Can You Change the Transparency of Shapes in PowerPoint?
Shape transparency is supported in most versions of PowerPoint. The idea is simple: the more transparency there is, the more you can see through it. Zero percent (0%) transparency means the color for the shape you’ve chosen is fully visible, whereas any number approaching 100% transparency makes the shape increasingly more see-through. You have complete control over this percentage level. PowerPoint supports several shapes, from rectangles to more advanced ones, including arrows, callouts, flowcharts, and action buttons. By default, the shapes have a solid fill color which blocks out whatever is under them. Transparency is how you make whatever is behind the shape become more visible.
How Do You Make a Shape Transparent in PowerPoint?
You can adjust the shape’s fill settings to make it transparent:
The Quicker Method for Full Shape Transparency
If you don’t want the shape to have any fill color, as described above, you can move the slider to the right for 100% transparency so you can see through the shape. But there is a faster way to get this done, and it even works in the web and mobile versions of PowerPoint. In some older versions of PowerPoint, right-click and then go to Format > Fill, or left-click and then look in the Format Shape toolbar for the Transparency button. It’s simple: use No fill. With this one option, the shape becomes completely see-through. It retains the outline, so the overall shape isn’t completely invisible. To do this in PowerPoint for the web, select the shape, access the menu next to the shape fill button (paint can symbol), and select No Fill. If you’re using the mobile app, tap the shape and select the paint can at the bottom; this full transparency option is below all the colors.
