How to Remove Picture Background in PowerPoint

PowerPoint is an incredibly versatile tool not just for presentations, but also for editing images to improve your visual content. One of the most useful features in PowerPoint is the ability to remove the background from a picture, which can enhance the overall design of your slides and ensure your content looks sharp and professional.

Whether you're designing a marketing slide, a report, or even a promotional image for your website, the ability to remove the background from an image opens up countless possibilities for creativity. In this article, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step guide on how to easily remove the background from pictures using PowerPoint.

Why Remove Backgrounds in PowerPoint?

Removing the background from an image is a powerful technique that allows you to customize visuals for various purposes. For businesses and entrepreneurs, using images with transparent backgrounds can help in creating professional-looking marketing materials, product displays, and social media content. The process can make your presentation cleaner, more focused, and engaging for your audience.

PowerPoint is a great tool to remove the background because it’s widely accessible, and you don't need any advanced graphic design skills. In this guide, we will cover the steps to remove an image background, troubleshoot common issues, and explore creative ways to use background-free images for your business.

How to Remove Backgrounds in PowerPoint

Removing backgrounds in PowerPoint can elevate the quality of your visuals and give your presentations a more professional look. Whether you're creating marketing materials, product showcases, or simply customizing an image for a specific design, PowerPoint’s built-in tools make it easy to remove backgrounds without requiring advanced graphic design skills. 

Below, we'll walk you through the steps for removing the background from an image, followed by some troubleshooting tips to ensure a seamless process.

Step 1: Insert the Image into Your PowerPoint Slide

Before you can start editing your image, you first need to insert it into PowerPoint. Here’s how:

• Open PowerPoint and navigate to the slide where you want to insert the image.
• Select the "Insert" tab from the top menu.
• Click on the "Pictures" option and select "This Device" (for images stored on your computer) or "Online Pictures" (for images you want to source from the web).
• Browse through your files or search for the image you want, then click "Insert" to add the image to your slide.

Once the image is inserted, click on the image to select it, and you’ll be ready to begin editing.

Step 2: Use the ‘Remove Background’ Tool in PowerPoint

Once the image is in your slide, PowerPoint offers a built-in tool that detects and removes the background automatically. Here’s how to use it:

• Select the image you want to edit.
• Once the image is selected, navigate to the Picture Format tab on the top menu.
• In the "Adjust" section, click on Remove Background. The background will be highlighted in purple or magenta, which means that it will be removed.
• PowerPoint automatically tries to determine which areas to remove and which parts to keep. Often, the results are quite good, but you may need to fine-tune the selection.

Step 3: Refine the Selection

In many cases, PowerPoint does not get the selection 100% right, especially if the image has intricate details or objects with similar colors. Don’t worry—PowerPoint allows you to refine the image selection.

• Mark Areas to Keep: If PowerPoint mistakenly selects areas you want to keep, click on Mark Areas to Keep, then click or drag over the parts of the image that should remain.
• Mark Areas to Remove: If PowerPoint missed any parts of the background that should be removed, click on Mark Areas to Remove and use your cursor to click over those sections.

After refining the selection, the image will be adjusted accordingly.

Step 4: Finalize Your Changes

Once you are satisfied with the background removal and adjustments, click Keep Changes to apply the edits. The background will be completely removed, leaving only the subject of the image.

Step 5: Adjust and Position the Image

Now that the background is removed, you can move and resize the image as needed:

• Click and drag the image to position it where you want it to appear on your slide.
• Resize the image by dragging the corner handles to adjust the dimensions.
• If you want, you can add a new background color or image to the slide to make the image stand out.

Tips for Using Images with Removed Backgrounds in PowerPoint

Now that you know how to remove backgrounds from images in PowerPoint, here are a few tips for using these images effectively:

Enhance with Shadows or Reflections

After removing the background, you can use PowerPoint's Shape Effects feature to add shadows or reflections to the image. This helps it stand out and adds depth to your slide.

Make the Image Transparent

If you're aiming for a more subtle effect, you can adjust the transparency of the image by going to the Format Picture tab and adjusting the Transparency slider under Picture settings.

Combine with Other Visual Elements

Once the background is removed, you can add icons, text, or shapes to further highlight or complement your image. This is especially useful for creating promotional graphics, product showcases, or infographics.

Creative Ways to Use Background-Free Images for Your Business

Product Showcase

If you’re an e-commerce business using platforms like Spocket for sourcing products, background-free images help to place your product in a neutral environment, making it easier to highlight the product's features.

Social Media Marketing

Instagram and Facebook are platforms where clean, professional visuals thrive. By removing the background, you can create eye-catching visuals that grab your followers' attention.

Business Presentations

Presentations are a great place to use background-free images. Whether it’s showcasing a new product, displaying a business concept, or creating a visual message, PowerPoint’s editing features allow you to place your images on any background, making them flexible and customizable.

How to Add New Backgrounds After Removing the Image’s Background

Once you’ve removed the background from your image in PowerPoint, the next step is to place it against a new background that complements the subject. The process is simple, and it can significantly enhance your presentation’s visual appeal. Here’s a breakdown of how to seamlessly add a new background to your image:

Choose a New Background

You can insert a background in two primary ways:

• Using Shapes: If you want a solid or gradient background, go to the "Insert" tab, select "Shapes," and choose the desired shape (like a rectangle or circle). Then, resize the shape to fit the slide or background area.
• Using Pictures: If you prefer a more dynamic background, you can insert a photo. Go to the "Insert" tab, select "Pictures," and either choose a photo from your device or use an online image. This works great for creating product displays or themed slides.

Position the Image

After you’ve chosen your new background, right-click on your image and select either "Send to Back" or "Bring to Front." This will ensure that your image is properly layered relative to the background. You may need to adjust the image’s position or resize it to make sure it fits the background smoothly, without overlapping or appearing too small.

Best Practices for Removing Backgrounds in PowerPoint

Removing backgrounds in PowerPoint is a simple task, but to achieve the best results, you need to follow certain best practices. These guidelines will help you refine your design and ensure that the process is as effective as possible.

Use High-Quality Images

The quality of the image you start with directly impacts the results of background removal. If the image is blurry or pixelated, PowerPoint will struggle to distinguish between the subject and the background. High-resolution images, on the other hand, will have cleaner edges, making it easier for PowerPoint to accurately detect and remove the background. Using a high-quality image ensures that the subject of the photo remains sharp and clear after the background is removed.

Avoid Overcrowding Your Slides

While PowerPoint allows you to remove the background from images, it’s important not to overcrowd your slides with too many elements. Overcrowding can distract from your main message and reduce the overall impact of your design. Instead, focus on creating visually balanced slides with enough white space to keep your content clean, focused, and professional.

Test Different Backgrounds

After removing the background, experiment with different types of backgrounds to see which one enhances your image the most. Try solid colors, gradients, or even textures to add depth to your slides. For instance, a gradient background can make an image pop, while a textured background can create a unique effect. By testing and tweaking, you can ensure that the final result is visually appealing and cohesive with the rest of your presentation.

How to Enhance Your Image After Removing the Background in PowerPoint

After successfully removing the background from an image, the next step is to enhance it for a more polished and professional look. This is especially important for business presentations, marketing materials, or any context where you want to ensure that your visuals stand out. Here's how you can enhance your image after the background removal process:

Refine Image Edges

Sometimes, PowerPoint's automatic background removal tool might leave behind rough edges or small remnants of the old background. To refine these edges, use the "Mark Areas to Keep" and "Mark Areas to Remove" tools that PowerPoint provides. You can zoom in and carefully adjust the areas that weren’t cleaned properly. This is a crucial step to ensure that your image doesn’t have fuzzy or unwanted edges that may detract from its quality.

Adjust Image Contrast and Brightness

To make your subject pop, consider adjusting the brightness and contrast. PowerPoint allows you to modify these elements by selecting your image and clicking on "Picture Tools" and then "Format". From there, you can choose from preset corrections or manually adjust sliders to enhance the image's vibrancy. Increasing the contrast can help your image stand out against lighter backgrounds, while adjusting brightness can make sure your image doesn’t appear too dark or washed out.

Add a Soft Shadow or Reflection

A subtle shadow or reflection effect can add depth to your image, making it feel more integrated into the slide and less like a floating object. To do this, click on the image, go to the "Format" tab, and choose "Picture Effects". From there, you can apply a soft shadow or reflection that suits the overall look and feel of your slide. This not only enhances your image but also makes it appear more professional and dynamic.

Consider Using Artistic Filters

PowerPoint offers several artistic effects that can transform your image into something more visually interesting. These filters can give your image a unique style that matches the tone of your presentation. For example, you can apply a pencil sketch effect for a more artistic feel or a blur effect to focus attention on certain parts of the image. Use filters sparingly to ensure that your enhancements complement your image without overshadowing it.

Resize and Align Your Image Properly

Finally, resizing and properly aligning your image on the slide is important to ensure it fits well with the overall design. Use PowerPoint’s gridlines or guides to align your image perfectly with other content on the slide. If your image needs resizing, ensure it maintains the aspect ratio to avoid distortion.

Conclusion

PowerPoint’s "Remove Background" tool is an easy and powerful way to create clean, professional-looking images for your presentations. By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can quickly remove backgrounds from your images and elevate the design of your slides.

For businesses, using background-free images is an essential part of creating effective marketing materials, from product photos to promotional content. Whether you're using Spocket for sourcing high-quality products or designing your own visuals with Smartli, removing backgrounds gives you the flexibility to create custom graphics that align with your brand.