Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint are both presentation creation software programs that allow users to create professional-looking presentations quickly and easily. However, there are some key differences between the two programs:
- Platform: Google Slides is a web-based application, while PowerPoint is a desktop application. This means that you can access Google Slides from any device with an internet connection, while PowerPoint must be installed on your computer.
- Cost: Google Slides is a free application that is included as part of the G Suite productivity suite. PowerPoint is a paid application that is part of the Microsoft Office suite, which can be purchased as a one-time payment or as a subscription.
- Design options: Both PowerPoint and Google Slides offer a wide range of design options, including templates, themes, and the ability to customize slide layouts. However, Google Slides may have a more limited selection of design options compared to PowerPoint.
- Collaboration: Google Slides allows you to collaborate with others in real time, while PowerPoint does not have this feature. In PowerPoint, you can share a presentation with others and allow them to make changes, but you cannot see the changes being made in real time.
- Compatibility: Google Slides can import and export PowerPoint files, but there may be some formatting issues when transferring files between the two platforms. PowerPoint can also import and export Google Slides files, but again, there may be some formatting issues.
Differences between PowerPoint and Slides
Switching from Microsoft PowerPoint to Google Slides can be a simple process as the layout and menu locations of the two programs are very similar, however, there are some differences in the way certain tasks are performed.
Below are some common tasks in Microsoft PowerPoint and the steps to complete the tasks in Google Slides:
Share your presentation using SharePoint or OneDrive
Collarborate in real-time in SharePoint or OneDrive
Access version history in SharePoint or OneDrive
Open a PowerPoint presentation
Access a presentation offline in OneDrive
Save a presentation automatically in SharePoint or OneDrive or turn on AutoRecover
Add images to your presentation
Add an Excell chart to your presentation
Share your presentation using SharePoint or OneDrive
- From a presentation, click Share.
- Under People, enter the email address of the person or group you want to share with.
- Click Edit and choose the access level.
- Click Send.
READ: For more details, see Get started with Slides.
Share your presentation with PowerPoint users
- From a presentation, click File > Email as attachment.
- Under Attach as, choose the format (PowerPoint or PDF).
- Enter the email address, subject, and message.
- Click Send.
READ: For more details, see Work with Microsoft Office files.
Collaborate in real-time in SharePoint or OneDrive
When you share a presentation, depending on their access, collaborators can edit presentations, add comments, and assign tasks.
To track changes, at the top right, click the Down arrow, from the menu, set the mode to Suggesting.
To add and assign a comment:
- Select the text you want to comment on.
- Click Add comment.
- To assign a comment to someone, enter + and the person’s email.
- Enter your comment, then click Comment.
Access version history in SharePoint or OneDrive
- Select File> Version history> See version history.
- Click a time stamp to see a previous version of the file.
- (Optional) Do any of the following:
- To make a previous version the active version, at the top, click Restore this version.
- To name a previous version, click More > Name this version.
- To make a copy of a previous version, click More > Make a copy.
READ: For more details, read See changes to your Drive files and folders.
Open a PowerPoint presentation
- In Drive, double-click a PowerPoint file.
A preview of your file opens. - At the top, click Open with Google Slides.
Any changes you make are saved to the original Microsoft Office file.
READ: For more details, see Work with Microsoft Office files.
Access a presentation offline in OneDrive
- Install the Google Docs Offline extension.
- In Drive, click Settings > Settings.
- In the Offline section, check the Create, open and edit your recent Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides files on this device while offline box.
- Click Done.
- Right-click a file and turn on Available offline.
To learn how to access files offline from your desktop or mobile, see Access stored Drive files without the internet.
Save a presentation automatically in SharePoint or OneDrive or turn on AutoRecover
Your presentation saves automatically in Drive as you work, so you don’t need to click Save.
Add images to your presentation
You can drag and drop images from your computer into your presentation.
Or
Click Insert > Image and choose an image from Google Drive, Google Photos, the web, and more.
READ: For more details, see Add and edit images.
Add an Excell chart to your presentation
- In Sheets, select the chart you want to copy.
- At the top right, click More > Copy chart.
- In Slides, right-click Paste.
- Click Paste.
READ: For more details, see Insert and edit charts.