4 Best Ways to Put a Border Around a Picture in Google Slides

A presentation with just text is boring, and adding images can make it attractive. However, using simple images can be monotonous. To give a different look to your slides, you can edit and customize images in Google Slides. One way to customize pictures is to add a border. This post will help you achieve that.

Google Slides has its own border tool, but the options are limited. In this post, we will cover the native border tool and other methods to add a border around images in Google Slides. You can choose between simple and decorative backgrounds.

Now, let’s explore the various methods.

Note: The steps shown are for a computer but can also be used on Android and iOS.

Method 1: Using Border Tool

One of the easiest ways to outline a picture in Google Slides is by adding the desired picture to your slide. Select the image and activate the three border tools: Border color, weight, and dash. Use these tools to add, customize, and change the style, size, and color of the border.

If you don’t like the above method’s borders, you can create custom borders using shapes. In this method, we will add an image on top of the shape or use a shape as the image’s background. The final image will have a customized border. Here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Add the image to the slide.

Step 2: Click on Insert in the menu bar and select Shape. Choose the desired shape from the options provided.

Step 3: Draw the required shape on the slide using your mouse. The shape will appear on top of the image.

To bring the image forward, right-click the shape and select Order > Send backward.

Step 4: Drag the image on top of the shape. Rotate, resize, or move the shapes as needed.

Tip: Simplify the process by adding the shape first and then placing an image on top of it. Step 5: Choose whether to keep the shape color as default or use a new color. Select the shape and click on the Fill color icon in the ribbon to choose your desired color.

Tip 1: Add Double Border

To customize the border, you can have two of them. When you add a shape, it has its border. You can remove it, as shown in the next tip, or customize it with multiple borders.

Click on the shape. Customize it with the Border tools in the ribbon.

Tip 2: Remove Shape Border

To remove the black outline from the shape, click on it and select the Border color icon in the ribbon. Choose the Transparent option.

Tip 3: Replace Shape

If you dislike the current shape or border of the image, you can swiftly replace it. Right-click on the shape used as a border and select Change shape from the menu. Choose a new shape to experiment with different border options for your picture without starting over.

Tip 4: Group Shape and Image

To move or resize pictures and shapes in Google Slides, grouping them is helpful. Here’s how to group and ungroup elements.

Tip: Explore other useful tips for working with shapes in Google Slides.

In this method, we will use the Mask and Border tools. First, mask the picture in shape and customize its border following these steps:

1. Click on the image you want to add a stylish border to.

2. Click on the arrow next to the Crop icon in the Ribbon and select the desired shape.

The image will automatically take shape.

Step 3: Use Border tools to add the required border to the selected image.

Method 4: Add Decorative Border

You can add decorative borders to your image by downloading them from the internet. Simply go to Insert > Image > Search the web.

Search for decorative borders and choose the one you want. Resize or move it to fit the picture.

Google Slides Tips and Tricks

Google Slides offers a variety of creative options to enhance your presentations. With 11 useful tips and tricks, you can easily uncover and utilize these features.