# Google Slides finally does letter spacing

*Nov 7, 2026 · svgslid.es blog*

Tracking has landed in Google Slides. Here's what it is, how to use it well, and why Docs looks next.

## TL;DR
- Slides now has **letter spacing**, which type designers call **tracking**.
- Toolbar: the **|A|** button next to line spacing. Menu: **Format › Text › Letter spacing**.
- Presets: **6, 3, 0, −1.5**, plus **Custom spacing** (any value, decimals and negatives allowed; no unit shown).
- The Docs help center documents it; the Docs editor doesn't show it yet (as of Nov 7, 2026).

## Tracking vs. kerning vs. leading
- Tracking: same space added/removed after every letter in a selection (the new control).
- Kerning: space between one specific pair (e.g. AV); set by the font, not exposed in Slides.
- Leading: space between lines; the line spacing button.

## Tips
1. Open up all-caps text and small labels (+3 to +6).
2. Tighten large display headlines slightly (−1.5).
3. Leave body text at 0.
4. Bigger type → tighter; smaller type → looser.
5. Positive values widen lines: recheck line breaks and text box overflow.
6. One value per role (eyebrow, headline, body) for consistency.
7. Check in Present mode.

## Steps
1. Select text or a whole text box.
2. Click Letter spacing (|A|) in the toolbar, or Format › Text › Letter spacing.
3. Pick 6, 3, 0 or −1.5. Or choose Custom spacing, enter a value, Apply.
4. Reset by choosing 0.

## The slip-up that points to Docs
- Docs help article "Change how paragraphs & fonts look" (https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1663349) now has an "Adjust letter spacing" section (text, text boxes, tables; toolbar button and Format › Text › Letter spacing).
- Wayback Machine: absent on Oct 5, 2026 (https://web.archive.org/web/20261005194616/https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1663349?rd=1&visit_id=639268263719815361-3052973569); present Oct 12, 2026 (https://web.archive.org/web/20261012192940/https://support.google.com/docs/answer/1663349?hl=enGoogle:). Not in July–September captures.
- Docs editor Format › Text menu has no Letter spacing yet (checked Nov 7, 2026).
- Precedent: custom line spacing shipped to Docs and Slides together in Sept 2019 (https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2019/09/line-spacing-docs-slides.html).
- No Workspace Updates announcement found yet. Strong signal, not a promise.