Weekly Computer Tip # 254
22 December 2008

Make the background of a picture transparent (Office 2003-2007)

Here's the last weekly tip for 2008. I'm taking a short break, but will be back in 2009 with more tricks, tips and shortcuts.

Say, you have created a PowerPoint presentation with a nice background colour. When you insert a picture into this presentation you may very likely end up with a white rectangular picture background, not particularly fitting in with your chosen design. Which is when you will need to make the background of your picture transparent.

Here's how:

In Office 2007:
1. Double-click the picture you want to modify.
2. Under Picture Tools, on the Format tab, in the Adjust group, click Recolor.
3. Click Set Transparent Color.
4. In the picture, click the colour you want to make transparent.

In Office 2003:
1. Select the picture you want to modify.
2. If necessary, display the Picture toolbar. (Use the View, Toolbars command or right-click in the toolbar area.)
3. Click on the Set Transparent Color button on the toolbar. (Second from the right.)
4. In the picture, click the colour you want to make transparent.

OK, this probably was a bit late for those of you who were trying to recolour the background of your Christmas pictures, but I'm pretty sure you will hit this problem one day. For now: thank you for being supporters of my weekly tip. Have a great Xmas and look forward to helping you next year.

Until next week.

PS I’m committed to sharing the best of what I know with others so please don’t keep me a secret. If you enjoyed today’s tip, please forward it to anyone you feel may benefit. Alternatively, feel free to reprint it (with full copyright and subscription information) in your newsletters and message boards.

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