To crop an image in PowerPoint on Windows or Mac, select it, open Picture Format > Crop, drag the black handles inward, and click outside the image. Drag a side handle to trim one edge or a corner handle to trim two sides. You can reposition the picture inside the crop frame before finishing.
The desktop steps apply to PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024, with separate instructions for browser and mobile workflows. Ordinary cropping hides the trimmed areas without deleting them from the presentation. Permanently removing those areas takes an additional desktop step.
The short version
- Trim the edges: Select the image, choose Picture Format > Crop, and drag the black handles inward.
- Choose a frame: Open the Crop dropdown to select Crop to Shape or, on Windows, Aspect Ratio.
- Keep the whole image: Choose Fit to retain the complete picture, or Fill to cover the frame by trimming overflow.
- Remove hidden content: Use Compress Pictures and select Delete cropped areas of pictures on desktop before saving.
| Option | Where it applies | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Manual edge crop | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows and Mac | Trims edges with black handles |
| Equal opposite edges | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows | Trims opposite sides while you hold Ctrl |
| Aspect Ratio | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows, plus the Mac VoiceOver route | Uses a chosen width to height ratio |
| Browser edge crop | PowerPoint for the web | Trims edges from the Picture tab |
| Crop to Shape | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows and Mac | Gives a picture a shape outline |
| Fill and Fit | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows and Mac | Fills the frame or keeps the whole picture |
| Picture inside a custom shape | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows | Uses Edit Points for the boundary |
| Browser shape crop | PowerPoint for the web | Applies a shape and adjusts its framing |
| Windows keyboard crop | Microsoft 365 and 2024 on Windows with English ribbon keys | Selects a shape or aspect ratio |
| Mac VoiceOver crop | Microsoft 365 and 2024 for Mac with VoiceOver | Selects a shape or aspect ratio |
| Crop during insertion | PowerPoint for Android phones and tablets | Trims a photo before adding it |
| Auto Crop | Microsoft 365 Insiders on Mac and iOS, with build requirements below | Automatically frames the subject |
| SVG crop | Microsoft 365 on Windows, Mac, Android and iOS | Uses graphics controls, with prior insertion on another platform required for iOS |
| Permanent removal of cropped areas | Microsoft 365 and 2024 desktop | Deletes hidden image areas |
| External Copilot crop | Copilot Create with an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription | Edits a separate image before pasting it |
Select your picture and crop its edges
Select the picture on your slide, then choose Picture Format > Crop. Black crop handles appear around the image. Drag an edge handle inward until the unwanted part is outside the frame, or drag a corner handle to trim two edges together.
Reposition the picture inside the frame to keep the part you want visible. Click outside the picture when the framing looks right.
On Windows, you can trim opposite edges equally instead of adjusting each side separately. With cropping active, hold Ctrl while dragging a side crop handle inward. Press Esc to finish.
Choose an aspect ratio
For a crop with a particular width to height proportion on Windows, select the image and open Picture Format. Open the Crop dropdown, choose Aspect Ratio, and select the ratio you want.
Adjust the framing so the intended part of the picture remains visible, then press Esc. On Mac with VoiceOver, use the keyboard steps below to choose an aspect ratio.
Crop a picture to a shape
On Windows or Mac, select the picture and open Picture Format > Crop > Crop to Shape. Choose the shape you want to apply. Microsoft also names the Windows command Crop Shape, so check for that label in the same dropdown.
For a custom outline on Windows, open Insert > Shapes and draw a shape. Select Shape Format > Shape Fill > Picture, then choose the image to place inside it. To customize the boundary, select Shape Format > Edit Shape > Edit Points and move the vertices.
Fix cut off subjects or empty space
If the crop cuts off part of your subject, select the image and open the Picture Format > Crop dropdown. Choose Fit to retain the complete image, although space may remain inside the frame. Adjust its position as needed, then click outside to finish.
To cover the entire frame, select the image, open the same dropdown, and choose Fill. PowerPoint trims the overflow, so reposition the picture within the frame to keep the part you want visible. Click outside when you finish.
Crop in PowerPoint for the web
In a browser, select the picture and open the Picture tab. Open the Crop dropdown, choose Crop, and drag the black handles inward. Click outside the image to apply the crop.
For a shaped crop, select the picture and choose Picture > Crop > Crop to Shape. Select the shape, then open Crop > More Crop Options to adjust its handles. Press Esc when you finish.
Crop on Android or use SVG graphics controls
On an Android phone or tablet, you can crop a photo while inserting it. Open the slide and, on the floating ribbon, choose Insert > Pictures > Photos. Select an image, adjust it with the crop tool, and tap the check mark.
To take a new photo instead, choose Insert > Pictures > Camera. Take the photo and tap the check mark, then adjust the crop. Tap the check mark again to finish.
SVG images use graphics controls in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365. On Windows, select the SVG and choose Graphics Format > Crop. On Mac, select the SVG and choose Graphic Format > Crop.
For an SVG on Android in Microsoft 365, select the graphic and reveal the ribbon with Edit if necessary. Choose Graphics > Crop, adjust the frame, and tap Crop again. Microsoft also calls the Android tool Crop Graphic.
Use the keyboard to choose a crop
In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024 on Windows, press Tab to select the image. With the English ribbon key sequences, press Alt + J, then P, then V, then S to open the shape options. Choose a shape with Up Arrow, Down Arrow, Left Arrow, or Right Arrow, then press Enter.
For an aspect ratio on Windows, select the picture with Tab, then press Alt + J, P, V, and A in sequence. Use Up Arrow or Down Arrow to choose a ratio. Press Enter to select it.
On Mac with VoiceOver, press Tab to reach the image, then F6 to reach the ribbon. Use Control + Option + Left Arrow or Control + Option + Right Arrow to locate Picture Format. Activate it with Control + Option + Spacebar, then press Tab to reach Crop.
Press Down Arrow to locate Crop to Shape or Aspect Ratio, then open it with Control + Option + Spacebar. Press Right Arrow once, then browse shapes with the arrow keys or browse aspect ratios with Up Arrow or Down Arrow. Select your choice with Control + Option + Spacebar.
Permanently remove the cropped areas
To delete the hidden image content in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 or PowerPoint 2024 on desktop, select the image and choose Picture Format > Compress Pictures. Select Delete cropped areas of pictures when you are ready to permanently remove those portions.
To limit the operation to selected pictures, select Apply only to this picture on Windows or Selected pictures only on Mac. On Windows, select OK, then save the presentation. Save the presentation after applying the operation on Mac as well.
PowerPoint for the web does not offer this permanent deletion operation. Use the desktop operation when you need those cropped areas removed from the file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I crop several pictures to the same shape at once?
Yes, in PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 and PowerPoint 2024 on Windows, select the pictures together. Open Picture Format > Crop > Crop to Shape, which Microsoft also labels Crop Shape, and choose a shape. All selected pictures receive the same shape.
Can PowerPoint automatically crop around the subject?
Microsoft documents Auto Crop for Microsoft 365 Insiders on Mac version 16.76, build 23062703 or later, and iOS version 2.76, build 23062804 or later. In those Insider versions, select one picture and choose Picture Format > Auto Crop on Mac, or Picture > Crop > Auto Crop on iPhone or iPad. SVG and PDF images are excluded.
How do I crop an SVG in PowerPoint on an iPhone or iPad?
In PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on iOS, the SVG must already have been inserted on another platform. Select it, choose Graphics > Crop, and adjust the frame. Tap Crop again to finish.
Can I crop an image in Copilot before putting it in PowerPoint?
With an eligible Microsoft 365 subscription, open the Copilot app or website and choose Apps and more > Create > Edit an image, using More... if needed. Select + Add an image > Upload from device, choose the image, and select Edit ➜. Open Crop & rotate and use automatic cropping or an aspect ratio. Select Save and copy, then paste the separately edited image into PowerPoint.