Table of Contents

How to Get a Word Count on Google Slides: A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question on every presenter’s mind: how do I get a word count on Google Slides? The answer isn’t as straightforward as clicking a button, but fear not! There’s a crafty workaround involving Google Docs and a little copy-pasting. Let’s dive in. You’ll essentially copy the text from your slides, paste it into a Google Doc, and then utilize Google Docs’ built-in word count feature. Simple, right? Let’s get specific.

The Copy-Paste Method: Your Word Count Savior

The most reliable method for getting a word count in Google Slides involves leveraging the power of Google Docs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Open your Google Slides presentation. Make sure it’s the one you’re actively working on.
Select all the text you want to count. You can do this manually by clicking and dragging or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+A (Windows) or Cmd+A (Mac) on each slide, one by one. Remember to select text within text boxes, shapes, and even speaker notes!
Copy the selected text. Use Ctrl+C (Windows) or Cmd+C (Mac) to copy the text to your clipboard.
Open Google Docs. If you don’t have a Google Doc open already, create a new one.
Paste the text into Google Docs. Use Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac) to paste the copied text into the Google Doc. It might look a little wonky at first, but that’s okay. The important thing is that all your text is there.
Access the Word Count Feature. Go to Tools > Word count. A small window will pop up, displaying the number of words, characters, and characters excluding spaces. You can also check the “Display word count while typing” box to see the word count update in real-time.
Analyze the Results. Take note of the word count displayed. This is the total word count for all the text you copied from your Google Slides presentation.

Refining Your Word Count

The initial paste might require some cleanup. Here’s how to refine your word count for greater accuracy:

Remove unwanted elements. Check for any stray characters, duplicate text, or elements that weren’t intended to be included in the word count.
Format the text for better readability. While formatting doesn’t affect the word count, cleaning up the text in Google Docs will make it easier to identify and remove any errors.
Pay attention to speaker notes. Don’t forget that speaker notes also contribute to the overall word count. Be sure to include these in the copied text.
Repeated elements Certain elements can be repeated throughout multiple slides, so make sure that the pasted text does not have any duplicates or anything of the sort.

Why Bother with a Word Count?

Knowing the word count of your Google Slides presentation is crucial for several reasons:

Presentation Time: It helps you estimate the length of your presentation. A slide packed with text will naturally take longer to explain than a visually driven slide with minimal text.
Audience Engagement: Too much text can overwhelm your audience and lead to disengagement. A lower word count encourages concise messaging and better visual aids.
Consistency: Maintaining a consistent level of text across your slides can improve the overall flow and readability of your presentation.
Accessibility: Ensuring your slides are accessible to a wider audience, including those with visual impairments, often involves keeping text concise and easily digestible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about getting a word count on Google Slides, along with detailed answers to help you master this process:

1. Is there a direct word count feature in Google Slides?

Unfortunately, no, Google Slides doesn’t have a built-in word count feature like Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Docs. This is why the copy-paste method is the most common workaround. Users have often requested a direct integration, but currently, Google Slides is lacking this.

2. Can I use a third-party add-on or extension to get a word count?

Yes, there might be third-party add-ons or browser extensions that claim to provide a word count for Google Slides. However, it’s crucial to exercise caution when installing such tools. Always research the add-on developer, read reviews, and ensure the tool has a good reputation for security and privacy. Many free tools of this type will have a heavy tradeoff with security and privacy that you should consider when choosing the tool.

3. Does the copy-paste method include text within images or embedded objects?

No, the copy-paste method will only capture text that is directly selectable and copyable within the slide. Text embedded within images or certain types of embedded objects will not be included. You’ll need to manually transcribe or extract that text separately if you need it included in the word count.

4. How accurate is the word count obtained through Google Docs?

The word count obtained through Google Docs is highly accurate, as it uses the same word counting algorithm as other Google services. However, accuracy is contingent on accurately selecting and copying all relevant text from your Google Slides presentation.

5. What if I have multiple Google Slides presentations I need to analyze?

For multiple presentations, you can repeat the copy-paste process for each one, pasting the text into the same Google Doc. This will give you a cumulative word count for all the presentations combined. Alternatively, you can create separate Google Docs for each presentation.

6. Does the word count include text in charts and graphs?

No, typically text within charts and graphs generated by Google Slides’ charting tools is not directly selectable or copyable. Therefore, it won’t be included in the word count using the standard copy-paste method. You may need to manually record this text.

7. What about text in animations or transitions?

Text that only appears during animations or transitions will be captured if it is present on the slide itself and can be selected. However, text that is dynamically generated or displayed solely through animations may not be included.

8. Can I automate this process with a script or macro?

For advanced users, it might be possible to create a Google Apps Script to automate the process of extracting text from Google Slides and calculating the word count. However, this requires programming knowledge and is beyond the scope of the average user.

9. Is there a difference in word count between different fonts or font sizes?

The font and font size do not affect the word count. The word count algorithm simply counts the number of words present in the text, regardless of their formatting.

10. Can I count words in other languages?

Yes, Google Docs supports word counting in a wide range of languages. The word count algorithm will adapt to the specific rules and conventions of the language being used.

11. My Google Slides presentation contains a lot of speaker notes. How can I easily include those in the word count?

When selecting the text to copy, make sure to specifically select and copy the text from the speaker notes area for each slide. This ensures that the speaker notes are included in the overall word count.

12. Are there any best practices for minimizing text and maximizing visual impact in my Google Slides presentation?

Use visuals: Images, charts, and graphs can convey complex information more effectively than text.
Focus on key takeaways: Limit each slide to a few key points.
Use bullet points sparingly: Avoid overwhelming your audience with long lists of bullet points.
Embrace minimalism: Less is often more. Focus on clarity and conciseness.
Practice your delivery: A well-rehearsed presentation can compensate for a slide deck with minimal text.

By following these tips and tricks, you can effectively manage the word count of your Google Slides presentations and create engaging, impactful presentations that resonate with your audience. Remember, the goal is to communicate effectively, not to cram as much text as possible onto each slide.