How to Get Icons in PowerPoint: Easy Methods

Icons in PowerPoint are an excellent way to enhance presentations visually. Icons can help make your slides more engaging and convey ideas quickly and effectively. Fortunately, Microsoft PowerPoint offers a built-in feature that allows users to easily insert icons into their presentations. In this article, you will learn how to get icons in PowerPoint using different methods, as well as how to customize them to fit your needs.

What Are Icons in PowerPoint?

Icons are simple, scalable vector graphics that are used in presentations to represent objects, actions, or ideas. Icons help in making information more digestible and are often used to illustrate key points without the need for lengthy text. Since icons are vector-based, they maintain high quality when resized, making them perfect for PowerPoint slides of any dimension.

Benefits of Using Icons in PowerPoint

Using icons in PowerPoint can greatly improve your presentations. Some benefits include:

• Improved visual appeal: Icons make slides look professional and visually appealing.
• Clarity: Icons help to clarify the message you’re trying to convey without overloading slides with text.
• Time-saving: Icons allow you to replace lengthy descriptions with a simple graphic, making your presentations more concise.
• Scalability: Since icons are vector-based, you can resize them without losing quality.

How to Insert Icons in PowerPoint Using the Built-In Icons Library

PowerPoint has a built-in library of icons that can be easily accessed. Here’s how you can insert icons directly from PowerPoint’s built-in library:

Step 1: Open PowerPoint

Start by opening PowerPoint and navigating to the slide where you want to insert the icon.

Step 2: Access the Insert Tab

Go to the top menu and click on the Insert tab. This is where most of the elements you can add to your slide are found, such as shapes, pictures, and icons.

Step 3: Select Icons

In the Insert tab, locate the Icons button. It is typically found in the Illustrations group along with Shapes and SmartArt. Click on the Icons option.

Step 4: Choose Your Icon

A pop-up window will appear with a wide range of icons organized into different categories such as Business, Education, Technology, and Communication. You can either scroll through the categories or use the search bar to find a specific icon.

Step 5: Insert the Icon

Once you’ve selected the icon(s) you want, click Insert. The icon will be added to your slide, and you can now move or resize it as needed.

How to Insert Icons in PowerPoint Using SVG Files

If you can’t find the right icon in PowerPoint’s built-in library, you can insert SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) icons from external sources. SVG files are high-quality graphics that allow for better customization.

Step 1: Download an SVG File

First, download an SVG icon from a reputable site like Flaticon, IconFinder, or Freepik. Make sure to download the file in SVG format for the best quality.

Step 2: Insert the SVG File

In PowerPoint, go to the Insert tab, and this time, click on the Pictures option. From the drop-down menu, select This Device, then navigate to the location where the SVG file is saved on your computer. Select the file and click Insert.

Step 3: Edit the SVG Icon

Once the SVG icon is inserted into the slide, you can edit its color, size, and shape. To change the color of the icon, right-click on it, select Convert to Shape, and then use the Shape Fill and Shape Outline options to modify its appearance.

How to Customize Icons in PowerPoint

After inserting icons into your slides, you may want to customize them to better fit the design of your presentation. Below are some ways to customize icons in PowerPoint.

Changing the Icon Color

To change the color of an icon:

1. Select the icon by clicking on it.
2. Go to the Graphics Format tab that appears when the icon is selected.
3. Click on the Graphics Fill drop-down menu, and choose the color you prefer.

Resizing Icons

Icons are scalable, so you can easily resize them without losing quality. To resize an icon:

1. Click on the icon to select it.
2. Drag the corner handles to increase or decrease the size proportionally.

Adding Effects to Icons

You can add effects like shadows or reflections to your icons:

1. Select the icon.
2. Go to the Graphics Format tab and click on Graphics Effects.
3. Choose from a variety of effects such as Shadow, Reflection, or Glow to enhance your icon.

How to Insert Third-Party Icon Packs in PowerPoint

Sometimes, you may need a specific style or set of icons that aren’t available in PowerPoint’s built-in library. In this case, you can download and use third-party icon packs.

Step 1: Download the Icon Pack

Visit websites like IconScout, Noun Project, or Icons8 to find specialized icon packs. These sites offer both free and premium options.

Step 2: Insert the Icons

Once downloaded, you can insert the icons into PowerPoint as images:

1. Go to the Insert tab.
2. Select Pictures > This Device.
3. Navigate to where your icon pack is saved, select an icon, and click Insert.

Step 3: Customize the Icons

Like any other graphic, you can adjust the size, color, and placement of third-party icons in PowerPoint.

How to Create Custom Icons in PowerPoint

If you can’t find the perfect icon in any library, you can create a custom icon using PowerPoint’s built-in shapes. This method allows you to combine multiple shapes to create a unique icon.

Step 1: Open the Shapes Library

Go to the Insert tab and click on Shapes.

Step 2: Combine Shapes

Choose the shapes you need to create your custom icon. You can layer shapes on top of each other to achieve the desired look. For example, you can combine a circle and a square to create a button-like icon.

Step 3: Group the Shapes

Once you’re satisfied with your design, select all the shapes and right-click to choose Group. This will combine the shapes into a single icon that can be resized and customized as needed.

Best Practices for Using Icons in PowerPoint

While icons can greatly enhance your presentation, it’s important to use them effectively. Here are some best practices for using icons in PowerPoint.

1. Keep Icons Simple

Icons should be simple and easy to understand. Avoid overcomplicating your slides with too many icons, as this can make your presentation look cluttered.

2. Consistent Style

Ensure that all the icons you use in your presentation share a consistent style. Mixing and matching different styles of icons can create a disjointed look.

3. Balance Between Text and Icons

While icons can be a great way to illustrate your points, they shouldn’t replace text entirely. Use icons to complement your text, not to substitute it.

Overview: Sources for Free and Paid Icons

Final Thoughts

Incorporating icons in PowerPoint can elevate your presentations by making them more visually appealing and engaging. Whether you’re using PowerPoint’s built-in icon library, importing SVG files, or creating custom icons, there are plenty of options available to fit your needs. By following the steps outlined above, you’ll be able to effectively insert and customize icons in your PowerPoint presentations.

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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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