I often use PowerPoint for presentations at work and in my personal life. I like how the built-in themes and templates make it easy to create nice-looking slides. However, sometimes the background graphics that come with those themes can be distracting. When I want the focus to be on my content rather than the background images, hiding those graphics is clutch.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the steps I use to easily hide background graphics in PowerPoint 2013. Whether you want to remove graphics from a single slide or all slides, this technique works great.
Why Would You Want to Hide Background Graphics?
There’s a few reasons why removing background images can be helpful:
- Removes visual clutter so your text and images pop more
- Creates contrast between slides (some with backgrounds, some without)
- Makes text easier to read for those with visual impairments
- Reduces file size if high-resolution background images are used
The ability to hide backgrounds gives you more control and flexibility when designing your slides. You can remove any distracting images and draw attention to what matters most.
How to Hide Background Graphics in PowerPoint 2013
Hiding background graphics in PowerPoint 2013 just takes a few simple steps:
Hide Graphics on a Single Slide
- Select the slide you wish to hide background graphics on
- Go to the Design tab
- Check the box next to Hide Background Graphics
- The graphics will disappear from the slide!
Hide Graphics on All Slides
- Click on the View tab
- Select Slide Master
- Click on any slide layouts that have graphics you want to remove
- Go to the Slide Master tab
- Click on Background Styles
- Click Format Background
- Choose Solid Fill and select a color like white
- Click Apply to All
And voila! All background images are now hidden across every slide.
Tip: I like to toggle between showing and hiding backgrounds on various slides. This creates contrast and draws the eye to key information.
Customizing Backgrounds Further
Hiding graphics entirely is a great start. But you can customize backgrounds even more by:
- Adjusting transparency of images
- Using the blur effect to soften graphics
- Fading graphics in and out with animations
- Changing color schemes of background images
Get creative and find what works best for your presentation!
Best Practices for Background Graphics
When using background images in PowerPoint, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Use high-quality, relevant images
- Make sure text stands out from the background
- Balance visual appeal with simplicity
- Test slides on the screen you’ll present on
- Save separate versions with and without backgrounds
Conclusion
Learning how to hide background graphics in PowerPoint 2013 is an easy way to amplify your message. By removing clutter and drawing attention to important elements, your slides become more readable, scannable, and impactful.
Give it a try on your next presentation. Ditch those busy background images and make your text and graphics shine!
