How to Make a Photo Transparent in PowerPoint Quickly

You can fade a photo in PowerPoint to be partially transparent with a bit of a workaround trick. Let's learn how in this quick video. 

We also have a helpful complement to this tutorial. Download our FREE eBook: The Complete Guide to Making Great Presentations. Grab it now before you read on. 

How to Create a PowerPoint Transparent Picture

Watch this short tutorial screencast or follow the quick steps below.

CRS 29841 How to Make a Photo Transparent in PowerPoint Quickly HB

1. Draw a Shape

Instead of just inserting an image, let's start off by drawing a shape on the Insert tab. I'll grab a rectangle shape, and then click and drag over the slide to draw a box to put an image inside of.

2. Choose a Fill for Your Image

Now I'm going to right-click on the shape and choose Format Shape to open up some additional options. On the right side, let's open up the Fill option.

 Now we'll go ahead and choose Picture Fill here. This fills the box with an image of our choice. 

3. Insert the Image

I'll click on File and then browse to the image that I want to use as the background.

I'll click to insert the image. Now, our shape is replaced with the image. If your picture is stretched or doesn't fit the square properly, you could tick this box that says Tile picture as texture. 

4. Make a Photo Transparent in PowerPoint

Finally, let's add the transparency effect. Just pull the transparency effect slider up to fade the image into the background. 

You could pull the image further to the right for more transparency when needed. It takes a bit of a trick, but you can add image transparency right inside of PowerPoint. 

Finishing Up!

Creating a transparent photo in PowerPoint is a good way to a bit of design flair to your presentation.

Learn more in our PowerPoint tutorials and quick video tutorials on Envato Tuts+. We have an assortment of PowerPoint material to help you make better presentations:

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  What Is Microsoft PowerPoint? +How to Start Using It For Presentations (Now)

  

  Andrew Childress

  19 May 2019
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  How to Quickly Add Pictures to PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

  

  Andrew Childress

  30 Oct 2017
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  How to Flip a Picture in PowerPoint in 60 Seconds

  

  Andrew Childress

  30 Jul 2017

You can also find great PowerPoint presentation templates with premium designs on GraphicRiver or Envato Elements. Or, browse through our selection of the best Microsoft PowerPoint designs:

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  34 Best PowerPoint PPT Template Designs (For 2022 Presentations)

  

  Sean Hodge

  13 Oct 2021

Make Great Presentations (Free PDF eBook Download)

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