Applies To
PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 for Mac PowerPoint for the web PowerPoint 2024 PowerPoint 2024 for Mac PowerPoint 2021 PowerPoint 2021 for Mac PowerPoint 2019 PowerPoint 2016

You can add a border to a slide for an added element of design in your presentation. While there is not a specific tool in PowerPoint to add a border, there are a couple of ways to accomplish the task: create a simple border by using the outline of a shape, or use Bing Image Search to find and insert a border.

Create a simple border by using the outline of a shape

  1. Select the Insert tab, then select the Shapes drop-down menu.

    Select the Insert tab, then select Shapes, then select a rectangular shape.
  2. Select a shape from the Rectangles category.

  3. To draw the shape to the size you want, place the cursor at the top-left corner. Hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor to the bottom right.

  4. To eliminate the background color, select the shape, select the Shape Format tab, then select the Shape Fill drop-down menu. Select No Fill.

    Select the Shape Format tab, select Shape Fill, then select No Fill.
  5. (Optional) Right-click the border and select Format Shape. Use the Format Shape panel on the right to adjust how the border line looks.

    Open the Shape Format pane to change the style of the border line. Right-click the shape, then select Format Shape.

Use Bing Image Search to insert a border

You can also search for a new border to use in your presentation. PowerPoint uses a Bing Image Search to locate and download borders. You can search for new border images if you are connected to the Internet.

  1. On the slide where you want to add a border, click Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures.

  2. Type a search phrase, like line borders or flower borders in the Bing Image Search box, and press Enter.

    To find a border design, select Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures.
  3. Select a border image and click Insert to add it to your slide.

    Note: The Bing Image Search results bring up images that are licensed under Creative Commons. For more information, see Add clip art to your file.

See also

Add a border to a page

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