How to Insert and Format Icons in PowerPoint

Make Presentations More Engaging Using PowerPoint's Built-in Icons

by Avantix Learning Team | Updated March 4, 2026

Applies to: Microsoft^® PowerPoint^® 2019, 2021, 2024 and 365 (Windows)

You can insert icons in PowerPoint using Microsoft's built-in Stock Images which are available in newer versions of PowerPoint. Built-in or native PowerPoint icons are inserted in SVG (scalable vector graphic) format. Icons add visual interest and can help to enhance messages. You can use icons to help visualize key points, focus attention and make your presentations more engaging and professional. In this article, we will review how to insert icons on PowerPoint slides and how to format icons.

Tips for using icons
Insert an icon on a PowerPoint slide
Resize and move an icon
Change icon color
Add an effect to an icon
Copy formatting from one icon to another
Align icons
Group icons and objects on a PowerPoint slide
Final thoughts

Note: PowerPoint uses a fluent Ribbon so buttons and Ribbon tabs may display in a different way (with or without text) depending on the size of your screen, your PowerPoint version and your Control Panel settings. Screenshots in this article are from 365 but are similar in other versions of PowerPoint.

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Tips for using icons

When using icons in PowerPoint, we recommend the following:

Use icons with purpose. An icon should be appropriate for the point or concept.
Combine icons with text to clearly convey your message.
Don't use too many icons on a slide.
Use consistent styles or formatting for your icons.
Apply colors that are part of your color theme so that colors are consistent and if you change the theme, the icons will change automatically.
Ensure that icons are aligned.
If you want, add other effects by adding shapes around icons.

Insert an icon on a PowerPoint slide

Although you can insert icons in PowerPoint using icons from external third-party sites, built-in icons are available in PowerPoint in the Ribbon.

To insert an icon on a PowerPoint slide:

In Normal View, display the slide in the presentation where you want to insert an icon.
Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon.
Click Icons in the Illustrations group. This will open Stock Images with a gallery of icons.
Scroll through the icons until you find the icon you want to use. You can also enter a term in the Search box to find icons of a specific type or click a category.
Click the icon you want to use and click Insert. The icon will appear on the slide.

If you click multiple icons in the Icons gallery, you can insert multiple icons at one time when you click Insert.

The Icons command appears as follows on the Insert tab in the Ribbon:

When you click Icons in the Ribbon, the Icons gallery appears as follows:

Resize and move an icon

To resize and move an icon on a slide:

In Normal View, click the icon on the slide to select it.
Drag a corner handle to resize the icon. To resize proportionally, hold down Shift when you drag a handle.
Point to the icon (but not a handle) and drag it to a new location.

Change icon color

To change the color of an icon on a slide:

In Normal View, click the icon to select it. A Graphics Format tab appears in the Ribbon.
Click Graphics Fill in the Graphics Styles group. A gallery appears.
Click the color you want. Ideally, select a Theme Color to follow the theme in your presentation.
Click Graphics Outline in the Graphics Styles group. A gallery appears.
Click the color you want or select No Outline.

The Graphics Fill gallery appears as follows in the Graphics Format tab in the Ribbon when an icon is selected:

The Graphics Outline gallery appears as follows in the Graphics Format tab in the Ribbon when an icon is selected:

Add an effect to an icon

To add an effect to an icon on a slide:

In Normal View, click the icon to select it. A Graphics Format tab appears in the Ribbon.
Click Graphics Effect in the Graphics Styles group. A gallery appears.
Select an effect. Effects include shadows, glows, reflections and so on. It's usually best to use the same effects with all of the icons on the slide.

The Graphics Effect gallery appears as follows in the Graphics Format tab in the Ribbon when an icon is selected:

Copy formatting from one icon to another

To maintain consistency, you may want to copy formatting from one icon to another.

To copy formatting (including color and effects):

In Normal View, click the icon with the formatting you want to copy.
Click the Home tab in the Ribbon.
Click the Format Painter in the Clipboard group.
Click the icon to which you want to copy the formatting.

Align icons

To align icons on a PowerPoint slide:

In Normal View, shift-click the icons you want to align. A Graphics Format tab appears in the Ribbon.
Click Align in the Arrange group. A drop-down menu appears.
Select the alignment type you want (such as Top).

The Alignment command appears as follows in the Graphics Format tab in the Ribbon when multiple icons are selected:

Group icons and objects on a PowerPoint slide

If you want, you can group icons or icons and other objects to keep them together.

To group icons or icons with other objects on a slide:

In Normal View, Shift-click the icons and other objects you want to group.
Right-click and select Group from the drop-down menu.
If you want to ungroup grouped objects, right-click the grouped object and select Ungroup from the drop-down menu.

Final thoughts

Icons can help to make your presentations more engaging and professional. You can try adding shapes around icons for a different look and even combine icons with other objects such as charts.

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How to Insert and Format Icons in PowerPoint

Make Presentations More Engaging Using PowerPoint's Built-in Icons