Google Slides is a popular tool for creating presentations. Many users want to add personal touches to their slides, such as freehand drawings or handwritten notes. However, Google Slides does not have a built-in pen tool or freehand drawing feature like some other presentation apps. This can make drawing directly on your slides a bit tricky.

But don’t worry—there are several simple ways you can still add drawings, annotations, or sketches to your presentations.

How to Draw on Google Slides (PC and Mac)

If you are using Google Slides on a computer, you can add drawings with the built-in “Scribble” tool:

  • 1. Open your Google Slides presentation.
  • 2. Go to the slide where you want to draw.
  • 3. Click on Insert in the top menu.
  • 4. Select Line, and then choose Scribble from the dropdown.

draw on google slides with scribble

  • 5. Your cursor will change. Click and drag to draw freehand lines or shapes.
  • 6. When you are done, press Enter or click outside the drawing.

You can change the color and thickness of your scribble by selecting it and using the menu options at the top.

change scribble color and thickness

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Drawing on Google Slides on iPad/iPhone (Apple Pencil Supported?)

If you use an iPad, you might want to draw on your slides with your finger or an Apple Pencil. At this time, the Google Slides mobile app does not support direct freehand drawing or handwriting. You cannot use your Apple Pencil to draw directly on a slide inside the app.

However, you can use a tablet drawing app and import your work into Google Slides:

  • 1. Open another drawing app on your iPad. You can choose Google’s whiteboard app Jamboard, or other drawing apps like Autodesk Sketchbook, Procreate, or Microsoft Whiteboard.
  • 2. Create your drawing or annotation. Save it as an image (JPG or PNG).
  • 3. Go back to Google Slides and insert drawing on Google Slides.

insert drawing google slides

This way, you can still use your Apple Pencil for creative annotations, even though it is not built-in.

How to Draw on Google Slides with Add-on?

  • 1. Open your presentation in Google Slides.
  • 2. Go to the menu bar and click ExtensionsAdd-onsGet add-ons.

add google slides add on

  • 3. In the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for a drawing tool such as:

Pear Deck for Google Slides (good for annotations)

Magic Rainbow Unicorns (simple doodles & highlights)

Scribble Tool (if available)

  • 4. Click the add-on you want → Install → give it permission to access your Slides.

install google add on

  • 5. Once installed, go to Extensions[Add-on Name]Open.

open google slide draw add on

  • 6. Use the provided toolbar to draw, doodle, or annotate directly on your slides.

How to Draw on Images in Google Slides

Sometimes, you want to draw or write directly on top of an image in your slide. Here’s how you can do it:

  • 1. Insert the image into your slide as usual.
  • 2. Click Insert > Line > Scribble.
  • draw on google slides with scribble

  • 3. Draw over the image. You can move or resize the scribble if needed.
  • 4. For more complex drawings, you can use a drawing app or Google Drawings, then insert the finished image into your slide.
  • This method lets you highlight parts of an image or add arrows, circles, and notes directly on your slide.

    Drawing While Presenting: Is It Possible?

    You might want to draw or annotate while presenting your slides live, like on a whiteboard. Google Slides does not have a live annotation or pen feature during presentation mode. You cannot draw directly on the slides while presenting.

    But there are solutions:

    • Use a third-party screen annotation tool (like Zoom’s annotation tools, or browser extensions such as Web Paint or Annotate).
    • Share your screen while using these tools, and draw on top of your open slides.
      This gives you a way to highlight or explain points in real time, even if Google Slides does not offer this natively.
    • Use a browser extension like Web Paint or Kami to draw over the slides.
    • Use a device with a pen input (e.g., iPad + stylus) and a presentation app that supports live drawing, then share that screen.

    FAQs About Pen Tool, Freehand, and More of Slide Drawing

    Can you freehand draw in Google Slides?

    Yes, but only with the Scribble tool, which is basic.

    Where is the pen tool in Google Slides?

    There is no dedicated pen tool. Use Insert > Line > Scribble for simple freehand lines.

    draw on google slides with scribble

    Can I use an Apple Pencil on Google Slides?

    Not directly. Draw in another app, save as image, and insert into Slides.

    How do I annotate during a presentation?

    Use screen annotation tools or browser extensions while sharing your screen.

    Can I draw on an image in Google Slides?

    Yes, use Scribble or overlay other drawings/images.

    How do I delete a drawing in google slides?

  • 1. Click on the drawing or shape you inserted.
  • 2. Press Delete (Windows) or Backspace (Mac).
  • 3. If it’s grouped with other elements, right-click → Ungroup first, then delete.
  • Can I edit the drawing after I’ve inserted it into the slide?

  • 1. If you used InsertLineScribble or basic shapes, yes—you can click to select it and adjust size, position, line color, and thickness.
  • 2. However, you can’t freely re-draw or reshape a Scribble line after it’s created. You’d need to delete and draw it again if you want to change the path.
  • 3. If you inserted an image of a drawing, you can resize, crop, or recolor it, but not alter the actual strokes.
  • 💬 Conclusion:

    While Google Slides does not have all the drawing features of some other apps, you can still add creativity and personal touches with these easy methods. Try using the Scribble tool, importing drawings, or using annotation tools for your next presentation!

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