{"id":185,"date":"2019-10-04T10:07:39","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T10:07:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/?p=185"},"modified":"2021-07-20T11:00:01","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T11:00:01","slug":"how-to-make-a-shape-transparent-in-powerpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/how-to-make-a-shape-transparent-in-powerpoint\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Shape Transparent in PowerPoint | 2016 – 2019, Office 365 | Step-by-Step"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint? It is one of those questions that seems so simple, but still, it is a question that I get very often. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Merely giving a shape <\/strong>or object <\/strong>a transparent effect is not that difficult. If, on the other hand, you want to make an image <\/strong>or a picture <\/strong>transparent, it becomes a bit trickier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The focus of this article will be on how to make shapes and objects transparent. We will also go into how to give your images and pictures a transparent effect, with pros and cons of using each of the different methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a summary of the three methods<\/strong> you will learn in this article. Jump down<\/a> to see more in-depth info and screenshots about the techniques and tips so that you can master these effects!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Make a Shape Transparent – Quick Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
  1. Select Insert<\/strong> > <\/strong>choose a Shape<\/strong><\/strong> from menu bar.<\/li>
  2. Draw<\/strong> a shape on the slide.<\/li>
  3. Right click<\/strong> the shape > choose Format Shape<\/strong> OR select Shape<\/strong> > choose Format from the menu<\/strong> bar<\/li>
  4. In Format Shape<\/strong> panel > Select Solid Fill <\/strong>under Fill<\/strong> section.<\/li>
  5. Select a Color<\/strong><\/li>
  6. Increase Transparency<\/strong> > slide bar or entering value for %<\/strong> of transparency.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    How Make an Image Transparent PowerPoint 2010 – 2016 – Quick Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    1. Insert background image<\/li>
    2. Insert Rectangular Shape <\/li>
    3. Cover the background image with the shape <\/li>
    4. Choose the appropriate color for your shape <\/li>
    5. Format Shape <\/li>
    6. Adjust Transparency <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      How Make an image Transparent in PowerPoint 2019\/Office 365- Quick Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      1. Insert the image you want to make transparent<\/li>
      2. Select the image, and navigate to the Picture Tools Format Tab <\/li>
      3. Open up the new Transparency Tool <\/li>
      4. Choose the degree of transparency you want to give your image. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Why make shapes and images transparent?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        There are a lot of reasons why you want to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint. I usually use transparent shapes when I want to “tone down” an image that stands out a little too much. I also think it’s nice to have transparent shapes behind text when doing intro slides (like the image below). It is also an effective way to fade out some parts of a figure or an illustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Make
        Example shows text over a color fill with transparency applied to enable text easy to read.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        How to Make a Shape Transparent<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Okay, now let me tell you how to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint. It’s not at all difficult; all you have to do is follow the steps below. Briefly, these are the four steps you need to take to make a shape transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Insert a shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Insert a shape by\nnavigating to Insert and then Shapes. Choose the shape you want to use and\nplace it on your slide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Step<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        2. Format Shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Now right-click on the\nshape you just placed, and select Format Shape at the bottom. You have now got\na new menu on the right called Format Shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        3. Select Solid Fill<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        In this menu, click\nFill, and select Solid fill if it is not already selected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Step<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        4. Adjust Transparency<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        At the bottom of the\nFill menu, you will find Transparency. Adjust this control until you have the\ndesired effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Step<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Congratulations! You now have a somewhat transparent shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Historically, the transparency attribute has not applied to images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Many times it can be useful to have an image as a background, but often it can be challenging to add a layer of text on such a background as the text becomes difficult to distinguish. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However, by making the image slightly transparent, this problem can be solved relatively easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I will guide you through two different methods. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        One is very simple, but can only be used by those with PowerPoint 2019 with an Office 365 subscription. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The second method is for us others who have previous versions<\/strong> (PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2016) , which is probably the majority. So let’s start with this method.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        How to Make an image Transparent (Pre) PowerPoint 2019\/Office 365<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        This method involves some steps that I described in: how to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        We will use just a transparent shape to achieve the desired effect<\/strong>. The method consists of several steps, which we will go deeper into further down. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Insert background image<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        To start by inserting the image you want to use as a background, I usually use royalty-free images and photos from pexels.com<\/a>. You can either find the image you wish to use, right-click it and copy and then paste directly into PowerPoint. Alternatively, you can right-click on the image, save it locally and then navigate to Insert, and Pictures, to insert your image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Image<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        2. Insert Rectangular Shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Once you’ve placed your background image to cover the entire slide, it’s time to make it transparent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Intuitively, you probably want to right-click and use Format Shape, as we did in the tutorial of how to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint, but unfortunately, it is not possible. Instead, insert a rectangular shape. Navigate to Insert, Shapes, and then select Rectangle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"We<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        3. Cover the background image with the shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Once you have inserted your shape, change the dimensions to cover your entire background image<\/strong>. You probably start to know what to do next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"Change<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        4. Choose the appropriate color for your shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        What color to give your picture is depends on the effect you are after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Usually, it is most appropriate to use a white filling because the transparent effect becomes more neutral then. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        However, sometimes, it can be neat to give the shape darker tones like dark blue or black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        For example, if you have a red theme in your presentation, it might be nice to provide the shape with a red fill. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Here you can allow yourself to be a little creative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        5. Format Shape<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        Now right-click on the shape you just placed, and select Format Shape at the bottom.<\/strong> You have now got a new menu on the right called Format Shape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        6. Adjust Transparency<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

        At the bottom of the Fill menu, you will find Transparency<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Adjust this control until you have the desired effect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Now you have created a beautiful transparent background image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The method is not entirely straightforward but works very well. One of the significant advantages is the creative freedom you get in giving your transparency a new color. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The next method to make an image transparent is much smoother,<\/strong> but as I said, works just for you with PowerPoint 2019 and\/or Office 365<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        PRO TIP!<\/strong> If you want to learn how to wrap the text shown in the image above, you can learn exactly that in this step-by-step tutorial on <\/a>how to wrap text in PowerPoint<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        How to Make an image Transparent in PowerPoint 2019\/Office 365<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint is a question we have answered earlier in this article, but a relevant follow-up question is how to make an image transparent. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        I have already provided a proposal that works for all PowerPoint users. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The method I’m going to present now only works for you who have PowerPoint 2019 with an Office 365 subscription<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        It is now super easy to make images transparent in PowerPoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The method consists of some steps, which are so simple that I will not explain every step in detail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        The process for making images transparent in PowerPoint 2019\/Office 365 is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Insert the image you want to make transparent<\/strong><\/li>
        2. Select the image, and navigate to the Picture Tools Format Tab <\/strong><\/li>
        3. Open up the new Transparency Tool <\/strong><\/li>
        4. Choose the degree of transparency you want to give your image. <\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          There you go! It is not more complicated than that to male a regular image or background image transparent in the latest version of PowerPoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          However, this tool is still limited. For example, you cannot choose to give your effect a particular color tone. If you want to achieve the color effect, you can, of course, apply the first method I went through, even if you have Office 365.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Another useful way to inject some life into your PowerPoint presentation is to build a word cloud. In this step-by-step tutorial on word clouds in PowerPoint<\/a> you will learn exactly that. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

          Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          In this article, you have learned how to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Also, I have dealt with two related topics, how to make an image transparent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          We found that there are two different methods for this, one of which is exclusive to you with PowerPoint 2019 or an Office 365 subscription. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          However, the good news is that the more flexible method that allows you to give your transparency, a color effect can be applied in all versions of PowerPoint. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In summary, the methods involve the following steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Make a Shape Transparent<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
          1. Insert a shape <\/li>
          2. Format Shape <\/li>
          3. Select Solid Fill <\/li>
          4. Adjust Transparency <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
            \"How<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

            Make an image Transparent (Pre) PowerPoint 2019\/Office 365<\/strong> – (versions PowerPoint 2010, PowerPoint 2013, PowerPoint 2016) <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
            1. Insert background image<\/li>
            2. Insert Rectangular Shape <\/li>
            3. Cover the background image with the shape <\/li>
            4. Choose the appropriate color for your shape <\/li>
            5. Format Shape <\/li>
            6. Adjust Transparency <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
              \"In<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

              Make an image Transparent in PowerPoint 2019\/Office\n365<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
              1. Insert the image you want to make transparent<\/li>
              2. Select the image, and navigate to the Picture Tools Format Tab <\/li>
              3. Open up the new Transparency Tool <\/li>
              4. Choose the degree of transparency you want to give your image. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Final final sign off<\/strong>!<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

                How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint is a topic that is relatively easy to process. However, it is not entirely obvious how you should go about making images transparent in PowerPoint<\/a>, which I dealt with as a bonus. I hope you liked this article and that you have learned something new. As usual, if you have any questions or concerns, you are welcome to contact me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                You May Also Like: <\/strong>How to Number Slides in PowerPoint | Step-by-Step<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint? It is one of those questions that seems so simple, but still, it is a question that I get very often. Merely giving a shape or object a transparent effect is not that difficult. If, on the other hand, you want to make an image or a picture transparent, it becomes a bit trickier. The focus of this article will be on how to make shapes and objects transparent. We will also go into how to give your images and pictures a transparent effect, with pros and cons of using each of\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":192,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[22,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35,36,38,39,40,41],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[]}},"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-300x168.png",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-768x430.png",768,430,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-1024x573.png",1024,573,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable":"

                How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint? It is one of those questions that seems so simple, but still, it is a question that I get very often. Merely giving a shape or object a transparent effect is not that difficult. If, on the other hand, you want to make an image or a picture transparent, it becomes a bit trickier. The focus of this article will be on how to make shapes and objects transparent. We will also go into how to give your images and pictures a transparent effect, with pros and cons of using each of…<\/p>\n","category_list":"PowerPoint Tutorials<\/a>, PowerPoint Basics<\/a>","author_info":{"name":"Editorial.YSB","url":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/author\/editorial-ysb\/"},"comments_num":"0 comments","featured_image_urls_v2":{"full":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-300x168.png",300,168,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-768x430.png",768,430,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1-1024x573.png",1024,573,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/02-1.png",1434,803,false]},"post_excerpt_stackable_v2":"

                How to make a shape transparent in PowerPoint? It is one of those questions that seems so simple, but still, it is a question that I get very often. Merely giving a shape or object a transparent effect is not that difficult. If, on the other hand, you want to make an image or a picture transparent, it becomes a bit trickier. The focus of this article will be on how to make shapes and objects transparent. We will also go into how to give your images and pictures a transparent effect, with pros and cons of using each of…<\/p>\n","category_list_v2":"PowerPoint Tutorials<\/a>, PowerPoint Basics<\/a>","author_info_v2":{"name":"Editorial.YSB","url":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/author\/editorial-ysb\/"},"comments_num_v2":"0 comments","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=185"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/185\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/192"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=185"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=185"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yourslidebuddy.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=185"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}