Guides

Document Tools

Video to GIF

Turn a short video clip into an animated GIF and insert it into your current Google Docs™ document or Google Slides™ slide with the Text To Table Converter add-on.

Use Video to GIF to turn a short video clip into an animated GIF and place it directly into the file you are working on. The feature now works in both Google Docs™ and Google Slides™.

In Google Slides™, this is useful for autoplaying motion content that starts as soon as the slide appears. In Google Docs™, you can insert the generated GIF at the current cursor position in the document.

You can upload a video from your device or Google Drive, trim the exact part you want, choose output quality, and then insert the GIF into the current file, download it, or save it to Drive.

What You Can Do

  • Upload a video from your computer or Google Drive
  • Trim the clip with a timeline cutter
  • Adjust the frame rate and output size
  • Preview the result before saving it
  • Insert the finished GIF into the active Docs document or Slides slide
  • Download the GIF or save it to Google Drive

Where It Works

  • Google Docs™: insert the GIF at the current text cursor position
  • Google Slides™: insert the GIF on the current slide

You can open the feature from:

  • Sidebar: Document Tools -> Video to GIF
  • Extensions menu: Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Document Tools > Insert Video as GIF Animation

Quick Start

  1. Open the feature

In Google Docs™ or Google Slides™, open the add-on and go to Document Tools -> Video to GIF.

You can also open it from Extensions > Text To Table Converter > Document Tools > Insert Video as GIF Animation.

Note: In Google Docs™, place the text cursor where you want the GIF to appear before you insert it.

  1. Upload your video

Choose one of these options:

  • Upload from device
  • Pick from Google Drive

After the upload finishes, the video opens in the preview window.

  1. Choose the clip

Drag the start and end handles on the timeline to keep only the part you want. You can also enter exact start and end times.

Use Play Selection to loop only the selected part and check the timing before you generate the GIF.

  1. Set the output

Choose a frame rate and resolution that match your goal:

  • Lower settings create a smaller file
  • Higher settings create smoother motion and more detail

The dialog also shows an estimate before you generate the GIF.

  1. Generate and use the GIF

Click Generate GIF. When the GIF is ready, choose one of these actions:

  • Insert into Document / Slide
  • Download
  • Save to Google Drive

Best Use Cases

In Google Slides™

Use animated GIFs when you want motion on a slide without asking viewers to press play on a video. This works well for:

  • Product demos
  • UI walkthrough snippets
  • Marketing visuals
  • Real estate or venue previews
  • Small motion highlights inside a deck

In Google Docs™

Use animated GIFs when you want to place a short visual loop directly inside a document, such as:

  • Process steps in an internal guide
  • Product walkthroughs in documentation
  • Before-and-after examples
  • Small visual demonstrations in training content

Tip: Keep the clip focused on one action, such as a product spin, a UI interaction, or a short walkthrough moment. Shorter GIFs are usually easier to generate, easier to place, and easier to reuse.

If the file feels too large or generation takes too long, reduce one of these first:

  • Clip length
  • Resolution
  • Frame rate

Notes and Limits

  • Large videos can take longer to process in the browser
  • Browser support depends on video formats the browser can decode, such as MP4 or WebM
  • Files above 100 MB can be slow to process and may show warnings
  • In Google Docs™, insertion can fail if no cursor is active where the GIF should be placed

Related Guides

  • Download Images - Extract and download images from Google Docs or Google Slides.