# Pictures

Course: [PowerPoint](https://www.devtutorials.ai/learn/powerpoint) · Section: Design and Visuals
Source: https://www.devtutorials.ai/learn/powerpoint/design-and-visuals/pictures

> Insert, resize, rotate, and crop pictures; apply styles and corrections; remove backgrounds; compress pictures; and add alt text.

Pictures can communicate information faster than words. A well-chosen image can explain an idea, show a product, highlight a location, or create visual interest. In this lesson, you'll learn how to insert, resize, rotate, crop, and format pictures. You'll also learn how to adjust picture appearance, remove backgrounds, reduce file size, and add alt text for accessibility.

Open the **PowerPoint sandbox** and follow along. Before starting, download **wildlife.jpg** to your computer.

## Insert a Picture

To add a picture to a slide:

1. Select the slide.
2. Click **Insert** > **Image**.
3. Browse to the image file.
4. Click **Open**.

The picture is inserted onto the slide and selected automatically.

When a picture is selected, the **Picture Format** tab becomes available on the Ribbon.

You can also insert pictures by:

- Clicking a picture icon in a content placeholder.
- Dragging an image file directly onto a slide.

## Online Pictures

PowerPoint also provides access to:

- Stock Images
- Icons
- Illustrations
- Online Pictures

These options are available through: Insert > Pictures

Online pictures and stock images are not available in the sandbox. Use image files stored on your computer. When using images from the internet, make sure you have permission to use them and follow any licensing requirements.

## Resize, Move, and Rotate Pictures

### Resize

To resize a picture:

- Drag a corner handle to keep the original proportions.
- Avoid dragging side handles unless you want to stretch the image.

### Move

To move a picture:

- Click and drag the picture to a new location.

### Rotate

To rotate a picture:

- Drag the rotation handle above the image.
- Or enter a rotation value in the Rotation setting.

Examples:

0° = No rotation

45° = Diagonal rotation

90° = Sideways rotation

### Set Exact Dimensions

For precise sizing, enter values for:

- Width
- Height

in the picture properties.

Always resize pictures using corner handles. This maintains the correct proportions and prevents the image from appearing stretched or distorted.

## Crop Pictures

Cropping removes unwanted parts of an image.

To crop a picture:

1. Select the picture.
2. Click **Picture Format** > **Crop**.
3. Drag the crop handles inward.
4. Apply the crop.

Cropping is useful for:

- Removing distractions
- Focusing attention on the subject
- Improving picture composition

### Crop to Shape

PowerPoint can crop pictures into shapes.

Examples include:

- Circle
- Rectangle
- Rounded rectangle
- Arrow

A circular crop is often used for profile photos.

## Picture Styles

Picture Styles apply predefined visual effects to images.

Examples include:

- Frames
- Shadows
- Reflections
- Rounded corners
- Soft edges

To apply a style:

1. Select the image.
2. Open **Picture Format**.
3. Choose a style from **Picture Styles**.

Using the same style throughout a presentation creates a consistent appearance.

## Corrections and Color Adjustments

PowerPoint includes tools for improving image quality.

| Tool | Purpose |
|----------|----------|
| Corrections | Adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness |
| Color | Change saturation, tone, or recolor the image |
| Artistic Effects | Apply visual filters and special effects |

Common uses include:

- Brightening dark photos
- Increasing contrast
- Converting images to grayscale
- Creating stylized visual effects

In the PowerPoint sandbox, additional controls such as:

- Brightness
- Contrast
- Saturation
- Transparency

are available in the inspector panel.

## Remove Background

PowerPoint can automatically remove unwanted backgrounds.

To remove a background:

1. Select the picture.
2. Click **Picture Format** > **Remove Background**.
3. Review the highlighted areas.
4. Mark areas to keep or remove if necessary.
5. Click **Keep Changes**.

This feature is useful for:

- Product images
- Profile photos
- Logos
- Objects that need a transparent background

## Compress Pictures

Large images can significantly increase presentation file size.

Use **Compress Pictures** to reduce file size by:

- Lowering image resolution
- Removing cropped image data
- Optimizing pictures for screen display

Common resolution options include:

| Resolution | Best For |
|----------|----------|
| Web (150 ppi) | Screen viewing and online sharing |
| Print (220 ppi) | Printed presentations |
| High Quality | Maximum image quality |

Compressing pictures helps presentations:

- Open faster
- Save faster
- Upload more easily
- Use less storage space

## Alt Text

Alt text (alternative text) provides a written description of an image.

Alt text is important because:

- Screen readers read it aloud to visually impaired users.
- It improves accessibility.
- It describes images when they cannot be displayed.

Examples:

Good alt text: A lion resting in long grass

Poor alt text: Image1.jpg or Picture

To add alt text:

### In the Sandbox

1. Select the picture.
2. Locate the **Alt Text** field in the Accessibility section.
3. Enter a meaningful description.

### In PowerPoint

1. Right-click the picture.
2. Select **View Alt Text** or **Edit Alt Text**.
3. Enter a description.

If an image is purely decorative and provides no information, mark it as decorative so screen readers can ignore it.

## Common mistakes

| Mistake | What happens | How to fix it |
|---|---|---|
| Dragging a side handle | The picture is squashed | Undo, and drag a corner |
| Low-resolution picture made huge | It looks blurry and blocky | Use a bigger original, or keep it small |
| Picture covers the title | The slide is hard to read | Resize it, or send it backward |
| Using any picture from the web | You may break copyright | Use your own, stock, or Creative Commons pictures |
| No alt text | Screen reader users miss the content | Add a short description |

## Exercise

Download [wildlife.jpg](/ppt-assets/wildlife.jpg) if you haven't already. Click **Reset** in the sandbox header, double-click the title, and type `Kenya Safari`. Then do each task and press **Check**.

## What to Remember

- Use **Insert > Image** to add pictures to a slide.
- Resize images using corner handles to maintain proportions.
- Move and rotate pictures as needed for layout and design.
- **Crop** removes unwanted areas from a picture.
- **Crop to Shape** places an image inside a shape.
- **Picture Styles** quickly apply professional visual effects.
- **Corrections**, **Color**, and **Artistic Effects** adjust a picture's appearance.
- **Remove Background** helps isolate the main subject of an image.
- **Compress Pictures** reduces presentation file size and improves performance.
- Add **alt text** to every meaningful image for accessibility.
- Use high-quality images and crop them to focus attention on the most important content.

In the next lesson, you'll learn how to draw shapes, insert icons, and arrange, align, distribute, and group objects on a slide.