Google Slides venn diagram

Creating a Venn diagram in Google Slides

You can create a two- or three-set Venn diagram in Google Slides using shapes and text boxes. First, decide what each set represents and what commonality the intersection should show. Then add the circles and overlap them, and write the set names and intersection descriptions. This guide is based on Google’s instructions for adding shapes and text boxes to a presentation on a computer and arranging objects: Insert and edit text, shapes, diagrams, and lines.

Identify the sets before you begin

Each circle represents a group or criterion. An item in the intersection of two circles should belong to both sets. For example, if you are comparing the criteria “Free” and “Online,” the shared area describes options that have both characteristics. An item that is only free belongs in the non-overlapping part of the first circle; an item that is online but not free belongs in the non-overlapping part of the second circle.

If two sets are enough to show the comparison, do not add a third circle. A third set is useful only if there is a meaningful third group or criterion. If you plan to use a three-circle layout, decide in advance what the triple intersection will represent, too. This will help you avoid uncertainty about which region contains which information when placing labels.

Add and position the circles

1. Open your presentation in Google Slides and go to the slide where you want to add the diagram. If you want to preserve existing content, check that there is enough empty space for the diagram.
2. From the top menu, select Insert > Shape. If a circle or oval is available among the shape options, select it and draw it on the slide. Add the second shape in the same way. Position the shapes so that they overlap and leave a shared area. If you need three sets, add a third shape.
3. If the intersection is not visible or the shapes obscure each other, select a shape and review the formatting options available for it in the interface. If there are options that change its appearance, try them so the shared area can be distinguished. Do not assume that a particular fill, transparency, or border option is available in every interface. If these options are unavailable, rearrange the shapes and labels to make the result clear.
4. Drag the shapes into position. According to Google’s help page, guide lines can help with alignment while dragging; when multiple objects are selected, Arrange > Align can be used to align edges. If one shape needs to appear in front of or behind another, check the Arrange > Order options. Menu names may look different depending on the interface language.

Google Slides also offers the option to add a diagram by selecting a style, number of levels, and template from Insert > Diagram. However, the help text cited here does not say that these options include a Venn template. So check whether you see a suitable option in the menu; if not, use the method with shapes.

Label the sets and intersections

Use Insert > Text box to write the name of each set in the non-overlapping part of its circle. Add text boxes to describe the intersections, too. Google’s help page explains that you can add text boxes and shapes to a presentation and edit the objects you add.

Place each intersection label inside the relevant shared area so it is clear which region it describes. Drag the text box to adjust its position. If the text does not fit, try shortening it first, then review the box’s position and size. If you use three circles, write labels that distinguish the areas shared by only two sets from the area shared by all three.

Example: Comparing event tools by two criteria

Hypothetical example: A team is comparing event tools using the criteria “Free” and “Online.” Add two circles and label one Free and the other Online. Label the intersection Free and online. For example, place an option that is free but not online only in the non-overlapping part of the first circle; place an option that is online but not free only in the non-overlapping part of the second circle.

The slide title could be Comparing event tools by two criteria. If needed, add a short note below the title stating that this is a hypothetical example. If you use the names and features of real tools, separately check that the information included in the diagram is accurate. This example makes no claims about the features of any real tool.

Review the layout

• If the intersection is not visible, check the shapes’ positions and the formatting options available in the interface.
• If a label seems to belong to more than one region, reposition the text box or make the wording clearer.
• If one shape obscures another, review the Arrange > Order options.
• If the three-circle layout looks confusing, rearrange the shapes before placing the labels. If the third set is not necessary, return to a two-set layout.
• If you want to move or format multiple objects together while editing, Google’s help page also describes grouping objects: Arrange > Group. Grouping can make it easier to move and format multiple objects together.

For general recommendations on presentation design, see Tips for creating effective presentations. This resource includes recommendations about consistent presentation design and text formatting; it does not mean that the diagram will look the same on every screen.

Final checklist

• Is it clear which group or criterion each circle represents?
• Does the statement in the intersection apply to all the relevant sets?
• Are the labels positioned to show which region they belong to?
• Do the shapes and text boxes overlap unnecessarily?
• If you used three sets, is the meaning of the triple intersection clear?

Frequently asked questions

Can I use a ready-made Venn template in Google Slides?

Google’s help page describes adding a diagram by choosing a style, number of levels, and template using Insert > Diagram; however, the cited description does not confirm that a specific Venn template is available. Check whether you see a suitable template in the menu. If not, you can create one manually with shapes and text boxes.

Can I move the circles and labels together?

Google’s help page explains how to group multiple objects: select the objects and use Arrange > Group. The menu name may appear in a different language in your interface. If you need to edit the objects separately, check the interface for an option to ungroup them; the exact menu equivalent for this step is not specified in the source excerpt included here.

Related how-to guides

You can expand on the relevant step in this process with the guide Creating a Venn diagram in PowerPoint. You can expand on the relevant step in this process with the guide Using icons consistently in Google Slides.