How to Add Image Opacity w/ PowerPoint 2007

Inserting images w/ varying degrees of opacity in PowerPoint 2007 is not as easy as it seems. From the main screen of PowerPoint 2007, the only option you have is to Recolor the image (via Format Menu) and set the Transparent Color. However, this effect is not what we usually want for our images. It has no control to what degree of transparency you can apply.

Fortunately, there’s a simple trick that we can use to get our desired transparency effect.

Follow the steps below to create a semi-transparent image in PowerPoint 2007:

1. Click Insert
2. Select “Shapes” and choose the most appropriate shape for your image.
3. Draw the shape.
4. Double Click the shape and select “Shape Outline”.
5. Select “No Outline” for your shape.
6. Right Click your shape and select “Format Shape”.
7. Go to Fill, then select “Picture or texture fill”.
8. Under “Insert from:”, select “File…”
9. Locate and select the image that you want to use.
10. You can now change the “Opacity” by adjusting the “Transparency” dial.
You can also view a video demonstration of he above steps below.