To put a Google Sheet into Google Slides, copy the cells in Sheets, paste them into your slide, and choose Link to spreadsheet. The table stays connected to the sheet, so you can refresh it with one click when the numbers change. For charts, use Insert > Chart > From Sheets in Slides and pick the chart.
Quick Answer
Table: copy the range in Sheets > paste in Slides > Link to spreadsheet. Chart: Slides > Insert > Chart > From Sheets.
Insert a Linked Table
- In Google Sheets, select the cells you want and press Ctrl + C (Command + C on a Mac).
- Open your presentation and click the slide.
- Press Ctrl + V (Command + V).
- In the Paste table box, choose Link to spreadsheet and click Paste.
- Resize and move the table as needed.
Insert a Linked Chart
- Make the chart in Google Sheets first.
- In Slides, click Insert > Chart > From Sheets.
- Choose the spreadsheet, click Select, pick the chart, and leave Link to spreadsheet checked.
- Click Import.
Update Linked Data
When the sheet changes, an Update button appears on the linked table or chart in Slides. Click it, or use Tools > Linked objects > Update all.
Which Option to Use
| Option | Updates? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Linked table | Yes, with Update | Small ranges that change |
| Paste unlinked | No | Final numbers you want frozen |
| Linked chart | Yes, with Update | Trends and comparisons |
| Image of the chart | No | Sharing outside Google Workspace |
Sharing with people outside your team? Learn how to make the sheet public.
For documents, learn how to layer images in Google Docs.
Need a chart first? See how to make a graph in Google Sheets.
Troubleshooting
- No Update button: The object isn’t linked, or the sheet hasn’t changed. Check Tools > Linked objects.
- Others can’t update it: They need at least view access to the spreadsheet.
- Table too big for the slide: Paste a smaller range; linked tables work best with modest sizes.
- Presentation in another language? See translating in Google Docs for text.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I embed a whole sheet?
Not as a live, scrollable sheet. Link a range or a chart, or add a link to the spreadsheet on the slide.
Does the link break if I rename the spreadsheet?
No. Links use the file’s ID.
Can I unlink later?
Yes. Click the table or chart, open the link options menu, and choose Unlink.
Summary
- Copy cells in Sheets and paste into Slides.
- Choose Link to spreadsheet.
- Use Insert > Chart > From Sheets for charts.
- Click Update when the data changes.
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.