We’re on a quest to get rid of terribly designed PowerPoint presentations. In this video, we’ll show you how to remove the background in images without having to use third-party graphics software.
Here’s a more polished and engaging version written for an online blog audience:
How to Remove an Image Background in PowerPoint
Need to remove the background from an image without using Photoshop or third-party apps? PowerPoint includes a built-in background removal tool that makes the process surprisingly quick and easy.
With just a few clicks, you can isolate subjects, clean up images, and create more professional-looking presentations directly inside PowerPoint.
Step-by-Step: Remove an Image Background in PowerPoint
1. Select Your Image – Click on the picture you want to edit within your PowerPoint slide.
2. Open the Background Removal Tool – Go to the Picture Format tab (sometimes labeled simply as Format) in the ribbon menu at the top of the screen. On the far-left side, click Remove Background.
3. Review PowerPoint’s Automatic Selection – PowerPoint will automatically detect the background and highlight the areas it plans to remove in bright pink or purple. Anything not highlighted will remain visible in the final image.
Fine-Tune the Background Removal
PowerPoint’s automatic selection works well in many cases, but you may need to make small adjustments for the best result.
Use “Mark Areas to Keep” – If parts of your main subject were mistakenly selected for removal:
- Click Mark Areas to Keep
- Draw small lines or click on the sections you want to preserve
Use “Mark Areas to Remove” – If parts of the background are still visible:
- Click Mark Areas to Remove
- Mark the unwanted areas to clean up the image
As you make adjustments, PowerPoint will update the preview automatically.
Apply the Changes – Once you’re happy with the preview, click Keep Changes in the top-left corner of the screen. Your image background will be removed instantly, leaving you with a cleaner, more professional graphic ready for your presentation.
Quick Tip
Background removal works best with images that have strong contrast between the subject and the background. Simple, uncluttered backgrounds typically produce the cleanest results.
We regularly update the Tech Tips with new articles and advice from the IT West team so be sure to check back for the latest technical tips, tricks and guidance from our team of business IT experts.