Insert a Picture Inside Text on a PowerPoint Slide

Add some pizzazz to your PowerPoint text

A PowerPoint presentation is all about text and images on a slide. When you want to create a cool effect and make your presentation pop, combine your text with your pictures. All you need is some simple, informative text on the slide and a great picture used as the font color. Using a picture as a fill for text draws extra attention to a slide or an individual word.

Instructions in this article apply to PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and PowerPoint Online.

Add a Picture Fill to Text

When you use a picture as a fill for text, format your text so that it is large and bold. Choose a fat font, such as Arial Black or Broadway, that has thick lines. When you use a font with a thick line, more of your picture will show inside each letter.

  1. Select the text on the slide.

    Highlighted text in a PowerPoint presentation
  2. Go to Drawing Tools Format.

    WordArt Styles shown in a PowerPoint presentation
  3. In the WordArt Styles group, select the Text Fill dropdown arrow and choose Picture.

    Text fill options in PowerPoint
  4. In the Insert Pictures dialog box, choose one of the options to insert a picture: From a file, Bing Image Search, or OneDrive - Personal. In PowerPoint 2019, your choices are From a File, Online Pictures, and From Icons.

    Insert Pictures dialog in PowerPoint
  5. To use a picture on your computer, select From a File, choose the picture file, and select Insert. The picture is inserted into the text on the slide.

    Selecting a picture to insert from a file
  6. To insert an image found on the web, select Bing Image Search or Online Pictures, enter your search parameters for the desired picture (in this example tie-dye is entered), and select the magnifying glass or press Enter.

    Searching for an image via Bing
  7. Scroll through the results and choose an image. Once you find the image you want, select Insert.

    Leave the filter to Creative Commons only to avoid using copyrighted images.

    Selecting a picture from Bing to insert
  8. To insert a picture you've saved to OneDrive, select OneDrive - Personal. In PowerPoint 2019, choose From a File.

    Searching for an image on OneDrive
  9. Navigate through any folders within OneDrive to locate a picture. Once you have found a picture to use, choose it and select Insert.

    Finding an image on your personal OneDrive
  10. If you are not satisfied with the end result, press Ctrl+Z to undo the text fill and repeat these steps to choose a different picture.

Having a picture inserted into the PowerPoint text entices your audience to look closer at your presentation and adds a uniqueness that will hold their attention.

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