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
| Route | Stays in sync with BioRender | Best for |
| BioRender add-on, linked image (recommended) | Yes. One click brings in your latest changes. | Any presentation you'll keep using. |
| BioRender add-on, editable image | No. It's a one-time copy. | Tailoring a figure for one presentation, for example moving pieces or editing text. |
| Download an image. Export a PNG or JPG from BioRender and insert it. | No. | One-off use, graphs, figures you can view but don't own, or if you're on the free plan. |
We recommend linked images for most presentations. Edit a figure once in BioRender and update every slide that uses it.
Linked or editable
| Linked image | Editable image | |
| What you get | A high-resolution image that links to the BioRender file | Text and pieces you can move and edit in Slides |
| Updates from BioRender | Yes | No |
| Transparent background | Yes (not for posters) | No |
| Works for | Presentations, figures, posters | Presentations and figures, one at a time |
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.
- If BioRender isn't already under "Extensions", install it from the Google Workspace Marketplace. Select "Install", then "Continue".
- 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
| What you see | What it means and what to do |
| "Load My Gallery" | Your browser blocks third-party cookies. Select "Load My Gallery", or allow third-party cookies to skip this step. |
| "You can only add images to Slides with a BioRender Premium subscription" | Adding and updating figures needs a paid plan. Ask your admin for a seat or upgrade. |
| You created your BioRender account with Google and can't sign in | Note: confirm the workaround (ENT-286) before publishing. |
| "You need access!" | You're not a collaborator on this file. Select "Request edit access". |
| "Accept the invite in BioRender to get access." | Select "Accept invite" to open your shared files in BioRender. |
| "The original file was deleted in BioRender" | The source file no longer exists. Remove the image or replace it. |
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.
