your designs properly.

If interested, you can also check out how to insert Google drawing in Google slides, how to rotate text in Google Slides, or even how to wrap a text there - we have full guidelines on those too.