Export a PowerPoint slide as a PNG
These instructions explain how to save a single slide as a PNG image file in the PowerPoint desktop app. The menu steps differ between Windows and Mac. First, in Normal editing view, select the slide you want to export from the thumbnails on the left; also make sure you are not in Slide Master view. Menu names may vary slightly depending on your PowerPoint language or version. Microsoft’s instructions for saving a single slide as an image describe the relevant steps for Windows and Mac.
Save as a PNG on Windows
- Open your presentation and select the target slide in the slide thumbnails pane on the left.
- Select File > Save As. If your presentation is saved in OneDrive or SharePoint, you may need to use Save a Copy.
- Choose a save location and file name. In the file type list, select PNG Portable Network Graphics Format (.png), then click Save.
- If PowerPoint asks which slides to save as images, select Just This One. All Slides creates a separate image file for each slide.
When the process is complete, open the folder you chose and find the PNG file. Open it to check that the correct slide was saved and that the content looks as expected.
Export as a PNG on Mac
- Open the presentation and, in Normal view, go to the slide you want to export.
- Select File > Export.
- In the File Format menu, select PNG and check Save Current Slide Only.
- If width and height fields appear, you can enter the output dimensions there if you wish. Then select Export.
Microsoft’s instructions for exporting a presentation in a different format on Mac state that you can save all slides or only the current slide as images, and that the dimension fields can be used. After exporting, check where the image file was saved. If the dimension fields do not appear in your version, do not assume that a different menu or setting exists; save the file and check its actual pixel dimensions.
Check pixel dimensions and resolution
The PNG file type alone does not guarantee a particular pixel size. If the export window on Mac provides width and height fields, you can set dimensions there to suit your intended use. After saving, also view the file’s pixel dimensions to confirm that it meets the target size.
Microsoft’s technical guidance on exporting high-resolution slides on Windows gives the default export resolution as 96 DPI. The same source provides an example of approximately 1280 × 720 pixels for a widescreen slide at 96 DPI. This example applies to the specified slide dimensions and settings; it does not mean that every presentation will have the same dimensions. If you need a higher resolution, do not change settings without reviewing the Windows registry steps and version limitations in this technical guidance. If you do not need a higher resolution, using the default export steps and checking the resulting file size is sufficient.
Background and presentation effects
Selecting PNG does not mean that the background will be transparent. The slide-to-image instructions provided do not confirm that PNG export produces a transparent background. If you need transparency, open the saved file in an image viewer that can display transparency and check the result; do not assume that the file is a transparent PNG without verifying it.
Microsoft’s guidance for Mac states that transitions, animations, movies, and audio are removed from the presentation when slides are converted to image files. Therefore, if you also need to preserve motion or audio, bear in mind that a PNG is not a presentation output that includes them. This note is based on the image-conversion explanation in the cited Mac guidance.
Example: delivering a product announcement slide
Hypothetical example: You will use an announcement slide titled “New season collection,” in 16:9 format, on a web page. Select only this slide in the thumbnails pane; save it as a PNG on Windows and choose Just This One, or select PNG on Mac and choose Save Current Slide Only. Open the file and check that the title and images are not cropped and that the background looks as expected. If the web page requires specific pixel dimensions, check the file’s actual width and height. If the dimensions are not suitable, adjust the export dimensions on Mac if the fields appear, then check the new file again. The example use and dimensions are hypothetical.
Troubleshooting
If multiple images were created, you may have selected the option to save all slides. Repeat the export and select only the target slide. If you cannot find the file, check the folder and file name you specified during the process. If the output is not the expected size, check the file’s pixel dimensions; if the width and height fields appear on Mac, enter suitable dimensions and export again. If the background does not appear transparent, do not treat the PNG extension as proof of transparency; check the file in an appropriate viewer.
Final checklist
- Did you select the correct slide in the thumbnails pane?
- Are the file format PNG and the save location correct?
- If you need a single slide, did you select Just This One or Save Current Slide Only?
- Does the PNG open, and are its content, cropping, and pixel dimensions suitable for your intended use?
- If you need transparency, audio, or animation, have you checked that these are actually present in the exported file?
Frequently asked questions
Can I make a PNG of one slide instead of the whole presentation?
Yes. On Windows, select Just This One when saving; on Mac, select Save Current Slide Only when exporting.
Is a PNG’s background always transparent?
These instructions do not confirm that PNG export makes the background transparent. Check the file in an image viewer that can display transparency; do not decide based only on the file extension.
Related application guides
You can find more detail on the relevant step in this process in the guide to getting a high-resolution image from PowerPoint. You can find more detail on the relevant step in this process in the guide to saving a PowerPoint slide master as a template.
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