{"id":8820,"date":"2018-09-07T15:44:26","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T15:44:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mauriziolacava.com\/?p=8820"},"modified":"2026-01-22T13:53:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T13:53:03","slug":"crop-images-in-powerpoint","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mauriziolacava.com\/en\/crop-images-in-powerpoint\/","title":{"rendered":"Crop images in PowerPoint like a PRO"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Did you notice that when you import images<\/span><\/strong> into PowerPoint<\/span>, they are disproportionate in size<\/strong> compared to the slide<\/span>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"crop<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How do you change the size of this image<\/span> to cover the entire slide<\/span>? Or crop images<\/span> in PowerPoint<\/span> to make them the right dimensions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To begin, avoid falling into mistakes like this…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"crop<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The images<\/span> have proportions that you should never distort, otherwise you will make the photo look deformed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did this sweet puppy do to you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To avoid deformation<\/strong> of the images<\/span>, especially if you’re building presentations for business or high-stakes meetings, relying on a PowerPoint presentation design agency<\/a> can ensure professional results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if you want to DIY, we use only the diagonal controls and we do it by holding<\/strong> down the SHIFT<\/strong> key on the keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why SHIFT?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because when you drag the white handle to resize a shape or image<\/span>, holding down the SHIFT<\/strong> key locks<\/strong> the proportions<\/strong> (that is, the relationship between height and width).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the keyboard you should have the button at the left as well as the right, choose the one you prefer (one is enough).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"how<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In general, the images<\/span>,<\/strong> unlike the forms, have<\/strong> the proportions<\/strong> already blocked<\/strong> by a PowerPoint function that can be seen in the following figure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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However, by custom I always drag with the SHIFT button pressed to avoid doing the question and make sure to keep the proportions correct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drag while keeping the proportions but it will not be enough to cover a full slide<\/span> with the selected image<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, you will notice that, while maintaining the proportions of the image<\/span>, which are different from those of the slide<\/span> (which in my case are 16: 9<\/strong>), the image<\/span> will not be able to cover the entire slide<\/span> perfectly, unless you try only one of the dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, it is necessary to cut the image<\/span> and for this we will use the function “Crop<\/strong>” of PowerPoint<\/span>, but we will do it in an unconventional way, follow me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What everyone does is: extend the image<\/span> beyond the limits of the slide<\/span> and then cut it to try to match the dimensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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However, this method is inaccurate because you can\u2019t see the slide<\/span> below the image<\/span> and with the mouse, it is not easy to exactly release the cropping frame on the perimeter of the slide<\/span>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, you have to cut 2 edges repeating the same operation at least 2 times, it is not efficient, you can do better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To speed up your PowerPoint presentations, one useful tool is our MLC PowerPoint Add-In<\/a>, which streamlines the entire workflow, saving you time and increasing efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea that I use when cropping the images is to assign the proportions of the slide<\/span> to the frame<\/strong> of the image<\/span> and make the frame correspond to the perimeter of the slide<\/span> and then fill it simply by enlarging the image<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the proportions of your presentation<\/span>?<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, they are set to 4: 3<\/strong> (old and less used format) or 16: 9<\/strong> (wide screen).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I always work in 16: 9<\/strong>, so my cut will be in 16: 9<\/strong> ratio (look at yours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Before you crop images<\/span> in PowerPoint<\/span>, to make sure that this technique works, you must center the image<\/span><\/strong> on the slide<\/span>, both vertically and horizontally.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Did you notice where I keep the alignment buttons? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That’s the quick access toolbar moved under the tape. (Set your toolbar to get maximum efficiency).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Returning to our cutout, do not click on the large button but open<\/strong> the drop-down menu<\/strong> using the arrow below to find the proportional crop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once you have selected the required ratio, you will see that the crop will be applied automatically<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cropping frame is distinguished by the handles to change the size, since it is characterized by handles in black<\/strong> and in the form of a line or an angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now you have to drag the black handles so that the cropping frame matches the edge of the slide<\/span>. To do this accurately and in a single step, I press SHIFT <\/strong>to keep the proportions and CTRL <\/strong>to activate all the frame controls at the same time during the drag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this way it will be enough to carry out the dragging once and not having to do it for all the handles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be careful, I am dragging one of the diagonal<\/strong> controls of the clipping frame while holding down SHIFT + CTRL on the keyboard.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now you have to fill the clipping box with the image<\/span> and to do so just open the “crop” menu and use the “fill” function<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The black areas<\/strong> above and below the image<\/span> show you the parts of the photo that will be masked<\/strong> or cut out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The image<\/span> is cropped “in vivo<\/strong>” at the edges of the slide<\/span> to perfectly cover the page.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GO BACK: HOW TO USE FREE IMAGES FOR POWERPOINT PRESENTATIONS: THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Get the PDF now!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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