We’ve all been there: whereas making ready a presentation, you encounter a picture — one which captures your message brilliantly. However there’s a catch. The background of the picture both distracts from the message or just doesn’t match your presentation type. So what do you do?
Really, there are two issues you are able to do proper in PowerPoint: you possibly can both take away the background from a picture or make it clear. On this article, we’ll clarify easy methods to take away the background from an image in PowerPoint with each strategies, step-by-step:
- Learn how to make an image’s background clear
- Learn how to take away the background from a picture in PowerPoint
Earlier than You Start: Select and Put together a Appropriate Picture
How nicely you possibly can take away a background from photographs actually relies on the preliminary image you select. Listed here are three steps and helpful recommendations on easy methods to get your picture prepared:
1. Go for a high-quality image with a easy background
Whether or not you utilize your personal photographs or inventory pictures (from Unsplash, Pexels, or Pixabay, for instance), select high-resolution photographs with higher element and sharpness. This may make it simpler to tell apart between the foreground and the background.
Essential: The strategy for eradicating the background will differ relying on the image you select.
In case your image’s background has a uniform, strong fill (complete white background, black, or some other coloration that’s totally different from the principle object), you possibly can simply make the background coloration clear.

Photos with strong backgrounds like this one are perfect for utilizing the clear coloration instrument.
If the picture’s background will not be uniform, you’ll want to pick out the Take away Background instrument. However be aware: backgrounds which might be too difficult, multicolored, or combined might not present the specified outcomes and may require extra superior modifying. To make it work, select photographs with a easy, uncluttered background. Photos and pictures with blurred backgrounds wherein the principle topic is clearly distinguishable are often a very good match:

The background of the picture on the left is sort of not possible to take away, whereas with the image on the appropriate, you are able to do this with a few clicks.
2. Put it aside in the appropriate format
Be aware that background removing doesn’t work for Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), Adobe Illustrator Graphics (AI), Home windows Metafile Format (WMF), and Vector Drawing Information (DRW).
JPEG and PNG are essentially the most suitable codecs for PowerPoint, however if you happen to’re aiming for a clear post-editing background, save your picture as a PNG. This format maintains transparency layers, making it the best choice for this process.
3. Import the picture into PowerPoint
When you’ve ready a photograph in your laptop, it’s time to import your image into PowerPoint:
- Choose the slide the place you need to insert the image.
- Go to the Insert tab and click on Photos within the Picture group.
- Navigate to the placement in your laptop the place the picture file is saved. When you’ve positioned the file, click on to pick out it.
- Click on the Insert button on the backside proper of the file explorer window.
Learn how to Make the Image Background Clear in PowerPoint
That is the quickest solution to do away with a distracting background. If it has a single coloration, as in our instance with the donuts, observe these easy steps:
1. Click on on the picture wherein you need to make the background clear. On the toolbar, choose the Image Format tab on the PowerPoint ribbon.

2. Click on on the Coloration tab and choose Set Clear Coloration instrument from the dropdown menu. The cursor will change to a small pen with an arrow.

3. Transfer the cursor over to the picture and click on on the half you need to make clear. The strong background coloration you click on on will turn out to be clear, revealing the PowerPoint slide’s background.

When the Set Clear Coloration instrument doesn’t work
Be aware that the Set Clear Coloration instrument is not going to assist with backgrounds which have shadows or gradients. If the background tones are totally different shades, the instrument will take away just one:

Earlier than and after utilizing the Set Clear Coloration instrument
The Set Clear Coloration instrument additionally received’t work if the content material of photographs and the backgrounds are too comparable in coloration. Right here is an instance of what can occur on this case:

The person’s portrait after utilizing the Set Clear Coloration instrument
Learn how to Take away the Background from a Image in PowerPoint
The second solution to do away with the backgrounds is to make use of the Take away Background instrument. It could actually show you how to extract the topic from a tougher backdrop. Right here’s easy methods to use it:
1. Choose the image that you just need to take away the background from.
2. On the PowerPoint ribbon, choose the Image Format tab. Then, choose Take away Background.

3. The default background space is overlaid with a magenta coloration. Nevertheless, Microsoft PowerPoint doesn’t at all times get the choice proper the primary time:

As we will see right here, it missed a part of the background and virtually eliminated the department that the owl is sitting on. So, subsequent, we’ll modify it manually.
You possibly can choose Mark Areas to Preserve or Mark Areas to Take away buttons to make removing of the background extra exact:

Use the free-form drawing pencil to mark the areas to maintain. To pick small fragments, simply click on; to pick out a wider space, click on and drag to attract strains or a free-form form. With only a few clicks, PowerPoint retains or removes marked areas and selects your entire background efficiently:

When you’re glad with the choice, click on Preserve Adjustments to finalize the removing course of.

The chosen background components can be eliminated, leaving solely the specified components of your picture. Right here’s what we ended up with:

Now you possibly can seamlessly combine this picture into any presentation type, create more room for a daring headline or compelling quote, and even add the background of your option to create a slide that’s extra visually interesting.
If you happen to resolve to maintain this image as a standalone picture separate from the PowerPoint presentation, you may also put it aside in your laptop:
- Proper-click on the picture and choose Save as Image.
- Select a location, give your image a reputation, and choose the PNG format.
- Click on Save.
When the Take away Background instrument doesn’t work
Though the Take away Background instrument isn’t unhealthy, it generally doesn’t work as anticipated. Along with the explanations we talked about earlier, reminiscent of low picture decision and unclear subject-background distinction, the instrument might not precisely deal with tiny particulars reminiscent of hair, fur, or different components alongside the perimeters of the principle topic. See what occurred to the lion’s mane when the Take away Background instrument was used:

3 Free Extra Instruments for Eradicating Backgrounds
If you happen to’re not glad with the outcomes you get with Microsoft PowerPoint, you possibly can strive one of many free cloud-based instruments that we examined:
1. Elimination.ai

Elimination.ai is an AI-powered on-line instrument that may robotically detect and take away backgrounds. After removing, you possibly can edit the picture: handle distinction, opacity, blur, add shadows, write a title, add your personal background photographs, and resize the picture to suit social media-friendly dimensions.
The free model doesn’t help you obtain high-resolution photos. We had been capable of save a picture with a decision of 800 x 533 pixels.
2. Adobe Specific

Adobe Specific is a superb instrument that gives superior modifying options, in addition to background removing. With its intuitive interface, you possibly can simply add your personal background or choose one from the built-in assortment. It additionally means that you can insert objects, shapes, frames, and texts, and even apply animation results.
Photos may be downloaded as PNG, JPG, or PDF recordsdata. If you happen to apply animations, you possibly can obtain your file as an MP4 file. You’ll have to create an account to be able to use the instrument.
3. Erase.bg

Erase.bg is a minimalist instrument that means that you can take away the background from a picture with a single click on. It doesn’t provide intensive modifying choices – you possibly can solely add your picture to a brand new background that’s both a monochrome or a texture fill.
It additionally has a cell app for Android and iOS.
FAQ on Learn how to Take away the Background From an Picture in Microsoft PowerPoint
Listed here are some questions you might need if you need to take away the background from a picture in PowerPoint:
1. Can I undo background removing in PowerPoint?
Completely. PowerPoint means that you can discard modifications if you happen to’re not glad with the result. Simply click on Discard All Adjustments within the Regulate group:

2. Is it attainable to switch the background as an alternative of eradicating it utterly?
PowerPoint doesn’t have an computerized background substitute possibility, however you possibly can place the picture that the background has been faraway from on high of one other picture to realize an analogous impact.
3. Can I take away a picture background working with OneDrive?
No. You possibly can take away the background from an image solely within the desktop model of PowerPoint. The cloud-based model doesn’t have a built-in background removing instrument. To take away the background on-line, use one of many instruments listed above.
The Remaining Phrase
That’s it! We hope you discovered these step-by-step directions on easy methods to take away an image’s background in PowerPoint useful. To study different PowerPoint presentation hacks and make your slides extra participating, try these articles: