# Removing the Background from a Photo

The Instant Alpha tool lets you make parts of a photo transparent in order to remove the photo background.

To remove the background:
1. Select the image.
2. Choose Format->Instant Alpha.
3. Click the color you want to remove, and then drag slowly over it.

   As you drag, the selection grows to include the contiguous area that uses similar colors. You can control how much of the image is selected by dragging less or more.

4. Repeat step 3 as many times as you like.
5. Hit Enter to finish or click anywhere on the page outside of the image.

You can restore the parts removed from the image at any time. To revert to the original image, choose Format->Remove Instant Alpha. To restore parts of the image removed using Instant Alpha, choose Edit->Undo until the parts have been restored.