Google Slides can insert MP3 and WAV audio files stored in Drive. This is useful for an approved narration or a short sound example. Prepare the actual audio file before insertion; the audio command is not a general-purpose URL player or a guarantee that any format will work.
Prepare a supported source
Confirm that the file is an MP3 or WAV and that it contains the intended recording. Upload it to the appropriate Drive location if needed. Check the recording’s beginning, ending, and volume before using it in a presentation.
Use material you are authorized to share. A sound recording may contain private voices or background conversations that are unrelated to the slide’s purpose.
Insert the audio
On a computer, select the destination slide and choose Insert > Audio. Select the intended Drive file and complete the insertion. Google’s guidance lists WAV support in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge, while actual account and browser conditions still deserve testing.
Check access and playback
Run the slideshow and test the audio through the intended presenter account. Inspect any sharing suggestions provided by Slides’ access checker, and grant only the permissions appropriate for the audience. Check that the sound is audible on the output device used for the talk. Inserting the audio does not prove it will remain playable in a static PDF or printed handout. If the recording carries essential information, provide an appropriate textual explanation or transcript through the audience’s delivery format. Check headphones and room speakers separately when the delivery setup uses both.
References
Reviewed against the linked official product guidance on November 3, 2026. Features, limits, screen labels, and access can vary by account, platform, region, and organization policy.