Microsoft Word lets you format pictures in many ways. You can resize, crop, or change the shape of an image. You can also adjust colors, brightness, and add special effects.

*Download our practice document.

Cropping an Image

Cropping removes parts of an image. This helps if a picture is too big and you only need a part of it.

Steps to Crop an Image:

1. Click on the image. The Format tab will appear.
2. Click the Crop button.
   
   
   
3. Black cropping handles will appear on the corners and sides.
   
   
   
4. Drag a handle to remove unwanted areas.
   
   
   
5. Click the Crop button again to apply the changes.
   
   
   

The corner handles let you crop both vertically and horizontally at the same time.

Cropping an Image into a Shape

You can crop an image into a shape for a creative effect.

Steps to Crop into a Shape:

1. Click the image and go to the Format tab.
2. Click the Crop button and select Crop to Shape.
   
   
   
3. Choose a shape from the menu.
   
   
   

The image will change to match the selected shape.

Adding a Border to a Picture

Borders can help make an image stand out.

Steps to Add a Border:

1. Click the image and go to the Format tab.
2. Click the Picture Border button. A menu will appear.
   
   
   
3. Select a color, thickness, and line style.

The border will be applied to the image.

Making Image Adjustments

Word has tools to improve the look of images. You can adjust brightness, contrast, color, and effects.

Available Adjustments:

• Corrections: Change sharpness, brightness, and contrast.
  
  
  
• Color: Adjust color intensity, warmth, and tint.
  
  
  
• Artistic Effects: Apply filters like watercolor, pastel, or glowing edges.
  
  
  

Use artistic effects carefully, especially in professional documents.

Using Picture Styles

Picture styles let you add frames, shadows, and effects. These styles improve the image’s look without changing its basic properties.

Compressing Pictures to Reduce File Size

Large images can make a document too big to email. Cropped areas are also saved in the file, making it larger. You can reduce the file size by compressing pictures.

Steps to Compress a Picture:

1. Click the image and go to the Format tab.
2. Click Compress Pictures.
   
   
   
3. A dialog box will appear. Check Delete cropped areas of pictures.
4. Choose an output size (for email, select Email to reduce size).
5. Click OK.
   
   
   

Note: Compression may reduce image quality. Save a copy before compressing, or use Undo if needed.