How to Use Scribble on Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide

Google Slides is a versatile tool for creating presentations, offering a wide array of features to help you enhance your content. One of these features is the “Scribble” tool, which allows you to draw freehand lines and shapes directly onto your slides. This can be especially useful for annotations, creative custom drawings, or adding a personal touch to your presentation.

In this blog, we'll go through how to use Scribble on Google Slides, provide step-by-step instructions, and offer some pro tips to make the most out of this handy feature.

What is the Scribble Tool in Google Slides?

The Scribble tool in Google Slides is part of the "Line" options, enabling users to draw freehand lines or shapes directly onto their slides. Unlike regular lines or shapes that have predefined forms, Scribble allows for more flexibility, making it ideal for drawing custom arrows, highlighting, underlining, or creating original art elements within the presentation.

Why Use the Scribble Tool?

Before we dive into the steps, let’s look at why you might want to use the Scribble tool in your presentations:

Customization: Draw unique lines or shapes that don't conform to standard options.

Annotations: Easily add annotations to slides to emphasize points during live presentations.

Visual Engagement: Enhance the visual appeal of your slides by adding creative, freehand elements.

Clarity: Highlight important parts of graphs, charts, or images that need additional explanation.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use Scribble in Google Slides

Step 1: Open Google Slides

Navigate to Google Slides.

Either create a new presentation or open an existing one where you want to add freehand annotations.

Step 2: Access the Scribble Tool

Once in your presentation, select the slide where you want to add a drawing.

On the toolbar at the top of the screen, locate the Line button (represented by a diagonal line).

Click the Line button to open a drop-down menu.

From the options, select Scribble (usually the last option in the menu).

Step 3: Draw on Your Slide

After selecting Scribble, your cursor will change into a crosshair symbol.

Click and drag your mouse to start drawing on the slide. Release the mouse button when you’ve completed your drawing.

The tool allows you to draw in any shape or direction, making it perfect for custom annotations or creative designs.

Step 4: Adjust Your Scribble

After you've drawn your scribble, you can adjust the following:

Line Color: By default, the Scribble tool uses a black line, but you can change this. Select the Scribble, and in the toolbar, click the Line Color icon (a pencil). Choose the color that suits your design.

Line Thickness: You can make your scribble bolder or thinner by selecting the Line Weight option from the same toolbar menu.

Line Style: You can also convert your freehand line into a dotted or dashed line by selecting the Line Dash option.

Step 5: Move, Resize, and Edit Scribbles

Move: Once your Scribble is created, you can move it around by selecting it and dragging it to a new location.

Resize: You can also resize your Scribble by clicking on the small blue squares (anchor points) around your drawing and dragging them inward or outward.

Edit: To edit the Scribble itself, double-click on it to adjust the path or curve.

Step 6: Group Scribbles and Shapes

If you want to group your Scribble with other shapes or text on your slide, follow these steps:

Click and drag to select all the objects you want to group (including your Scribble).

Right-click and select Group.

This will allow you to move all the selected objects as one unit, which can be particularly useful if you’ve added multiple freehand annotations.

Step 7: Erase or Delete Scribble

If you’re not happy with your Scribble:

Simply select the Scribble and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

Alternatively, you can right-click the Scribble and select Delete from the drop-down menu.

Pro Tips for Using Scribble on Google Slides

1. Use Scribble for Quick Annotations

Scribble is especially useful for making annotations on the fly during a presentation. Whether you need to emphasize a point or highlight part of an image, you can quickly switch to Scribble, make your mark, and move on.

2. Combine Scribble with Other Tools

Pair Scribble with text boxes, images, or shapes to create visually compelling slides. For example, you can use Scribble to underline important phrases or draw arrows pointing to key statistics.

3. Utilize Line Weight for Different Purposes

Use a thinner line weight for fine details and small annotations.

Use thicker lines to draw attention to important parts of your slide.

By varying the line weight, you can control the visual hierarchy and guide your audience’s attention to the right places.

4. Experiment with Colors for Emphasis

Different colors can make your annotations stand out. Consider using contrasting colors, such as bright red or yellow, to highlight crucial points. This technique is especially useful when discussing graphs or data visualizations.

5. Save Scribble for Key Slides

While Scribble can be a fun tool, overusing it may clutter your slides. Reserve it for key slides where a custom touch is needed to emphasize points, and avoid using it on every slide to maintain a clean presentation.

6. Practice Precision

Although Scribble allows for freehand drawing, precision can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you're working with a trackpad or a mouse. If you need more control, consider connecting a stylus or a graphics tablet to your computer, allowing you to draw more precisely.

7. Create Custom Visuals

Use Scribble to create unique visuals such as custom dividers, arrows, or frames around text and images. This can help set your presentation apart from others that use generic shapes and lines.

8. Combine Scribble with Google Slides' Zoom Feature

If you’re drawing intricate details, use Google Slides’ Zoom feature (View > Zoom) to magnify specific areas of the slide. This will allow you to be more precise with your Scribble, especially when working on detailed annotations or drawings.

9. Layer Scribbles for Depth

You can layer multiple Scribble elements on top of each other to create depth. For instance, draw a basic shape with one color, and then add another Scribble on top with a slightly different color or line weight to create a shadow or highlight effect.

10. Copy and Paste Scribbles Between Slides

If you need to reuse the same Scribble or annotation across multiple slides, you can easily copy and paste the element to maintain consistency throughout your presentation.

Troubleshooting Common Scribble Issues

1. Scribble Lines Disappear

Sometimes, a Scribble may disappear if another object on the slide overlaps it. To fix this:

Right-click the object and select Order > Bring to Front to ensure your Scribble is visible on top of other elements.

2. Lag While Scribbling

If you experience lag while drawing with the Scribble tool, this could be due to your internet connection or device performance. Consider closing unnecessary applications or using a wired internet connection for smoother performance.

3. Uneven Lines or Jittery Drawing

Uneven lines can occur if you’re using a trackpad or low-precision mouse. If precision is important, consider using a stylus or external graphics tablet, which allows for more control over your lines.

Conclusion

The Scribble tool on Google Slides is a versatile feature that allows users to add freehand drawings, annotations, and custom lines to their presentations. Whether you're looking to highlight specific areas of a chart or add a personal touch with hand-drawn elements, Scribble can be a powerful tool when used effectively.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and applying the tips provided, you can enhance your presentations, making them more interactive, personalized, and engaging for your audience.

Now that you know how to use Scribble in Google Slides, go ahead and experiment with it in your next presentation!