How to Remove Background from a Picture in PowerPoint?

When creating presentations, using images can enhance the overall visual appeal. However, sometimes images come with distracting backgrounds that can clutter your slides. Luckily, PowerPoint offers a built-in feature that allows you to remove backgrounds from pictures easily. This feature enables you to focus on the main subject of the image, creating a cleaner and more professional look for your presentation.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of removing the background from a picture in PowerPoint and provide useful tips along the way.

Why Remove Backgrounds from Images in PowerPoint?

Before diving into the steps, let’s understand why removing backgrounds from images is important. Images with unnecessary backgrounds can make your PowerPoint slides look unorganized or even unprofessional. By removing the background, you can emphasize the key part of the image and make your slide more visually appealing.

Moreover, when using images with transparent backgrounds, it becomes easier to integrate them with text, shapes, or other design elements in your presentation. This technique is especially useful in corporate presentations, product showcases, and marketing materials.

Steps to Remove Background from a Picture in PowerPoint

Step 1: Insert the Image into PowerPoint

Before you can remove the background, you need to insert the picture into your PowerPoint slide.

1. Open your PowerPoint presentation and navigate to the slide where you want to place the image.
2. Click on the Insert tab in the top menu.
3. In the Images group, select Pictures. Choose whether to insert an image from your computer (This Device) or from an online source.
4. Select the image you want and click Insert.

Your image will now appear on the slide, ready for background removal.

Step 2: Open the Background Removal Tool

Once your image is inserted, it’s time to use the background removal tool.

1. Click on the image to select it. A new tab labeled Picture Format will appear in the top menu.
2. In the Adjust group, locate and click on Remove Background. PowerPoint will automatically try to determine the background to remove by shading it in magenta.

Step 3: Adjust the Background Removal Selection

PowerPoint will make an initial guess at the background, but it’s not always perfect. You can manually adjust the areas to keep or remove.

• Mark Areas to Keep: If part of your image is mistakenly shaded in magenta (indicating it will be removed), you can correct this by clicking on Mark Areas to Keep in the Background Removal tab. Then, click or draw over the parts you want to keep.
• Mark Areas to Remove: Similarly, if PowerPoint has left some unwanted background elements, you can click on Mark Areas to Remove and highlight the parts you want to remove.

Step 4: Finalize the Background Removal

Once you’re happy with your adjustments:

1. Click Keep Changes in the Background Removal toolbar to finalize your edits. The background of the image will now be transparent.

If you made a mistake, you can always click Discard All Changes to start over.

Tips for Better Background Removal Results in PowerPoint

1. Use High-Quality Images

For best results, use images that are high-resolution and have clear distinctions between the subject and the background. PowerPoint’s background removal tool works more efficiently when there is a clear contrast between the two.

2. Simplify the Background

If possible, use images with simple, solid-color backgrounds. This makes it easier for PowerPoint to distinguish the background from the subject.

3. Zoom in for Precision

To make precise adjustments, you can zoom in on the image. This helps when marking small areas that you want to keep or remove.

4. Combine with Shapes and Text

Once the background is removed, you can combine the image with shapes or overlay text. Transparent images work well when layered with other design elements, enhancing the overall look of your PowerPoint slides.

Alternative Method: Remove Background Using External Tools

Although PowerPoint’s background removal tool is effective for many cases, it may not always give the desired result, especially with complex backgrounds. In such cases, you can use external tools like Adobe Photoshop, Canva, or Remove.bg for more advanced background removal options.

After editing the image in an external tool, you can then insert the picture back into PowerPoint using the same method discussed earlier.

How to Save an Image with a Transparent Background in PowerPoint

Once you’ve removed the background, you may want to save the image for use in other projects. Here’s how to do that:

1. Right-click the image with the background removed.
2. Select Save as Picture.
3. Choose PNG as the file format. PNG supports transparent backgrounds, unlike formats like JPG.
4. Save the file to your desired location.

Now, you can reuse the image with a transparent background in any other document or presentation.

Common Issues When Removing Backgrounds in PowerPoint

1. PowerPoint Can’t Identify the Background

In some cases, PowerPoint might struggle to detect the correct background, especially with complex images. You can adjust the markings by using the Mark Areas to Keep and Mark Areas to Remove options as described earlier.

2. The Subject Gets Removed Along with the Background

Sometimes, PowerPoint may incorrectly remove part of the main subject along with the background. In such instances, zoom in on the image and carefully mark the areas that should be kept. If the problem persists, consider using a higher-quality image or an external editing tool.

3. Inconsistent Edges After Background Removal

After removing the background, you may notice rough or inconsistent edges around the subject. To smoothen these edges, you can use PowerPoint’s soft edges tool:

• Select the image and go to Picture Format.
• In the Picture Effects section, choose Soft Edges and adjust the softness to make the edges appear smoother.

When to Use the Background Removal Feature

Presentations with Minimalist Designs

Minimalist presentations often benefit from images with transparent backgrounds. By removing distracting backgrounds, you can highlight key elements of your PowerPoint slides without cluttering the design.

Layering Images with Text

When layering images with text or other design elements, a transparent background helps the subject blend seamlessly into the slide. This technique is useful for marketing, branding, and educational presentations.

Creating Collages

If you’re designing collages or interactive slides, removing the background from multiple images can help in creating a more cohesive visual experience. You can place multiple images without worrying about overlapping backgrounds.

Key Differences Between PowerPoint’s Background Removal and External Tools

Final Thoughts

Removing backgrounds from pictures in PowerPoint is a simple process that can significantly improve the appearance of your presentation. Whether you’re aiming for a professional corporate look or a sleek, minimalist design, using PowerPoint’s background removal tool allows you to isolate your subject and focus on what matters most.

For more complex images, external tools like Photoshop or Canva can offer more control and precision. However, PowerPoint’s built-in tool is sufficient for most users, providing a quick and easy solution for removing backgrounds directly within your presentation.

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Trish Dixon

Trish Dixon is the founder of PPTBliss and a PowerPoint expert with over a decade of experience in presentation design. Passionate about visual storytelling, Trish shares her expertise through easy-to-follow tutorials on slide design, animations, transitions, and best practices, helping professionals create impactful presentations across industries.

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