How to Curve Text in Google Slides: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to add a touch of flair and visual appeal to your Google Slides presentations? One fantastic way to do that is by curving text. Unfortunately, Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in, one-click “curve text” feature. However, fear not! There’s a clever workaround using Google Docs and some strategic copy-pasting that I, a presentation pro for over two decades, will walk you through.

The definitive answer: You can curve text in Google Slides by creating curved text in Google Docs using WordArt, then copying and pasting it into your presentation as an image. This method leverages the more robust text manipulation capabilities of Google Docs to achieve the desired effect. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process:

Step-by-Step Guide: Curving Text for Google Slides

Here’s how to achieve curved text glory:

1. Open Google Docs: Head over to your Google Drive and create a new Google Doc.
2. Insert a Drawing: Within your Google Doc, go to Insert > Drawing > New. This opens up the Google Docs drawing editor.
3. Add Word Art: In the drawing editor, click on the “Actions” button and select “Word art“. A text box will appear.
4. Type Your Text: Enter the text you want to curve into the WordArt box. Press Enter.
5. Curve It Up: This is where the magic happens. The text will appear as a drawing element. At the top, you will see options to edit the font, and fill color. Find the “Shape options“, open it, select “Text option“, and select “Arc“
6. Customize Your Curve: Click and drag the yellow diamond (or other adjustment handles that appear) on the curved text object to adjust the curvature, height, and overall shape until you achieve the desired look.
7. Fine-Tune Formatting: Use the formatting options within the drawing editor to adjust the font, size, color, outline, and fill of your curved text. Experiment with different fonts for varying effects.
8. Save and Close: Once you’re happy with your curved text, click “Save and Close” in the upper right corner of the drawing editor. The curved text will now appear in your Google Doc.
9. Copy and Paste: Select the curved text drawing in your Google Doc and copy it (Ctrl+C or Cmd+C).
10. Paste into Google Slides: Open your Google Slides presentation, navigate to the slide where you want to add the curved text, and paste (Ctrl+V or Cmd+V).

Important Considerations:

• Image Format: When you paste the curved text into Google Slides, it’s pasted as an image. This means you can’t directly edit the text within Google Slides. If you need to make changes, you’ll need to go back to the Google Docs drawing, edit the text, save, and then copy-paste it again into Google Slides.
• Resolution: The resolution of your curved text will depend on the original size of the drawing in Google Docs. If the text appears blurry in Google Slides, try creating the drawing in Google Docs at a larger size before copying and pasting it.
• Grouping: You can group multiple curved text elements (or other shapes) together in the Google Docs drawing editor before copying and pasting them into Google Slides. This allows you to move and resize them as a single unit.
• Color Palettes: Ensure the color scheme you use for your curved text complements the overall design of your Google Slides presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Curving Text in Google Slides

Here are 12 frequently asked questions about curving text in Google Slides, covering various aspects and potential issues:

1. Why can’t I directly curve text in Google Slides?

Google Slides primarily focuses on slide layout and presentation tools. It lacks the advanced text manipulation capabilities found in document editors like Google Docs or graphic design software. Therefore, the curve text feature is absent to ensure the software focuses on its original purpose.

2. Is there a Google Slides add-on that allows curving text?

While some add-ons might promise to curve text, many are unreliable or offer limited functionality. The Google Docs method described above is generally the most robust and reliable solution.

3. How do I change the curved text after pasting it into Google Slides?

Since the curved text is pasted as an image, you can’t directly edit the text itself within Google Slides. You must return to the original Google Docs drawing, make the necessary changes, save the drawing, and then copy and paste the updated drawing back into Google Slides.

4. Can I animate curved text in Google Slides?

Yes! Even though it’s an image, you can animate the curved text just like any other image in Google Slides. You can use animation effects like “Fly In,” “Zoom,” “Spin,” or any other effect to make the curved text appear dynamically.

5. How do I ensure the curved text doesn’t look pixelated in Google Slides?

To avoid pixelation, create the curved text drawing in Google Docs at a high resolution (i.e., make the drawing area larger). This will ensure that the image pasted into Google Slides is sharp and clear. Also, ensure the text size in the original drawing is large enough.

6. Can I use different fonts for curved text in Google Slides?

Absolutely! You can use any font available in Google Docs for your curved text. Experiment with different fonts to find the one that best suits your presentation’s style and message.

7. What are the limitations of this curve text method?

The primary limitation is that the text becomes an uneditable image within Google Slides. Any changes require returning to Google Docs. Also, complex text effects might be challenging to achieve using the basic WordArt tools.

8. Can I curve text along a specific path or shape in Google Slides?

No, this method only allows for a basic arc curve. For more complex curved paths, you would need to use dedicated graphic design software like Adobe Illustrator or Inkscape, export the text as an image, and then insert it into Google Slides.

9. How can I make the curved text transparent in Google Slides?

While the pasted text is an image, in Google Docs you can make the background of the curved text transparent before copying it into Google Slides. Within the drawing editor, set the background color to “Transparent.” Then, copy and paste into Google Slides.

10. Can I add a shadow or other effects to the curved text?

Yes, both Google Docs drawing editor and Google Slides have shadow and other basic effects you can apply to the image. Experiment with these options to enhance the visual appeal of your curved text.

11. What is the best way to resize curved text in Google Slides without distortion?

When resizing the image of the curved text in Google Slides, hold down the Shift key while dragging a corner handle. This will maintain the aspect ratio and prevent distortion.

12. Is there an easier way to create curved text on a mobile device?

The Google Docs method described above works on mobile devices as well, though the user experience might be less convenient due to the smaller screen size. Consider using a desktop or laptop for the best results.

Conclusion

While Google Slides lacks a direct “curve text” feature, this Google Docs workaround offers a reliable and effective solution. Remember to create your curved text at a high resolution, experiment with different fonts and formatting options, and be mindful that changes require editing the original Google Docs drawing. With a little practice, you’ll be adding stylish curved text to your presentations in no time, captivating your audience and elevating your slides to the next level!