Grouping Google Slides objects lets you move related items together. It is useful for a diagram element made from a shape, a label, and an icon. Grouping is an editing convenience; it is not a security lock and does not prevent another editor from changing the content.
Select only related objects
Open the slide on a computer and select the items that should behave as one unit. Inspect the outlines carefully. A connector shared with another stage or a large background panel may not belong in the group even if it overlaps the same area.
Create the group
Choose Arrange > Group. Move the resulting group a small distance and verify that all intended components move together. If an item remains behind, undo the movement and review the selection rather than assuming the grouping command captured everything nearby.
Use groups that reflect meaningful editing units. Grouping an entire complex slide can make small corrections more difficult, while leaving every icon and label separate can make layout maintenance unnecessarily fragile.
Check the finished composition
Inspect text, internal spacing, external margins, and connections after moving the group. Confirm that arrows still point to the intended stage and that nothing crosses the slide edge. Present the slide to evaluate the relationship with other objects. If you need to edit one component independently, use the appropriate group editing or ungrouping workflow. Do not rely on grouping to hide content, control sharing, or guarantee that a collaborator cannot accidentally alter the diagram.
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.