The Eyedropper in PowerPoint – Find the Right Colors

The Eyedropper in PowerPoint is a simple tool that can take your presentations to the next level. The Eyedropper tool in PowerPoint lets you find out an exact color reference (RGB) on different elements. The tool is used to retrieve a color and then color a highlighted text with this exact color. The Eyedropper tool was introduced with PowerPoint 2013.

How to use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint

In this example, I will show how to use the Eyedropper in PowerPoint to change the fill color of a text box, but also how to change the text color. If you look at the image below, I have manually tried to match the text box with the pink background and match the text to the blue elements.

match colors with the eydropper tool in PowerPoint

Manually trying to match colors in PowerPoint will never be a good idea, as you can see in the picture. Instead, I will show how you can make the text box to be perceived as a natural part of the picture.

Use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint To Match Color to A Text Box

In this first part, I will show how to match colors on a text box using Eyedropper in PowerPoint. It is a straightforward process, just follow the steps below.

1. Select the text box.

2. On the Home tab of the Drawing group, click Shape Fill. Then select Eyedropper one at the bottom of the menu.

match colors with the eydropper tool in PowerPoint

3. Touch the pink part of the image, the Eyedropper will now display the color reference in RGB format for the current point. If you have more use for this color reference, you can record this RGB combination for use at another time.

Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint

4. Click with the left mouse button, and the selected text will be colored with exactly this pink color.

Use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint To Match Color To Text

In this second part, I will show you how to use Eyedropper in PowerPoint to match the color of a piece of text. The principle is almost precisely the same as matching the color of a text box. For safety’s sake, I show in detail how to do this.

1. Select the text box.

2. On the Home tab of the Font group, click Font Color. Then select Eyedropper at the bottom of the menu.

3. Touch the blue part of the image, the Eyedropper will now display the color reference in RGB format for the current point. As you notice, you use the Eyedropper tool the same way you format text.

4. Click with the left mouse button, and the selected text will be colored with exactly this blue color.

The Eyedropper in PowerPoint is a handy tool because you want to be able to match text color with a color you have in an image in your presentation. Also, you can reuse the RGB information that you get for example coloration in other programs.

The Eyedropper in PowerPoint can also be used for coloring Figures in PowerPoint in the same way as in this example. The difference is that you find the Eyedropper tool in the Figure Fill menu. The procedure is exactly the same as when we used the Eyedropper to match the color of a text box.

Use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint To Match Color from An External Source

As you have noticed, the Eyedropper tool is relatively easy to use. When you feel comfortable with it, you can take your knowledge to the next level by matching colors from external sources.

This can be a good tip if you find a website with a nice graphic profile that you want to borrow. By using this hack, you go entirely outside the boundaries of PowerPoint. You can use the Eyedropper tool in PowerPoint on any external source you want. As long as it appears on your screen.

Best of all, it is much simpler than you think.

1. Still, in PowerPoint, open the color menu for the object you want to color and select the Eyedropper tool.

2. Now we come to the hack. Left-click with the Eyedropper tool, and hold the mouse without dropping. Now you can move the Eyedropper tool from PowerPoint to whatever external source you want.

3. Release the mouse when you find the color you want to copy. Note that you will also see the color RGB code here, which is very useful if you’re going to use the color again but do not remember where you found it.

eydropper external in powerpoint

Use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint On Multiple Objects

Okay, then, one last tip I can offer. If you have many different objects or shapes to be repainted, you can easily do this.

You do this through the multi-object selection method. Instead of just selecting a text box, you choose instead all that you want to re-color. Then you only use the Eyedropper tool in PowerPoint, as usual, depending on whether it is text or object that needs to be redone.

Summary of How to Use the Eyedropper Tool in PowerPoint

We find it easy to match colors in PowerPoint – if you know how to do it. In this article, you have been taught how to match colors of text boxes, but also how to match colors on text.

1. Select the item you want to color

2. Click Shape Fill

3. Select the Eyedropper Tool

4. Click on the color you want to match

Furthermore, you have been taught how to step outside of PowerPoint and use the Eyedropper tool to identify colors outside of PowerPoint. As long as you can see the color of your screen, you can identify it.

Also, you have been taught how to effectively use the Eyedropper in PowerPoint to match colors on multiple objects with one click. You do this by using multi-object selection.

Final Words from Your Slide Buddy

As usual, I want to thank you for reading my articles. Do you have any tips on topics related to PowerPoint that I should write about? Then you would like to hear from me so I may write an article about exactly what you need help with. Take care!

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What does Microsoft think about this topic? Read about it here: Use Eyedropper to match colors on your slide.