How to Make a Digital Seating Chart with Google Slides

Digital seating charts are easy to make with Google Slides. First, insert shapes. Then add names. Voila! A movable, editable seating chart!

One of the most important ways to organize your classroom is with a seating chart that matches your teaching style.
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The perfect seating chart offers a kind of feng shui to the classroom. Now you can create a digital template that allows you to easily move desks and/or tables. Just click and drag!

Make a digital seating chart template with Google Slides - and save time!
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Follow these steps to create your own digital seating chart template. (Or download this freebie with desks already added.)

Choose a Ratio for Your Digital Seating Chart

For the first step, create a new set of Google Slides. After measuring your classroom, go to File then Page setup. Choose the ratio that’s best for you – or create a custom setup. (Since my room is longer than it is deep, I chose 4:3.)

The first step in creating a digital seating chart template is choosing a ratio that's similar to the size of your room.

Add a Background for Your Digital Seating Chart

Although it’s not necessary, you can customize your seating chart. First, create an image with the same ratio aspect as your slide. Save it as an image.

Next, click on Slide and then Change background. Choose your image. Then your image will be embedded into the background of the slide (so it won’t move when you rearrange your seating chart).

You can create a special background or just a color.

Create One Desk, Duplicate, and Arrange

Now it’s time to add desks (or tables). You can add a shape or text box for this. After sizing it and changing the color, try typing “student name.” Adjust the size of the font so that your students’ names will fit.

Next, simply copy and paste your desk so you have enough for everyone in your class.

Rearrange the desks however you want.

Insert just one shape to your digital seating chart template. Adjust the size and shape.

Make a Copy and Add Names

Before you add your students’ names, make a copy of your seating chart. Save it as your template.

If you want a different set of slides for every class you teach, make additional copies. (This step is necessary if you want to post the seating charts on a Google Site.)

Otherwise, you may just duplicate the slide as many times as you need. This way, you would end up with one set of slides holding all of your seating charts.

Once you have your seating chart just the way you want it, make a copy for later. On it, add the names of this year's students.

As you can see, your new Google Slides seating chart is completely editable with handy movable pieces. You’ll never go back to pencil and paper again!

Enjoy Teaching with Google Sites and Slides

You can organize your teaching life with Google Apps. Wondering how? Read about ways to use Sites and Slides in your classroom.

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