Patterns in PowerPoint are two-color designs comprising lines, dots, dashes, checks, etc. PowerPoint includes 48 such patterns with names like plaid, weaves, shingle and zigzag. Typically, patterns should work most of the time as slide backgrounds since most patterns are very small, and spread over the entire expanse of a slide, they can add a homogeneous look. However some patterns work better than others, and if your slide text is small in size, then reading the text against a patterned background may be a challenge.
Learn how to apply pattern fills as slide backgrounds in PowerPoint 2013 for Windows.

