Microsoft PowerPoint Background Created on Adobe Illustrator

This is a step-by-step process showing a person with Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Illustrator on a computer how to create personal backgrounds.

Step 1: Create a New Illustrator Document

Create a new Illustrator image (.ai) sized 10.5” x 7” for a standard PowerPoint presentation. This is the default for any PowerPoint 2010 or older.

You may have to create multiple artboards if you would like to use different designs for slides with different content, like a title page with other slides to follow.

Make sure your color settings are set to RGB because this will be seen via technology and not in print.

Step 2: Design Your Background

Organize any images and words that you need on the background of your slide. Ensure that you will have enough space for the information or graphics that will change from slide to slide.

Hint: Use the Place tool for any images or words that you do not create on the artboard.

Do not include any information that would need to be edited on the slide.

Step 3: Save Your File

Save the file as an .ai file, just in case you need to edit anything. Then also save the file as a .png file. These can be done via File → Save and File → Save for Microsoft Office.

Save each artboard separately. You will need these separate artboards for the PowerPoint.

You will want each artboard with a transparent background and 300 ppi (pixels per inch). This will give you the largest ability to add other things within PowerPoint.

Step 4: Begin Your PowerPoint

Open a new PowerPoint. Go into the Slide Master via the View window.

Right click on the slide and choose "Format Background" from the menu that appears.

The picture shows Guides turned on, but note this is a preference but not necessary.

Hint: You do not need to add your slide background to each template, only the templates you use will need a background.

Step 5: Add Your Background

Add the correct slide background (.png file) to the correct templates by choosing a file.

Right-click on each inserted picture and click “Send to Back” to ensure any content added to any individual slide will be place on top of the background.

Exit out of Slide Master View.

Step 6: Edit Content

Add as many slides as you need and edit the content to best suit your needs.

Be sure to save your work in a place that you can find it.