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Best answer

Image Placeholder Not Showing Up in “Create Presentation from Template” Step (Google Slides)

  • April 11, 2025
  • 8 replies
  • 82 views
E
Forum|alt.badge.img+1

Hi Zapier Community,

I’m building a Zap that creates a Google Slides recruiting profile for high school football players. It pulls player info (name, stats, etc.) from a Google Sheet, and includes a player picture.

Everything works except the image placeholder.

Here’s what I’ve done so far:

  • Edited the slide theme and added an Image Placeholder via Insert → Placeholder → Image Placeholder → Rectangle

  • Saved the layout and applied it to the main slide

  • Refreshed fields in Zapier’s “Create Presentation from Template” step

  • Expected to see “Image Placeholder 1”, but it doesn’t appear

  • When I run the Zap, the player info populates fine, but the image doesn’t show

I’m using a direct image URL from Google Drive in the format:

bash

CopyEdit

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=FILE_ID

Has anyone successfully used image placeholders in this way with Zapier + Google Slides? Any ideas why the placeholder isn’t recognized?

Thanks in advance!

Best answer by Troy Tessalone

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz 

Tip: to pass images onto the template, you just need to create a text placeholder variable on your presentation template, then pass on a URL to a hosted image on your Zap template.

The link to the image needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link for the file.

Use this utility: https://sites.google.com/site/gdocs2direct/

This post has been closed for comments. Please create a new post if you need help or have a question about this topic.

8 replies

Troy Tessalone
Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
Forum|alt.badge.img+14
  • Troy TessaloneZapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • Zapier Orchestrator & Solution Partner
  • 34081 replies
  • Answer
  • April 11, 2025

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz 

Tip: to pass images onto the template, you just need to create a text placeholder variable on your presentation template, then pass on a URL to a hosted image on your Zap template.

The link to the image needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link for the file.

Use this utility: https://sites.google.com/site/gdocs2direct/

⚡ Troy Tessalone - AutomationAce.com | Platinum Authorized Zapier Solution Partner | #1 Zapier Community Contributor
ken.a
Forum|alt.badge.img+6
  • ken.aZapier Staff
  • Zapier Staff
  • 6780 replies
  • April 14, 2025

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz,

I noticed your recent post and wanted to follow up. Were you able to implement Troy’s recommendation?

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you require further assistance—we’re more than happy to help. 🤗

E
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • El Profe GanczBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 21 replies
  • April 16, 2025

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz 

Tip: to pass images onto the template, you just need to create a text placeholder variable on your presentation template, then pass on a URL to a hosted image on your Zap template.

The link to the image needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link for the file.

Use this utility: https://sites.google.com/site/gdocs2direct/

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz,

I noticed your recent post and wanted to follow up. Were you able to implement Troy’s recommendation?

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you require further assistance—we’re more than happy to help. 🤗

Hello, thank you for reaching out I am actually just getting to it now but I will let you know when I try it out.

SamB
Community Manager
Forum|alt.badge.img+11
  • SamBCommunity Manager
  • Community Manager
  • 9751 replies
  • April 16, 2025

No worries, ​@El Profe Gancz. Looking forward to hearing how it goes! 🙂

E
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • El Profe GanczBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 21 replies
  • April 16, 2025

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz,

I noticed your recent post and wanted to follow up. Were you able to implement Troy’s recommendation?

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you require further assistance—we’re more than happy to help. 🤗

Hello Troy,

Thank you for your help, it worked and I was able to upload the image!

E
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • El Profe GanczBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 21 replies
  • April 16, 2025

No worries, ​@El Profe Gancz. Looking forward to hearing how it goes! 🙂

Hello SamB,

It worked and I was able to upload the image with Troy’s recommendation!

E
Forum|alt.badge.img+1
  • El Profe GanczBeginner
  • Author
  • Beginner
  • 21 replies
  • April 16, 2025

Hi ​@El Profe Gancz 

Tip: to pass images onto the template, you just need to create a text placeholder variable on your presentation template, then pass on a URL to a hosted image on your Zap template.

The link to the image needs to be a publicly accessible direct download link for the file.

Use this utility: https://sites.google.com/site/gdocs2direct/

Hello Troy,

Thank you for your help, it worked and I was able to upload the image!

 

Gerardo

JammerS
Forum|alt.badge.img+6
  • JammerSZapier Staff
  • Zapier Staff
  • 3527 replies
  • April 17, 2025

Wow! Thank you for confirming that Troy’s resolution got the Zap running. This will significantly help our Community members to have as a reference for the same issue.

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