How to Do Word Count on Google Slides
If you’ve ever needed to find the word count for a presentation on Google Slides, you might have realized there’s no built-in feature for that. But don’t worry! In just a few steps, you can easily count the words on your Google Slides presentation using an alternative method. Let’s get started.
Step-by-Step Tutorial for Word Count on Google Slides
This guide will walk you through a straightforward way to count the words in your Google Slides presentation. By the end, you’ll know exactly how many words are in your slides.
Step 1: Open Your Google Slides Presentation
Open the Google Slides presentation for which you want to count the words.
First, ensure that your presentation is fully loaded and that you can view all the slides within your document. This will make the upcoming steps much easier to follow.
Step 2: Select All Text on a Slide
Select and copy all the text on one of the slides.
Click into a text box, then press Ctrl + A (or Command + A on a Mac) to highlight all the text within that box. This ensures you capture all words on the slide.
Step 3: Copy the Text
Copy the highlighted text by pressing Ctrl + C (or Command + C on a Mac).
This step makes sure the text is stored in your clipboard, ready to be pasted into another application for word counting.
Step 4: Open Google Docs
Open a new Google Docs document.
Google Docs has an integrated word count feature, which we’re going to use to count the words from your slides.
Step 5: Paste the Text into Google Docs
Paste the copied text from Google Slides into the new Google Docs document.
Simply click into the new document and press Ctrl + V (or Command + V on a Mac) to paste the text.
Step 6: Use the Word Count Feature in Google Docs
In Google Docs, click on Tools in the top menu and select Word Count.
This feature will give you the total word count of the text you pasted from your slide.
After following these steps, you’ll know how many words are on your Google Slide. If you need the word count for the entire presentation, repeat the process for each slide and add up the word counts.
Word Count on Google Slides Tips
- If your presentation has many slides, you might want to paste the text from several slides into one Google Docs document before running the word count.
- Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up the process of selecting, copying, and pasting text.
- For a more automated approach, consider using a word count extension or tool designed for Google Slides.
- Remember to double-check that you’ve captured all text, including any text in images or tables.
- If your presentation is updated frequently, keep a running Google Docs file to easily update the word count without repeating all steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I count words directly in Google Slides?
No, Google Slides does not have a built-in word count feature, which is why this alternative method is necessary.
Is there an extension that can help with word count in Google Slides?
Yes, there are several third-party extensions and tools available that can automate word counts in Google Slides. A quick search in the Google Workspace Marketplace can help you find one.
Do I need to count words from every slide individually?
If you want an accurate total word count for the entire presentation, you should repeat the process for each slide and sum the totals.
Can this method count words in images?
No, this method only counts text that you can select and copy. Text embedded in images will not be counted unless converted to editable text using an OCR tool.
Is there an alternative to using Google Docs for word counting?
Yes, you can also use any other word processing software with a word count feature, such as Microsoft Word, by following similar steps.
Summary
- Open your Google Slides presentation.
- Select all text on a slide.
- Copy the text.
- Open Google Docs.
- Paste the text into Google Docs.
- Use the word count feature in Google Docs.
Conclusion
Counting words in Google Slides may not be as straightforward as it is in some other applications, but it’s definitely doable with a bit of creativity. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily find out the word count for your slides, ensuring you stay within any limits or guidelines you need to follow.
For further reading, you might consider looking into more advanced tools and extensions available for Google Slides that can streamline this process even more. Whether you’re preparing for a school project, business presentation, or any other task, knowing how to do a word count on Google Slides will come in handy and save you a lot of time. Happy presenting!

Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.