To print speaker notes in Google Slides, open your presentation on a computer and click File > Print preview (called Print settings and preview in newer versions). In the toolbar, change the layout dropdown from 1 slide without notes to 1 slide with notes, then click Print. Each page shows one slide with its speaker notes underneath. To save a copy instead, choose Download as PDF from the same preview toolbar.
This guide covers printing notes from the web, choosing print options, printing just the notes text, exporting to PowerPoint for more layouts, and what to do on phones and tablets.
Print slides with speaker notes
- Open the presentation in Google Slides in a web browser.
- Click File > Print preview or Print settings and preview.
- Open the layout dropdown in the toolbar and choose 1 slide with notes.
- Optionally set orientation and choose Hide background to save ink.
- Click Print, choose your printer in the browser’s print dialog, and print.
Save slides and notes as a PDF
- In the print preview toolbar, click Download as PDF with 1 slide with notes selected.
- Or click Print and choose Save as PDF as the printer in your browser’s print dialog.
Note that File > Download > PDF document from the main menu exports slides without notes, so use the print preview instead.
Print only the notes text
Google Slides doesn’t have a notes-only layout. Options:
- Copy each slide’s notes into a Google Doc and print that.
- Download as Plain text (.txt) via File > Download, which includes slide text and may include notes depending on the presentation; review the file before printing.
- Use a Google Workspace add-on that exports speaker notes, if your organization allows add-ons.
Get more layouts with PowerPoint
Click File > Download > Microsoft PowerPoint (.pptx), open it in PowerPoint, and go to File > Print > Notes Pages. PowerPoint’s Outline view (View > Outline View) also lets you export text more flexibly.
Printing from a phone or tablet
The Google Slides mobile apps have limited printing options and may not include notes. Open the presentation in a browser on a computer, or use your browser’s desktop site option on a tablet.
Tips for better printed notes
- Keep notes short, with bullets, so they fit on one page per slide.
- Increase the notes text size in the notes panel before printing; the printed notes use your formatting.
- Choose Hide background for dark slide themes.
- Print a test page first to check margins and scaling.
For PowerPoint in a browser, read how to print handouts in PowerPoint for the web.
Troubleshooting
- Notes are cut off – shorten long notes or split them across slides, since only what fits on the page prints.
- No “with notes” option – you may be using the mobile app or an embedded viewer. Open the file in Google Slides on the web.
- You can’t print – the owner may have disabled printing for viewers and commenters. Ask for edit access or a copy.
Related: present Google Slides in presentation mode.
Frequently asked questions
Can I print handouts with multiple slides per page and notes?
Google Slides offers handout layouts with multiple slides per page, but only the 1-slide layout includes speaker notes.
Do comments print with speaker notes?
No. Comments aren’t included in printouts.
Can I see speaker notes while presenting?
Yes. Click the arrow next to Slideshow and choose Presenter view.
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.