Google Apps: The Missing Manual

Chapter 4. Creating Slideshow Presentations

Hard to believe, but our ancestors actually gave presentations without PowerPoint. And while slideshow-dominated meetings probably won’t disappear in our lifetime, Microsoft’s dominance may not be so entrenched. That’s thanks to the newest member of the Google Docs team. Introduced in September 2007, Google Docs slideshow tool is a snap to use, even if you’ve never created a presentation—something no one would ever say about the powerful but complex PowerPoint. And Google’s version stands out in one other key area: collaboration and sharing. As with Google Docs spreadsheets and documents, you can tap into your presentations from any Internet-connected computer, and invite others to work on presentations with you. But it gets better: You can give your presentation over the Web right in Google Docs—with no need to set up a Web conference room—and chat online with people about the slides during the show.

If you’re a PowerPoint artiste who likes to create elaborate confections—say, zooming bullet points accompanied by whooshing sound effects—you’re likely to be disappointed with Docs presentations. Right now, Docs doesn’t offer fancy features like animations or transitions.But for whipping up a quick, simple, and easy-to-share slideshow, Docs presentations are great. Read on to learn how.

Getting Started with Google Docs Presentations

If you haven’t yet signed up for a Google Docs account, flip back to Welcome to Google Docs: A Quick Tour and ...