background erase feature of png images in Keynote.

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Level 1

57 points

background erase feature of png images in Keynote.

Using the older version of keynote I could upload a png image and erase the background. In addtion I could use the cursor to erase interior portions of image of a particular color. the newest version does not allow for erasing interior colors. am I doing something wrong or is it now impossible to do it in the latest keynote. I see that there are other apps that may provide that feature. If so is there any app which is apple compatible and worth getting?

MacBook Pro (M5 Pro, 2026)

Posted on Jun 17, 2026 4:18 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

deflumeri Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 19, 2026 1:04 PM in response to Camelot

Thank you. I had tossed version 14. But I went to app store, searched for "Keynote 14. version", and downloaded it. Tried it with a png photo in keynote doc and voila! it worked. My father was a trained machinist who never threw a tool away. I inherited them and never through any of them away. I should have learned my lesson. Thanks again.

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Answer 2

Camelot

Level 9

60,327 points

Jun 19, 2026 11:55 AM in response to deflumeri

> Using the older version of keynote I could upload a png image and erase the background

And...? you still can.

At least, I have that option on my Keynote:

The success (or otherwise) depends a lot on the source image, and whether it has a defined 'background' vs. whitespace (e.g. the image may have a white border which is not the same as pixels marked as a background).

Have you tested the same image in Keynote 14.x and 15.x and are seeing different things? That may be an issue worth reporting, but until we know more about the image, there isn't much more to offer.

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Answer 3

deflumeri Author

Level 1

57 points

Jun 22, 2026 10:42 AM in response to Camelot

I tried another photo in Keynote 15 ( I couldn't remember the the picture I tried in Keynote) and it worked. thanks

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Answer 4

Camelot

Level 9

60,327 points

Jun 21, 2026 5:17 PM in response to deflumeri

I'm not sure how reverting to the old version answers the question... are you still saying you don't have the option to remove the image background in Keynote 15? and that the same image, in the same presentation does have that option in Keynote 14?

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