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How to Make a Picture and Background on PowerPoint (Step-by-Step)

January 11, 2024 1.3K views

Among the creative features of PowerPoint, using a picture as a background stands out as one of the most versatile and creative elements that can take your slides to the next level.  This comprehensive guide will provide adequate information on making a picture and background on PowerPoint for better presentations.

Part 1: Why Is It Essential to Set a Picture as a Background on PowerPoint?

The use of pictures as a background on PowerPoint comes with numerous benefits. Some of these benefits include:

  • They keep your audience focused on your presentation

  • They add a professional touch to your presentation, especially with custom designs.

  • They help to convey your message visually, helping your audience to understand and retain information more easily.

These and many more help ensure that your presentations leave a lasting impression on your audience.

“Using a picture as a background in PowerPoint.”

Part 2: What Types of Pictures Are Appropriate for PowerPoint Backgrounds?

When choosing pictures to set as PowerPoint backgrounds, selecting images that will add value to your presentation and enhance the overall message without overwhelming or distracting your audience is essential.

It is also essential to ensure that the picture is of high resolution and in a format that PowerPoint supports. Images that are blurry, cliche, or copyrighted should be avoided. Furthermore, always ensure that the colors in the picture should complement the text and other elements on your slide.

Here are some types of pictures that are generally appropriate for PowerPoint backgrounds:

1. Subtle Textures: Subtle textures like paper, fabric, or patterns can be used as background images to add depth and interest to your slides without drawing too much attention away from your content.

“Subtle texture image for PowerPoint presentation background.”

2. Nature Scenes: Nature backgrounds, such as serene landscapes, forests, or seascapes, can convey calm and tranquility, making them suitable for various presentations, especially environmental or wellness topics.

“ Nature image for PowerPoint presentation background.”

3. Abstract Art: Abstract art with soft colors and shapes can give your slides a modern and creative touch without overpowering the content.

“Abstract art image for PowerPoint presentation background.”

Part 3: 3 Ways to Add Picture Backgrounds in PowerPoint

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make a picture and background on PowerPoint using 3 different methods.

Method 1: Click the Insert Tab

Step 1: Open the slide that you want to use a picture as its background

“ Opening the slide to be edited.”

Step 2: Click on the Insert tab and select pictures

“Using the Insert tab to add a picture to the slide.”

Step 3: After selecting pictures, click on Insert from this device. That will take you to your photo library to choose the image of your choice.

“Choosing a location to select the picture from.”

Step 4: Select the image you want and click on Insert. After this, your image is added to the slide.

“Choosing the picture to be applied as a background.”

Step 5: After adding the picture to the slide, scale the image up to cover the whole slide.

“Scaling the added image to cover the slide.”

Step 6: Right-click on the image and select Send to back to move the picture into the background.

“Sending the added picture to the background.”

Step 7: The image will move to the background, and you're all done.

“Picture successfully sent to the background.”

Method 2: Right-click the Slide

Step 1: Open the slide you want to add a background to

“ New slide for a background to be added”

Step 2: Right-click the slide and select Format Background

“Formatting background on PowerPoint”

Step 3: Select Picture or texture fill

Selecting Picture or Texture Fill on PowerPoint.”


Step 4: Click on File to choose a picture from your device

“Choosing a picture from your device”

Step 5: Browse to your desired picture, select it, and click Insert

“Inserting a picture for the background.”

Step 6: Set the transparency level to your taste. Then close the format menu to apply the picture as a background to one slide or click Apply to all to use the picture as the background for all the slides.

“Finishing the background application process”

Method 3: Using Slide Master View

Step 1: After opening your presentation, click on the view tab and select Slidemaster view

“Opening the Slidemaster view on PowerPoint.”

Step 3: Select any suitable theme and apply it

“Applying a Slidemaster theme”

Step 4: Right-click on the background and select Format Background

“Formatting background using Slidemasterview.”

Step 5: Apply the image of your choice and edit it to your liking. Then click Close Master view.

“Applying a background using Slidmasterview.”

Part 4: 2 Ways to Remove Picture Backgrounds in PowerPoint

Aside from learning how to make a picture background on PowerPoint, it is also essential to know how to remove picture backgrounds. Below is a step-by-step guide of two easy methods for removing picture backgrounds in PowerPoint.

Method 1: Solid Fill

Step 1: Select the slide with the background picture you want to remove.

“Choosing the slide with the picture background to be removed.”

Step 2: Click on the Design tab and select Format Background

“Formatting background from the design tab.”

Step 3: Select Solid Fill

Using Solid fill to remove the background.”

Step 4: Select white color and close the tab or click Apply to all if you want to remove the background from all the slides

Applying white solid fill to remove the background.”

Using Solid Fill to change the background of my slides in PowerPoint was not only straightforward but also incredibly practical. It allows you to remove the background from slides without tampering with your content.

Method 2: Using the Transparency

Step 1: Open the slide with the background picture you want to remove

“Removing a picture from a slide using transparency.”

Step 2: Right-click the slide and click on Format Background

Formatting background to remove the picture.”

Step 3: In the Format background menu, Use the transparency slider to adjust the image's transparency to 100%. That would make the image completely transparent, thus invisible.

“Background successfully removed using Transparency slider.”

This method feels easier when used to remove the background from a slide on PowerPoint. It is also very effective.

Part 5: How to Personalise and Preserve Your Custom Image Background Templates in PowerPoint?

Here's how to make a custom picture background template for your PowerPoint presentations.

Step 1: Open a new blank presentation in PowerPoint

Opening a blank presentation in PowerPoint.”

Step 2: Go to the Design tab and select Format Background

“Using the design tab to format background.”

Step 3: Select Picture or Texture Fill and choose the picture you want to use

“Selecting a picture to be customized.”

Step 4: Customize the picture background using the various options available

“Customizing a picture background using various effects.”

Step 5: Once you have the picture background you want, click on File and go to Save As

“Saving a customized picture background.”

Step 6: Choose PowerPoint Template as the file type and give it a name. Then save

“Saving the customized picture background as a PowerPoint template.”

Step 7: Your customized picture background template is now ready to use in future presentations

“The customized picture background is ready for use.”

Part 6: How to Make a Picture a Background in PowerPoint with WPS Office?

Find out how to make a picture background on PowerPoint with WPS Office in the text below.

1. What Is WPS Office and Why Choose it?

WPS Office is a free all-in-one office software. The product's main features are writer, spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF. They are alternatives to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat PDF editors.

Among them, writing, spreadsheets, and Presentations are free to use, and unlike Microsoft Office, there are no Ads or registration fees. Also, the PDF editor is free for some functions (such as reading, annotation, and conversion) and charges for advanced functions (editing and scanning).

“WPS Office logo”

WPS Office is compatible with various operating systems, including MacOS, Windows, and Linux. Smartphone users can also use it on their Android or IOS devices. Furthermore, you can make a picture background in PowerPoint within the WPS office more efficiently.

2. How to Set a Picture as Background in a WPS Presentation?

Here is a step-by-step guideline on how to set a picture as background on PowerPoint in with WPS Office.

Step 1: Open the document in WPS Presentation, and ensure you have a picture to set as background

“New document on WPS Presentation”

Step 2: Click Insert, select the drop-down Picture button, and click From File

“Inserting a picture background on WPS Presentation.”

Step 3: Apply your desired image to the slide

“Picture applied to the slide on WPS Presentation”

Step 4: Right-click on the picture and select Set background

“Setting the picture as a background on WPS Presentation”



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FAQs

1. How do I change the background on all slides in PowerPoint?

Step 1: On your Android tablet, tap the Design tab. On your mobile Android phone, tap the Edit icon, tap Home, and then tap Design

“New PowerPoint presentation”

Step 2: Tap Themes to see a gallery of available themes.

“Checking for available themes to change the background on PowerPoint”

Step 3: Tap a design theme to apply it to your presentation.

“Applying a design theme to a presentation on PowerPoint”

2. How do I insert a picture as a background in Word?

Step 1: On the Design tab, select Watermark, then click Custom Watermark

“Using the design tab to custom watermark.”

Step 2: Choose Picture Watermark and select a picture. Then  Select or clear Washout.

“Choosing Picture watermark and selecting a picture.”

Step 3: After choosing the picture, click OK

“Applying a picture as a background on Word.”

Summary

The ability to use a picture as a background in PowerPoint is not just a design feature; It enables you to convey your message with more clarity, depth, and resonance. Therefore, we've simplified the process and uncovered the techniques to make a picture background on PowerPoint.

Moreover, WPS Office is the best option for creating presentations or applying a picture as a background, which is free, easier to use, and offers more advanced features.

15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.