Copying a slide in Google Slides takes seconds. You can duplicate one slide inside a deck or save the whole file as a separate document. This guide covers both routes, plus how to copy only the slides you pick. The steps work the same on Chromebooks, Windows PCs, and Macs.
How to Make a Copy of a Google Slide in the Same File
Use this when you want the same slide twice inside one deck. It is the fastest way to reuse a layout you already built.
- Open your file at docs.google.com/presentation.
- Look at the left panel. Each slide shows there as a small thumbnail.
- Click the slide you want to copy.
- Open the Slide menu and choose Duplicate slide. Or right-click the thumbnail (Ctrl+click on a Mac) and pick Duplicate slide from the list.
The new copy lands right after the original. Drag it to any spot in the deck if you want it somewhere else.
Planning to narrate the deck later? Our walkthrough on adding a voiceover to Google Slides covers recording and importing the audio.
How to Copy a Google Slides Deck as a New File
Pick this path when you want a fresh, standalone file. You can copy the full deck or only a few chosen slides.
- Open the presentation you plan to copy.
- Click File in the top-left menu bar.
- Choose Make a copy.
- Select Entire presentation or Selected slides. The second option shows up only if you highlighted slides first.
- In the pop-up, rename the file, pick a Google Drive folder, share it with the same people, copy comments, or skip the speaker notes.
- Click Make a copy. Your new file opens ready to edit.
To copy only certain slides, hold Ctrl (Windows or ChromeOS) or Cmd (Mac) and click each slide before you open File, then Make a copy, then Selected slides.
Once your copy is saved, you might want to record the deck with spoken commentary or switch it to a portrait layout for posters and phone screens.
Quick Reference for Copying a Google Slide
| Goal | Path to follow |
|---|---|
| Copy one slide inside the file | Slide menu, then Duplicate slide |
| Copy the full deck as a new file | File, then Make a copy, then Entire presentation |
| Copy only chosen slides | File, then Make a copy, then Selected slides |
Keyboard Shortcuts for Copying Slides
These save a trip to the menu when you work fast. The duplicate shortcut is the quickest way to make a copy of a slide inside the same deck.
| Action | Chromebook / Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate the selected slide | Ctrl + D | Cmd + D |
| Copy a slide | Ctrl + C | Cmd + C |
| Paste the slide | Ctrl + V | Cmd + V |
| Add a blank slide | Ctrl + M | Cmd + M |
For more time-savers on your device, take a look at the full list of Chromebook keyboard shortcuts. If late-night editing strains your eyes, you can also turn on dark mode for Google Docs and Slides, and capture a finished slide as an image when you need to share a single frame.
FAQs
How do you duplicate a slide in Google Slides?
Click the slide in the left panel, then press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac). You can also right-click the thumbnail and choose Duplicate slide. The copy appears right below the original.
Can you copy only selected slides to a new file?
Yes. Hold Ctrl or Cmd and click each slide you want, then go to File, Make a copy, Selected slides. Choose a Drive folder and click Make a copy.
Does copying a slide keep its formatting?
Yes. A duplicated slide keeps its text styles, images, shapes, and animations. Inside the same deck the theme stays identical, so no manual fixes are needed.
Can you copy a slide into another presentation?
Yes. Copy the slide with Ctrl + C, open the other deck, and paste with Ctrl + V. Slides usually adopt the destination theme automatically.
How do you copy an entire Google Slides file?
Open the deck, click File, choose Make a copy, then Entire presentation. Rename it, pick a Google Drive folder, and click Make a copy to create a separate file.
