Method 1: Remove Background Tool (Best for Photos)

  1. 1

    Insert and select your image

    Insert your image into the slide (Insert → Pictures). Click on it to select it.

  2. 2

    Picture Format → Remove Background

    With the image selected, click the Picture Format tab in the ribbon (appears when an image is selected). Click Remove Background on the far left. The image now shows a pink/purple highlight over the area PowerPoint thinks is background.

  3. 3

    Refine the selection

    PowerPoint does not always get it right. Use the tools in the Background Removal tab: Mark Areas to Keep — draw lines over parts of the image incorrectly highlighted that you want to keep. Mark Areas to Remove — draw lines over parts you want removed that are not highlighted.

  4. 4

    Click Keep Changes

    When satisfied, click Keep Changes. The background is removed and the image sits on the slide with a transparent background. The original image file is unchanged — only the appearance in PowerPoint is affected.

Method 2: Set Transparent Color (For Simple Flat Backgrounds)

  1. 5

    Picture Format → Color → Set Transparent Color

    Select the image → Picture Format → Color dropdown → Set Transparent Color (at the bottom of the menu).

  2. 6

    Click the background colour

    Your cursor becomes a wand. Click anywhere on the background colour you want to make transparent. That colour becomes transparent throughout the image. Works perfectly for logos on a white or solid-colour background — less effective for photos with gradients.

For complex backgroundsPowerPoint's background removal works best on photos with a clear subject and reasonably plain background. For complex backgrounds (busy scenes, hair, fine details), use a dedicated tool like remove.bg (free online) or Photoshop, then insert the pre-cut image into PowerPoint.

Save the Image Without Background

Right-click the image in PowerPoint → Save as Picture → choose PNG format (PNG supports transparency, JPEG does not). The saved PNG file has a transparent background usable in any application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Remove Background works best when there is clear contrast between the subject and background. It struggles with: hair and fur, transparent or translucent objects, subjects that are similar in colour to the background, and complex busy backgrounds. For these, use remove.bg or a photo editor for cleaner results.
Yes — the process is identical on Mac. Select the image → Picture Format tab → Remove Background. The same tools and workflow apply.