Use BioRender in Google Slides

Bring BioRender figures into your Google Slides presentations and keep them up to date as your work changes.

Choose how to bring figures into Google Slides

We recommend linked images for most presentations. Edit a figure once in BioRender and update every slide that uses it.

Linked or editable

You can turn a linked image into an editable one with "Make editable". It stops syncing from then on; to sync again, add the figure from your gallery again.

Insert as linked image 

Purpose: Add BioRender illustrations as high-quality, non-editable images.

Key Features:

• High-resolution export:
  • 300 DPI by default
  • 72 DPI for posters (to help manage file size)
• Supports transparent backgrounds
• Auto-hyperlink back to the original BioRender illustration
• Automatically scales to fit your slide layout
• Auto-update supported: If the illustration is updated in BioRender, you’ll see the option in Google Slides to apply the latest version and replace the existing image

Insert as editable figure

Purpose: Add illustrations as fully editable components within your slide deck.

Key Features:

• Decomposed elements: BioRender illustrations are broken down into individual, editable components such as icons, shapes, and text boxes
• Limitations to keep in mind:
  • Auto-update is not supported for editable figures
  • These figures are marked as “Unlinked” in the BioRender side panel
  • Transparent backgrounds are not available in this format.    

Set it up

Available on paid plans. If your organization restricts Marketplace apps, ask your Google Workspace admin to install BioRender for everyone.

1. If BioRender isn't already under "Extensions", install it from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Select "Install", then "Continue".
2. In a presentation, go to "Extensions" › "BioRender" › "Open Sidebar".

3. Enter your BioRender email and select "Continue". Signing in with Google isn't supported yet.

Add figures

In the sidebar, select "Add BioRender image" (or "Add image"), choose your figures, and pick "Linked image" or "Editable image" under "Add as".

Keep figures up to date

• When a figure changes in BioRender, the sidebar shows "Updates found". Select the figure, then "Update image".
• Use "Update all images" to update every linked figure in the presentation at once.

Good to know

• Linked images link to the BioRender file, so anyone viewing your presentation can open it in BioRender if they have access.
• Other editors of the presentation can update figures too, if they have the add-on, a paid plan, and access to the BioRender file.
• To have a seamless experience using the BioRender for Google Slides, please ensure that third-party cookies are enabled in your browser. If third-party cookies are blocked, you will experience an extra button click when inserting figures. 

If something goes wrong

Your data

To learn how BioRender handles your data, see BioRender's data privacy and security overview.

BioRender is now available for Google Slides, making it easier to enhance your presentations with scientific figures. Learn how to install the add-on, sign in, and begin inserting figures using either linked or editable formats.