7 Simple Steps To Add Invisible Link in Google Slides

How to create invisible links in Slides

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In the realm of captivating presentations, the art of seamlessly guiding your audience through a narrative is paramount. Often, this involves embedding subtle links within slides, offering additional resources or enhancing the user experience. However, the presence of visible link text can disrupt the flow and aesthetic of your presentation. To address this challenge, we present an ingenious solution: invisible links in Google Slides.

Unveiling invisible links is akin to unlocking a secret passageway. By concealing the link text, you maintain the visual integrity of your slides while still providing access to valuable information. This technique not only enhances the user experience but also empowers you to craft presentations that are both informative and visually striking. With seamless transitions, your audience will effortlessly navigate through your content, immersing themselves fully in the narrative you weave.

Moreover, the ability to add invisible links without titles empowers you with unprecedented flexibility. In instances where the link text provides sufficient context, the absence of a title eliminates unnecessary clutter and distractions. This allows you to create presentations that are concise, visually appealing, and tailored to the specific needs of your audience. By embracing the art of invisible links, you embark on a journey to captivate, engage, and effectively convey your message.

Invisible links, also known as hidden links, are hyperlinks that are visually concealed within a word, image, or other element on a web page. They allow website designers to create clickable areas without distracting from the page’s design or content. When a user hovers over or clicks on the invisible link, they are taken to the specified destination.

Creating invisible links requires modifying the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) code of the web page. Designers can use the <a href=“destination URL”> tag to create a link, enclosing the target text or element within its opening and closing tags. By setting the link’s CSS properties to transparent or matching the background color, designers can effectively hide the link’s visual appearance.

For example, to create an invisible link that takes users to “www.example.com” using the text “Click here,” the following code can be used:

HTML Result
<p><a href=“www.example.com” style=“text-decoration:none; color:transparent”>Click here</a></p> Click here (Invisible link)

Google Slides allows you to create invisible links within your presentations, enhancing their functionality and interactivity without distracting from the visual appeal. Here’s a detailed guide on how to add invisible links in Google Slides:

1. Select and Deselect the Text

First, select the text you wish to link. Click on the text, then press Ctrl + A to select the entire text box. To deselect the text, simply click outside the text box.

  1. Open the Insert Menu: With the text still selected, click on the “Insert” menu at the top of the screen.
  2. Select “Link”: From the dropdown menu, choose “Link” to open the “Insert Link” dialog box.
  3. Paste or Type Link: In the “Link to” field, paste or type the URL or email address you want to link to.
  4. Check Advanced Settings: Expand the “Advanced settings” section and uncheck the “Open link in a new window” option to hide the link frame or border around the linked text.
  5. Make Link Invisible: To make the link invisible, deselect the “Show icon” option in the “Insert Link” dialog box. This will remove any visible indicators, such as the blue underline or link icon, leaving the text as plain text.
  6. Apply Link: Click the “Apply” button to insert the invisible link.

3. Style the Linked Text

Once the link is inserted, you can style the linked text as desired. Change the font, size, color, or alignment to match the rest of your presentation.

To ensure the link is working, click on the linked text in the presentation preview mode. If the link opens the correct web page or email in a new tab, then your invisible link is successfully created.

Actions Key Combinations
Select all text Ctrl + A
Deselect text Click outside the text box
Open “Insert” menu Click on “Insert”
Insert Link (dialog box) Select “Link” from “Insert” dropdown
Remove link frame Uncheck “Open link in a new window” in “Advanced settings”
Make link invisible Uncheck “Show icon” in “Insert Link” dialog box

To insert a hyperlink to an external website, follow these steps:

1. Select the Text or Object

Choose the text or object you want to link to.

Click the “Insert” tab in the top menu and select “Hyperlink.” In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, enter the full URL of the website you want to link to.

In the “Insert Hyperlink” dialog box, you can customize the link’s appearance and behavior:

Display Text:

This is the text that will be displayed in the presentation. Leave it empty to display the full URL.

Target Frame:

Choose the frame or window where the linked website should open. Select “_blank” to open in a new tab or window.

Tooltip:

Enter a description that will appear when the cursor hovers over the link. This helps users understand the destination of the link.

Option Description
Display Text Text to be displayed in the presentation
Target Frame Frame or window where the link opens
Tooltip Descriptive text that appears on hover

Linking to Another Slide or Presentation

To create an invisible link that smoothly transitions to another slide or presentation, follow these detailed steps:

  1. Insert a Placeholder Shape: Insert a rectangle or any other shape onto the slide. Format the shape to blend seamlessly with the background, ensuring it’s large enough to cover the area where you want the link to be placed.

  2. Apply Trigger Animation: Select the shape and go to the “Animations” tab. Choose a transition animation from the “Entrance” effects. To make the transition automatic, set the “Start” option to “On Click.”

  3. Add Hyperlink to Shape: Right-click on the shape and select “Hyperlink.” In the “Hyperlink to” dropdown, choose “Place in This Document” or “Other Presentation” depending on the target location.

  4. Advanced Trigger Options (Hyperlink Details):

    • Action Trigger: Ensure that the “Action:” dropdown shows “Hyperlink to” to initiate the transition when the shape is clicked.

    • Object: Specify the target slide or presentation in the “Object:” field. You can use the “Browse” button to locate the file if necessary.

    • Slide: If linking to another slide within the same presentation, select the desired slide from the dropdown.

    • Custom Show: In case the target is a custom slide show, choose it from the “Custom Show:” dropdown.

    • Show and Hide Options: Adjust the “Show or Hide Mouse Cursor” and “Same Window or New Window” options to control cursor visibility and window behavior.

To further enhance the hyperlink’s visual appeal, you can customize its appearance through the following steps:

Navigate to the “Hyperlink” tab in the “Format Text” panel. Choose the desired color and font style for your link from the available options.

Adjust the “Line Thickness” and “Transparency” sliders to modify the thickness and opacity of the link. This allows you to create subtle or bold links as per your preference.

Choose from various highlight styles, such as “Solid,” “Dash,” and “Dot,” to add visual interest to your link.

Add a border or shadow to the link to make it more prominent. Experiment with different border styles and shadow effects to achieve the desired aesthetic.

For even greater customization, click on the “More Colors” button to access the “Format Text Effects” panel. Here, you can refine the link’s appearance using advanced options:

  • Fill & Line: Specify gradient fills, patterns, or custom colors for the link.
  • Shadow: Control the direction, color, and opacity of the link’s shadow.
  • Glow: Add a glow effect to the link to make it stand out.
Option Description
Shape Fill Choose a gradient fill, pattern, or custom color to fill the link.
Shape Outline Customize the color, width, and style of the link’s outline.
Shadow Add a shadow to the link to create depth and dimension.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Ensure the link is correctly formatted with the “href” attribute pointing to the desired URL.

Double-check that the provided URL is accurate and the website is reachable.

Verify that the color of the text or shape associated with the link matches the background color, making it visually invisible.

This is a default browser behavior. To prevent it, use a background color for the link that matches the background color of the slide.

Slide Navigation Disabled

Ensure that the “On click” action for the shape is set to “None” or “Hyperlink to web page.”

To open the link in the same tab, add the following code to the end of the “href” attribute:

Attribute Value
target _self

Invisible links can significantly enhance the accessibility of your presentations:

  • They remove visual clutter, making the slides easier to navigate.
  • They allow screen readers to easily identify and announce the links.
  • They prevent accidental clicks, especially for users with motor impairments.

To create an invisible link in Google Slides:

Step 1: Insert a Shape

Insert a shape (e.g., rectangle, circle) where you want the invisible link to be.

Step 2: Set Shape Transparency

Right-click on the shape and select “Format Options.” Set the opacity to 0% to make it invisible.

Click on the shape again and select “Insert > Link.” Enter the desired web address or slide destination.

In the “Link” sidebar, check the box “Hide linked icon.”

You can also create invisible links using HTML in the presentation notes:

HTML Code Effect
<br/><a href="https://example.com"></a><br/> Invisible link to the specified website
<br/><a href="#slide-2"></a><br/> Invisible link to the second slide in the presentation

Testing Accessibility

After creating invisible links, use screen reader software to verify their accessibility.

Invisible links, also known as transparent links, are an innovative way to enhance user experience by hiding the visual appearance of hyperlinks while maintaining their functionality.

Invisible links offer several advantages over traditional hyperlinks, including improved aesthetics, increased user engagement, and enhanced navigation.

To create invisible links in slides, follow these steps:

  1. Insert an image or shape onto the slide.
  2. Select the image or shape.
  3. Click the “Insert” tab.
  4. In the “Links” group, click “Hyperlink”.
  5. Enter the URL of the desired link.
  1. Select the hyperlink.
  2. Click the “Format” tab.
  3. In the “Shape Styles” group, click “Shape Fill”.
  4. Choose “No Fill”.
  • Improved Aesthetics: Invisible links maintain the visual integrity of slides.
  • Increased User Engagement: Users can interact with links without visually interrupting the content flow.
  • Enhanced Navigation: Invisible links allow for seamless navigation within presentations.
1. Use Subtle Visual Cues: Add a slight hover effect or subtle color change to indicate that an element is clickable.
2. Avoid Overuse: Use invisible links sparingly to prevent visual clutter.
3. Provide Contextual Relevance: Ensure that invisible links are placed in areas related to their target content.

Conclusion:

Invisible links are a powerful tool for enhancing user experience in presentations. By hiding the visual appearance of hyperlinks, presenters can improve aesthetics, increase engagement, and enhance navigation, ultimately creating more effective and engaging slide presentations.

**Avoiding Misrepresentation**

Invisible links should never misrepresent the content they link to. The anchor text should accurately reflect the destination page’s content, avoiding misleading or deceptive language.

**Respecting User Choice**

Users should be given the choice to click on invisible links or not. Avoid using tactics that force users to follow links without their consent, such as hiding the links within images or making them difficult to identify.

**Transparency and Accessibility**

Invisible links should not be used to bypass accessibility features. Ensure that screen readers and other assistive technologies can detect and navigate these links.

**Avoiding Clutter**

Excessive use of invisible links can clutter the page and make it difficult for users to find the information they need. Use invisible links sparingly and only when necessary.

**Ethical Considerations for Specific Situations**

The ethical use of invisible links varies depending on the specific situation. Consider the following table:

Situation Ethical Considerations
Marketing emails Use sparingly, with clear disclosure in the body of the email.
Landing pages Avoid using invisible links to redirect users without their knowledge.
Social media posts Use cautiously, ensuring that the link destination is relevant to the post.

1. Ensure Accessibility for All Users

Invisible links should not be used to replace visible links that are essential for accessibility. Screen readers and other assistive technologies rely on visible links to provide users with equal access to information.

2. Use Descriptive Alternative Text

When using an image as an invisible link, provide descriptive alternative text that clearly indicates the destination of the link. This helps users understand the purpose of the link, even if they cannot see it.

Place invisible links within content that is relevant to the destination. This helps users understand why they are clicking on the link and avoids confusion.

4. Avoid Using Hover Effects

Hover effects on invisible links can hide the link from users. Instead, use other visual cues, such as underlining or a different color, to indicate the presence of a link.

5. Follow Hyperlinking Best Practices

Follow general hyperlinking best practices, such as using clear and concise link text and avoiding broken links.

Test invisible links regularly to ensure they are working properly and are not breaking any accessibility guidelines.

7. Provide Feedback on Interaction

When a user clicks on an invisible link, provide some form of feedback, such as a change in cursor, to indicate that a link has been clicked.

Avoid using excessive numbers of invisible links. Too many invisible links can overwhelm users and make it difficult to find the desired information.

9. Consider Ethical Use

Invisible links should not be used for deceptive purposes, such as tricking users into clicking on unwanted content. Maintain transparency and ethical use in link placement.

Recommended Practice Benefits
Use descriptive alternative text Improves accessibility for users
Keep links contextually relevant Enhances user understanding and reduces confusion
Avoid using hover effects Ensures visibility and accessibility for all users
Provide feedback on interaction Indicates that a link has been clicked
Limit the number of invisible links Prevents overwhelming users and confusing navigation
  1. Create a new slide in your presentation.
  2. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Shape”.
  3. Choose the “Rectangle” shape.
  4. Draw a rectangle on the slide.
  5. Right-click on the rectangle and select “Format Shape”.
  6. Click on the “Fill” tab.
  7. Select “Solid fill”.
  8. Change the color to white.
  9. Click on the “Line” tab.
  10. Select “No line”.
  11. Click on the “Size and Properties” tab.
  12. Enter the width and height of the rectangle.
  13. Click on the “OK” button.
  14. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Link”.
  15. Enter the URL of the website you want to link to.
  16. Click on the “OK” button.
  17. Click on the rectangle to select it.
  18. Click on the “Slide Show” tab and select “Start Slide Show”.
  19. Click on the rectangle to go to the website.

People also ask

  1. Create a new slide in your presentation.
  2. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Shape”.
  3. Choose the “Rectangle” shape.
  4. Draw a rectangle on the slide.
  5. Right-click on the rectangle and select “Format Shape”.
  6. Click on the “Fill” tab.
  7. Select “Solid fill”.
  8. Change the color to white.
  9. Click on the “Line” tab.
  10. Select “No line”.
  11. Click on the “Size and Properties” tab.
  12. Enter the width and height of the rectangle.
  13. Click on the “OK” button.
  14. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Link”.
  15. Enter the URL of the website you want to link to.
  16. Click on the “OK” button.
  17. Click on the rectangle to select it.
  18. Click on the “Slide Show” tab and select “Start Slide Show”.
  19. Click on the rectangle to go to the website.

How do I add an invisible button in Google Slides?

  1. Create a new slide in your presentation.
  2. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Shape”.
  3. Choose the “Rectangle” shape.
  4. Draw a rectangle on the slide.
  5. Right-click on the rectangle and select “Format Shape”.
  6. Click on the “Fill” tab.
  7. Select “No fill”.
  8. Click on the “Line” tab.
  9. Select “No line”.
  10. Click on the “Size and Properties” tab.
  11. Enter the width and height of the rectangle.
  12. Click on the “OK” button.
  13. Click on the “Insert” tab and select “Link”.
  14. Enter the URL of the website you want to link to.
  15. Click on the “OK” button.
  16. Click on the rectangle to select it.
  17. Click on the “Slide Show” tab and select “Start Slide Show”.
  18. Click on the rectangle to go to the website.

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