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How do I change the background color of my Powerpoint slides?

I read your interesting article on producing effective Powerpoint presentations and one thing you said caught my eye: "slides that contain one word or quote, against a dramatic, colorful background" So, Dave, how do I get a different color background on each slide of a Powerpoint presentation?


Dave's Answer:

I knew someone would ask that! The sad fact is that Powerpoint isn't really designed for this sort of presentation so it's a bit laborious to change each slide to have a different background. Not impossible, just a bit of tedium. Let me show you.

First off, I start out with a plain slide with no master template. It's easy to push all the text on all the slides to a single typeface (how? go into Normal View, then click and drag to select all the text on all the slides, then chose a new font!) and the default layout is usually fine for my text slides - most of which end up being Title Slides, by the way, not Bulleted List Slides - so here's what I'd typically be looking at:

Powerpoint: Plain Title Slide

Now, simply right-click (or, if you're on a Mac like I am, Control-click) and you'll see the following menu:

Powerpoint: Contextual Slide Menu

The option you want is highlighted: Slide Background.... Select that and here's what you'll see:

Powerpoint: Background Slide Edit Options

Almost done. Click on the pop-up menu and it'll show you the set of colors in the current color "scheme", but below it you can specify a new color from a color picker:

Powerpoint: Background Colors

Choose "More Colors..." and you'll finally have the color picker:

Powerpoint:Background Color Picker

Choose the color you want, then click the necessary "OK", "Apply" and "Save" buttons to get back to your master slide, make a few tweaks on the font color and size, and suddenly your slide is looking at lot more memorable:

Powerpoint: Color Slide

Hope that helps you see how to create more visually interesting slides in Powerpoint.


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Categorized: Computer and Internet Basics   (Article 6555, Written by )
Tagged: powerpoint, powerpoint tips, presentations, public speaking
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Reader Comments To Date: 3

Christen said, on May 4, 2007 7:57 PM:

I'm using Powerpoint 2007. WHY CAN'T I CHANGE ONE SLIDE COLOR BACKGROUND WITHOUT IT CHANGING ALL THE REST??? Sorry, I'm just a little frustrated. I've looked online at everyone's comments, done the tutorials online and no one is commenting on 2007.
If you rightclick to change background colors the ONLY option is Apply to All. Am I missing something. Please help!!!

Keti said, on March 2, 2009 2:01 PM:

I did all of that. But the slide color remains the same. Can you email me?

Kelly said, on February 7, 2013 4:42 PM:

Your awesome! I got it.
Thanks.

Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!











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