Looking for ideas on how to make number lines in Google Slides? There is a way to create PERFECT number lines in just a few steps.

And it gets better.

Once you create your number line templates, you will be able to use them again and again!

Today we’ll look at the visual steps to make number lines in Google Slides…and how to store them to use in the future.

The secret to setting up number lines, fast!

Ok, let’s talk about the secret to setting up number lines quickly!

It’s all in the the tables.

Tables are an AMAZING tool for creating number lines in Google Slides:

Let’s get started!

create a TABLE

First, create a table in a new Google Slide.

Your table will need ten columns and one row:

FORMAT THE TABLE

Choose a color for your table borders:

Then choose a line weight:

Next, select each of the top borders. You can select them all at once by holding the Shift key as you click each one:

With the top borders all selected, go to the line color menu and set them to Transparent:

Now your table should look like this:

Next, set your bottom borders to transparent:

CREATE THE ARROW LINE

To make the rest of the number line, choose the arrow tool from the dropdown menu:

Be sure to choose the same arrow design for both ends of the line:

Choose a line weight for the arrow line:

Next, select the table. Right-click and choose Distribute Columns to be sure each column is the same width:

With the table still selected, set the font to a small size. This will allow us to make the height of the lines a bit smaller:

Now we can make that first table a bit smaller in height so our marks on the number line aren’t too tall:

ADD A TABLE FOr NUMBERS

Next, we will create another table (last one, I promise!). This table will be for the numbers you enter below your number line.

Insert a table with eleven columns and one row:

Line this new table up under your number line:

Select your table and center the text:

Then, choose a font and font size for your numbers:

(my latest number font love is this one, as it features the perfect open four!)

I used n as a placeholder for my numbers:

Now select the table, right-click, and choose Distribute Columns to be sure all are even in width:

With the table still selected, set all borders to Transparent:

Finally, drag your numbers right under your number line until they are lined up:

Ok, so that was a bit of work.

But congratulations are in order!

Now that you’ve created these number lines in Google Slides, you can reuse the templates again and again!!

Select the whole number you created by clicking and dragging over it:

Then copy and paste the number line into a new Google Slide and start inserting your numbers!

Storing your number line templates

Now let’s set up a special place to store those templates you just created! This will save time as you create new printables for your students in the future.

I like to use Google Keep to store my templates. If you are new to Google Keep, I have a whole page on the site designated to all the ways to use Keep in teaching, as well as an interactive design experience if you’d like t set up a Google Keep system today as well!

I set up a special note to keep the templates I like to reuse:

Then I can just click on the link and grab my number line templates to paste right into a new Google Slide!

And that’s it!

I hope you enjoyed these ideas on how to make number lines in Google Slides…I know you will love how much time this saves in the future!

more math ideas

When I’m not sharing technology tutorials, I LOVE to share math ideas, freebies, and resources.

Be sure to check out my latest post…How to Use Color Tiles in Math: 20 Easy Photo Ideas