--- title: "How to change opacity in Google Slides" description: "Need to change opacity in Google Slides? We’ll explain opacity and show you a shortcut to create slides with Plus AI. " canonical: "https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-change-opacity-in-google-slides/" --- Resources # How to change opacity in Google Slides Need to change opacity in Google Slides? We’ll explain opacity and show you a shortcut to create slides with Plus AI.  Sandy January 18, 2025 If you want to make an image or GIF transparent, you can adjust its opacity. Luckily, you can do this using the built-in opacity feature if you’ve already added the image to Google Slides. This guide will show you how to change opacity in Google Slides (or revert the image if you don’t like the result). And if you are looking for an even easier way to enhance the appearance of your presentation, we’ll show you how Plus AI can provide the exact look and feel you need for your slide deck. Contents 1. [Opacity versus transparency](#opacity-versus-transparency) 2. [Change the opacity for an image in Google Slides](#change-the-opacity-for-an-image-in-google-slides) 1. [Reset the image](#reset-the-image) 3. [Improve the appearance of slides with Plus AI](#improve-the-appearance-of-slides-with-plus-ai) 4. [Conclusion](#conclusion) 5. [FAQs](#faqs) ## **Opacity versus transparency** Many people confuse the terms [opacity and transparency](https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/lightroom-key-concepts/transparency-opacity.html). Before you change a picture or GIF on your slide, it’s good to understand how it’ll affect it. In basic terms, opacity stops light from showing through an image whereas transparency lets light show through it. Google Slides used to have a **Transparency** adjustment slider, but now this slider is called **Opacity** instead.  If you’re ready to get to it, here’s how to change opacity in Google Slides for an image. _Note_: You cannot change the opacity for a video in Google Slides like you can for a photo, picture, or GIF. This is simply because there’s no built-in feature for it. ## **Change the opacity for an image in Google Slides** Insert the photo, picture, or [GIF on your Google Slide](https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-insert-a-gif-in-google-slides) like you normally would. Keep in mind that you can make additional changes to your image like resizing or cropping it, before or after you change the opacity. 1. Select the image on your slide and do one of the following: - Click **Format options** in the top toolbar. - Go to **Format** > **Format options** in the menu. - Right-click and pick **Format options**. 2. When the Format Options sidebar opens, click **Adjustments**. 3. Drag the **Opacity** slider to the percentage you want. You can also enter a specific percentage in the box to the right or use the arrows to move the opacity amount up or down in small increments. 4. You’ll see your image update automatically as you adjust the opacity. This lets you continue to change it until you reach the desired opaqueness. When you finish, use the **X** on the top right of the sidebar to close it. ### **Reset the image** If after you change the opacity in Google Slides, you want to revert the image to its original state, you can either click the Undo button or “Reset” the image. To reset the image, right-click the image and click **Reset image** or reopen the Format Options sidebar and click **Reset** at the bottom. After the image resets, you will see your image as it was when you first inserted it on the slide. ## **Improve the appearance of slides with Plus AI** [Making slides that look good](https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-make-google-slides-that-look-good) is always a challenge. With a tool like Plus AI, you can get help creating the ideal appearance for your Google Slides presentation. Using Plus AI’s templates and themes, you can build a professional slideshow from scratch or enhance an existing one. After you install the [Plus AI for Google Slides](https://workspace.google.com/marketplace/app/plus_ai_for_google_slides_and_docs/214277172452) add-on, open it in the **Extensions** menu to create or edit a presentation. Here, we’ll ask Plus AI to insert a slide using a chosen template with a summary and picture of a book. You can rely on Plus AI to handle the formatting and design so that you can focus on your content instead. Keep in mind that Plus AI can also write or edit your content. This is super helpful if you’re struggling for the right words or are in a hurry to finish the show. ## **Conclusion** Even though you now know how to change opacity in Google Slides, there’s likely much more to do to give your presentation that “wow factor.” Take Plus AI for a trial run and enjoy all of its features to see how you can create an appealing and informative slideshow with one of the [best AI presentation makers](https://plusai.com/blog/best-ai-presentation-makers). Need help with a different slideshow tool? Look at how to [use ChatGPT to create a PowerPoint presentation](https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-use-chatgpt-to-create-powerpoint-presentations). ## **FAQs** **Can you change the opacity in Google Docs?** If you use an image in Google Docs, you can change the opacity the same way as in Google Slides. Select the image, go to **Format** > **Format options**, and use the **Opacity** settings in the sidebar. **How do you change the opacity in a Google drawing?** The opacity features in Google Drawings are the same as those in Google Slides and Docs. This means that you can change the opacity for pictures or GIFs. If you save your drawing in a PNG or JPG image format and add it to Google Slides or Docs, you can change the opacity by opening **Format** > **Format options** and dragging the **Opacity** slider. **How do I reduce the opacity of a background image in Google Slides?**      Once you use an image as a [background in Google Slides](https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-change-the-background-in-google-slides), you cannot change its opacity. One workaround is to adjust the opacity with a third-party editor and then upload the image as the background. Another option is to add the image as an element on the slide, change its opacity, and place it behind the other slide elements. ## More in Resources - [ Resources ### The evolution of the pitch deck (with real decks from LinkedIn, YouTube, and Airbnb) See how startup pitch decks changed from typed business plans to AI drafts, with real decks from LinkedIn, YouTube, Airbnb, and more. October 2, 2026 ](https://plusai.com/blog/evolution-of-pitch-deck) - [ Resources ### How to Convert a Document to a Presentation With AI See how to convert a document to a presentation with AI using Plus AI, with step-by-step instructions, examples, and tips for better slides. September 29, 2026 ](https://plusai.com/blog/how-to-convert-a-document-to-a-presentation) - [ Resources ### 9 best AI agents in 2026: What each does best We compare the 9 best AI agents in 2026 for research, decks, data, and meetings—clear strengths, honest limits, and real pricing for each. 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