Google Slides auto advance and loop

Choose the playback method

There are two ways to set up automatic advance in Google Slides: during a presentation, or when publishing a presentation to the web. If you want slides to advance while you present live, choose the first method; if you want viewers to open a link or view an embedded presentation on a webpage, choose the second. Don’t treat these settings as one permanent option; check each use case using its own method. Google’s guidance on presenting and automatic advance explains both methods.

Automatically advance slides during a live presentation

1. Open the presentation in Google Slides and select Slideshow in the top-right corner.
2. In presentation view, open Options > Auto-advance options at the bottom.
3. Choose how often the slides should advance.
4. Watch the transitions across a few slides; press Esc to exit the presentation.

Google recommends setting the automatic advance options again each time you present live. So don’t rely on having set them in an earlier session; check them again before you begin. This guidance supports choosing a duration for a live presentation, but does not say that a live presentation will automatically return to the beginning after the final slide. If you need a loop during a live presentation, separately verify that the current interface offers this behavior; if you can’t verify it, plan to restart the presentation manually.

Set the timing for a presentation published to the web

1. Open the presentation and go to File > Publish to the web.
2. Choose Link or Embed.
3. Under Auto-advance slides, set the time between slides.
4. Complete the Publish step.

According to Google’s guidance, if you change the presentation’s content or timing after publishing, you need to copy a new link. Open the link you plan to use and test that the settings work as expected before sending it to viewers. If you’re using a work or school account, the link may not be shareable with people outside your organization; Google also says that anyone with the link can view the published presentation. So check visibility and the link you intend to share before publishing.

Looping: check the embed setting

Looping is not the same setting as the automatic advance timing. Google’s guidance on showing digital signage content on Google Meet hardware describes the Start slideshow as soon as the player loads and Restart the slideshow after the last slide options in the Slides menu path File > Share > Publish to the web > Embed. This describes the loop setting in an embedded player; it does not show that the same option is available for every presentation format.

If you plan to use an embed, check whether these options appear in the publishing window. If they do, enable the loop option, publish, and watch to see whether the presentation returns to the beginning after the final slide. If you’re using Link format or the option isn’t visible, don’t assume looping is available. If you can’t verify the option in this interface, restart the presentation manually or don’t rely on automatic looping until you’ve found and tested the setting.

Example: a six-slide promotion at a trade show booth

Hypothetical example: You’re showing a six-slide product promotion at a trade show booth where the attendant isn’t giving a presentation. The slide order could be: 1) product name and a brief introduction, 2) the need it addresses, 3) key features, 4) a use case, 5) contact information, 6) a closing message. This order and content are examples; choose the duration by testing it on the actual screen.

If you’re embedding the presentation on a webpage, choose Embed format and set the automatic advance timing in the publishing window. If you want it to loop, check the restart option as well. Watch the link or embedded presentation from beginning to end on the screen where it will be shown. If it doesn’t return to the beginning after the final slide, don’t assume it will loop on its own: plan for the attendant to restart the presentation manually. If you like, add a message to the closing slide saying that it needs to be restarted.

Troubleshooting and verification

• The live presentation isn’t advancing: Reopen the Auto-advance options menu in presentation view and check the timing.
• The published presentation isn’t advancing: Check that automatic advance timing is set on the publishing screen and that you’re using the correct link.
• The presentation stops on the final slide: Check whether the format you’re using has a loop setting. Don’t assume the option described for embedded presentations also applies to link format.
• A viewer can’t open the link: If you’re using a work or school account, check your organization’s sharing restrictions, and confirm that the link is correct and up to date.

Final checklist

• I’ve decided whether to use a live presentation, a published link, or an embed.
• I’ve set and tested the automatic advance timing for the method I chose.
• I’ve checked that the link for the published presentation is correct and up to date.
• If looping is needed, I’ve found the option in the relevant interface and tested what happens after the final slide.
• If I couldn’t verify looping, I’ve planned to restart the presentation manually.

Frequently asked questions

Will the duration I choose for a live presentation carry over to the next presentation?

Google recommends setting the automatic advance options again each time you present. Check the timing again before you begin.

Can I use the old link after changing the published presentation’s content or timing?

Google says you need to copy a new link after making these changes. Open and test the new link before sending it to viewers.

Does every publishing format have automatic looping?

The official guidance here describes the restart-after-the-final-slide option for the embed method. Don’t assume the same option is available for link format; check the publishing screen for the format you’re using and test what happens after the final slide.

Related how-to guides

Use the Google Slides video loop guide to explain the relevant step in this process in more detail. Use the Canva presentation video loop guide to explain the relevant step in this process in more detail.