How to Add Footnotes in Google Slides: A Comprehensive Guide

Adding footnotes in Google Slides might not be as straightforward as in a dedicated word processor, but it’s absolutely achievable and crucial for maintaining credibility and clarity in your presentations. Here’s the direct answer: you add footnotes in Google Slides by manually creating them using text boxes and hyperlinks. It involves strategically placing a superscript number or symbol in your text, creating a corresponding note at the bottom of the slide (usually in a smaller font), and then linking the two. Let’s dive into the details.

The Manual Method: Text Boxes and Hyperlinks to the Rescue

Google Slides doesn’t offer a built-in “footnote” feature like Microsoft Word. Therefore, we leverage the tools it does provide to create the effect of footnotes. This requires a little bit of DIY flair.

Step 1: Adding the Superscript Indicator in the Text

First, identify the text you want to annotate with a footnote. Type the number (usually starting with 1) you wish to use as your footnote indicator immediately after the relevant text. Select this number and, using the Format > Text > Superscript option in the Google Slides menu, transform it into a superscript. Alternatively, you can use a symbol like an asterisk (*) or a dagger (†). If you are going to use symbols, simply type the symbol and adjust its size to make it smaller and resemble a superscript indicator.

Step 2: Creating the Footnote Text Box

Next, create a text box at the bottom of your slide where you want the footnote to appear. This is typically done in the slide’s footer area. In this text box, type the same footnote number (or symbol) you used in the main text, followed by a colon and then the footnote text itself. Remember to use a smaller font size for the footnote text – typically 10 or 12 points. This visually differentiates it from the main body text. You may also need to resize the text box so the footnote doesn’t overlap other elements.

Step 3: Linking the Indicator to the Footnote

This is where the magic happens. Select the superscript footnote number (or symbol) you created in Step 1. Then, go to Insert > Link. In the link box, instead of pasting a URL, type #slide=id.p[slide number] and replace [slide number] with the slide’s index number on the panel on the left. This creates an internal link that jumps to the same slide. Select the link and click on “Edit” and the link will reappear. Then click on “Slides in this presentation”. Finally, select the current slide.

Next, highlight the number (or symbol) at the beginning of the footnote at the bottom of the slide. Go to Insert > Link and type in #slide=id.p[slide number] and replace [slide number] with the slide’s index number on the panel on the left. This creates an internal link that jumps to the same slide. Select the link and click on “Edit” and the link will reappear. Then click on “Slides in this presentation”. Finally, select the current slide. The superscript indicator and the footnote are now linked to each other.

Step 4: Refine the Footnote Appearance

Pay attention to the aesthetics. Align the footnote text box neatly at the bottom of the slide. Consistent placement across all slides containing footnotes makes your presentation look more professional. Consider adding a thin horizontal line above the footnote text box to visually separate it from the main content. You can insert a line by using the Shape tool. Select a line and draw it from left to right. You can also change the line’s thickness and color.

Step 5: Test the Footnotes

Always, always, always test your footnotes in presenter mode. Ensure that clicking on the superscript number takes you to the correct footnote at the bottom of the slide, and that clicking the number next to the footnote takes you back to the superscript indicator on the slide. This ensures a smooth and intuitive user experience for your audience.

Alternatives to the Manual Method

While the manual method is the most common, you can explore alternatives:

• Add-ons: Some Google Slides add-ons might offer enhanced footnote capabilities, but be cautious and research their reputation before installing.
• Creating Images: You can create the whole slide, including the footnotes, in software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, save it as a high-resolution image, and then insert that image into your Google Slide. This gives you precise control over typography and placement but makes the text uneditable within Google Slides.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistent font sizes, styles, and placement for your footnotes across all slides.
• Broken Links: Double-check all your hyperlinks, especially after making changes to your presentation.
• Overcrowding: Don’t cram too many footnotes onto a single slide. If necessary, split the content across multiple slides.
• Forgetting to Test: As mentioned before, testing is crucial. Don’t assume your footnotes work correctly without verifying them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t I just use a built-in footnote feature like in Word?

Google Slides is primarily designed for visual presentations, not document creation. A full-fledged footnote feature would add complexity that the developers likely deemed unnecessary for the target use case.

2. Is there a way to automatically number footnotes in Google Slides?

Unfortunately, no. You have to manually number each footnote and update the numbers if you insert or delete footnotes. Add-ons may offer some automation, but be sure to check reviews before installing one.

3. How do I add footnotes to a Google Slides presentation that already has a lot of slides?

The process is the same regardless of the number of slides. Start by identifying the content needing footnotes and systematically add them using the text box and hyperlink method. Using the “Duplicate Slide” feature can help maintain consistency when adding similar footnotes across multiple slides.

4. Can I customize the appearance of the footnote indicator (e.g., change the shape or color)?

Yes, within limits. You can change the color and size of the superscript number or symbol. You can even use small images or icons as footnote indicators, but ensure they’re visually distinct and don’t distract from the main content.

5. How do I ensure the footnotes are visible when presenting on different screen sizes or projectors?

Test your presentation on various screen sizes and resolutions. Pay close attention to the font size of the footnotes, and adjust them if necessary. Avoid using overly small font sizes that might be difficult to read on large screens.

6. Can I use footnotes to cite sources in MLA or APA format in Google Slides?

Yes, you can adapt the footnote format to align with MLA, APA, or any other citation style. However, remember that Google Slides is not ideal for lengthy bibliographies. Consider including a separate “References” or “Works Cited” slide at the end of your presentation for a complete list of sources.

7. How can I easily copy a footnote setup (superscript, link, and text box) to other slides?

The easiest way is to copy and paste the entire footnote setup (superscript indicator, link, and text box) to the other slide. Then, update the link to point to the current slide and adjust the footnote text accordingly. Be precise, or the whole footnote system will not work.

8. What’s the best way to handle footnotes for images in Google Slides?

The process is the same as for text. Create a superscript number or symbol near the image and link it to a footnote at the bottom of the slide explaining the image source or providing additional information.

9. Are there any keyboard shortcuts that can speed up the footnote creation process?

Unfortunately, Google Slides lacks dedicated keyboard shortcuts for creating superscripts or inserting links to slides. Learning the ribbon menu structure and practicing can improve your speed.

10. How can I prevent accidental edits to the footnote text boxes during my presentation?

Consider locking the footnote text boxes after you’ve finalized their content. You can do this by selecting the text box and then using Arrange > Lock in the menu.

11. My audience is remote. How can I make sure they can see the footnotes?

When presenting remotely via screen sharing, emphasize the footnote indicators and verbally explain the information contained in the footnotes. Consider zooming in on the footnote text during the presentation for added clarity.

12. Can I add footnotes to speaker notes?

Yes, you can certainly add footnotes to speaker notes in Google Slides. The approach is similar to adding footnotes on the slides themselves, but since speaker notes are primarily for your reference, you don’t need to create hyperlinks. Just add the relevant reference information directly into the speaker notes text. This can be incredibly helpful for backing up your spoken points with detailed sources or additional context.