how to change background picture in powerpoint presentation

• Slidesgo School
• PowerPoint Tutorials

How to Change Background Image and Color in PowerPoint

When creating a presentation, the background image takes on special relevance, as it is able to convey different emotions, as well as it can play an important role in the readability of the text. That is why this aspect must be taken care of as much as the content itself.

In this post we are going to show you step by step how to add a background image and color in PowerPoint .

How to change a background image in PowerPoint

How to change the background color in powerpoint.

Putting a picture as a background on your PowerPoint presentation helps to give it a more personal style that can serve to reinforce the content of your presentation.

The first thing to do is to choose which image you want to use. Think about what you need to convey to find a matching photo, and keep in mind the overall style of the presentation, so that everything goes in harmony. You should also pay attention to the content, so that it does not lose visibility. For example, we have chosen a picture related to nature, with green tones, to add to the background of this zero waste cardboard background template.

Open the PowerPoint document, choose the slide you want to change the background and click on the Design section in the top menu. Then click on the Format Background tab. A new section will open on the right side. There, select the  Picture or Texture Fill - Insert option. Choose From a File to insert the image from your own pc or select any of the different options that appear, and you're done!

Among the options that will appear in the window on the right, you will find one to add transparency to the background image. In addition, whenever you want or need to revert the changes, you can click the Reset Background button to return to the original. 

On the other hand, if you want to apply the new photo to the whole presentation, just click on the bottom button Apply to All in the menu on the right. With this option, the background will also appear by default on the new slides you create.

As you can see, in just a couple of clicks you can set a background image in PowerPoint . And if you need inspiration to choose the right one, we invite you to read this post, in which we give you some tips to captivate your audience with the photographs in your presentation .

Pro Tip : Try to generate contrast by using dark text and light colored images, or vice versa. And always use good quality photos, so they don't pixelate.

Another option you can use to customize your presentation is to add a background color to a slide , as we are going to do below in the watercolor texture template. To do this, just click on the top menu Design - Format Background . A menu will open on the right. Choose the Solid Fill option and select the color of your choice (we recommend using the theme colors included in the template, to maintain visual harmony). As with the background image, here you can also click Apply to All to change it in the slide set.

There are other options that can help you add a different touch to your presentation, such as Gradient or Pattern, which you will also see in the right menu mentioned above.

If you need more information we recommend you also read this post on how to change colors in a PowerPoint presentation .

Now you know how to change the background in PowerPoint , test your creativity and impress everyone with your presentations. If you need more ideas, Slidesgo offers you a wide variety of templates in different colors, which you can edit and customize according to your needs.

Do you find this article useful?

Related tutorials.

New feature available: edit our templates with Canva

Whenever you need to create, Slidesgo is there. We’re continually enhancing your presentation design process with templates that are primed to impress for any occasion. And in order to let your ideas flow best, comfort is key. How could Slidesgo help you with this? By making you feel right at home with our resources, no matter your preferred platform.You spoke, and we listened. Now, your favorite slides can be accessed on a new platform: Canva! This new format adds to our existing options (PowerPoint and Google Slides), expanding your ways to utilize our first-rate presentation content. We’ve started with a selection of Canva-ready...

How to print PowerPoint notes

Crafting an impactful PowerPoint slideshow and delivering a captivating presentation are distinct skills. The first focuses on designing appealing visuals to convey a clear message, while the second involves employing effective presentation techniques to ensure the audience grasps the idea. The content of this article will help you with the latter part of this process, guiding future presenters on how to print PowerPoint with speaker notes to enhance your presentations success and effectiveness.

Discover Our Online Presentation Software for Free

We have great news for you today! If you’ve been a Slidesgo fan for years (or months, or weeks, or days, or mere hours, we welcome everyone!), you’ll probably know for now that our templates are available mostly in two formats: for use in Google Slides and PowerPoint.Google Slides is a free tool, since you only need a Google account in order to use it. PowerPoint, on the other hand, is part of the Microsoft Office suite, so it’s not a free program, but that didn’t stop it from being one of the most popular options in the world!What if we...

Webinar: Presentation Audit

With more than 15,000 templates released on Slidesgo and a user base composed of millions of people, we estimate that the total number of presentations created adds up to… um, a lot! Our team of professional designers work very hard to provide you with editable slides so that the only thing you need to do is, well, customize the elements to your liking. Starting from any given template, the results may vary a lot depending on the person who edited the contents.Have you ever wondered “Is my presentation good enough?” and wished that an expert on presentations looked at your template...

How to Add a Background Picture in Powerpoint: Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a background picture to your PowerPoint presentation can really spice things up! It’s a simple way to make your slides look more professional and engaging. Want to know how to do it? All it takes is a few clicks, and you’ll have a stunning backdrop for your presentation in no time.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Add a Background Picture in PowerPoint

Before we dive into the steps, let’s talk about what you’re about to do. Adding a background picture involves accessing the ‘Design’ tab, selecting ‘Format Background’, and then choosing an image from your computer to set as the backdrop for your slides. This can give your presentation a personalized touch and make it visually appealing.

Step 1: Open the ‘Design’ Tab

First things first, click on the ‘Design’ tab at the top of your PowerPoint window.

In the ‘Design’ tab, you will see various options for customizing the look and feel of your slides. For now, focus on the far right group named ‘Customize’.

Step 2: Select ‘Format Background’

Next, click on the ‘Format Background’ option within the ‘Customize’ group.

You’ll notice a new pane appearing on the right side of the window. This is where you can choose different background options for your slides.

Step 3: Choose ‘Picture or texture fill’

In the ‘Format Background’ pane, select the ‘Picture or texture fill’ option.

After choosing this option, you will see several choices for selecting a picture, including inserting a picture from a file, clipboard, or online sources.

Step 4: Click on ‘File’ to upload your image

Now, click on the ‘File’ button to choose and upload the image you want from your computer.

A file explorer window will open, allowing you to navigate to the location of your desired image. Select your image and click ‘Insert’.

Step 5: Apply to All Slides

Finally, if you want to apply this background picture to all of your slides, click on the ‘Apply to All’ button at the bottom of the ‘Format Background’ pane.

And just like that, your selected image will be set as the background for every slide in your PowerPoint presentation.

After completing these steps, you’ll see your chosen picture as the backdrop on your slides. It’s that quick and easy! With a few clicks, you’ve added a personal touch to your presentation that is sure to capture your audience’s attention.

Tips: Enhancing Your PowerPoint Background Picture

• Ensure your background image is high quality and relevant to your presentation topic.
• Avoid using overly busy or distracting images that may make text hard to read.
• Consider adjusting the transparency of your background image if you need to lighten it for readability.
• Use the ‘Format Background’ options to add artistic effects, like a blur or a color wash, to your image.
• Remember to check how your background looks in presentation mode, as colors and clarity can change on different screens or projectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do i make sure the text is still readable over my background picture.

Adjust the brightness and contrast of your image or add a transparent overlay to ensure the text stands out.

Can I use different background pictures for different slides?

Absolutely! Simply repeat the steps for each slide where you want a different background image.

What image file types can I use for my PowerPoint background?

PowerPoint supports most common image file types, including JPEG, PNG, and GIF.

How do I remove a background picture if I change my mind?

Go back to the ‘Format Background’ pane, select ‘Solid fill’, and choose a color or simply ‘Reset Background’.

Can I add a background picture to just one slide section?

Yes, you can apply a background picture to individual sections by selecting only those slides before following the tutorial steps.

• Open the ‘Design’ Tab
• Select ‘Format Background’
• Choose ‘Picture or texture fill’
• Click on ‘File’ to upload your image
• Apply to All Slides

Adding a background picture in PowerPoint is a breeze once you know the steps. And the best part? It’s a surefire way to make your presentation stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re putting together a business presentation or creating a slideshow for a personal event, a custom background can set the tone and convey your message visually. Plus, with the ability to adjust settings like transparency and add artistic effects, you can create a look that’s all your own.

Remember, the key is to choose an image that complements your content without overpowering it. With the tips and tricks provided, you’re well-equipped to select the perfect backdrop for your slides. As you become more comfortable with the process, you’ll find that experimenting with different images and effects can be quite fun.

So go ahead, give it a try! A picture is worth a thousand words, and with a striking background image, your PowerPoint presentation will speak volumes.

Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.

His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

Related Posts

• How to Download a Google Slides Presentation as a Powerpoint File
• How to Do a Powerpoint Google Slides Presentation Conversion
• How to Flip an Image in Google Docs
• How to Hide Background Graphics in Powerpoint 2013: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Set Google Docs Background Image
• How to Mirror Image in PPT Files (An Easy 6 Step Guide)
• How to Rotate a Powerpoint Slide Presentation
• How to Add a Hyperlink on Google Slides
• How to Convert Powerpoint to Google Slides: A Tech Solution
• Can You Save a Powerpoint as a Video in Powerpoint 2013? Find Out Here!
• How to Make Google Slides Vertical (5 Quick Steps)
• How to Delete Multiple Slides in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Put a Picture as a Background in Powerpoint 2010: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Save Powerpoint as PDF with Notes: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Flip Picture in Word Documents (A Quick 5 Step Guide)
• How to Print 4 Slides Per Page in Google Slides: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Rotate an Image in Google Slides
• How to Put a Border Around a Picture in Powerpoint 2019: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Bring an Image to the Front in Google Slides
• Can You Download Google Slides Files?

Get Our Free Newsletter

How-to guides and tech deals

You may opt out at any time. Read our Privacy Policy

How to Change the Background in Microsoft PowerPoint

Make your presentation look pro

The slide background is one visual you don’t want to forget about when creating a presentation. Whether a subtle shade, matching color, or image, here’s how to customize the background in Microsoft PowerPoint for one slide or all.

Change the Background for Individual Slides

If you want to change the background for a single slide or give each slide its own look, you can pick from colors, gradients, patterns, and more.

• Head to the slide you want to change in your slideshow.
• Go to the Design tab and select Format Background . Alternatively, right-click a blank spot on the slide and pick Format Background .

• When the sidebar opens on the right, you should see the Fill section expanded. If not, use the arrow on the left to display its settings.
• You can use one of four background styles: solid fill, gradient fill, picture or texture fill, and pattern fill.

• Once you select the fill, you’ll see the options displayed directly beneath. You can choose a solid color, gradient style, insert a picture, or pick a pattern.

• Optionally, check the box for Hide background graphics . This is handy if you’re using a PowerPoint template that provides images in the background.

You’ll see the change apply to the slide immediately, so if you change your mind, you can revert it.

To return the background to its original appearance, select Reset Background at the bottom of the Format Background pane.

Change the Background for All Slides

To keep your presentation’s appearance consistent, you might want to change the background for all slides to match. You can use the same options, colors, gradients, or patterns for every slide in the show.

• Go to a slide, open the Design tab, and select Format Background .
• When the sidebar opens on the right, choose the background type in the Fill section.
• Select the settings for the fill style, like the color, gradient, image, or pattern.
• At the bottom of the sidebar, select Apply to All .

• Like when modifying the background for a single PowerPoint slide, you’ll see the change right away.

To return all slides to the original background, choose one of the slides and change the background in the sidebar. Then, pick Apply to All .

If each slide had a unique background before you made the change to all slide backgrounds, you’ll need to revert each one individually. The Reset Background button mentioned above is only available for single slides.

Tip : If you didn’t make any other changes to your slideshow after adjusting the background, you can use the Undo option in the Quick Access Toolbar .

Whether you want to use your company’s colors, insert a watermark, or apply an attractive gradient, you can change the background on a PowerPoint slide in just a few steps.

For more, look at these tricks and tips for improving your PowerPoint presentations .

Sandy Writtenhouse is a freelance technology writer and former Project, Department, and Program Manager. She turned her education, job experience, and love of technology into a full-time writing career. With all sorts of gadgets in her home and her hands, she seeks to help others make life easier through technology. Read Sandy's Full Bio

Read More Posts:

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Computers and Electronics
• Presentation Software
• PowerPoint Presentations

How to Add Background Graphics to Powerpoint

Last Updated: March 19, 2024

Adding a Picture

Applying effects, using slide master view.

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 417,245 times. Learn more...

How do you edit background graphics in PowerPoint?

• You can add a background image to an individual slide or to all slides in your presentation.
• To create repeating wallpaper-like background, you can tile any photo as a texture.
• Adding backgrounds in the Slide Master makes it easy to apply the one background to all slides using the same layout.

• If you want to apply the background to every slide in your presentation, you can do so at the end of this section.

• There are other fill options you can choose from, such as solid colors, gradients, and patterns. Selecting one will display additional options for that type of fill. This guide focuses on adding images and graphics to the background.

• Click the "File" button to select a picture from your computer. A file browser will open, and you can navigate to the image you want to use.
• Click the "Online" button to find pictures from online sources. You can perform a Bing web search, choose images stored in your OneDrive, or grab pictures from your Facebook or Flickr account.
• Click the "Texture" menu to select from a premade texture background. There are a variety of premade textures that you can pick from if you'd rather not insert your own image.

• Click the "Artistic Effects" menu and select the effect you want to use.
• When you select an effect, additional options may appear beneath it. The options vary depending on the effect you chose.

• Different slides in the master list are for different slide layouts. Changes made to that master will apply to all slides with the same layout. The slide at the top of the master list will apply yo all slides in the presentation.

Community Q&A

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-us/article/Add-a-picture-as-a-slide-background-4b0b98d4-774c-4e08-9c38-e8c92f58c957
• ↑ http://www.presentationpoint.com/blog/best-powerpoint-screen-resolution/
• ↑ http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffice/forum/msoffice_powerpoint-mso_other/how-can-i-edit-a-background-graphics-object/94ef97f5-8e95-4d90-b0aa-d61a7095b9a8?auth=1
• ↑ http://www.gcflearnfree.org/powerpoint2013/slide-master-view/1/

About This Article

To add an image to the background of one or more PowerPoint slides, start by selecting the slides you want to edit in the left panel. To select multiple slides, hold down the Control key on a PC or the Command key on a Mac as you click each slide. If you just want to edit one slide, click it once. Next, click the "Design" tab, and select "Format Background" in the toolbar's top-right corner. The Format Background panel will expand. In the "Format Background panel," select "Picture or texture fill" under "Fill" options. To select an image from your computer or a network drive, click "File." Browse for the picture, select it, and then click "Open." PowerPoint will automatically resize the image to properly fit the slide. Since slides are in landscape orientation, or wider than they are tall, try choosing a background image with a similar orientation. If you don’t have a background image in mind, click the "Online" option, which allows you to search for an image by keyboard using Bing Image Search. Once you've placed your image, you can make some modifications. First, if the image is a pattern or texture and not intended to stretch across the whole slide, check the box next to "Tile picture as texture" so it repeats across the slide like wallpaper. If the text on your slide becomes hard to read now that there's an image in the background, drag the "Transparency" slider to the right until the image fades enough to make the text legible. You can also edit the picture itself after placing it. Click the photo icon at the top of the Format Background to find Picture Corrections and Picture Color tools, such as brightness, contrast, and saturation controls. Your new background image is automatically applied to any slides you selected. However, if you want to apply the background to all slides in the presentation, you can click the "Apply to All" button at the bottom of the "Format Background" panel to do so. Did this summary help you? Yes No

• Send fan mail to authors

Is this article up to date?

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

wikiHow Tech Help Pro:

Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve

• Editor's Choice: Tech Gifts for Mom
• New! iPad Air 6 Details

How to Add a Background Picture to PowerPoint Slides

Personalize your next PowerPoint presentation with one of your photos

• Brock University

What to Know

• Design > Format Background > Picture or texture fill and select the desired image.
• Move the transparency slider to set how transparent you want the image to be.

This article explains how to use any image as the background for one or more slides in your PowerPoint presentation. Instructions apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.

Add and Format a Background Image

To add a picture as the background image for a PowerPoint slide:

Open the PowerPoint presentation and go to the slide where you want to add a background image. If you want to add it to all of your slides, add it to any slide.

Select Design > Format Background . Or, right-click on the slide and select Format Background . The Format Background pane opens.

Select Picture or texture fill .

Select File to insert a picture from your computer or network drive, select Clipboard to insert a picture you copied, or select Online (or Clip Art in PowerPoint 2010) to search for a picture online.

Locate the picture you want to use and select Insert .

Set the transparency  level for the picture using the Transparency slider.

Choose Reset Background to remove the photo so you can start over, Close to apply the picture as the background to one slide, or Apply to All to apply the picture as the background to all the slides in the presentation.

To remove the background image, open the Format Background pane and choose Solid Fill or another option.

Choose the Background Picture Carefully

By default, the picture you choose for the background of your slide is stretched to fit the slide. To avoid distortion, choose a horizontal format picture and one with high  resolution .

A picture with high resolution appears crisp and clear, while a picture with low resolution appears blurry when it is enlarged and stretched to fit the slide. Stretching the picture can result in a distorted image.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day

• PowerPoint Background Colors and Graphics
• Insert a Picture Inside Text on a PowerPoint Slide
• Using Design Themes in PowerPoint
• Flip a Picture on a PowerPoint Slide
• Add Rolling Credits to a PowerPoint Presentation
• How to Place a Picture Inside a PowerPoint Shape
• Hide Background Images for Cleaner Printed PowerPoint Slides
• Create a Watermark on PowerPoint Slides
• How to Make a Shape Transparent in PowerPoint
• How to Add PowerPoint Slides Into a Word Document
• How to Make a Slideshow on PowerPoint
• Rotating a Picture on a PowerPoint Slide
• Grayscale and Color Picture Effect in PowerPoint
• An Introduction to PowerPoint
• Create Pictures From PowerPoint Slides
• How to Make an Image Background Transparent in PowerPoint

How to change and format the background of your PowerPoint slides to custom designs

• You can change the background of your PowerPoint slides through the "Format Background" feature. 
• To change the background of your PowerPoint slides to one of the four available options, start by right-clicking a slide or going to the "Design" tab in the top menu bar. 
• The process will look the same regardless of what computer you're using, as long as you're using the most up-to-date version of PowerPoint.
• You can customize your PowerPoint slide backgrounds even more by adjusting the text, colors, and more. 
• Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories .

Though you can always choose a premade template, you may want to customize your PowerPoint slide backgrounds manually.

You can add a custom background to one or more slides, and you'll also have the option to "Apply to All" as well. When changing your PowerPoint slide backgrounds, there are four options: solid fill, gradient fill, picture or texture fill, or pattern fill. Each option offers different adjustments to fine-tune your background, depending on its type.

To do this, you'll need to access the "Format Background" menu by right-clicking or selecting the option in the "Design" tab at the top. Either method will open the same window on the right side of your screen, and the process will look the same on both Mac and PCs. 

Here's how to use the "Format Background" feature to change your PowerPoint slide background.

Check out the products mentioned in this article:

Microsoft office (from $149.99 at best buy), apple macbook pro (from $1,299.00 at apple), acer chromebook 15 (from $179.99 at walmart), how to change the background of your powerpoint slides.

1. Open PowerPoint on your Mac or PC and create a new presentation or open one you've already started.

2. Right-click on any slide. 

3. Select "Format Background…" from the pop-up menu that appears. 

4. You can also select the "Design" tab on the top menu. 

5. Click the "Format Background" icon on the right-hand side below a paint can icon. 

6 . In the window that appears on the right-hand side, choose from the solid fill, gradient fill, picture or texture fill, or pattern fill. Solid fill will automatically load first. 

7. For the gradient fill, select a preset gradient or make a custom one. 

8. If you select text or picture fill, PowerPoint will automatically load one of the textures, which you can change by clicking the "Texture" option.

9. To add your image, click the "Clipboard" button if you have one already copied. If it's a usable image, PowerPoint will automatically fill the slide. 

1o. If the image is not usable, select "Insert…" to manually upload an image from your computer.

11. After clicking "Insert" in the pop-up window, PowerPoint will use this image to fill the slide.

12. To change the pattern fill, select one of the presets and use the paint cans below to change the foreground and background colors of stripes, polka dots, or other patterns.

13. Hit the "Apply to All" button at the bottom to apply the changes to all your slides. 

14. If you wish to apply a background to multiple slides, but not all of them, use the COMMAND + SHIFT + A or CTRL + SHIFT + A keyboard shortcut to select two or more slides. 

Related coverage from Tech Reference :

How to download and access microsoft powerpoint on your mac computer, how to convert google slides to a powerpoint presentation in 4 easy steps, how to embed a youtube video into your microsoft powerpoint presentations using a mac or pc, how to convert a powerpoint to google slides in 2 different ways, yes, you can use microsoft word on a chromebook — here's how to install it.

Insider Inc. receives a commission when you buy through our links.

Watch: These basement renovations hide slides and secret rooms

• Main content

How-To Geek

How to use an image as the background in powerpoint.

If you can't find an background style you like in PowerPoint, insert your own image. Here's how.

Quick Links

From a file, online pictures.

If you can't find the slide background that you’re looking for in PowerPoint’s presentation library, you can use any image of your own choosing. PowerPoint makes this possible in just a few simple steps. Here’s how.

A word of caution before you begin. The image you select will be stretched to fit the slide size. If you use an image that’s too small, the image will be distorted when used as the background. Be sure to pick an image that works. High-resolution images work best.

When you’re ready, open the PowerPoint presentation that you would like to add a background image to. Once open, head over to the “Design” tab.

In the “Customize” group, select the “Format Background" button.

The “Format Background” pane will appear on the right-hand side of the window. Here, select “Picture Or Texture Fill” from the “Fill” group.

Once selected, more options will appear below. Under “Picture Source”, select the “Insert” button.

The “Insert Pictures” window will appear, presenting three different options for inserting an image .

Related: How to Get a Picture Behind Text in PowerPoint

Selecting this option will bring up File Explorer (Finder for Mac). Here, navigate to the location of the image you’d like to insert, select it, and then click the “Insert” button.

Selecting this option will bring up an online image search powered by Bing. Enter the type of image you’d like to locate in the search bar, or select a topic beneath the search bar to open a library of related images.

Whichever method you choose, locate and select the desired image and click “Insert”.

Selecting this option will bring up the “Insert Icons” window, showing a large library of available icons. Select the icon you’d like to use as the background and click “Insert”.

Regardless of which method you used to locate the image, once you’ve selected “Insert”, the image will appear in the background of your presentation.

As you can see, the image we selected makes it pretty difficult to see the text in our slide. To fix this, adjust the “Transparency” slider until the image works well with the text. You can also fine-tune the percentage (by 1% increments) by clicking the up and down arrow to the right of the slider.

The end result should leave your slide looking much better.

Finally, it’s important to note that inserting the background image only takes place on the selected slide.

If you’re wanting to reflect these changes to the entire slideshow, select the “Apply To All” option at the bottom of the “Format Background” pane.

Once selected, you’ll notice the background has been applied to all slides in the presentation.

How to Change Slide Background in PowerPoint

Change the Background of PowerPoint Slides to a Color, Gradient or Picture

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 7, 2023

Applies to: Microsoft ® PowerPoint ® 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)

In PowerPoint, you can change the background of individual slides, selected slides based on a layout, or all slides based on a Slide Master. Slide backgrounds can be changed to a color, pattern, gradient, texture or picture. In this article, we'll review applying color, gradient and picture backgrounds.

It's important to understand that every PowerPoint presentation (or template) uses themes. The Document Theme (or overall theme) includes a Font Theme, a Color Theme, an Effect Theme and a Slide Master with a set of layouts (typically one master set). Some themes may contain multiple slide masters which can be tricky to use.

You can apply a theme in Normal View by clicking the Design tab in the Ribbon and then clicking a theme in the Themes gallery. You can also apply a Font Theme, Color Theme, or Effect Theme by clicking the Design tab in the Ribbon, clicking the More arrow in Variants and then selecting one of the theme options. If you change the Document Theme or Color Theme, you may change the background of all of your slides.

Recommended article: How to Remove the Background From an Image in PowerPoint (2 Ways)

Do you want to learn more about PowerPoint? Check out our virtual classroom or in-person PowerPoint courses >

Note that applying slide backgrounds is different from inserting a picture on a slide, resizing it and sending it to the back.

In this article, we're using the Format Background task pane to change slide backgrounds, not the Ribbon.

Change the background of a slide to a color

To change the background color of a slide:

• Go to Normal View (you may need to click the Normal button on the bottom right of the screen).
• Display the slide with the slide background you want to change.
• Right-click a blank part of the slide. A drop-down menu appears.
• Select Format Background. The Format Background task pane appears.
• If necessary, click the Fill icon at the top of the task pane.
• Click Solid Color and then select a color from the color drop-down menu. Do not click Apply to All.

In the example below, a solid color is selected for the background:

Change the background of a slide to a gradient

To change the background of a slide to a gradient:

• Go to Normal View (click the Normal button on the bottom right of the screen).
• Click Gradient fill.
• If you want to use a Preset gradient, select one from the Preset drop-down menu.
• If you want to change the type of gradient, select a type from the Type drop-down menu. These include Linear, Radial, Rectangular or Path.
• If you want to change the direction of the gradient, select a direction from the Direction drop-down menu.
• If you want to set an angle (for linear gradients), select an angle from the Angle drop-down menu.
• If you want to change the color of a gradient stop, under Gradient stops, click the stop and select a color from the Color drop-down menu. Repeat for other gradient stops. To delete a stop, click it and click the Remove Gradient Stop (x) to the right of the gradient stops. It's usually easiest to have 2 stops. You can also change the Position, Transparency and Brightness settings for each gradient stop. Do not click Apply to All.

In the Format background task pane below, note there are two stop points with different colors:

Change the background of a slide to a picture

To change the background of a slide to a picture:

• Click Picture or Texture Fill.
• In PowerPoint 2013 or 2016, under Insert, click Picture from File. If a dialog box appears, click Offline. In PowerPoint 2019 or 365, under Picture Source, click Insert. A dialog box appears. Click Insert from File.
• Navigate to the folder with the picture you want to use.
• Double-click the picture. Do not click Apply to All.

Note that Picture or texture fill is selected for the background in the following example (in PowerPoint 365 which is similar in 2013, 2016 and 2019):

Change the background of multiple slides in Slide Master View

If you change the background of a Slide Master, all of the layouts based on that Slide Master (in the Slide Master set) should change unless an individual layout's background has been changed. In most presentations, there is only one Slide Master and its associated layouts but there can be more than one Slide Master. Here, we'll assume there is only one Slide Master.

Change the background of all slides to a color using the Slide Master

To change the background color of all slides using the Slide Master:

• If you are not in Slide Master View, click the View tab in the Ribbon and then click Slide Master in the Master Views group.
• Click the Slide Master on the top left in the thumbnails (this thumbnail is larger and normally appears with a 1 beside it).
• Right-click a blank area on the slide on the right. A drop-down menu appears.
• Click Solid Color and then select a color from the color drop-down menu.
• Go to Normal View by clicking the Normal button on the bottom right of the screen to view the changes.

Change the background of all slides to a gradient using the Slide Master

To change the background of all slides to a gradient using the Slide Master:

Change the background of all slides to a picture using the Slide Master

To change the background of all slides to a picture (stored on your hard drive or a shared drive) using the Slide Master:

• Double-click the picture.

Change the background of slides using a specific layout in Slide Master View

In a PowerPoint presentation, every slide is assigned a layout. If you change the background of a slide layout in Slide Master View, all slides using that layout should change. However, if a slide background has been changed for an individual slide in Normal View, it no longer follows the background of its associated slide layout.

To apply or change a slide's layout:

• In Normal View, display the slide with the layout you want to change
• Click the Home tab in the Ribbon and select Layout in the Slides group. A drop-down menu appears.
• Click the layout you want to apply.

Change the background of slides using a specific layout to a color

To change the background color of slides using a specific layout in Slide Master View:

• Click the desired slide layout on the left in the thumbnails. When you point to a slide layout, a pop-up appears with the name of the layout.

Change the background of slides using a specific layout to a gradient

To change the background of slides using a specific layout to a gradient in Slide Master View:

Change the background of slides using a specific layout to a picture

To change the background picture of slides using a specific layout in Slide Master View:

Note that Picture or texture fill is selected for the background (in PowerPoint 365 which is very similar in 2013, 2016 and 2019):

Summary and considerations

You can use the Ribbon to apply backgrounds as well but the Format Background task pane offers the most flexibility.

if you want to change the background of multiple slides, it's usually best to change either the Slide Master or layouts in Slide Master View.

A picture background can be problematic if you want to format, crop or animate the picture. As an alternative, you may want to consider inserting a picture and sending it to the back as opposed to changing the background to a picture. You an insert pictures on a slide in both Normal View or on a slide master or layouts in Slide Master View.

If you are having difficulty editing slide backgrounds, you may have multiple masters and associated layouts. In Slide Master View, scroll down on the left in the thumbnails to see if there are more masters and associated layouts. Right-click any master and / or layouts that you don't need and select Delete from the drop-down menu. Note that you cannot delete a layout or master that is being used by one or more slides in Normal View.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, JOIN our email list.

More resources

How to Add Slide Numbers in PowerPoint

10 Great PowerPoint Drawing Tricks and Shortcuts

PowerPoint Slide Show Shortcuts (50+ Keyboard Shortcuts)

How to Hide or Unhide Slides in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)

How to Change Picture Brightness or Contrast in PowerPoint (2 Ways)

Related courses

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers

Microsoft PowerPoint: Animations Bootcamp

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

VIEW MORE COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at [email protected] if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2024 Avantix ® Learning

You may also like

How to Insert or Type E with an Accent Mark in PowerPoint (È, É, Ê, Ë, è, é, ê, or ë)

You can insert or type e with an accent mark in PowerPoint using built-in tools or keyboard shortcuts (including Alt code shortcuts). The letter e can be inserted with an accent in both upper or lower case in text boxes or placeholders on slides, the slide master or layouts. The following are common accents in upper or lower case – È, É, Ê, Ë, è, é, ê, or ë.

How to Fade a Picture or Part of a Picture in PowerPoint (Using a Gradient)

You can fade a picture in PowerPoint by drawing a rectangle shape on top of the picture and then filling the rectangle with a gradient from opaque to transparent. This technique is often used to fade an image into the background of a slide. Since the rectangle is placed on top of the image and then text may be placed on top of the rectangle, you may need to reorder the objects.

How to Lock an Image, Shape or Other Object in PowerPoint

You can now lock an image, shape or other object in PowerPoint. Objects can be locked in Normal View or Slide Master View. Only PowerPoint 365 users can lock objects to prevent moving and resizing. This is helpful if you want to select and move other objects on the slide or prevent others from moving or resizing an object. You can lock items using the context menu or the Selection Pane.

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at [email protected]

Our Courses

Avantix Learning courses are offered online in virtual classroom format or as in-person classroom training. Our hands-on, instructor-led courses are available both as public scheduled courses or on demand as a custom training solution.

All Avantix Learning courses include a comprehensive course manual including tips, tricks and shortcuts as well as sample and exercise files.

VIEW COURSES  >

Contact us at  [email protected]  for more information about any of our courses or to arrange custom training.

Privacy Overview

Pin it on pinterest.

• Print Friendly

How to Edit Background Graphics in PowerPoint? A Quick Guide!

By: Author Shrot Katewa

Every once in a while, you will come across this issue where you just can’t select, resize, or even delete an element on the slide! Annoying as it is, if you are in a hurry, it can be a real pain and make matters worse! These elements remain in the background on the slide, and can often interfere with the elements that you’ve added to the slide! So, how do you edit these background graphics in PowerPoint?

To edit the background graphics in PowerPoint, first select the slide in the Normal View. Next, click on the “View” tab. Then, click on “Slide Master”. This will open the master layout of your presentation. Select the graphic on the slide, and edit or delete it as required. Lastly, exit slide master.

It may perhaps be a little difficult to understand exactly how to edit the background graphics on PowerPoint without a visual reference. So, in this article, I will help you understand the process step-by-step with pictures so that you can understand what you need to do. Plus, I will also help you understand how to add or delete placeholders, images in the background and edit the text in the footer!

So, let’s get started!

A Quick Note Before We Begin – if you want to make jaw-dropping presentations, I would recommend using one of these Presentation Designs . The best part is – it is only $16.5 a month, but you get to download and use as many presentation designs as you like! I personally use it from time-to-time, and it makes my task of making beautiful presentations really quick and easy!

How to Access Background Graphics in Slide Master View in PowerPoint?

So, the first thing you need to understand is how do you access these background graphics as PowerPoint doesn’t even allow you to select it! Well, the trick is to open the Slide Master.

Slides Master view is one of the special features of Microsoft PowerPoint. This feature allows you to quickly modify your slide layouts in your presentation file. It allows you to also add placeholders and graphics to your slide!

To access background graphics in the slides master view, here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Open the PowerPoint Presentation

The first step is to open your presentation file in the PowerPoint application. Go to the specific slide where you are unable to select a particular element on your slide.

Step 2: Click on “View”, and then select “Slide Master”

Now click on the “View” tab located on the top of the screen and select “Slides Master” from the “Master View” section.

Step 3: Enable the “Hide Background Graphics” option

In the slide master view, find the “Hide background graphics” located in the “Background” ribbon. If the button is grey, that means you can now access the background graphics.

How to Edit Background Graphics in PowerPoint?

When editing the background graphics in PowerPoint, there are 2 things that we need to keep in mind!

• Edit background graphics for all your slides – this option is usually used when you want to add, edit or delete background graphics to all slide. For example, if you want to add or remove page number from all the slides, or add a logo to all the slides.
• Edit background graphics for a specific slide – this option is used when you want to edit placeholders on a specific slide. For instance, if you want to edit the image on a slide, or change the text placeholder, or even change the color of the shape of a graphic used on a particular slide

In this section, I’m going to discuss both methods step-by-step.

Edit Background Graphics for all the Slides in Slide Master

When you want to make a change to be visible on all your slides (such as adding a logo), you can use the Master Slide in the Slide Master View.

Let’s see how this is done –

Step 1: Enter the Slide Master View in PowerPoint

Open the presentation file in the PowerPoint application and choose “View>Slide Master” to open the file in slide master view.

Step 2: Scroll up to locate the “Master Slide”

In the slide master view, scroll up in the left navigation panel and select the master slide (the first slide).

Step 3: Add a logo to the Master Slide

For this example, I’m going to add the logo of Art of Presentations to the “Master Slide” in the top right corner of the slide. You can add any logo or any other image file for the purpose of an example.

As you may have noticed, as soon as you add the logo to the master slide, the logo is visible on all the slides in the same position i.e. top right corner of the slide.

This is how you can edit or add background graphics all at once to all your slides. Now, you can also go to each slide and paste the logo on every single slide. But, that’s just very cumbersome and takes a lot of time! This is a much better way to add or edit graphics that should be visible on all slides.

Edit Background Graphics for a Specific Slide

Now, the problem with the previous method is that it is limited only to adding or editing elements that are supposed to be visible on every single slide. But, what if you want to edit an element to just one slide? How do you edit the background graphic for a specific slide?

Let’s take a look –

Step 1: Open the Slide Master View

As always, select the slide for which you want to edit the background graphic and click on “ View ” and then on “ Slide Master ” to open the slide master view in PowerPoint. You will automatically land on the slide layout of the specific slide in question.

Step 2: Select the specific background graphic on the slide

Next, all you need to do is just select the element that you want to edit on the slide. You will notice that even though you were not able to select the object in the “ Normal View “, you will now be able to select the element in the “ Slide Master View “!

Let’s say we want to change the color of this background element. Here’s what you need to do next.

Step 3: Change the Shape Fill Color

For this example, we plan to change the color of the background graphic. To do that, select the shape. Then, click on “ Shape Format “. Next, select the “ Shape Fill ” option, and select the desired color.

Step 4: Go back to the Slide Master View

It is important to remember to go back to the slide master view. To do that, simply click on the “Slide Master” menu in the top left corner (as shown in the image above).

Step 5: Exit the Slide Master

Once you are done making all the changes, the last step is really to exit the slide master view. To do that, simply click on the “ Exit Slide Master ” option visible (as showcased in the image).

As you can see in the “Normal View”, not only have we managed to change the color of the element that we weren’t even able to select, but also we have added a logo to the slide (done through the master slide in the previous step).

How to Add Placeholders in the Slide Master View?

When learning about how to edit graphics in slide background, it is equally important to know how to add placeholders in the Slide Master View in PowerPoint!

Let’s understand this first before we move on to the other important parts of the article –

Step 1: Open “Slide Master” from “View” menu

Open the presentation slide on PowerPoint and from the “View” tab, click on “Slide Master”.

Step 2: Insert a new layout and add a placeholder

On the menu, click on the “ Insert Layout ” button to create a new layout.

Next, once the new layout has been added, click on “ Insert Placeholder ” to add a new placeholder to the slide.

Step 3: Add an Image Placeholder

For this example, we will also add an image placeholder to the slide in addition to the text placeholder.

Step 4: Rename the Slide Layout and exit Slide Master

Once we are done adding the placeholders to the slide, simply rename the slide layout that we just created.

Once that’s done, simply click on “ Close Master “

Step 5: Insert the newly create slide layout

Our job is not done yet. In the normal view, you first need to insert the new slide layout that you have just created.

To do that, click on “Layout” under the “ Home ” ribbon. A dropdown menu will open that will contain all the various layouts present. Look for the one that contains the name for the layout we created and click on it.

That’s it! Finally, we are done. As you may notice, we now have successfully added placeholders to your PowerPoint presentation!

How to Edit Text in Background Graphics in PowerPoint?

So far, we have learned how to enable and disable background graphics. We have also learned how to add placeholders. Now, let’s learn how to edit the text in the background graphics in PowerPoint.

This process is quite simple. Here are the steps involved in editing text in background graphics in PowerPoint!

Step 1: Open the Slide Master

Open the slides in PowerPoint and click on “View>Slides Master” to open the presentation file in slide master view.

Step 2: Format the text and make the changes

Format the text in order to edit text in the background graphics. To do that, first highlight the text. Then, click on “ Home “. Format the text as per your preference. Then, click “ Slide Master “

Step 3: Exit Slide Master

As a final step, simply click on “ Close Master ” to exit the slide master and enter the normal view. You should now be able to see the edits made to the text in background graphics in PowerPoint.

You can also make changes to master slide just the same way.

How to Edit Footer in PowerPoint Slide Master?

We’ve now learned the basics of how to access, edit and format background graphics. Thus, changing the footer from the slide background in PowerPoint shall not be difficult. Here’s what you need to do –

As usual, go to slide master view by clicking on the “View” tab and then the “Slide Master” tab.

Step 2: Scroll up to the Master Slide

In the slide master view, scroll up in the left slide navigation pane and select the first slide.

Step 3: Edit the Footer and Exit Slide Master

Now edit the footer as per your requirement. Here, I’ve changed the text for the social handles to represent my brand i.e. “Art of Presentations”. (as shown in the image above)

Step 4: Switch to Normal View to Validate Changes

After finishing editing, switch to normal view. You will notice that your changes have been applied to all the slides that are using this slide master layout.

How to Unlock and Edit Images in Slide Master in PowerPoint?

When it comes to background graphics, it feels like images are the most annoying especially when we are unable to select or change the image. This can happen when the images are used as background graphics in the slide master view.

Nevertheless, here’s what you need to do –

First, open the slide in PowerPoint that contains the image that you are unable to select in the Normal View. Then, you can click on “ View “. Click on “ Slide Master ”

Step 2: Locate and select the image

Sometimes, there can be shape layers added on top of the image. Remove the layers and access the image. You can now right-click on the image and format it the way you normally would format an image!

Furthermore, you can also choose to delete the image from the slide background or the slide master view. Alternatively, you can also cut the image and paste it on the slide in the normal view to make the image more accessible.

Step 3: Ensure that the slide has a solid white fill

One last thing that you need to check is that the slide doesn’t have a picture fill. Sometimes, you may not be able to grab the image even in the slide master. This can happen when the background of the slide has a picture fill. Meaning, an image has been used to fill a slide!

To counter this issue, right-click anywhere on the slide, and then click on “Format Options”. In the format pane on the right, make sure that the fill selected is “ Solid Fill “. Also, choose the color of the solid fill as “ White “. This will ensure there is no picture fill done for the slide!

More PowerPoint Related Topics

• How to Crop a Picture in PowerPoint? [Complete Step-by-Step Tutorial!]
• How to Give a Presentation on Zoom? A Helpful Resource!
• How to Convert a PowerPoint to PDF? [A Simple Guide!]
• PowerPoint vs Google Slides: Which is Better? [ULTIMATE Test!]
• How to Change Bullet Style in PowerPoint? A Complete Guide

Credit to Wayhomestudio (provided by Freepik) for the featured image of this article

PowerPoint Tips Blog

Helping you with presenting, PowerPoint, and speaking

4 ways to change a picture in PowerPoint without losing formatting

October 16, 2018 by Ellen Finkelstein 2 Comments

• You made a mistake and inserted the wrong picture
• You’ve changed your mind and decided that another picture would work better
• You duplicated a great slide and now just want to change the text and substitute another image
• You duplicated an image with formatting on the same slide and now just want to substitute another image

Yet many people don’t know about this feature because it’s a bit hidden.

The Change Picture feature makes it easy to get a coherent look by ensuring that multiple images on a slide are similarly formatted and use similar styles.

The easiest way to find this feature is to select an image, right-click, and choose Change Picture. But you can also select an image, click the Picture Tools Format tab, and choose Change Picture in the Adjust section.

From the right-click menu

The options you see and which options are available will depend on:

• Which version of PowerPoint you have
• Whether you have an image copied to the Office Clipboard (which is different from the Windows Clipboard)

Here are the 4 possible options…

From a File

You will always see this option. Just click it, navigate to the new picture, and insert it. Your new picture will have all the formatting retained, including animation. (It won’t necessarily be the same size, of course.)

Here you see that both have a shadow and animation. (The little numbered squares appear when you have animation and are on the Animations tab.)

From Online Sources

You’ll probably see this item, too. It lets you search on Bing and in connected online services like Flickr. Be careful not to violate copyrights! And show attribution where necessary.

You’ll see this option if you have Office 365 or Office 2019, which include icons. Substituting an icon for a photograph isn’t a typical task. And in fact, if you inserted an icon and right-click it, you’ll see Change Graphic rather than Change Picture.

Also, if you insert an SVG file, which is a vector image format, you’ll see Change Graphic rather than Change Picture. The icons built into the newer versions of PowerPoint are SVG files.

From Clipboard

This option will be available only if you copied something to the Office Clipboard (as opposed to the Windows Clipboard). I often copy and paste a photo from Windows onto a slide but then have to copy it to the Clipboard again to use this feature. Nevertheless, I find it really useful to bring in an image this way (instead of Insert Picture, which takes longer).

What uses can you think of for the Change Picture feature? Have you used it before? Or is this new to you? Leave a comment! And please share on Social Media using the buttons below.

If you need help with slide design, here are 2 options:

• My e-book Slide Design for Non-Designers will run you through the basics. Check it out here.
• I offer weekly PowerPoint training! Learn more about Power Pointers Quarter Hour here .

Related posts:

• Change a picture in PowerPoint 2007 and 2010
• 3 techniques to copy formatting in PowerPoint
• Crop a picture by an exact measurement in PowerPoint
• Formatting Bar Charts

2 Leave a Reply

Change Picture is such a useful feature!

These days, I use Storyline (to create elearning) more than I use PowerPoint. But luckily, almost all of Storyline’s formatting features were copied exactly from PowerPoint, so it has Change Picture too.

What a time-saver it is!

good way thanks