Google Slides: Create a shape — MCP tool

Google Slides MCP tool: Creates a shape on a slide (batchUpdate createShape), optionally with its initial text in the same atomic batch.

Technical name: create_shape

What task it solves

I want to add a shape or text box.

Creates a shape on a slide (batchUpdate createShape), optionally with its initial text in the same atomic batch.

When to use it

Use this capability when you need “Create a shape” without doing the same work manually in the Google Slides interface. It runs only when an AI client calls it.

What to provide

• presentation_id — required. The presentation id — the long id from the URL (docs.google.com/presentation/d/<presentationId>/edit) or from create_presentation output.
• page_object_id — required. The slide's object id to place the shape on (from list_slides).
• shape_type — required. The shape type.
• text — optional. Initial text, inserted in the same atomic batch.
• x_pt — optional. Left edge in points (requires y_pt; default 50).
• y_pt — optional. Top edge in points (requires x_pt; default 50).
• width_pt — optional. Width in points (requires height_pt; default 300).
• height_pt — optional. Height in points (requires width_pt; default 80).
• object_id — optional. Optional custom object id (5-50 chars of [a-zA-Z0-9_-:]); auto-generated when omitted.

What it returns

Returns compact JSON from the upstream API or a clear MCP tool error. The exact fields depend on the operation and are documented in the technical reference.

What changes in Google Slides

The tool changes real Google Slides data as described above. The server does not promise an automatic rollback.

Example request

Create a shape in Google Slides. Ask for any required identifiers that are missing.

Errors and limitations

Types: text_box, rectangle, round_rectangle, ellipse, diamond, triangle, right_arrow, left_arrow, up_arrow, down_arrow, star, heart, cloud, callout — the API's other ~130 ShapeTypes go through batch_update. Position/size are in points ((0,0) is top-left; a default 16:9 slide is 720x405 pt); omitted geometry defaults to 300x80 pt at (50,50). Returns the shape's objectId in the reply. Fill/outline/shadow are not parameters here — style via batch_update updateShapeProperties; text styling via update_text_style.

Access also depends on token permissions, quotas, and upstream API limits.

Related MCP tools

• Insert an image — create_image
• Replace an image — replace_image
• Move / scale an element — update_transform

Technical details

• Impact: changes data
• Group: Shapes and images
• Description source: create_shape registration in src/tools/
• Full technical reference
• All MCP capabilities