Insert Crop and Mask Images in PowerPoint

Learn with Slidesgo School, step by step, how to add images to your PowerPoint presentations. You’ll also find out how to crop pictures and how to mask them. 

Inserting an Image or GIF from Your Computer

To begin, open your presentation in PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to add the image or GIF.

1. On the Insert tab, in the Images group, click Pictures.

   

2. A new window will open, allowing you to locate and select the image you want to insert. By default, the image will be added directly to your presentation.

3. Instead of clicking Insert, you can click the drop-down arrow next to it to see three options:

   • Insert (default option).
   • Link to File: This option links the image without increasing the PowerPoint file size. However, you will need to relink the image if you open the presentation on a different computer.
   • Insert and Link: Combines the previous two options.

Choose the desired option to add the image to your slide.

Inserting an Online Image

If you wish to insert an online image, follow these steps:

1. Open your presentation in PowerPoint and select the slide where you want to add the image.

2. On the Insert tab, in the Images group, click Online Pictures. (Note: This option is available in Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 and newer versions.)

   

3. If you select Bing Image Search, you can filter your search to display only images licensed under Creative Commons. Additionally, you can refine the results by size, type, color, or design. Once you find the desired image, click Insert.

   

4. If you are using an older version of PowerPoint, you may see the Clip Art option instead, which allows you to select an image from a preset gallery. Please note that this feature may not be available in pre-2019 versions of PowerPoint for Mac.

Taking and Inserting a Screenshot

To insert a screenshot into your presentation, do the following:

1. Open your presentation and select the slide where you want to add the screenshot.

2. On the Insert tab, in the Images group, click the Screenshot drop-down arrow. You will see a list of currently open windows on your computer.

   

3. To capture a portion of any window, click Screen Clipping. PowerPoint will minimize, allowing you to capture what’s on your screen. Prepare the content you want to capture before clicking Screen Clipping. Once you complete the screenshot, it will be automatically inserted into your slide.

   

Cropping an Image

To crop an image in your presentation:

1. Select the image you want to crop. A new tab called Picture Format will appear at the top.

   

2. On this tab, in the Size group, click Crop. You can adjust the cropping using the black handles.

   

3. You may also use the Fill and Fit options for further adjustments. To manually set the height or width, enter your desired values in the boxes next to Height or Width.

   

4. If you need to set a specific aspect ratio, click the Crop drop-down arrow, select Aspect Ratio, and choose the desired option.

   

5. To reset the image and remove the cropping, select the image, go to the Format Options tab, and in the Adjust group, click the Reset Picture drop-down arrow, selecting Reset Picture & Size.

   

Masking an Image

Masking an image allows you to shape it into different forms. Here’s how:

1. Select the image you want to mask. The Picture Format tab will appear.

   

2. On the Picture Format tab, in the Size group, click the Crop drop-down arrow.

   

3. Click Crop to Shape and choose the shape that best suits your needs. The selected shape will be applied to the image.

   

4. To remove the mask and reset the image, select the image, go to the Picture Format tab, and in the Adjust group, click Reset Picture.