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
Select the Insert tab, then select the Shapes drop-down menu.
Select a shape from the Rectangles category.
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.
To eliminate the background color, select the shape, select the Shape Format tab, then select the Shape Fill drop-down menu. Select No Fill.
(Optional) Right-click the border and select Format Shape. Use the Format Shape panel on the right to adjust how the border line looks.
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.
On the slide where you want to add a border, click Insert > Pictures > Online Pictures.
Type a search phrase, like line borders or flower borders in the Bing Image Search box, and press Enter.
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
Create a simple border by using the outline of a shape
Click Insert and click the Shapes drop-down menu.
Select a shape from the Rectangles category.
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.
(The Format tab is available on the Ribbon after you select a shape by clicking it.)
To eliminate the background color, click Format, and click the Shape Fill drop-down menu. Click No Fill.
(Optional) Right-click the border and select Format Shape. Use the Format Shape panel on the right to adjust how the border line looks.
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.
On the slide where you want to add a border, click Insert > Online Pictures.
Type a search phrase, like line borders or flower borders in the Bing Image Search box, and press Enter.
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
Remove a page border
Create a simple border by using the outline of a shape
Select the slide you want and click Insert > Shapes > Rectangles.
Tip
To add a border to all your slides, edit the Slide Master.
Click and drag to draw the rectangle so it almost fills the slide.
In the Shape Format tab, click Format Pane.
In the Shape Options pane at the right, under Fill, click No Fill.
In the Format Shape pane, under Line, set the color and line style you want.
Use Bing Images to create a more elaborate border
Search for slide borders on Bing.
Important
Bing gives you access to thousands of Creative Commons licensed images on the Web. Remember, you're responsible for respecting the rights of others' property, including copyright.
Ctrl+click the image you want and click Save Image As to download it.
In PowerPoint, click Design > Background Styles > Format Background.
In the Format background pane at the right, click Fill > Picture or texture fill.
Under picture source, click Insert, browse for the border you downloaded, and click Insert.
If the picture you loaded doesn't fit your slide, make sure all of the offset values in the Format background pane are set to zero percent (0%).
If you want to use this border for all your slides, click Apply to All.
See also
Rotate or flip a text box, shape, WordArt, or picture
Crop a picture in Office
Create a simple border by using the outline of a shape
Click Insert and click the Shapes drop-down menu.
Select a shape from the Rectangles category.
A small default rectangle is drawn on the slide.
To eliminate the coloring inside the shape, select the Shape tab, and select the Shape Fill drop-down menu. Click No Fill.
(The Shape tab is available on the Ribbon after you select a shape by clicking it.)
On the Shape tab, select Shape Outline, and choose the color you want for the border.
Select Shape Outline again. Use the Weight and Dashes options near the bottom of the menu to select the line thickness and style you want for your border.
Drag the handles on the shape to size and position the border on the slide.
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.
On the slide where you want to add a border, click Insert > Pictures > Search on Web.
Type a search phrase, like line borders or flower borders, in the Search box, then press Enter.
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
Remove a page border
