In the past, if you wanted to edit a picture to use in a presentation or document then you would need an expensive third-party program like Photoshop, but now with Office 2010 edit your pictures with a few simple clicks. Two easy to use tools that can make your pictures look more professional are the Background Removal Tool and the Set Transparent Color Tool.  Both are designed to allow you to change the background so that your picture stands out or can fit more cohesively.

Set Transparent Color

The Set Transparent Color tool will take the background image of a picture and make it transparent, so that you can only have the main focus image stand out.  The transparent area will be the same color as a background on a computer screen or website and the same color as the paper if printed.

• After you have inserted a picture, select the picture to activate the contextual Picture Tools ribbon.
• Click the dropdown arrow for Color and choose Set Transparent Color.

• Your mouse has now changed into the Set Transparent Color tool, click the area you would like to make transparent.

Background Removal Tool

The Background Removal tool allows you to remove a single color, but allows you to select what portion of the picture you want to keep and what to discard in order to make you pictures pop.

• After you have inserted your picture, select it to activate the Picture Tools ribbon.

• On the Picture Tools Ribbon, select Remove Background.

• Now you can select the areas to keep or remove with a simple click of you mouse. You can also use the drag handles in the center to increase area of the picture. The areas that are pink will be removed from the picture.

• Once you are satisfied with your picture click Keep All Changes.

Office 2010 enhanced picture editing tools removes the need for expensive third party programs and gives you the control on making powerful professional presentations and documents.