Adding images to your PowerPoint presentations can make them much more visually appealing and help convey your message more effectively. A fun technique you can use is adding an “on and off” image that appears with a mouse click. This guide will show you how to do it step-by-step.

Why Use an On/Off Image

Using an on/off image in your PowerPoint presentation:

Gets the audience’s attention – The interactivity grabs their interest right away

Demonstrates a concept – Easily show a before/after, on/off, etc.
Adds some fun – It’s something unexpected that livens up your presentation

I like to use on/off images when I want to highlight the impact of something or compare two states. The interactivity keeps my audience engaged.

Insert Your Images

The first step is gathering the two images you want to use:

Image 1 will be the “off” state
Image 2 will be the “on” state

You can use any images that help demonstrate your point. Some ideas:

A light switch off and on
A before and after photo

Something inactive vs active

Once you’ve chosen your images, insert both onto the slide:

Go to the Insert tab

Click Pictures
Select your first image
Click Insert to add it

Repeat steps 1-4 to insert the second image

Position the two images how you like. I usually make the “off” image slightly larger since it starts out on top.

Layer the Images

Now comes the fun part! We’ll layer the images so one hides the other:

Select the image you want to be hidden first (the “on” state)
Go to the Picture Format tab > Arrange group
Click Send Backward until it’s behind the other image

You should now have one image layered on top, covering up the one behind it completely.

Animate the Images

It’s show time! The last step is adding the animation:

Select the top image

Go to the Animations tab
Open the Animation gallery > choose Wipe
Open the drop-down menu next to On Click > choose the other image

Click Effect Options > set the direction and smoothness

Now when you click the visible image in your presentation, it will wipe to reveal the hidden one underneath!

Customize It

Don’t be afraid to get creative and make this technique your own:

Add text – Include labels like “Before” and “After”
Morph images – Have one image transform into the other instead of wiping
Use icons – For example, power buttons turning something on/off

The options are endless for using this nifty little PowerPoint trick. Have fun with it!

Presenting On/Off Images

When you showcase your on/off images in front of an audience, build up some intrigue and interactivity:

Verbally ask them to guess what the hidden image could be

Invite someone to come click to reveal it
Pretend like you’re not sure what will happen when clicked

This engages your audience, gets them participating, and makes the reveal more exciting.

So now you know how to add an on and off image to PowerPoint! I hope you find creative ways to use this technique in your next presentation. Let me know if you have any other PowerPoint questions!