---

---

There are twelve default slide Background Styles available in PowerPoint 2010. Beyond that, you can always change the default background to a solid color, a gradient, a pattern or texture, or even a pattern. In this tutorial, you will learn how to change the default slide background in PowerPoint:

1. Create a new presentation or open an existing presentation. Select the Design tab of the Ribbon, and click on the Background Styles button that you can see highlighted in red in Figure 1.
   
   
   Figure 1: Background Styles button within Design tab
   
   
2. This opens the Background Styles drop-down gallery, select the Format Background option (highlighted in red in Figure 2). Alternatively you can click the dialog launcher within the Background group, as shown highlighted in blue in Figure 1, above.
   
   
   Figure 2: Format Background option within Background Styles gallery
   
   
3. This launches the Format Background dialog box, as shown in Figure 3.
   
   
   Figure 3: Format Background dialog box
   
   The options in this dialog box are explained below -- you can use any of these options to change your slide background -- these options listed below provide links to detailed tutorials:
   
   1. Solid fill: Adds a solid color background to your slide -- you can use any of the Theme colors, Standard colors, or any other color of your choice. To learn more about this option, read our Solid Fills for Slide Backgrounds in PowerPoint 2010 tutorial.
      
      
   2. Gradient fill: Applies a gradient as a slide background -- a gradient is a blend of two or more colors merging into each other. For more information on this option, refer to our tutorial Gradient Fills for Slide Backgrounds in PowerPoint 2010.
      
      
   3. Picture or texture fill: Allows you to use a picture or a texture as a background. More info can be found in our Picture Fills for Slide Backgrounds and Texture Fills for Slide Backgrounds tutorials.
      
      
   4. Pattern fill: Choose from 48 different patterns contained within PowerPoint. Learn more in our Pattern Fills for Slide Backgrounds tutorial.
      
      
   5. Hide background graphics: If your slide background includes graphics which you want to hide for printing purposes, or another reason, you can select this check box. Although the background graphics will remain part of your presentation, it will be hidden from view. Compare Figures 4 and 5 below to understand the difference this option makes to the visual look of your slides.
      
      Tip: The Hide Background Graphics check box can also be found beneath the Background Styles button on the Design tab of the Ribbon (highlighted in red in Figures 4 and 5 below).
      
      
      Figure 4: Slide background with Hide Background Graphics box unchecked
      
      
      Figure 5: Slide background with Hide Background Graphics box checked
      
      
   6. Reset Background: If you want to abandon all changes you made to the slide background, click the Reset Background button. Note that this button will be grayed out unless you make some changes to the slide background.
      
      

      You will find this option within the Background Styles gallery with a different name - Reset Slide Background (highlighted in red in Figure 6).
      
      
      Figure 6: Reset Slide Background option within Background Styles gallery
      
      

   7. Close: Make changes as required, and click this button to apply the changes only to the active slide (or selected slides).
      
      
   8. Apply to All: Click this button if you want changes made to be applied to all slides within the active presentation.
      
      
4. Save your presentation.

---

---