Changing a color picture to black and white in PowerPoint is easy to do directly within PowerPoint. Converting images to black and white can help simplify busy slides so the focus stays on your presentation content.
Follow this simple step-by-step tutorial to switch your PowerPoint pictures to black and white format.
Why Change a Picture to Black and White?
Here are some of the benefits of using black and white images in your PowerPoint presentations:
- Simplify complex images – Removing color simplifies pictures so key details and shapes are emphasized. This helps focus the audience’s attention.
- Print optimization – Prints better as black ink is cheaper than color ink.
- File size – Black and white images have smaller file sizes, making your PowerPoint file smaller.
- Visual consistency – Creates a consistent visual style when you have some color and some black and white pictures.
Step 1: Insert a Picture to Convert to Black and White
First, select the slide you want to add a picture to. Go to the Insert tab and click Pictures.
Insert Picture in PowerPoint
Select a picture from your computer to insert it into the slide.
Step 2: Open the Picture Format Tab
With the picture inserted and selected, the Picture Format tab will appear above the ribbon.
Click on the Picture Format tab. This is where you’ll find all the formatting options for a selected image.
Picture Format Tab in PowerPoint
Step 3: Access Color Settings
In the Adjust group of the Picture Format tab, click on Color.
Color Button
This opens the color menu.
Step 4: Choose Black and White
In the dropdown menu, you’ll see color saturation options ranging from black and white to intense color.
Click on Black and White to change the selected picture to black and white format.
Black and White Option
You will now see your picture change to shades of gray, removing all color.
Step 5: Adjust Tint (Optional)
Once your picture is black and white, you can adjust the tint if you want. Tint lets you shade the image more warm or cool.
In the color dropdown, point to Black and White again. You will see tint slider options appear.
More Warm tints the image with brown/yellow.
More Cool adds blue/green tint.
No Tint keeps the image neutral black and white.
Tint Slider
Adjust the tint to your preference by clicking on the slider arrows.
Step 6: Adjust Brightness and Contrast
You may also want to adjust the brightness and contrast of the black and white image to get your desired look.
Still under the Picture Format tab, expand the Corrections group. Click Brightness and move the slider left or right. Repeat with Contrast.
Brightness and Contrast Sliders
Use brightness to lighten or darken the image. Contrast makes the blacks blacker and whites whiter.
Play around with all the settings until you achieve the desired black and white picture style!
Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are some handy keyboard shortcuts to speed up the picture formatting process:
- Ctrl + M – Quick access to Color menu
- B – Brightness settings
- C – Contrast settings
Reset Picture Formatting
To undo your formatting changes, go back to the Picture Format tab and click the Reset Picture button.
Reset Picture Button
This resets the image back to its original inserted state, colors and all.
More PowerPoint Picture Options
Converting images to black and white is just one small part of working with pictures in PowerPoint.
Here are a few other useful things you can do:
- Crop, resize, and position images
- Add borders and effects like shadows, glows, and 3D rotation
- Compress images to reduce file size
- Use PowerPoint’s built-in icons
- Edit images within PowerPoint using Color and Artistic Effects
So don’t be afraid to explore all the possibilities with your presentation pictures!
I hope this step-by-step guide was helpful for converting your color images to black and white in PowerPoint. Use this formatting trick to focus attention on important visuals and enhance the style of your slides.
