Blur part of a picture with powerpoint

PowerPoint doesn't have a literal "blur" command, but it's easy to use a shape plus an effect to achieve the result you want.

Blur part of a picture

Insert a picture on a slide in PowerPoint. Blur part of the picture, then save it as a separate image.

1. In PowerPoint, use File > Insert to put the picture on a slide.

2. Use Insert > Shape to draw a shape over the area you want to blur.

3. On the Format tab, select Shape Fill > Eyedropper.

4. With the Eyedropper, click a part of the picture whose color approximates the color you want the blurred shape to be.

5. On the Format tab, select Shape Effects > Soft Edges. Point at one of the Soft Edge Variations to see a preview of what it will look like. When you find the variation you want, select it.

6. With the shape still selected, press Ctrl and click the border of the picture. Now both the shape and picture are selected.

7. On the Format tab, select Group > Group.

8. Right-click the grouped objects and select Save as Picture. Give the image a name and save it on your computer.

   Now you can use the blurred picture as is in PowerPoint, or you can insert the saved image in any Office file.

Blur an entire picture

Office also allows you to blur an entire image by using the Artistic Effects options in Word and PowerPoint. For details, see Apply an artistic effect to a picture.