Ready set GO! How to keep time inside your Google Slideshow

By Robin Wall, Stephens Elementary

We all love creating interactive and entertaining slideshows with Google Slides. Let's be real—as educators, we have a busy schedule of topics to cover. That old-school clock on the wall, tic-tocking away, can sometimes make it feel like time stands still, especially when you start to ramble. This, my friends, is the answer to keeping that to a minimum and staying on time!

Within this short post, you'll learn how to incorporate a real-time clock as well as a timer directly into your Google Slides, using methods that don't rely solely on an embedded YouTube video (though that's still a great option!).

Time is everything, especially when you're a teacher. No matter the subject or grade level, staying on schedule is paramount. This post will  explore  a  classic concept—keeping time—but show you an effective way to incorporate a real-time clock or timer directly into your slides, often by using a dedicated Chrome extension.

The most popular method for embedding a non-video timer or clock involves installing the Slides Timer Chrome extension (often paired with its optional Google Workspace Add-on). Once installed on your presenting browser, it allows you to use simple text placeholders within any text box on your slide to activate a live clock or timer when you enter Present mode.

After setting it up, you can incorporate: 

• Real-Time Clock: Use a simple placeholder like <<time>> to show the current time, or variations like <<time^>> to remove seconds.

  • Formats: HH:MM:SS am/pm or HH:MM am/pm

• Countdown Timer: Use a placeholder like <<5:00->> to count down from 5 minutes.

  • Formats: MM:SS or HH:MM:SS

• Count-Up Timer (Stopwatch): Use a placeholder like <<00:00+>> to start counting up from zero.

This method allows the clock or timer to be a fully customizable text element—you can change the font, size, and color just like any other text on your slide!

Why Use It in Education?

Using a clock or timer that is embedded directly into your slideshows offers a distinct advantage. It allows you the ability to keep your busy schedule on track and ensures you don't miss key moments during a presentation or activity. The visual cue serves as a gentle, continuous reminder for both you and your students, helping to manage the pace of your lesson effectively and make the most of every precious minute.

Step-by-Step: Installing Slides Timer

The Slides Timer feature is powered by a Google Chrome web browser extension. You must be presenting your Google Slides in the Chrome browser for the timer to work.

Step	Action	Details
1. Install the Extension	Open Google Chrome and search for "Slides Timer Chrome extension" or navigate directly to the Chrome Web Store.	Locate the extension by ClayCodes (the official developer) and click "Add to Chrome," then confirm by clicking "Add extension."
2. Restart (Optional)	Close and re-open your Chrome browser (or refresh your Google Slides tab) after installation to ensure the extension is active.	This is important to ensure the extension is fully enabled and connected to your Google Slides interface.
3. Open Google Slides	Open the presentation where you want to add the timer or clock.	The extension works by reading specific text in the Edit mode and converting it to a live timer in Present mode.

Once the extension is installed, you use placeholders—text surrounded by << and >>—in a text box on your slide. The appearance (font, size, color) of the timer is determined by how you format this text box. 

Feature You Need	Placeholder Code	Example Result
Real-Time Clock	<<time>>	Displays the current time: 3:05:30 PM
Clock (No Seconds)	<<time^>>	Displays the current time without seconds: 3:05 PM
Countdown Timer	<<M:SS->>	<<5:00->> for a 5-minute countdown. (The minus sign - makes it count down.)
Count-Up Timer	<<0:00+>>	<<0:00+>> to start a stopwatch from 0:00. (The plus sign + makes it count up.)
Auto-Advance Slide	<<M:SS-+>>	<<0:10-+>> for a 10-second countdown that automatically moves to the next slide when it hits zero.

1.  In your Google Slide, click Insert then Text box.

2. Type one of the codes above (e.g., <<05:00->>) into the text box.

3. Format the text (make it large, change the font, pick a bright color).

4. Click the Slideshow button to enter Present mode. The text will instantly be replaced by a live, working timer or clock!

Editing Mode	Presentation Mode

I crafted the content myself; AI was used to assist with the creation of the tables .