How to Resize Images in PowerPoint Using Crop and Fill
(Note: Suitable for users of PowerPoint 2016, 2019, 2021, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365.)
Objective
Resize images in PowerPoint without distortion using crop and fill.
Resizing Images Explained
Images are a powerful way to communicate a message in PowerPoint. We can use images in numerous different ways. We might want to insert an image on the slide to convey a message or communicate an idea. We might want to use an image as the slide background. Or maybe, we want to fill a shape with an image.
In all of these examples, we will need to resize the image. The process of resizing an image is pretty simple. We can manually drag the resize handles in and out to make the image smaller or larger, or we can type in the exact size we want. However, if we are not careful, we can easily distort the image by not respecting the aspect ratio.
If we are trying to fill a shape with an image, it won’t always fit exactly or be positioned correctly. If we don’t know how to crop and resize correctly, we can end up with an image that looks distorted and unprofessional.
If we are trying to fill the background of a slide with an image, we need to make sure the image fills the entire background, but it’s not stretched or compressed in any way.
Fortunately, in PowerPoint, we have the Crop and Fill tools to simplify these tasks.
- Resizing an Image
- Cropping and Resizing an Image Inside a Shape
- Resizing an Image to Fill the Background of a Slide
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Resizing an Image
When we insert an image into a presentation, it’s important to maintain the aspect ratio when resizing.
- Select the image.
- From the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the diagonal arrow in the bottom corner of the group.
- Click on the Size and Properties section.
- In the Size area, put a check next to Lock Aspect Ratio.
We can also temporarily lock the aspect ratio by holding down the SHIFT key when dragging the resize handles.
Cropping and Resizing an Image Inside a Shape
Filling a shape with an image is a common task in PowerPoint. For example, maybe we are putting together a ‘Meet the Team’ slide, and we need to have each staff member’s photo inside a shape.
To ensure that the image shows inside the shape without distortion and is the correct size, we need to use Crop and Fill. In this example, we are going to use an image we have saved locally.
- Click on the shape.
- Right-click the mouse and select Format Shape from the menu.
- Select the Shape Options heading.
- Click on Fill & Line.
- Expand the Fill group and select Picture or Texture Fill.
- In the Picture source area, click Insert.
- Select From a File.
- Browse to the folder where the image is stored.
- Select the image and click Insert.
The image is now inside the shape but distorted and not the correct size.
- Select the image and click on the Picture Format tab.
- In the Size group, click the lower half of the Crop button.
- Choose Fill from the menu.
We can now resize the image (if required) using the resize handles in each corner. We want to make all images consistent in size and distance from the camera.
We have used the resized handles for this image to increase the size. Then repositioned the image using drag and drop so they sit in the center.
- From the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the top half of the Crop button.
We now have a perfectly cropped and resized image inside a shape.
Suggested reads:
How to Change PowerPoint Slides to Portrait
How to Change Slide Size in PowerPoint
How to Save PowerPoint as Video
Resizing an Image to Fill the Background of a Slide
Instead of a simple solid fill background color, it can look nice to use a high-quality image instead. When we use an image as the background of a slide, most often, the image is not the same size as the slide. We need to resize it to fill the slide background but ensure that it doesn’t look stretched or distorted. We can use Crop and Fill for this.
Insert an Image
In this example, we are going to use an image we have saved locally.
- From the Insert tab in the Illustrations group, click the lower half of the Pictures button.
- Choose This Device.
- Browse to the folder where the image is stored.
- Select the image and click Insert.
The image is not the same size as the slide background. We need to resize it to fill the white space
If we drag the resize out, the image will appear stretched and slightly distorted. This distortion looks worse in some pictures than in others.
- Select the image.
- From the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the lower half of the Crop button.
- Choose Fill from the menu.
The Crop handles will appear around the outside of the image.
- Drag the handles out to fill the white space around the image.
- From the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the lower half of the Crop button.
- Choose Fill.
PowerPoint zooms into the image instead of stretching it to fill the space.
- Click and drag the photo to reposition.
- From the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the top half of the Crop button.
We now have a perfectly cropped background image.
Also read:
How to Save PowerPoint as a Video
How to Insert GIF into PowerPoint
How to Create a Timeline in PowerPoint
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Deborah Ashby
Deborah Ashby is a TAP Accredited IT Trainer, specializing in the design, delivery, and facilitation of Microsoft courses both online and in the classroom.She has over 11 years of IT Training Experience and 24 years in the IT Industry. To date, she's trained over 10,000 people in the UK and overseas at companies such as HMRC, the Metropolitan Police, Parliament, SKY, Microsoft, Kew Gardens, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP.She's a qualified MOS Master for 2010, 2013, and 2016 editions of Microsoft Office and is COLF and TAP Accredited and a member of The British Learning Institute.
