How to Make a Checklist in Google Slides
Google Slides is presentation software, so it has no checklist feature. You can still fake one with checkbox characters or shapes, which is useful if the checklist needs to appear on a slide. This guide shows both methods, and is honest about Slides being the hardest of the common tools for this job.
In a hurry? Build your checklist free in under a minute.
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How to make a checklist in Google Slides
Method 1: Use checkbox characters in a text box
Best when you want the checklist as plain text on a slide.
- 1
Add a text box
On your slide, insert a text box for the checklist.
- 2
Insert a checkbox character
Place your cursor, then go to Insert then Special characters and search "ballot box". Pick the empty box for unticked items, or the boxed tick for done ones.
- 3
Type the task
Add a space and the task text after the character. Press Enter for the next line.
- 4
Repeat
Add a box character at the start of every line.
Method 2: Use square shapes next to each line
Best when you want bigger, styleable boxes.
- 1
List your tasks
Add a text box with one task per line.
- 2
Insert square shapes
Use Insert then Shape then Shapes and place a small square next to each task.
- 3
Align them
Use the alignment guides to line the squares up neatly down the slide.
- 4
Mark items done
To "check" a box, change its fill colour or drop a tick on top by hand.
Where Google Slides slows you down
- Google Slides has no checklist feature at all, so every box is a character or a shape you place by hand.
- Nothing is clickable. You cannot tick an item to track progress; you would edit the slide each time.
- Aligning boxes and text across a slide is slow and easy to knock out of place.
- It is the wrong tool for the job. Slides is built for presenting, not for managing tasks.
The verdict: Google Slides has no real checklist feature. You fake it with characters or shapes, nothing is clickable, and it is the hardest of the common tools for this job.
The faster way: build it in GeneChecklist
Here is the same checklist, without the menus, hidden tabs or formatting. Three steps, any device.
- 1
Open the free builder
Go to the checklist builder. There is no download, no sign-up and no hidden menu to switch on. It loads as a blank checklist, ready for you to type.
- 2
Add your items, or let AI do it
Type a task and press Enter for the next line. In a hurry? Describe what the list is for, such as "weekend camping trip with two kids", and AI writes the items for you. Or start from one of 300+ ready-made checklists.
- 3
Organise, then save, print or share
Drag items to reorder them, group them into sections, and tick them off against a live progress bar. Download a clean PDF, print it, or send a share link, all from the same screen.
Google Slides vs. GeneChecklist
| Google Slides | GeneChecklist | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to a usable checklist | 10-15 minutes | Under a minute |
| Checkboxes | Faked with characters or shapes; not clickable | Built in: tap to tick, with a live progress bar |
| Ready-made templates | None built for checklists | 300+ professionally written checklists |
| AI list generation | Not available | Describe your list and AI writes the items |
| Phone and desktop | Works on web and mobile, but editing is fiddly | Any browser, nothing to install |
| Print and PDF | Prints as slides | One-click, print-ready PDF |
| Cost | Free with a Google account | Free to build, print and download as PDF |
Frequently asked questions
Does Google Slides have a checklist feature?
No. Google Slides has no built-in checklist or checkbox tool. You have to insert checkbox characters from Insert then Special characters, or place square shapes by hand.
How do I insert a checkbox in Google Slides?
Go to Insert then Special characters and search for "ballot box". Choose the empty box, and add it to the start of each line in a text box.
What is a better tool than Slides for a checklist?
Almost anything purpose-built. A checklist builder gives you real, clickable checkboxes and PDF export without placing a single shape.
Ready-made checklists to start from
Skip the blank page. Open any of these, customise it, and download a PDF.
More checklist guides
Stop wrestling with the wrong tool
GeneChecklist is built for one thing: checklists. Real checkboxes, AI help, 300+ templates and instant PDF. Free, and no account needed to start.