How to Make Shapes Transparent in Google Slides

Shapes in Google Slides can be used to make basic figures and even more advanced visual aids. If you’re looking to take your shapes game to the next level though, you won’t get far without transparency.

Transparency allows you to layer shapes on top of one another, turn them into background elements, or overlay them with text. You can even pair them with transparent images to make unique visuals that are sure to impress your colleagues.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make shapes transparent in Google Slides on your PC, Android, or iPhone.

How to Make Transparent Shapes in Google Slides

To make shapes transparent in Google Slides, simply select any shape and change its Fill color to Transparent. Here’s how, step-by-step, on your PC and in the Google Slides mobile app on your Android or iPhone:

Desktop/PC

  1. Open Google Slides, sign into your account, and create a new presentation or edit an existing one.
  2. In the leftmost menu, select the slide you wish to add a shape to.
    Google Slides Web Slide Selected in Leftmost Menu
  3. Click the Insert tab and select any shape from the Shapes menu.
    Google Slides Web Shapes in Shape Insert Menu
  4. Draw the shape anywhere on the selected slide, or simply click anywhere in the slide to insert it.
    Google Slides Web Shape Draw Outline on Slide
  5. Once inserted, click the shape to select it. A blue border will appear around the shape when selected.
    Google Slides Web Shape Selected on Slide
  6. With the shape selected, click the Paint bucket icon in the Toolbar above the current slide and select Transparent.
    Google Slides Web Transparent in Fill Color Menu

Android/iPhone

  1. Open the Google Slides mobile app, sign into your account, and create a new presentation or edit an existing one.
  2. Near the bottom, select the slide you wish to add a shape to.
    Google Slides Mobile App Slide Selected in Bottom Menu
  3. Tap the Add symbol in the upper right corner and select a shape from the Shapes menu. It will automatically be inserted into the selected slide.
    Google Slides Mobile App Shapes in Shape Insert Menu
  4. Once added, tap the shape to select it. A blue border will appear around the shape when selected.
    Google Slides Mobile App Shape Selected on Slide
  5. With the shape selected, tap the Paint bucket icon in the Toolbar at the bottom and select Transparent.
    Google Slides Mobile App Transparent in Fill Color Menu

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