# Keep existing transparency
When the input image already contains transparency information inside an alpha channel, the Image Editing API lets you decide whether to conserve or discard this information.
For this, set the parameter `keepExistingAlphaChannel` to:
* `never` (default): an existing alpha channel will be ignored and the image will be processed through Photoroom's background removal
* `auto`: if the image has an alpha channel, its value will be used to create the cutout mask
{% hint style="danger" %}
It's possible for an image to contain an alpha channel and for that alpha channel to contain no transparency. (i.e. all pixels are 100% opaque)
In such a case, if `keepExistingAlphaChannel` is set to `auto` then no cutout will happen.
{% endhint %}
(original image)
keepExistingAlphaChannel=never
and
background.color=blue
keepExistingAlphaChannel=auto
and
background.color=blue
---
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