Do you want to include a checklist or a single checkbox in your Google Slides presentation? While Slides may not offer the same built-in checklist feature as Google Docs, you do have a few options. Depending on the purpose for the checkbox you want to add, you can use one of the three methods below.
For a list of tasks, completed items, or just an attractive visual, here’s how to make a checkbox in Google Slides.
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Method 1: Use the bullet list feature
When you need a checklist, you can add a bullet list that displays empty boxes for checkmarks. This is handy if you plan to print the slide or presentation for others to mark off the items. As a bonus, we’ll also show you how to swap the empty boxes for checkmarks.
If you already have your bullet list, select it, click the arrow next to Bulleted list in the toolbar, and pick the empty boxes. This transforms your current bullets to the boxes.
If you don’t have your list yet, click the arrow next to Bulleted list and pick the empty boxes. Add your first list item, press Enter or Return, and enter the next item. Continue adding each item to your list.
You then have the empty boxes, ready for the checkmarks which can be drawn easily if you print the slide.
Alternatively, you can change one or more of the empty boxes to checkmarks.
- Do one of the following:some text
- For a single checkbox, select the bullets and then click the specific one you want.
- For all checkboxes, select the bullets.
- Right-click and choose the checkmark. Notice that you can also choose a filled box which can also indicate a completed item.
- You’ll then have your checked items.
Tip: Want some tips for sprucing up your presentation? Check out these ways to make Google Slides that look good.
Method 2: Insert a special character
Maybe you want a single filled checkbox on a slide. Or perhaps you want to use checkboxes that are prefilled in your bullet list. You can do both by inserting a special character.
Add an individual special character
To add a single checkbox using a special character, you’ll first need a text box on your slide. You can then insert the checkbox.
- Select Text box in the toolbar and draw the text box on your slide.
- Place your cursor inside the text box and go to Insert > Special characters in the menu.
- In the Insert Special Characters pop-up window, enter “check” in the Search box or draw the check or checkbox in the Drawing area.
- When you see the checkbox you want to use, select it to display on the slide and use the X to close the pop-up window.
Because you added an individual character, you may want to increase its size. Select the checkbox and use the Font size drop-down box in the toolbar to choose the size you want.
Replace list bullets with special characters
If you use the earlier steps to add checkboxes using a bullet list, you can change the bullet images to special characters.
- Select the list, right-click, and pick More bullets.
- You’ll then see the same Insert Special Characters pop-up window as directly above. Use the Search or Drawing area to find the checkbox you want and select one you like.
- You’ll then see the bullets in your list change to the special character you chose.
Tip: Need more help? Look at how to prepare your presentation slides.
Method 3: Add a shape and checkmark
One more way to add a checkmark in Google Slides is with a shape and a checkmark. The advantage to this method is that you can choose whatever shape you like and customize it to enclose the checkmark. This is ideal if you want only one or two checkboxes and don’t like any of the special characters above.
- Go to Insert > Shape in the menu and pick the one you want in the pop-out menu. As an example, we’ll choose the rectangle.
- Then, draw and customize the shape. Use the toolbar to change the fill color, make it transparent, or add a border. You can also drag to resize the shape.
- With the shape still selected, go to Insert > Special characters in the menu.
- In the Insert Special Characters pop-up window, search for or draw a checkmark. Pick the one you want to use, and you’ll see it appear inside the shape on your slide.
You can then increase the size of the checkmark if you like by using the Font size drop-down menu in the toolbar.
Tip: Learn how to insert a check mark in PowerPoint too!
Create checklists with Plus AI
Maybe you want to add a checklist to go along with your topic. You can insert a slide and ask Plus AI to create the list for you, saving you a ton of time!
Simply enter a slide title and a description, such as “Create a checklist of training tasks” or “Add a checklist project items”. Then, just pick a slide layout to accommodate the list and you’re set!
Once you receive your list, you can change the bullets to checkboxes or checkmarks if you like, or simply keep them as-is.
With Plus AI for Google Slides, you can add more than lists to your slideshow. You can create a summary slide, insert metrics, include pros and cons, and more. For complete details including features, plans, and information on starting your free trial, head to the Plus AI website.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to make a checkbox in Google Slides using a variety of methods, you can improve your slideshow or enhance its appearance in just minutes. For doing even more to boost the effectiveness of your presentations, be sure to look at what Plus AI has to offer!
FAQs
How do you insert a text box in Google Slides?
To add a text box, either select Text box in the toolbar or Insert > Text box in the menu. When your cursor changes to a plus sign, drag to draw the box on the slide and enter your text inside.
How do I insert a check box in a Google Doc?
Two easy ways to insert a checkbox in Google Docs are the checklist feature and special characters. Select Checklist in the toolbar for that option or Insert > Special Characters, search for, and choose the checkbox.
How do I add up checkboxes in Google Sheets?
You can use a simple function and formula to count filled checkboxes in Google Sheets. Select the cell where you want the total and enter =COUNTIF(range, TRUE) where “range” is the cell range containing the checkboxes.
For example, if the checkboxes are in cells A2 through A12, you’d enter =COUNTIF(A2:A12, TRUE). As you mark each checkbox, you’ll see the sum in the cell with the formula.
