Remove a Background in Canva, Word, PowerPoint and Other Apps
Some apps keep background removal behind a paid plan, some do it roughly, and some cannot do it at all. The way round all of them is the same: cut the image out here, save a transparent PNG, and add that PNG to your document or design. It is free and runs in your browser, so the image is never uploaded.
Remove background nowHow it works
Remove the background here
Add your image to the free background remover. The subject is cut out automatically, hair and fine edges included.
Download a transparent PNG
Save the result as PNG so the transparency holds. A JPG would fill the background back in with white.
Add the PNG to your app
Insert or upload the PNG the way your app takes images. The section for each app below has the exact steps.
Remove a Background in Canva
Canva's built-in background remover sits behind a paid plan, so free accounts cannot cut out an image inside Canva. You can get the same transparent cutout free with imagetogif, then upload the PNG straight into your design. The removal runs in your browser, so nothing is sent to a server.
- 3Upload it to Canva. In Canva, open the Uploads panel, add your PNG, and drag it onto your design.
- 4Place it on any background. Drop the cutout onto a brand color, photo, or pattern. There is no white box around it.
Remove a Background in Word
Microsoft Word has a Remove Background tool under Picture Format, but like PowerPoint it marks edges roughly. For a cleaner cutout, remove the background with imagetogif and insert the transparent PNG into your document. It is free and runs in your browser.
- 3Insert it in Word. Choose Insert, Pictures, and add your PNG to the document.
- 4Wrap text around it. Set text wrapping so the clean cutout fits the page layout.
Remove a Background in PowerPoint
PowerPoint has a Remove Background tool under Picture Format, but it marks edges roughly and struggles with hair and detail. For a cleaner cutout, remove the background with imagetogif and insert the transparent PNG into your slide. It is free and runs in your browser.
- 3Insert it in PowerPoint. In PowerPoint, choose Insert, then Pictures, and add your PNG.
- 4Layer it over your design. Position the cutout over shapes, photos, or a solid slide color with no white box.
Remove a Background in Google Slides
Google Slides has no built-in background remover, so you cannot cut an image out inside Slides. The free workaround is to remove the background with imagetogif first, then insert the transparent PNG. Everything runs in your browser, so your image stays private.
- 3Insert it in Google Slides. In Slides, choose Insert, Image, then Upload from computer and pick your PNG.
- 4Place it on your slide. Position the cutout over any background color or image with no white box.
Remove a Background in Google Docs
Google Docs has no image background remover, so a photo keeps its background once you insert it. The free workaround is to cut the image out with imagetogif first, then insert the transparent PNG. It runs in your browser, so your document images stay private.
- 3Insert it in Google Docs. In Docs, choose Insert, Image, Upload from computer, and select your PNG.
- 4Wrap text around it. Set the image to wrap text so the clean cutout sits neatly in the layout.
Remove a Background in Figma
Figma has no native background remover, so designers rely on plugins, and most of those send your image to a paid API. The free alternative is to cut the image out with imagetogif in your browser, then drag the transparent PNG into Figma. Your image never leaves your device.
- 3Drag it into Figma. Drop the PNG straight onto your canvas or a frame.
- 4Compose your design. Layer the cutout over fills, images, and components with no white box.
Remove a Background in GIMP
GIMP can remove a background using fuzzy select, an alpha channel, and layer masks, but it takes several manual steps and a steady hand on detailed edges. For a faster start, get an automatic cutout with imagetogif, then open the transparent PNG in GIMP to refine if you want. It runs in your browser.
- 3Open it in GIMP if needed. Open the PNG in GIMP to touch up edges, or use it as is.
- 4Export from GIMP as PNG. If you edit in GIMP, export as PNG to keep the transparent background.
Remove a Background in Paint
Classic Microsoft Paint cannot remove a background cleanly, and it cannot save transparency to a JPG. The free workaround is to cut the image out with imagetogif, which produces a transparent PNG that Paint and any other app can open. It runs in your browser.
- 3Open or place the PNG. Open it in Paint, or drop it straight into another app that needs a transparent image.
- 4Keep it as PNG. Avoid re-saving as JPG in Paint, since that would fill the background back in.
Remove a Background Without Photoshop
Photoshop can remove a background with Select Subject and Remove Background, but it needs a paid Creative Cloud license and some skill. If you do not have Photoshop, imagetogif gives you a clean automatic cutout free in your browser, no install and no account.
- 3Use it anywhere. Place the cutout in any editor, deck, or document, or open it in Photoshop if you have it.
Free tools for this
Everything runs in your browser, so your image never leaves your device.
Tips that make a difference
Always export PNG
Transparency needs PNG. Every app below keeps the transparent area when you insert a PNG, and fills it with white when you insert a JPG.
Free instead of a paid plan
Canva's own remover needs Canva Pro and Photoshop needs a licence. A ready-made transparent PNG gives the same result in either at no cost.
Cleaner than the built-in tools
Word and PowerPoint mark edges roughly and struggle with hair. The AI cutout here handles soft edges before the image ever reaches them.
Reuse one cutout everywhere
The same PNG works in slides, documents and designs, so cut it out once and keep the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remove a background in Canva for free?
Canva's own remover needs a paid plan. The free route is to cut the image out with imagetogif, export a transparent PNG, and upload that into Canva.
How do I remove a background in Word?
Select the image, open Picture Format, and click Remove Background. For a cleaner result, cut it out with imagetogif and insert the transparent PNG instead.
How do I remove a background in PowerPoint?
Select the image, open Picture Format, and click Remove Background, then mark what to keep. For a cleaner result, cut the image out with imagetogif and insert the transparent PNG instead.
Can Google Slides remove image backgrounds?
No. Slides has no background remover. Cut the image out with imagetogif, save a transparent PNG, and insert that.
Can Google Docs remove a background from an image?
No. Docs has no background remover. Cut the image out with imagetogif, save a transparent PNG, and insert that.
Does Figma have a background remover?
Not natively. You need a plugin, and most use a paid API. A free alternative is to cut the image out with imagetogif and drag the PNG into Figma.
How do I remove a background in GIMP?
Add an alpha channel, select the background with fuzzy or select-by-color, and delete it, or use a layer mask. For a faster start, get an automatic cutout with imagetogif and refine in GIMP.
Can Microsoft Paint remove a background?
Not cleanly. Classic Paint has no proper remover and cannot save transparency to JPG. Cut the image out with imagetogif and save a transparent PNG instead.
How do I remove a background without Photoshop?
Use a free browser tool. Add your image to imagetogif, let it cut out the subject, and download a transparent PNG. No Photoshop needed.
Is my image uploaded to a server?
No. The background removal runs in your browser, so your image never leaves your device.
Remove a Background in Canva, Word, PowerPoint and Other Apps
Free, unlimited, and private. Nothing gets uploaded.
Remove background now