To delete a picture in PowerPoint, click the picture once to select it and press Delete (or Backspace). If clicking doesn’t select it, the picture is probably part of the slide background, the slide master, or a layout, and you’ll need to remove it there instead. These steps work in PowerPoint 2013 and every later version.
PowerPoint 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023, so it no longer receives security updates.
Quick Answer
Click the picture > press Delete. Can’t select it? Check View > Slide Master or Design > Format Background.
Delete a Picture on a Slide
- Click the picture so a border with handles appears around it.
- Press Delete.
- If it’s hard to click, open Home > Arrange > Selection Pane, click the picture’s name in the list, and press Delete.
If You Can’t Select the Picture
| Where the picture lives | How to remove it |
|---|---|
| Slide background | Design > Format Background > choose Solid fill (or Reset Background) |
| Slide master or layout | View > Slide Master, select the master or layout, click the picture, press Delete, then Close Master View |
| Inside a placeholder | Click the picture inside the placeholder and press Delete; the empty placeholder remains |
| Grouped with other objects | Click the group, then click the picture again to select just it |
Delete Several Pictures at Once
- Hold Ctrl and click each picture on a slide, then press Delete.
- For the same picture on every slide, remove it from the slide master once.
Troubleshooting
- Picture came back: It’s on the master or layout. Remove it there.
- Deleted the wrong thing: Press Ctrl + Z right away.
- Want to keep it but fade it? See making a picture transparent in PowerPoint.
- Need to align what’s left? See centering a text box in PowerPoint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does deleting a picture reduce file size?
Yes. Save the file afterward. You can also use Picture Format > Compress Pictures for the images you keep.
Can I replace a picture instead of deleting it?
Yes. Right-click it and choose Change Picture to keep its size and position.
Summary
- Click the picture and press Delete.
- Use the Selection Pane for hard-to-click pictures.
- Check Format Background and Slide Master if it won’t select.
- Press Ctrl + Z to undo mistakes.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.