Transparent font in PowerPoint

There are so many great, hidden (or at least not as known) functions in PowerPoint. Without even leaving PowerPoint you can add great effects to your slides. This is a quick guide how to make text transparent using the ”Merge Shape” functions inside PowerPoint 2013.

1. Write the text.
2. Draw a shape that covers the text.
3. Select the text and the shape.
4. “Fragment” the objects using the Merge Shape commands on the Drawing Tools Tab.



5. The text and rectangle will be fragmented into pieces.
6. Choose the pieces you want.
7. The letters are now objects (and no longer “letters”) that can be transparent, gradient or filled.
8. The letters can be combined to a shape. (“union”)
9. And then be subtracted from another shape, creating a cut out.
10. And voila – now you have shapes with cut out letters, or font that can be transparent.

Merge away!