How to add or change the background in Prezi Present

To add or change a background in Prezi Present, go to Style → Background, then pick a color or choose a new image. The Background sidebar is under Style and lets you upload or choose an image, and adjust background settings.

A well-chosen background helps you create a dynamic, branded Prezi presentation that supports clear visual flow and keeps your audience engaged.

Quick steps:

Open your presentation and select Style at the top of the Prezi Present Editor.
Choose Background.
Upload an image, search from the Unsplash library or select an AI recommended visual.
Select a background color, adjust image fit, screen ratio, or background parallax.
Continue editing your Prezi presentation with your new background design.

How do I add or replace a background image in Prezi Present?

The background sidebar opens automatically on the right side of the editor when you create a new presentation. The current presentation background image appears at the top of the sidebar.

To open the background sidebar at any time:

Click the Style button at the top of your screen.
Click the Background button to open the sidebar.
From the "Background" sidebar, you can:

Click Upload image to add a file saved on your computer.
Select an image from Dropbox, Google Drive, or OneDrive by clicking the arrow next to Upload image.
Search the Unsplash image library by keyword. Once you find the image you want to use, click on the thumbnail or drag and drop it onto your canvas.*
Select from one of the AI recommended backgrounds.

Alternatively, you can access the background sidebar by right-clicking on the canvas and selecting Change background.

How do I change the background color in Prezi Present?

The background color of your presentation can set the mood for your audience or match your brand colors.

Pastel or dark shades are great using a solid color for your background. Also, we recommend avoiding strong colors like neons and bright reds or yellows. They might be overwhelming for your audience.

To change your background color:

Click the Style button at the top of your screen.
Click the Background button to open the sidebar.
From the Background sidebar, click on the color swatch near Background color.
Choose from the selection of scheme and global colors, use the color picker to select a color from anywhere on your screen or add a customized HEX or RGB code.
If you choose a Linear or Radial gradient instead of the Solid fill, you’ll have to choose the start and end colors.

Note: Your background color will be covered by any background images you apply. To delete an existing background image, hover over the background image preview and click the Trash icon.

How do image fit and screen ratio work in Prezi Present?

To change the image fit from the background sidebar, select Fit or Fill on the Image fit dropdown menu.

The fit setting resizes the background image to fit within the presentation. This is helpful for showing large backgrounds without losing any part of the image.

The fill setting crops the background image to fit within the presentation. This often means that the edges of the image are cut off, but the center is larger and more in focus. This is helpful for highlighting a specific part of the background image.

Screen ratio affects how your presentation appears when presenting. It is marked on the canvas by a black and white rectangular outline.

There are three settings for screen ratio in Prezi Present: 16:9, 4:3, and Off. You can select a setting from the screen ratio dropdown menu at any time.

Screen ratio	Explanation	When to use
16:9	A rectangular ratio that’s the default for modern screens.	If you’re presenting on a video call or normal screen.
4:3	An almost square ratio that was the default before HD screens.	If you’re presenting using old technology or want a zoomed-in look.
Off	A ratio that will fill the screen.	If you’re presenting using an uncommon ratio or screen size.

To bring back the original background image that came with the template, hover over the background preview at the top of the sidebar and click the Revert to original icon. To remove the background image completely, click the Trash icon in the same area.

What is background parallax in Prezi Present and how do I use it?

Background parallax is a subtle effect that mimics motion on the background image. It’s noticeable when panning around the presentation or navigating in and out of topics.

You can toggle background parallax using the toggle button labeled Background parallax at any time. It’s useful to turn off if you want to align parts of your presentation to exact areas of the background.

Which background image file types work in Prezi Present?

Prezi supports these background image formats:

JPG
PNG
GIF (non-animated)

Learn what are the system requirements for Prezi Present.

For best results when designing presentations, Prezi recommends using images with dimensions such as 1600×900, 2000×1125, 2400×1350 and so on, if you want your background image to fully fit the overview, as Prezi presentations have 16:9 aspect ratio. These sizes match the Prezi Present canvas shape and help backgrounds appear crisp.

How do I change the background of one frame in Prezi?

By creating a unique background for a single frame in Prezi, you can give its own visual style without changing the main presentation background.

How to customize one frame’s background:

Add a shape or image near the frame.
Select the object and make any adjustments needed.
Right-click on the frame and select Bring to front to position it in front of your new object.
Select the new object and right-click to Lock and keep it from moving when you make other edits to the frame.

How can I change the main image of my AI-generated presentation?

If you want to update the main image of your presentation after Prezi AI generates your design, you can choose a different visual or add your own custom image to better support your story at any time.

How to replace your AI-generated presentation's main image:

Select the image on the canvas.
Click the Lock icon to unlock it.
Right-click and choose Replace.
Browse AI-recommended images in the right sidebar or search by keyword.
To use your own asset, upload a custom image as your new background.
Alternatively, try creating your own custom image.
Click Edit from the context menu to customize to your preference.

Searchable icon and image library is available on: Standard, Plus, Pro, Premium, Teams plans. Compare plans | Upgrade

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FAQ

Can I add an AI-generated image to my background?

Yes, you can create your own AI-generated image in Prezi Present, save it to your library and upload it to your background. Make sure to select a Wide aspect ratio. Learn more about how to create an AI-generated image in Prezi Present.

How do I replace my Prezi background without changing my content?

Open Style > Background, upload a new image, or select a new color. Your content stays in place.

How do I remove a background image and return to a clean canvas?

Hover over the preview in the Background sidebar and select Trash.

How do I match my brand colors to my presentation's background?

Use the color picker or add HEX/RGB values for brand consistency. Prezi AI can also help draft presentations that match your visual identity.

Can I create a custom color palette from my background image?

Yes, you can create a color scheme by using the colors of your background image or logo. To learn more, please check our article on adding colors and creating a color scheme.

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