{"id":8848,"date":"2018-09-07T21:54:14","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T21:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mauriziolacava.com\/?p=8848"},"modified":"2026-01-22T11:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T11:27:05","slug":"create-transparent-images-in-powerpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauriziolacava.com\/en\/create-transparent-images-in-powerpoint\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Images Transparent in PowerPoint"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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You might know how to apply transparency to the shapes because you read the article<\/span> – Free images for powerpoint presentations: the definitive guide <\/strong><\/a>– but how do you make images<\/span> transparent in PowerPoint<\/span>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Historically, there was no function that allowed to make transparent images<\/span> in PowerPoint<\/span><\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, there is a little trick<\/strong> that allows you to take advantage of the transparency function of the shapes that you learnt. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let’s try to reconstruct a well known graphic<\/span> effect: superposition of formulas, do you know what it is?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ll give you an example, let’s start with the image<\/span> of a full-page researcher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Imagine wanting to create a transparent effect of superimposed formulas to enrich the base image<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the result in the following slide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An image<\/span> overlay is an image<\/span> over another one in which we apply a transparency effect. So that it integrates perfectly with the base image<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did I do it? Follow me because it is super simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First of all, I draw a rectangular shape next to the image<\/span><\/strong> of the formulas (which you will find in small blue in the following image<\/span>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Make sure that the rectangular shape has the same dimensions as the image<\/span><\/strong>, otherwise you risk distorting the image<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I will soon explain you why this happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take note of the size of the image<\/span> and apply it to the form with a simple copy paste of height and width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To go faster, MLC PowerPoint Addin<\/a> has a function that is called “Make Same Size<\/strong>“, which allows you to create two objects in a PowerPoint slide the same size<\/a> with a single click.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cut the image<\/span> by selecting it and applying the shortcut CTRL + X<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where was the image<\/span>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is in the Windows “Clipboard<\/strong>“, which means you can\u2019t see it, but you can find it stored in the memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, if I had to paste (keyboard shortcut CTRL + V<\/strong>), the image<\/span> would jump immediately from the clipboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Select the shape with the right mouse button and open the “Format Shape<\/strong>” menu.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Now it comes the magic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of applying the usual full color<\/span> background, we apply a background of type “Picture or texture fill<\/strong>“. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image<\/span> comes directly from the “Clipboard<\/strong>” and applied to the shape as a background. Finally, you will have a form that contains the image<\/span> of the formulas in the background<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We desaturate it to remove all the color<\/span> that could create dissonance during the superposition and eliminate the contour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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By selecting the background menu of the image<\/span>, you will see that the transparency option will be available<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Let’s apply a transparency of 50%. Then, drag the image<\/span> to the whole page to overlay it perfectly to the background one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Here I obtained the effect of superimposing images<\/span> with an image<\/span> in transparency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not that difficult right? <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, PowerPoint<\/span> evolved and it has recently been released a function to apply transparency to images<\/span> straight away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to do that? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s very simple, just follow me. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All you need<\/span> to do is to double click<\/span> on an image<\/span> and select the transparency button. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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You’ll be able to choose between different level of transparency or to apply a custom one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you need help turning these techniques into outstanding business presentations, our PowerPoint presentation design agency<\/a> is here to help you do just that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GO BACK: HOW TO USE FREE IMAGES FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Get the PDF now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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