Changing the background in PowerPoint presentations can greatly enhance the visual appeal and effectiveness of your slides. With the right background, you can set the tone, reinforce key messages, and make your content pop.
Follow these simple steps to change backgrounds in PowerPoint:
Select the Slide(s) to Modify
First, select the slide or slides where you want to change the background. You can do this by:
- Clicking on the slide thumbnail on the left side
- Right-clicking on the slide and choosing “Select All”
To change the background of all slides at once, do not select a specific slide.
Access the Format Background Menu
Next, access the Format Background menu. You can do this in two ways:
- On the Design tab, click “Format Background”
- Right-click on the slide and choose “Format Background”
This will open the Format Background pane on the right side.
Choose a New Background
In the Format Background pane, you have several options to choose a new background:
- Solid fill – Choose a solid color
- Gradient fill – Select a smooth color transition
- Picture or texture fill – Use an image or texture as the background
- Pattern fill – Select a repetitive design
Pick the option that best matches your desired background style.
Customize the Background
Once you’ve chosen a background, customize it to your liking. For example, with a picture background you can:
- Adjust transparency
- Use picture corrections
- Recolor the image
With solid fills, tweak the exact hue, saturation, and transparency.
Apply to All Slides (Optional)
If you want the new background to apply to all slides in your presentation, click “Apply to All” at the bottom of the pane.
If you only want to change the background of certain slides, just close the pane without clicking “Apply to All”.
Preview and Tweak as Needed
Preview how the new background looks on your slides. Make any final tweaks using the Format Background options.
Changing up your PowerPoint backgrounds takes just a few clicks, but can make a big visual impact. Use backgrounds intentionally to set the tone, reinforce messaging, and make your content stand out.
PowerPoint Background Design Tips
Follow these best practices when selecting and designing PowerPoint slide backgrounds:
Choose Appropriate, Relevant Images
Any imagery used in backgrounds should directly relate to your presentation content. Don’t just choose a background because it looks nice. Make sure it supports your messaging.
Use High-Quality Photos
Pixelated, blurry backgrounds look unprofessional. Always use high-resolution photos that will render well onscreen at various sizes.
Pick the Right Colors
Select background colors that complement your brand palette. But also ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors for readability.
Don’t Overwhelm Viewers
Avoid busy, cluttered backgrounds with too many elements. These can distract from your actual content. Prioritize simplicity.
Check Accessibility Standards
Some background design choices can impact accessibility for those with visual impairments or color blindness. Always double check that your color schemes and contrasts meet accessibility guidelines.
Advanced Background Options in PowerPoint
Beyond the basic background formatting options, PowerPoint has some more advanced options for customizing your slide backgrounds:
Slide Master
For precise control over backgrounds across your entire presentation, use the Slide Master view. Here you can standardize backgrounds and styles across all slides at once.
Background Styles
Try the various built-in Background Styles for quick, professionally designed backgrounds. Browse through the stylish options here for inspiration.
Video Backgrounds
You can even set dynamic video clips as your PowerPoint slide backgrounds. This adds an extra engaging element for your audience.
Animated Backgrounds
Similarly, animated backgrounds can infuse your presentation with energy and motion. There are many creative ways to implement animated effects.
Take the time to explore all of PowerPoint’s background design options. With the right background choice, you can profoundly enhance the look of your slides and effectiveness of your message.
