Hiding background graphics in PowerPoint 2013 is a simple process that can enhance the clarity and focus of your slides. With just a few clicks, you can remove distracting elements and keep your audience’s attention on your content. After completing this action, your PowerPoint slides will appear cleaner and more professional, giving your presentation a polished look.
Introduction
When you’re putting together a PowerPoint presentation, the last thing you want is for your audience to be distracted by busy background graphics. Whether you’re presenting in a business meeting, classroom, or conference, a cluttered slide can detract from the message you’re trying to convey. That’s where the ability to hide background graphics comes in handy.
PowerPoint 2013 has made it incredibly simple to remove these distractions, allowing you to focus on the content that matters. This feature is particularly useful for those who are repurposing slides from another presentation or working with a template that has a default background graphic that doesn’t fit their current needs. By hiding the background graphics, you can maintain a consistent visual theme throughout your presentation and ensure that your audience’s attention is on your words and data, not on unnecessary design elements.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Hide Background Graphics in PowerPoint 2013
Before diving into the steps to hide background graphics, it’s important to understand what this action will accomplish. By following these steps, you’ll be able to remove any images, patterns, or design elements that are part of the slide’s background, making your content stand out more prominently.
Step 1: Open the PowerPoint Presentation
Open the PowerPoint 2013 file that contains the slides with the background graphics you want to hide.
In this step, make sure you have the presentation open and that you’re on the slide where you want to hide the background graphics. If you need to apply this change to multiple slides, you’ll have to repeat the process for each one.
Step 2: Select the “Design” Tab
Click on the “Design” tab located in the PowerPoint ribbon.
The Design tab is where you’ll find all the tools related to the visual aspects of your presentation, including background styles and formatting options.
Step 3: Click on “Format Background”
Look for the “Background” group within the Design tab and click on “Format Background.”
This will open a pane on the right side of the screen that provides various options to customize the background of your slides.
Step 4: Check the “Hide Background Graphics” Option
In the “Format Background” pane, you’ll see an option labeled “Hide Background Graphics.” Check the box next to it.
Once you’ve checked this option, the background graphics will immediately disappear from the slide.
Step 5: Apply to All or Selected Slides
If you want to remove the background graphics from all slides in the presentation, click “Apply to All” at the bottom of the “Format Background” pane. Otherwise, close the pane to apply the change to the selected slide only.
Keep in mind that if you apply the change to all slides, you won’t be able to selectively undo it for individual slides without repeating the process.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Focus on Content | By removing background graphics, your audience’s attention is directed towards the key points you’re presenting, leading to better engagement and understanding. |
| Professional Appearance | A clean and uncluttered slide looks more professional and can contribute to a positive impression of your presentation skills. |
| Versatility | Hiding background graphics allows you to use the same slide for different purposes without the design elements limiting its use or conveying an unintended message. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Lack of Visual Interest | Without background graphics, slides might appear too plain or lack visual appeal, which could potentially disengage the audience. |
| Limited Design Options | By hiding the graphics, you may miss out on utilizing design elements that could enhance the overall look of your presentation. |
| Extra Steps for Customization | If you decide you want to reintroduce a graphic element later, you’ll have to go back and unhide it, which adds more steps to the customization process. |
Additional Information
While hiding background graphics in PowerPoint 2013 can be a great way to clean up your slides and make your content stand out, there are a few additional tips to keep in mind. Firstly, consider your audience and the context of your presentation. Sometimes, a well-chosen background graphic can complement your content and make your slides more engaging.
Secondly, remember that hiding background graphics doesn’t delete them. If you change your mind or need to use the graphics for a different presentation, you can easily uncheck the “Hide Background Graphics” option to bring them back. Lastly, consider using high-quality images and design elements that enhance your presentation’s message rather than distract from it. And don’t forget, PowerPoint 2013 offers a wide range of design tools to help you create visually pleasing and impactful slides.
Summary
- Open the PowerPoint presentation.
- Click on the “Design” tab.
- Select “Format Background.”
- Check the “Hide Background Graphics” option.
- Choose to apply to all slides or only the selected slide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will hiding background graphics affect the slide’s text and other content?
No, hiding the background graphics will only remove the visual elements in the background, not the text or other content on the slide.
Can I hide background graphics on specific slides only?
Yes, you can choose to apply the change to the selected slide only by closing the “Format Background” pane without clicking “Apply to All.”
How do I restore background graphics if I change my mind?
You can restore the background graphics by going back to the “Format Background” pane and unchecking the “Hide Background Graphics” option.
Can I use this feature to hide graphics on a master slide?
Yes, you can use the same steps to hide background graphics on a master slide, which will apply the change to all slides using that master.
Does hiding background graphics improve the presentation’s performance?
While it won’t significantly improve performance, it can make the file slightly smaller and ensure the slides load more quickly, especially if the graphics are high-resolution images.
Conclusion
In the world of PowerPoint presentations, clarity is key. Hiding background graphics in PowerPoint 2013 is a quick and easy way to eliminate distractions and ensure your audience is focused on what’s important – your content. With the simple step-by-step process outlined in this article, you can give your slides a clean and professional look that will impress any audience.
Remember, while less can often be more, never underestimate the power of a well-placed visual when it complements your message. Now go forth and create presentations that captivate and inform!
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.