Convert Google Slides into a Sandbox

Updated 10 hours ago by Rana Wilds

Connecting Google Drive
Importing Google Slides
- Unsupported features
  - Workarounds
FAQs

Converting Google Slides into a Sandbox is simple! All you need to do is connect Padlet to your Google Drive account and upload the content!

Connecting Google Drive

If you haven't set up the integration from Google Drive to Padlet, you can do so in your Settings under Integrations. To see a step-by-step guide, click here.

Otherwise, you can connect Google Drive in one of the steps below.

Importing Google Slides

To convert Google Slides into a new Sandbox directly from your Google Drive, follow these steps:

On the Padlet dashboard, click the + Make button at the top
Select Import from Google Slides

If you have not yet integrated your Google Drive account with Padlet, you will be prompted to do so now.

Choose the file to upload and click Select

Open your Sandbox and make adjustments as needed

Unsupported features

While most content transfers from Google Drive into Sandbox smoothly, some advanced Google Slides features are not yet supported.

The following features may not render correctly (or at all):

Category	Unsupported / Partially Supported Feature	Additional Information
Animations and Transitions	Slide transitions, object animations (i.e. fade, fly-in, appear)	Animations are flattened - only the final static layout is displayed
Embedded Media	Videos, audio clips, GIFs	Media elements are not playable post-import. Only thumbnails or placeholders may appear.
Interactive Elements	Hyperlinks, clickable shapes, internal navigation buttons	Links are removed, interactions do not carry over
Fonts and Formatting	Custom Google fonts, Word Art, outlines, text shadows	These revert to default system fonts with simplified formatting
Smart chips	People, file, or date chips	Displayed as plain text with no link functionality
Charts, Tables and Diagrams	Linked charts from Google Sheets or editable diagrams	Converted to flat, non-editable images
Comments and Speaker Notes	Notes and collaborator comments	Not visible in the Sandbox after import
Slide Masters and Layouts	Custom themes or templates	Layouts are simplified and may appear slightly different
Real-time collaboration history	Version history, suggestions, or comment threads	Not preserved in the import

Workarounds

To retain as much of your original presentation as possible, try these methods in place of the unsupported features above.

Workaround

Steps to take

Export Slides as Images

In Google Slides, click File > Download > PNG (or JPEG) for each slide.
Upload the images into Sandbox cards

Export as PDF

(Best for static presentations or printable materials)

In Google Slides, select File > Download > PDF Document
In Sandbox, upload the PDF file
Use it as a read-only resource or background reference

Record a presentation video

(Best for interactive lessons or narrated presentations)

Present your Google Slides using screen recording software (i.e. Padlet's screen recording tool)
Upload the video into Sandbox using the Upload tool

Rebuild interactivity

Sandbox supports linking between cards, voice narration, and AI-generated illustrations. You can recreate some interactive effects using these tools!

Use linking between cards to replicate internal navigation
Add audio clips for narration
Use draw, shape, and sticky note tools to redesign key content

You can read more about the different Sandbox tools here!

FAQs

Why are some features not supported?

We prioritize real-time creativity and collaboration. Imported slides are converted into editable static canvases that are ideal for brainstorming, annotation, and visual storytelling rather than playback-based presentations.

Something I really need isn't currently supported. Can you add it?

If a Google Slides feature you use often isn't supported yet, please contact us. Your suggestions help us prioritize future capabilities!