Office Background in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows

Besides many other new features, PowerPoint 2013's most noticeable cosmetic change is its user interface. Additionally, PowerPoint 2013 (and all other applications of Office 2013) now introduces the concept of “Office Background”, which essentially is the small image strip visible on the top right area of the program interface, as shown in Figure 1 below. Looks like PowerPoint just got tattooed?

Figure 1: The Office Background

Don't see any patterned image strip? No worries -- by default, these image strips are not turned on -- we show you how you can enable and change the "Office Backgrounds" image strips later in this tutorial. In addition, there are fourteen such strips that provide a touch of personalization to the software suite experience. Frankly, we are quite happy with the default no-image-strip option but we agree that they can be fun to explore! Follow these steps to learn more:

1. Choose the File menu to bring up the Backstage view, as shown in Figure 1. Now, select Options (highlighted in blue within Figure 2).
   
   
   Figure 2: PowerPoint Backstage view
2. This brings up the PowerPoint Options dialog box, as shown in Figure 3. Make sure that General option is selected within the sidebar. On the right side of the dialog box locate the Office Background option (highlighted in red within Figure 3) within the Personalize your copy of Microsoft Office section.
   
   
   Figure 3: PowerPoint Options dialog box
3. Now, click the downward pointing arrow next to the Office Background selection box to bring up a drop-down list, as shown in Figure 4.
   
   
   Figure 4: Office Background drop-down list
   
   Note that No Background option is selected by default (refer to Figure 4). You can however choose any one of the fourteen available backgrounds such as Calligraphy, and click the OK button. The selected background graphic will appear as a small, tattoo-like pattern on the top right corner of PowerPoint application window, as shown highlighted in red within Figure 5.
   
   
   Figure 5: Calligraphy background images added within PowerPoint Interface
4. Choose the Office Background you want for your PowerPoint interface -- be aware though that the same background will show up on all of your Office applications. Below are screenshots of all the fourteen background images giving you an idea of how your interface will look like:
   
   No Background
   
   
   Calligraphy
   
   
   Circles and Stripes
   
   
   Circuit
   
   
   Clouds
   
   
   Doodle Circles
   
   
   Doodle Diamonds
   
   
   Geometry
   
   
   Lunchbox
   
   
   School Supplies
   
   
   Spring
   
   
   Stars
   
   
   Straws
   
   
   Tree Rings
   
   
   Underwater
   
5. If you want, you can follow the same steps, and in Step 3,select the No Background option to turn off the Office Background – or, you can also choose another image strip.

See Also:

Office Background in PowerPoint 2016 for Windows