Lorem Ipsum for PowerPoint, Google Slides & Keynote
- PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote do not have built-in lorem ipsum commands
- Use an online generator to copy paragraphs or sentences, then paste into text boxes
- Match text volume to your actual slide content — short bullets, not full paragraphs
- Free browser tool, no signup required
Table of Contents
Unlike Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Google Slides have no built-in lorem ipsum command. The fastest solution is an online generator: choose your text type, copy, and paste directly into any text box on your slide. This takes about 10 seconds per slide — here is the exact workflow for each platform.
Why Presentation Designers Use Dummy Text
Presentation design follows the same principle as web design: finalize the layout before you write the copy. If you are building a slide deck template for a client, creating a pitch deck structure for review, or prototyping a new deck format, you need text to evaluate spacing, font sizing, and visual balance without waiting for the final content.
Presentation-specific reasons dummy text matters:
- Font size decisions: A title that looks great at 40px with "Title Text Here" may look cramped when the real 12-word headline arrives. Lorem ipsum that matches your expected character count reveals this early.
- Layout validation: Does the two-column slide still work when both columns have 3 sentences? Dummy text answers that before the first stakeholder review.
- Template delivery: When delivering a slide template to a client, placeholder text looks more professional than "PLACEHOLDER" or repeated "x" characters.
How to Add Lorem Ipsum to PowerPoint
PowerPoint does not have an equivalent to Word's =lorem() formula. The only way to get dummy text into a PowerPoint slide is to paste it from an external source.
Steps:
- Open the WildandFree Lorem Ipsum generator
- Choose Sentences for body text (typically 2-4 sentences per slide content area) or Words for short labels
- Generate and click Copy
- In PowerPoint, click inside a text box and paste with Ctrl+V (Windows) or Cmd+V (Mac)
PowerPoint preserves the plain text — no formatting issues. If you need the text to match a specific font or style, apply your slide's text formatting after pasting. The paste inherits the text box's default style by default.
Sell Custom Apparel — We Handle Printing & Free ShippingHow to Add Lorem Ipsum to Google Slides
Google Slides works identically to PowerPoint for this purpose. There is no built-in placeholder text feature, so you copy from an online generator and paste.
One Google Slides-specific tip: if you paste formatted text and it brings in unwanted styling, use Ctrl+Shift+V (or Cmd+Shift+V on Mac) to paste without formatting. This ensures the text takes on the slide's native font and size rather than inheriting styling from the clipboard.
Google Slides also has an Add-ons menu where you can search for lorem ipsum generators — tools like "Lorem Ipsum" by Cloud2Go add a sidebar that generates text on demand without leaving Slides. These add-ons require permission to access your Google account, which some users prefer to avoid. The online generator approach requires no permissions at all.
How to Add Lorem Ipsum to Apple Keynote
Keynote (macOS and iPadOS) has a built-in placeholder text feature for template design, but it does not generate lorem ipsum for regular use. Template placeholder text in Keynote is a developer feature for creating slide themes — it does not help when you are building a presentation and need filler for content areas.
For regular use, copy lorem ipsum from the generator and paste into text boxes exactly as you would in PowerPoint or Google Slides.
On iPad, the online generator works in Safari — tap Generate, tap Copy, switch to Keynote, and tap Paste. The whole process works without leaving the browser tab. No app needed.
Matching Lorem Ipsum Volume to Your Slide Type
A common mistake is pasting too much dummy text into presentation slides — presentations use much shorter text than web pages or documents. Matching the volume to your actual slide type produces a more realistic layout review.
| Slide Element | Recommended Mode | Count |
|---|---|---|
| Title slide headline | Words | 6-10 words |
| Section title | Words | 4-7 words |
| Bullet point item | Words | 8-12 words |
| Body text paragraph | Sentences | 2-3 sentences |
| Caption under image | Sentences | 1 sentence |
| Speaker notes | Paragraphs | 1 paragraph |
Get Lorem Ipsum for Your Slides Instantly
Sentences mode for slide body text. Words mode for titles and bullets. Copy to clipboard in one click — no signup.
Open Free Lorem Ipsum GeneratorFrequently Asked Questions
Does PowerPoint have a built-in lorem ipsum shortcut?
No. The =lorem() command works in Microsoft Word but not in PowerPoint. To add lorem ipsum to PowerPoint slides, copy from an online generator like WildandFree and paste into text boxes. This takes about 10 seconds per slide.
How do I paste without formatting in Google Slides?
Use Ctrl+Shift+V on Windows or Cmd+Shift+V on Mac to paste as plain text. This removes any formatting from the clipboard and lets the text inherit the slide's native font and size.
Can I use lorem ipsum in Keynote on iPad?
Yes. Open the WildandFree generator in Safari on iPad, generate your text, tap Copy, then switch to Keynote and paste. The browser tool works fully in Safari without any app installation.
Should I use lorem ipsum or just write placeholder text in presentations?
Lorem ipsum is better for professional presentation templates and client-facing mockups — it prevents reviewers from focusing on the placeholder words. For internal drafts you are using yourself, "Lorem ipsum" vs "your headline here" is a style choice with no wrong answer.
