How to Remove the Background from a Picture in PowerPoint

People in Microsoft PowerPoint training frequently work with graphics. Participants are always eager to learn how to remove the background from a picture in PowerPoint.

Being able to remove the background from an image allows you to utilize part of the image in creative ways and thoroughly customize your presentation.

And here’s the best thing… the tools you need to remove the background from an image are included in PowerPoint!

In this article, we look at two ways to remove the background from an image.

Method #1: Use Set Transparent Color for Background Removal

It’s easy to remove the background from an image if the subject has been photographed against a white background (or any solid background color). This is common when you’re photographing products.

The image on the left shows an assortment of cosmetics photographed against a white background while the image on the right shows the same collection of cosmetics after the background removal.

Here is how to remove the background from an image using the Set Transparent Color command.

1. Select the picture.
2. Click Color in the Picture Format > Adjust group then select Set Transparent Color.
3. Click the color in the photograph you’d like to render transparent.

If the subjects in your photographs aren’t photographed against a solid color, you may want to try the Remove Background tool.

Method #2: Use the Remove Background Tool to Edit a Picture in PowerPoint

The second technique involves using the Remove Background tool to eliminate the background of a picture.

To eliminate the background using the Remove Background tool, do the following:

1. Select the picture.
2. Click Remove Background in the Picture Format > Adjust group.
   The picture background will be colored magenta, images in the foreground will retain their natural color.
3. Click Mark Areas to Keep or Mark Areas to Remove as required in the Background Removal > Refine group.
4. Click Keep Changes to remove the background or Discard All Changes in the Background Removal > Close group to complete the process.

It’s Easy to Remove a Background in PowerPoint

Whether you want to remove the background from an image with a solid background color or remove the background of a picture, PowerPoint has the tools to make removing the background easy!

See you next time!