PowerPoint’s picture tools make it easy to change and improve images on your slides. You can crop, add borders, adjust colors, apply artistic effects, and compress files to keep your presentation light and easy to share.

Cropping an Image

Cropping removes unwanted parts of a picture, helping you focus on the important area.

  1. Select the image. The Format tab appears.
  2. Click Crop. Drag the black cropping handles to the desired size.
    Cropping picture in PowerPoint
  3. Click Crop again to apply.
    Crop handles in PowerPoint

Cropping to a Shape

You can crop a picture into a circle, star, or other shapes.

  1. Select the image and go to the Format tab.
  2. Click the Crop drop-down arrow and choose Crop to Shape.
    Crop to shape option
  3. Pick a shape from the list.
    Image cropped to shape

Tip: Resize your image before cropping it to a shape for best results.

Adding a Border

Borders make images stand out.

  1. Select the image and click Picture Border in the Format tab.
    Picture border option
  2. Choose a color, thickness, and style.
    Picture border applied

Adjusting Images

The Adjust group on the Format tab offers several tools:

  • Corrections – Adjust brightness, contrast, sharpen, or soften images.
  • Color – Change saturation, tone, or apply color filters.
  • Artistic Effects – Apply effects like glow, sketch, or watercolor.

The Picture Styles group provides ready-made frames and effects for quick enhancement.

Compressing Pictures

Large images can make your presentation hard to send.

  1. Select the picture and click Compress Pictures on the Format tab.
  2. Check Delete cropped areas of pictures.
  3. Choose a resolution. Select Email for the smallest file size.
  4. Apply the settings to one picture or all pictures.

For even smaller file sizes, resize images in an editing program before adding them to your slides.

FAQs About Picture Tools in PowerPoint

Does cropping reduce the file size of an image?

Cropping alone does not reduce file size unless you use Compress Pictures and delete cropped areas.

Can I undo image adjustments in PowerPoint?

Yes. You can reset an image to its original state using the Reset Picture option in the Format tab.

Which resolution is best while compressing pictures?

Email resolution is best for sharing files online, while Print resolution is better for high-quality output.

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