PowerPoint allows users to easily and quickly adjust the transparency of text, images and shapes.
For easier navigation, click on any link below to see how you can make your desired element transparent.
How to make text transparent in PowerPoint
Step 1: Left click on a text box to select the text. Then right click and choose “Format Text Effects” in the drop down menu.
Step 2: A new menu called “Format shape” should open on the left. Select “Text Fill and Outline”. You will see a “Transparency” slider on the bottom.
Step 3: Select the text you want to make transparent and then use the transparency slider to get your desired effect.
End result should look something like this:
How to make shapes transparent in PowerPoint
Step 1: Left click on a shape to select it. Then right click and choose “Format Shape” in the drop down menu.
Step 2: A new menu called “Format shape” should open on the left. Select “Fill & Line”. You will see a “Transparency” slider on the bottom.
Step 3: Adjust the transparency slider until you get your desired effect. You can also select any other shape without closing the “Format Shape” menu.
End result should look something like this:
How to make images transparent in PowerPoint
This section contains two methods to adjust picture transparency in PowerPoint:
- One method for PowerPoint included in Office 365 subscriptions and PowerPoint 2021 or later.
- One method for PowerPoint 2013-2019.
This is because PowerPoint 2021 & 365 version let you adjust image transparency directly.
However, PowerPoint 2013-2019 require you to insert a shape, fill it with an image, and then adjust the transparency.
Note: Vector based image formats such as SVG do not support transparency. As such, make sure the image is either JPG or PNG if you wish to make it transparent.
Make images transparent in PowerPoint 2021 or PowerPoint 365 subscription
Step 1: Select the image you wish to make transparent and click on the Format button.
Step 2: Click on the Transparency button. If you can’t see this Transparency button, it means you are using an older version of PowerPoint.
Step 3: In the dropdown menu you can choose one of the transparency presets. If none of these are what you want, click on “Picture Transparency Options”
Step 4: This will open a “Format Picture” menu on the left. Use the Picture Transparency slider to achieve your desired transparency.
Makes images transparent in PowerPoint 2013 – 2019
As mentioned previously, to make transparent images in PowerPoint 2013-2019 you must first insert a shape, fill it with an image, and then adjust the transparency.
Step 0: Delete the photo from your PowerPoint file if it’s already there. Don’t worry, you’ll insert again.
Step 1: In the toolbar menu, select Insert -> Shapes -> Rectangle (or any other shape you want).
Step 2: Adjust the size of the shape so it has a similar aspect ratio to the photo you want to make transparent.
Step 3: Select the shape, then right click on it and select “Format Shape”.
Step 4: Click on “Line” and select “No Line”. This will remove the outline of the image in case you don’t want it.
Step 5: Next, select “Picture or texture fill” and click on “Insert”.
Step 6: Insert your image from your chosen source.
Step 7: After you’ve inserted the image, adjust the “Transparency” slider to get your desired effect.
How to make transparent background images in PowerPoint
This final point covers how to make transparent background images in your PowerPoint slides.
Step 1: Right click on any empty space on the slide and select “Format Background”.
Step 2: In the “Format Background” select “Picture or texture fill” and then click “Insert”.
Step 3: Adjust the transparency of the background image
