Google Slides provides keyboard and on-screen navigation during a live slideshow. Learn the basic controls before presenting so you can move through the explanation without returning to the editor. Navigation should follow the talk’s structure, including any intentional skipped slides or staged reveals.
Advance and go back
During the slideshow, use the right arrow to move forward and the left arrow to return. Google’s presenting guidance also describes clicking the arrows at the bottom of the presentation. Move the pointer to reveal controls when needed, then check the current slide before continuing.
Distinguish slides from effects
A click or advance action can interact with a configured animation or video before moving to another slide. Rehearse slides with staged content so the number of required actions does not surprise you. A remote clicker should be tested with the actual deck and browser.
Use the presentation’s slide list or the documented number-and-Enter shortcut when a direct jump is needed. Avoid repeated rapid advances that can skip a useful section while you search.
Verify a recoverable route
Practice moving back to a recent example and then returning to the planned sequence. Check optional appendix material and ensure its presence in the shared file is appropriate. If you lose track, pause and inspect the controls rather than narrating an unrelated slide. Navigation fluency improves delivery, but it does not replace a content check: verify that the deck’s actual order, section labels, and spoken references still match the final version you will present.
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.