Removing the background in Google Docs is a handy little trick that can make your documents look more professional. While Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in background remover tool like some other programs, there’s a simple workaround that involves using a different Google service, Google Slides. So, if you’re looking to get rid of that pesky background from an image in your document, just keep reading, and I’ll show you how it’s done in just a few easy steps.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Remove Background in Google Docs
Before diving into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to understand what we’ll be doing. Essentially, we’ll be using Google Slides’ transparent feature to remove the background from an image and then placing that image back into our Google Docs document.
Step 1: Open Google Slides
First things first, you’ll need to open Google Slides. You can do this by going to slides.google.com or by finding it in your Google apps grid.
Google Slides is typically used for creating presentations, but it also has some nifty image editing tools that we can take advantage of for our purposes.
Step 2: Insert the Image
Next, you’ll need to insert the image from which you want to remove the background. Click "Insert" on the top menu, then choose "Image" and upload your picture.
Once your image is in the slide, you can adjust its size and position if needed. Make sure the image is clear and focused so that the background is easily distinguishable.
Step 3: Remove the Background
After inserting the image, click on it to select it, then on the toolbar click "Format options." Under "Adjustments," slide the transparency bar until the background disappears.
This step might require a bit of tinkering to get just right. If your image has a solid background, it will be easier to make it transparent. However, if the background is complex, you might need to do some additional adjustments.
Step 4: Download the Image
Once you’re satisfied with how the image looks, right-click on it and select "Save Image As…" to download it to your computer.
It’s important to save the image in a format that supports transparency, such as PNG, otherwise, the background might reappear when you upload it back into Google Docs.
Step 5: Insert Image into Google Docs
Finally, go back to your Google Docs document, click "Insert," then "Image," and upload the image you just edited.
And voila! You now have an image without any background in your Google Docs document. This can be particularly useful for creating cleaner, more visually appealing documents.
After completing these steps, your image will be nestled into your Google Docs, free from its previously distracting background. This technique can help focus attention on the subject of the image, making your document look more polished and professional.
Tips for Removing Background in Google Docs
- If the "Format options" don’t appear when you select the image in Google Slides, try right-clicking on the image and looking for the option there.
- When adjusting transparency, you might want to zoom in on your image for a more precise edit.
- Remember to save your Google Slides file in case you need to go back and adjust the image further.
- If your image has multiple colors or a complex background, using the cropping tool in Google Slides may help isolate the subject before adjusting transparency.
- Practice makes perfect. The more you work with the transparency tool, the better you’ll become at removing backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the background of an image directly in Google Docs?
No, Google Docs does not currently have a feature to remove backgrounds from images directly. You’ll need to use the workaround described in this tutorial using Google Slides.
What file formats support transparent backgrounds?
PNG is the most commonly used file format that supports transparent backgrounds. Be sure to save your image as a PNG after removing the background in Google Slides.
Will this method work for complex images?
This method can work for images with complex backgrounds, but it might take more time and effort to adjust the transparency accurately. For very complex images, more advanced image editing software might be necessary.
Can I remove the background from a GIF?
No, this method will not work for GIFs as they require a different process to maintain their animation while removing the background.
Why is my image background not becoming transparent?
Make sure you’re adjusting the correct settings in Google Slides and that your image is saved as a PNG. Also, check that you’re not accidentally increasing the brightness or contrast instead of the transparency.
Summary
- Open Google Slides.
- Insert the image.
- Remove the background.
- Download the image.
- Insert the edited image into Google Docs.
Conclusion
Removing the background in Google Docs might seem like a daunting task at first, but with the help of Google Slides, it becomes a breeze. Whether you’re creating a report, a presentation, or just sprucing up a document, this skill will elevate the quality of your work. It’s all about creativity, a bit of patience, and knowing the right tools to use. Who knew that Google Slides could be your secret weapon for image editing?
And there you have it, folks! With these simple steps, you can make your documents stand out and look uber professional. Give it a try, and you might just impress your peers or superiors with your newfound Google Docs wizardry. Happy editing!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.
He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.
You can read his bio here.