Duplicating a slide in Google Slides is the fastest way to reuse a layout, keep formatting consistent, or build a step-by-step reveal. You can duplicate one slide or several at once, copy slides into another presentation, and do it all on a computer or phone. This guide covers every method, keyboard shortcuts, and fixes for common problems.
Quick Answer
Right-click the slide thumbnail in the left panel and choose Duplicate slide, or select it and press Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac). The copy appears directly below the original.
All the Ways to Duplicate a Slide
| Method | How |
|---|---|
| Right-click menu | Right-click the thumbnail > Duplicate slide |
| Keyboard shortcut | Select thumbnail > Ctrl + D (Cmd + D on Mac) |
| Slide menu | Slide > Duplicate slide |
| Copy and paste | Ctrl + C, then click where you want it and Ctrl + V |
| Mobile app | Touch and hold the slide > Duplicate |
Method 1: Right-Click Menu
- Open your presentation in Google Slides.
- In the filmstrip on the left, right-click the slide you want to copy.
- Click Duplicate slide.
Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut
- Click the slide thumbnail in the left panel so it is selected (make sure you are not editing text on the slide).
- Press Ctrl + D on Windows or ChromeOS, or Cmd + D on Mac.
If you press Ctrl + D while an object on the slide is selected, Google Slides duplicates that object instead of the whole slide.
Method 3: Slide Menu
Select the slide and choose Slide > Duplicate slide from the menu bar.
Duplicate Multiple Slides at Once
- Click the first slide thumbnail.
- Hold Shift and click the last slide to select a range, or hold Ctrl (Cmd on Mac) and click individual slides.
- Right-click any selected slide and choose Duplicate slides, or press Ctrl + D.
The copies appear together after the last selected slide.
Copy Slides to Another Presentation
Copy and paste
- Select the slides and press Ctrl + C.
- Open the other presentation, click in the filmstrip where you want them, and press Ctrl + V.
- Choose Keep original styles or Match styles in this presentation if prompted.
Import slides
- In the destination presentation, go to File > Import slides.
- Choose the presentation from Drive or upload a PowerPoint file.
- Select the slides, choose whether to keep the original theme, and click Import slides.
Duplicate a Slide on Android or iPhone
- Open the presentation in the Google Slides app.
- In the slide list, touch and hold the slide you want to copy.
- Tap Duplicate in the menu (tap the three dots first if you do not see it).
In grid view, you can select several slides, then tap the three-dot menu and choose Duplicate.
Ideas for Using Duplicate Slides
- Consistent layouts: design one slide, duplicate it, and change only the text and images.
- Step-by-step reveals: duplicate a slide and add one more item on each copy for a simple build effect without animations.
- Before and after: duplicate a slide and edit the copy to show changes.
- Backups: duplicate a slide before making big changes, then use Skip slide on the backup.
Troubleshooting
Ctrl + D does nothing or duplicates an object
Click the slide thumbnail in the left panel first so the slide, not an object, is selected. Some browser extensions also use Ctrl + D; in that case, use the right-click menu.
I cannot duplicate slides
You may have view-only or comment-only access. Ask the owner for edit access, or choose File > Make a copy to get your own editable version.
The duplicated slide lost its formatting in another presentation
When pasting, choose Keep original styles.
Related: import Google Slides into Canva.
Related: import slides in Google Slides.
Related: turn a PowerPoint into Google Slides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to duplicate a slide in Google Slides?
Ctrl + D on Windows and ChromeOS, or Cmd + D on Mac, with the slide thumbnail selected.
Where does the duplicated slide go?
Directly after the original slide. Drag it in the filmstrip to move it.
Does duplicating copy speaker notes?
Yes. Speaker notes, animations, and transitions are copied with the slide.
Summary
- Right-click a slide and choose Duplicate slide, or press Ctrl + D.
- Select multiple slides with Shift or Ctrl to duplicate them together.
- Use copy and paste or File > Import slides to reuse slides in another presentation.
- On mobile, touch and hold a slide and tap Duplicate.
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.