Opening a PowerPoint in Google Slides isn't the same as converting it. Here's how to create a Google-format copy on your computer or phone, bring over selected slides, and automatically convert future uploads.
Convert your PowerPoint through Google Drive
On a computer, upload your PowerPoint at Google Drive using New > File upload.
Prefer dragging files? Drop the PowerPoint from your computer into an open Drive folder in your browser instead.
Open the uploaded presentation with Open with > Google Slides. Unless automatic upload conversion is enabled, you're still editing an Office-format file at this point.
Choose File > Save as Google Slides. This creates a separate Google-format copy and leaves your original PowerPoint intact.
Use the Slides app on a phone or tablet
This converts PPT and PPTX files on Android, iPhone, and iPad.
Open your PowerPoint in the Google Slides app, directly or through Drive.
Tap More at the top right.
Tap the ? icon beside Office Compatibility Mode.
Tap Save as Google Slides.
Bring selected slides into another presentation
Use slide import to take just the slides you need or add an entire PowerPoint to another presentation.
- 1.Open a new or existing Google Slides presentation.
- 2.Choose File > Import slides.
- 3.Select a presentation from Drive or upload one from your computer, then click Select.
- 4.Choose individual slides, or click Select Slides: All to include the whole presentation.
- 5.Check Keep original theme to retain the source theme, or clear it to use the destination presentation's theme.
- 6.Click Import slides.
Open a PowerPoint attached in Gmail
On a computer, open the Gmail message containing your PowerPoint attachment.
Hover over the attachment to reveal Edit with Google Slides.
Click Edit with Google Slides. From an attachment preview, use Open with > Google Slides instead. Either route initially creates an Office-format copy in Drive.
Choose File > Save as Google Slides in the opened presentation. That's the command that creates the Google-format version.
Automatically convert future uploads
This removes the manual conversion step for future uploads, including multiple presentations at once.
Open Google Drive settings on a computer.
Enable Convert uploads to Google Docs editor format. Google also labels this setting Convert uploaded files to Google Docs editor format.
Upload your presentations using New > File upload, New > Folder upload, or browser drag-and-drop. Previously uploaded files remain unchanged.
Check file size and formatting
Check your PowerPoint's size before converting a large presentation. Google sets a 100 MB limit for presentations converted to Slides.
Review the converted presentation before sharing or presenting it. Check embedded PowerPoint charts and videos for conversion to images, and SmartArt for conversion to Google Drawings. Macros aren't supported, and conversion doesn't guarantee identical formatting.
Keep your original PowerPoint as a reference when checking the result.
Disable the Office Editing extension if it blocks conversion
If Chrome's Office Editing extension blocks native Office editing, open More > Extensions > Manage extensions.
Turn off Office Editing for Docs, Sheets & Slides.
Reopen the PowerPoint in Drive using Open with > Google Slides.
Choose File > Save as Google Slides.
Tip: Disabling the extension resolves the editing conflict; the conversion command creates the Google-format copy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a paid Google Workspace subscription to convert a PowerPoint?
No. Browser conversion works with a personal Google account and requires no installation. Managed Google Workspace accounts need access to Drive and Docs, plus permission to upload files and create Slides presentations.
Is there another way to find the conversion command?
Yes. With the PowerPoint open in Slides, choose Help > Search the menus. Search for Save as Google Slides, then activate the matching command.
Does copying a PowerPoint into Drive for desktop convert it?
Syncing alone isn't a conversion step. With Drive for desktop installed and signed in, copy the PowerPoint into your Google Drive folder and let it upload. Open the uploaded file at drive.google.com with Google Slides, then choose File > Save as Google Slides.
Can I bring over just the PowerPoint theme?
Yes. In Google Slides, choose Slide > Change theme > Import theme. Double-click the source PowerPoint, select its theme, and click Import theme. This transfers only the theme, without the slide content.
