How to make branded virtual background for Microsoft Teams using PowerPoint

In this step-by-step tutorial, learn how to create your very own custom branded virtual background for Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, or Zoom using Microsoft PowerPoint. With a branded background, show your organization or company logo while you present.
0:00 Introduction
2:08 Create background in PowerPoint
2:55 Using Stock images
4:20 Using PowerPoint Designer to create beautiful background
5:25 Saving the background
7:33 Flipping background image for Teams
8:20 Saving flipped background
8:44 Adding custom background into Teams
9:29 Wrap up
Watch all my PowerPoint tutorials here: • 👨‍🏫 How to use PowerPoint
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[@websp00k]

Image always looks reversed to you however is right for everyone else. If you flip it then everyone else will see it in reverse.

[@KevinStratvert]

Good catch! Just tested and verified. UPDATE - no need to flip the image before adding to Teams.

[@travelwell6049]

I put some magic whiteboard up behind me for meetings and wrote the full (long) URL of the help site. Then I thought oh no it's back to front. So I rubbed it all out and wrote it all out again as mirror-image text. Then the first person I met with said, oh that's a shame it's showing backwards. D'oh!

[@websp00k]

@@KevinStratvert A handy option you may want to share with everyone is how to use OBS virtual camera to green screen videos or desktops behind the presenter while using Teams and similar conferencing tools. While we are in lockdown and training others using conferencing tools it will be a popular vlog. Keep the good work up - you've made the right decision.

[@KevinStratvert]

@@websp00k love it! I'll add it to my list of videos to create. Thanks for the suggestion, Malcolm!

[@tysond75]

@@KevinStratvert You can make lower thirds nicely in Powerpoint too, and then separately save them so you can float them in front of you in OBS with a background behind you (as long as you use green screen or similar)

[@TylerStanczak]

I love that you used a cookie for the example. I feel like I always end up using delicious foods in my examples too because I record when I am hungry. On a side note I love this example. I actually didn’t even know that you could change the background. Thanks for the helpful tutorial Kevin! 😊

[@greghyatt1601]

Kevin this absolutely rocks! I have been tinkering with the Idea of buying green screen backdrop, now I may not have to make that investment! Super stoked!

[@travelwell6049]

I will be in a zoom meeting with lots of people, from other companies, later this week. So I've now made myself a lovely custom background with my company logo, my name and job title on a background picture showing the inside of our main building. It's going to look way more professional than any part of my house. Thanks Kevin. Edit: Had the zoom meeting yesterday. Zoom asks if you have a greenscreen. I don't so I sat in front of a plain cream wall. My jumper was pale pink with darker pink arms. So everyone saw me as a floating head with detached arms. I loved it! But an hour and a half was far too long to be sitting there. I had to get up and move around.

[@tatapanawasebi]

WOW... I want it and my colleagues in the UK knows how to make it but they said it is very difficult. This video comes on time and thank you so very much!

[@chawkisalhi8103]

@Kevin Stratvert, you don't need to flip the image ! While it appears reversed for you, it'll appear properly for the others. Go ahead and test it by recording yourself in the Teams meeting.

[@Libraryladee28]

I agree! When I flipped the image my audience sees it backwards. The benefit of what Kevin shows is that he can see it correctly.

[@KevinStratvert]

Good catch! Just tested and verified. You can leave out the flip step. Thanks for the note!

[@HEMUSolutions]

Please update video?

[@chawkisalhi8103]

@@KevinStratvert and mention I was the first to spot the thing :D

[@KevinStratvert]

Good suggestion. I've updated the video in the KZbin editor to remove the reference to flipping. It takes a little bit of time to process but the updated video should appear soon. Thanks!

[@MadKumaBill]

Hello to all! I am going to try it today at the office, for my meetings! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@billj8968]

I hope your cookie company makes it!! It's a good time to get into cookies because most companies seem to track them nowadays :). Thank you @Kevin!

[@ravsingh1576]

A great tip and useful skill. Thanks Kevin 👍🏼

[@tessellatiaartilery8197]

So helpful and succinct. Thank you!

[@robertgorton3856]

Kevin, very informative video. Thanks very much for making it!! In response to an earlier video this week about you leaving Microsoft. While we are living in uncertain times right now.I feel you will do very well going out on your own.Your very intelligent and skilled and motivated. You will do very well.

[@sachin4043]

Thanks Kevin! I have been looking for this for quite sometime. 👍

[@rlyen1969]

Nice tutorial, thank you.

[@danemmerich6775]

Subscribed so fast! You are very good a getting the right info across to US so we learn quickly!!

[@josephsantiago8020]

Thanks Kevin for this. The timing is really great since you just gave me an idea for our office meeting tomorrow. By the way, is there a way I can put captions (overlays) while we are on a Teams meeting or Teams Live Event like having the name of the speaker while he or she is presenting?

[@TheKarenjh]

This is great. Don’t understand the extra step of inserting the image onto the PPt instead of just flipping what was there, but I know you know your stuff so I’ll probably learn why when I get there. Thanks, Kevin.

[@jmcdonagh394]

Brilliant!

[@HeritageDigital]

Thank you!

[@kanthinavarathna7742]

Thank you very much ♥️ um from srilanka 🇱🇰

[@anemoretus17]

Thanks for this idea. Kudos! ;-)

[@simonvoco5523]

Just amazing so useful

[@lenoraadam1833]

Do you think there will be an option to set a default background setting soon? So we don't have to set it every time you join a meeting.

[@jessss1011]

Hey Kevin, just found you and your stuff is terrific - love sway can’t wait to get into it for my website blogs. Anyway, I do a lot of training and now with COVID I”m having to go to screen training etc. Can you show us how to get the mouse highlighted - not using the windows 10 version but the one you use please? Thanks for the great content and congrats on going full time mate. Cheers from Oz.

[@CryptoCeej]

Nice work thanks for sharing!! New Sub

[@darlingwidad]

Heyyy ! I should try this in my class . Thank you 💐

[@jwcinc12]

dude! I am looking forward to customizing one with mountains in background for our team calls.

[@MrsMoss-sb9in]

Great job as always Kevin. Which PowerPoint version is this?

[@craftienanna2987]

Thank you. Another great idea that I plan to use. I have watched videos on creating “drag and drop activities “ and other interactive activities for Google users. How can I create the same type activities using Microsoft?

[@resurrectionmission]

Really thank you for the videos.in PowerPoint can I add video and another audio file playing at the same time????? I tried making an intro by animation but my audio is not playing in the beginning.can you help.thank you

[@montrieux]

Hi Kevin, nice work! How many personnal backrgrounds can be uploaded in Teams? And once uploaded, how can they be deleted? Thanks.

[@nmb0711]

Great!

[@tmac870gmail]

Thanks for the great videos! Anyway to have your background load automatically every time you launch teams?

[@KevinStratvert]

The functionality isn't there yet. Feel free to up vote here (the Teams team uses this to prioritize): microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/555103-public/suggestions/40184704-permanent-virtual-background-in-teams

[@yannkeumoe9063]

Hello Kevin! Thanks for the amazing video. I have looked for a way out for long. I have another issue I would like you to pay attention to if you don't mind. I have files with the '.exe' extension consistently deleted in my computer. How to remedy the situation?

[@BibethSharma]

Thanks a lot Kevin. Dr.Bibeth Sharma , India

[@abirpanchwagh6914]

Dude tomorrow I am gonna try this in my school and impress teachers and friends very nice video

[@Anukiranvlogs]

Super!

[@madskills692003]

DO NOT FLIP YOUR BACKGROUND IMAGE!!! While Teams always shows you your own video mirrored, it will look correct to the other attendees. So if you flip your background so it looks correct on your end it will look flipped for all other attendees.

[@Valle641]

My company might actually use this. Is there a way to upload background images to all members of an organization via let’s say the Teams admin center?

[@SpagmanAus]

Nah you’d have to use a group policy to copy it into the path where the background images live on each domain joined PC, but the user would have to manually select that background in Teams themselves.

[@goforthbmerry]

Very cool

[@limlyehuat9277]

Hi kevin, did you use green screen for this presentation. Awesome video

[@aditya_suresh]

Thanks for the this video. It was pretty helpful. Is it possible for you to do a tutorial on Together mode in Teams?

[@billj8968]

I'm in education so that would be great to see - is that feature out yet though? Incredible if it is

[@newmandoss]

Your videos are really helpful and use in my day to day, Is it possible to make video over Powerapp chat Bot

[@dlew441]

Kevin, what is is the music you used in the intro during Kevin's Cookie Company? (at 28 seconds)

[@josephcosgroveF4fl]

How would you go about doing the same thing on Skype? Also, what about my request for Excel VBA?

[@GlennHoussenloge]

Kevin another great video. Here's an issue that we are facing. To create a new channel or not. Some Teams have channels that are ghost towns and some channels have a long list of tabs where maybe a new channel should have being created. Surely we aren't the only ones faced with this? Any tips on this? Thanks again.

[@richanarway5097]

Hi Kevin I use browser everytime. Is that the reason of my background not changing during virtual meetings?

[@bhattcs]

Hey Kevin I am a great fan of your videos. I am a teacher and teaching multiple classes. Each class is organized as a team. Now sometimes we combine classes. Is there a way in teams to invite multiple channels to a team meeting. Currently we can select only one channel and we have to create multiple combined class teams to fulfill it. Is it is not technically possible what are the alternatives.

[@YOGAAF]

Nice

[@kemboibenjamin_]

More please!

[@robertmvula2856]

Great

[@jeanvoisard1769]

It is a great video It would be great if you could cover either Trello or Planner which are great software Kanban is a great tool but it can sometime get messy maybe you could share some tips?

[@KevinStratvert]

Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll add trello to my list. Here’s one I did on Planner a little while back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqCVdnuOnNaWgMU

[@eemadeeasy6061]

Hi Kevin...I'm not getting option of background change while starting meeting...can you please tell me the solution.

[@varunkuppan]

Hi Kevin, I want to know about how to bring 2007 ppt look in 2019 ppt please make me a video on this

[@aileenmyers-bird8735]

What if you don't have that 'toggle'? How do you change the background? Is it still an option?

[@boltahe436]

Hey there kevin ! Do we need a net connections on line to do such actions in powerpoint? Can we do that even in an offline process?

[@CJSweatt]

You can’t search for stock images when you’re offline.

[@MrAdam-kp3en]

Can you please tell me what is the picture dimensions and resolution for the background?

[@dsytube]

Cool!! New topic request: How to fill a shape with picture on my computer (using free version of PowerPoint)

[@travelwell6049]

Denice S I think you can only do that on the desktop version.

[@tekchand4857]

Hii Kevin....is there any way I can start my meeting on TEAMS on tablet or mobile. As on mobile or tablet I get option to join but not to start meeting. .pls help.

[@GlennBolang]

Hi, everyone. Why I don't have cutout people (stock images) in my powerpoint 2019?

[@stallion1906]

Hi Kevin, is it possible to add a virtual background in videos that are created in PowerPoint?

[@kshitizsingh3954]

Hi, can u please make a video on the inbuilt VPN feature of windows 10 and how to use it effectively... ☺️☺️

[@KlausKeys]

Hi, thanks for your video and the great tutorial to use PPT to create new backgrounds for Teams. Unfortunately the “issue” you noticed about the mirrored image is not a problem, and mirroring the image instead of fixing will generate an error. Let me explain: the image appears as mirrored only inside the preview: other attendants will see a mirrored stream of your preview, so the original image is good as it is

[@KevinStratvert]

Good catch! Just tested and verified. You can leave out the flip step. Thanks for the note!

[@selvanpillay7319]

Hi Kevin How do we share excel and word documents in teams and still be able to see participants, hand s going up etc.

[@KevinStratvert]

Here's a video I did on a similar topic ;) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHe0fZSkgJx6n5Y Let me know if this helps!

[@TVaughan667]

Kevin - Is there a way to add it to the background selections, without being in a meeting?

[@TVaughan667]

@Arun J - Thanks, got it.

[@sameerbomdzon4586]

Thank you Kevin for this professional looking virtual background tips. :-) I currently monitor MS TEAMS online classes of Grades 6 to 10 of my school in Kathmandu. Each grade has minimum 3 to maximum 5 sections. AVERAGE OF 4 sections. That makes 20 teams. Each of these teams has minimum 6 to maximum 8 subjects (English, Nepali, Maths, Science, Social Studies, OBT, Computer Studies, HPE etc). Average of 7 subjects. My calendar gets cluttered with these schedules (7x20=140) between 9 am and 3pm everyday. Hence, it takes years for my calendar to load even when I decline RSVP of many schedules. How can I “remove”/decline these schedules in bulk (at one go) and keep only schedules of my interests for the day? Do you have better idea of watching over these online classes while in progress, all at one time? Currently I log in via 3 different devices and can watch over 6 different classes at a time. With 6 different devices, at the most, I can attend 12 classes at a time. But it’s horrifyingly challenging. Please help. Any better tool?? Will always remain grateful for your expertise.

[@yaheyaquazi7043]

Kevin, I have office 365 but under insert image, I do not have the option for "Stock Images" all I have is "this device" and "online". Also, my "Design Ideas" do not appear either. Which version of PowerPoint do I need? Thanks!

[@KevinStratvert]

I'm using the latest version that comes with Microsoft 365. I believe many of these features require a subscription.

[@educationalchannelvarietie8335]

Hello Kevin, you said that I can do the same using Zoom meeting but you did not said how. Actually I tried to do the same through Zoom and the virtual background was not stable and fluctuated. If there is an option to make it better, please inform us with a video. Thanks !

[@sd50557]

Hi, when there is alot of participants in a metting, to fit everyone the background image gets cropped, and the full brand logo isn't displayed, is there a way to fix this?

[@coremachinery1955]

How do I improve the image quality? I have tried jeg. and png with PowerPoint and it looked very low res.

[@flipperduncan]

Can you use the virtual image if you're not hosting the meeting?

[@peggyskincare]

When I go to Save As for my ppt, I don't have jpg, png or bmp as save choices. What should I do?

[@MistyRiedel]

MEETINGS QUESTION: Can I create an image/page/? that would be what the students see while waiting in the lobby? Something that is either a quote for inspiration or a question that leads into the lesson.

[@limlyehuat9277]

hi kevin, how about a logo plus your company titles. Would it be look much better. Good content video presentation. By the way, where can i find free content on niches like digital topic or affiliates topic to cover. Thank you.

[@jd44usa]

May I ask this question. How can I print off the list of files in my document file in my hard drive? Thank You, JD.

[@rlyen1969]

Hi James, this is one way. You can open the command line, by going to START-->RUN--> Type in cmd and hit ENTER. Then in the CMD window, at the prompt, type in (or copy and paste) the following without the quotes. "DIR /B %userprofile%\documents > %userprofile%\desktop\FilesInMyDocuments.txt". Then you find the list on your Desktop in the new file named FilesInMyDocuments.txt.

[@jd44usa]

@@rlyen1969 , Thank You Sir.

[@phillatella591]

What do you use to get that little blue dot that highlights your mouse? Does anyone know what he uses ?

[@KevinStratvert]

I use the cursor highlighter featured in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5yceZ2dodR2isU It's a little complex to install, but it's free and works great.

[@phillatella591]

@@KevinStratvert WOW Awesome Thank You ! Now how can I get a one on one session with you ? Our school will pay

[@KevinStratvert]

Thanks Phil! Let me know what you need and I can produce a video on it. I'm trying to scale as much as possible :)

[@betafunktion]

Great video. That's also how I do it. However, with more than one participant in gallery view, only a portion of the image is visible. I need to figure out which format best to use in that case, so the logo of my company is not cut off all the time. The annoying thing is that I can't easily test that as I can't see myself in the gallery view (as most competitors allow you to do). The very best would be to have the option to upload a 16:9 background for full view and a separate format for gallery view.

[@EstherCrichton]

hi, did you ever find the answer to this conundrum please?

[@betafunktion]

@@EstherCrichton I wish so! What I have done: I put the corporate logo very close to the middle, having it sit on my shoulder so to say. Then it won't cut off. But looks strange in some cases.

[@skv4611]

@7:39 on your monitor, as the webcam is still running, I felt like you are taking to your cookie company brand image

[@heatherfeather2621]

When you save as jpg or png...is one file type more compressed?

[@KevinStratvert]

Both are compressed images. JPEG tends to be better for photos and PNG is used for images like logos. Here are the pros/cons of each: www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-png-and-vs-jpeg/#:~:text=PNG%20vs%20JPEG.%20PNG%20and%20JPEG%20are%20two,disadvantages%20in%20file%20size%2C%20image%20quality%20and%20transferability.

[@generaldvw]

Great job Kevin...no more..."I am FTE @ Microsoft"

[@churchofgodpamarru9129]

I dont see design ideas under home button also...??? What to do?

[@user-ye4cy8kl5b]

@Kevin Stratvert how can i delete the background i created

[@tarekdarkalt6480]

First view ;-)

[@LaziestTechinCyberSec]

Can you please make a video on how to get rid of the annoying shadow or "halo" effect? Even with the simple "blue" effect, parts of my face fade in and out, and yet I never see this in anybody's KZbin demos.

[@rolandovaldez8679]

Hi Kevin, can I use this background in Zoom?

[@KevinStratvert]

Absolutely! You can add it to Zoom as well or any other video conferencing app that supports virtual backgrounds. Cheers!

[@user-ye4cy8kl5b]

hi Keven, how can i delete the background i created

[@tatapanawasebi]

Oops.... I followed the steps but I placed the company name is a position too high up that I easily block it, do you know how many new images I can add to teams? How do I delete the ones that I created but not going to use?

[@RooseveltCoopling]

Dude, if you come to Brazil - when this pandemic is gone - I will buy you a beer. In the meantime, why not Patron?

[@farjanamoonmoon7777]

👍

[@spegreene]

What do you use for your cursor highlight?

[@BrianAmedee]

This would be an additional plug in with a screen recording software. That is, after downloading the screen-recording software (OBS in most cases), you can download a 'mouse highlighter pack' that can be used when screen recording

[@KevinStratvert]

I use the cursor highlighter featured in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5yceZ2dodR2isU It's a little complex to install, but it's free and works great.

[@arinjoyroy3841]

New topic request: How to add cool new ready made designer slides in power point like the ones we get on CANVA for example.

[@anuraggaba]

Sir I am a new youtuber yet but I am wondering how to create an outro using PowerPoint, although there are a bunch of videos available on KZbin but most of them are not so cool so can you please make a video on the same.

[@AmeerSaib]

Subliminal messaging? Dude, no wonder we're all addicted to MS Office!😀

[@khoward4703]

How did he create the halo around the pointer?

[@KevinStratvert]

I use the cursor highlighter featured in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5yceZ2dodR2isU It's a little complex to install, but it's free and works great.

[@craigj4769]

Why does my imagine appear backwards? How do I correct this?

[@roxtexart4179]

Hello after updating Microsoft teams I am not keep virtual background in my video plz help me @Kevin

[@abdullaharifisediting3879]

can you plz make a video on it that video editor because i want a video editor plz make I will be really thank full to you

[@k-nd1]

@Kevin Stratvert, I want know how we can do Zoom meetings on Teams for free? Waiting for that..plz..Want one video on that topic.. Getting bored on Zoom as using it many times..

[@travelwell6049]

You want to do a ZOOM meeting on teams?! Teams does video conferencing. Is that what you mean. If you want to use Teams for video conferencing instead of Zoom, then I'm pretty sure Kevin has already done a video on that.

[@k-nd1]

@@travelwell6049 ZOOM TEAMS INTEGRATION I want By entering meeting id in Teams of zoom. I don't know the method for free.

[@berndeckenfels]

Abusing PPT as Design tool is so common, that somewhat speaks to its prevalence and features

[@jingzhang798]

why my school laptop doesn't show the background option? No choice to do custom background.

[@victoryjoao3431]

Kevin can u teach us how to use blender