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Google Slides: Move / scale an element — MCP tool

Google Slides MCP tool: Moves and/or scales a page element (batchUpdate updatePageElementTransform). mode=absolute REPLACES the element's whole transform: translate_x_pt/translate_y_pt become the new top-left-ish origin and omitted scales default to 1 — NOT to the current values, so an absolute move of a scaled element also resets its scale unless you resend it. mode=relative multiplies onto the existing transform: translate shifts by the given points, scale 2 doubles the current size (scaling happens around the origin, which also shifts the element — for a simple move prefer relative translate only).

Technical name: update_transform

What task it solves

I want to move or scale an element.

Moves and/or scales a page element (batchUpdate updatePageElementTransform). mode=absolute REPLACES the element's whole transform: translate_x_pt/translate_y_pt become the new top-left-ish origin and omitted scales default to 1 — NOT to the current values, so an absolute move of a scaled element also resets its scale unless you resend it. mode=relative multiplies onto the existing transform: translate shifts by the given points, scale 2 doubles the current size (scaling happens around the origin, which also shifts the element — for a simple move prefer relative translate only).

When to use it

Use this capability when you need “Move / scale an element” 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.
  • object_id — required. The page element's object id (from list_slides).
  • mode — required. absolute = replace the whole transform; relative = multiply onto the current one.
  • translate_x_pt — optional. Horizontal translation in points (default 0).
  • translate_y_pt — optional. Vertical translation in points (default 0).
  • scale_x — optional. Horizontal scale factor (default 1).
  • scale_y — optional. Vertical scale factor (default 1).

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 source marks the entire “Move / scale an element” call as destructive: it can permanently remove or overwrite existing content. Review the parameters and reversibility before calling it.

Example request

Move / scale an element in Google Slides. Ask for any required identifiers that are missing. Show me the exact change and wait for confirmation first.

Errors and limitations

Element geometry to reason from is in get_page.

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

Related MCP tools

Technical details