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title: Working with Images in PowerPoint date: 2024-01-01 cover: 1.jpg author: tutsplus.com tags:

• Presentation Tips
• PowerPoint Images
• Image Editing

Get familiar with PowerPoint’s picture tools. Learn how to resize pictures, remove image backgrounds, crop photos, and more right inside of PowerPoint.

Introduction to PowerPoint Image Tools

PowerPoint presentations contain various content types, including text, video, audio, and notably, images. Mastering presentation images for PowerPoint can significantly enhance your slides, making them more engaging for your audience.

Slides filled only with text can be monotonous, which is why integrating photos, illustrations, or graphics is essential. PowerPoint offers built-in editing tools to import and modify your image files, allowing you to make adjustments like cropping and resizing without needing an external photo editor.

Key Image Editing Tools in PowerPoint

In this tutorial, we will explore the following essential image editing tools available in PowerPoint:

• Resizing: Adjust the size of an image to fit your slide perfectly.
• Rotating: Change the orientation of an image, including mirroring.
• Cropping: Remove unnecessary parts of an image to focus on key elements.
• Removing Picture Backgrounds: Create transparent images by eliminating backgrounds.
• Image Effects: Apply color tints and adjust saturation to enhance your images.

Watch & Learn: Quick Image Editing

This video provides a comprehensive overview of PowerPoint’s image editing tools, guiding you from importing a picture to editing it effectively.

Continue reading for detailed tips on how to edit and work with images in PowerPoint.

The Importance of Images in Presentations

A significant percentage of the population are visual learners, meaning they understand information better when it is presented visually. This insight underscores the necessity of incorporating images in your PowerPoint presentations.

1. Transforming Boring Slides

A well-chosen image can dramatically enhance the appeal of a slide. A striking photo can attract attention and encourage your audience to engage with the content.

In essence, utilizing images effectively increases the likelihood that your viewers will retain the information presented. As a presenter, mastering image integration and editing is crucial.

2. Powerful Storytelling

The saying “a picture is worth a thousand words” rings true, especially in presentations. Sometimes, complex ideas are more effectively communicated through visuals than text alone.

Images can bring ideas to life, providing clarity and enhancing understanding, making them indispensable in your presentation toolkit.

3. Fostering Empathy

Images can also inspire empathy among your audience. Well-placed photos of people can help viewers relate to the subject matter.

For instance, if you’re presenting a call to action, showing a human element can create a stronger emotional connection than abstract visuals.

Sourcing High-Quality Images for PowerPoint

Recognizing the importance of images leads to the next question: where can you find high-quality visuals? Envato Elements offers an extensive library for PowerPoint stock images, with unlimited downloads.

It’s crucial to use properly licensed images. Relying on platforms like Google Images can lead to copyright issues. Envato Elements not only provides licensed images but also offers PowerPoint presentation templates to enhance your designs.

Essential Dos and Don’ts for Using Images

Before diving into the specifics of adding images to PowerPoint, let’s go over some key principles to follow:

1. Number of Images

• Do: Add images that enhance your slide content.
• Don’t: Overload slides with images that distract from the message.

Aim for a balance: generally, limit your slides to no more than three medium-sized images or two large ones.

2. Licensing Compliance

• Do: Use images from approved sources.
• Don’t: Download freely from Google Images without verifying licensing.

Always ensure that the images you use are legally permissible to avoid potential legal issues.

Tip: Envato Elements provides a safe, licensed source for images, ensuring compliance and peace of mind.

3. Image Quality

• Do: Utilize PowerPoint’s built-in editing tools to enhance image quality.
• Don’t: Stretch images, as this can distort them.

Ensure your images are clear and professional, avoiding any pixelation or blurriness.

Inserting Images into PowerPoint

Now that you understand the importance of images, let’s discuss how to insert them. There are two primary methods:

1. Pasting Images

Pasting images is straightforward. Copy an image to your clipboard by right-clicking and selecting Copy or Copy Image. Then right-click on the desired slide and choose Picture from the Paste Options.

2. Inserting from Your Computer

For better organization, save images to your computer first. This method allows you to manage images more efficiently and insert multiple images at once. Under the Insert tab, click on the Pictures drop-down and select This Device.

A file browser will open, allowing you to select and insert images into your presentation.

Resizing and Tilting Images in PowerPoint

To resize an image, click on it, and grab one of the white circles at the corners. PowerPoint maintains the image’s aspect ratio by default to prevent distortion.

To disable aspect ratio locking, right-click on the image, select Size and Position, and uncheck the Lock aspect ratio box. You can also enter specific dimensions if needed. To tilt an image, use the circular arrow icon above the image.

Rotating Images in PowerPoint

Rotating images can add dynamic elements to your presentation. With the image selected, go to the Picture Format tab on the ribbon and use the Rotate options to turn the image in 90-degree increments.

Additionally, you can flip images vertically or horizontally to adjust orientation as needed.

Cropping Pictures in PowerPoint

Cropping allows you to focus on specific areas of an image. Select your image, go to the Picture Format tab, and click on Crop.

Drag the black handles to select the area you wish to keep. Press Crop again to finalize your selection.

If you crop too much, simply click Crop again to adjust your selection.

Removing Image Backgrounds in PowerPoint

One of PowerPoint’s most useful features is the ability to remove backgrounds from images. Select the image and click on the Remove Background button in the Picture Format tab.

PowerPoint will make a preliminary selection of the background. You can refine this by using Mark Areas to Keep and Mark Areas to Remove to ensure the desired elements remain visible.

Once satisfied, click Keep Changes, and the background will be eliminated.

Additional Image Editing Tools in PowerPoint

PowerPoint offers several additional tools to enhance your images further. Select an image and return to the Picture Format tab to explore:

1. Corrections

Under Corrections, you can sharpen or soften images and adjust brightness and contrast.

2. Color Adjustments

The Color drop-down allows you to modify color saturation and convert images to black and white if desired.

Explore other options such as Artistic Effects and Styles to add unique presentations to your images.