4 Simple Ways to Insert a Picture in PowerPoint

PDF download Download Article
Quickly insert an image into PPT slides
PDF download Download Article

You can insert an image into PowerPoint using the Pictures feature. Whether you have your image saved to your computer or you need to search the internet, you can spruce up your presentation in minutes. Here's how to add images to a PowerPoint presentation on your Windows or Mac computer, iPhone, iPad, or Android.

Quick Steps

  1. Select a slide in PowerPoint.
  2. Click the Insert tab.
  3. Click Pictures .
  4. Click This Device… .
  5. Select the image you want to add.
  6. Click Insert .
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open a project in Microsoft PowerPoint. You can download PowerPoint for Windows or use it in a web browser on the Microsoft website .
  2. 2
    Select the slide where you want the picture. You will see the slides on the left side of the screen. If you don't already have slides, you can easily add or move them .
    • To add a new slide for your picture, click the Home tab and select New Slide . [1]
    Advertisement
  3. 3
    Click the Insert tab. You can find this at the top of the page.
  4. 4
    Click the arrow below Pictures . This is in the Images group. A drop-down menu will open.
  5. 5
    Click This Device… . A new window will open for you to browse your device for a picture to add.
    • Alternatively, you can select Stock Images to browse Microsoft's library or Online Pictures to use an online image. All of the pictures available are free to use in your PPT.
  6. 6
    Select the photo you want and click Insert . If you want to add and select multiple photos, hold down CTRL and click each photo you want to add, and then click Insert .
    • You can also drag and drop a picture file directly onto the PowerPoint slide.
  7. 7
    Adjust your image to fit your slide. Click the image to reveal the guidelines. You can click and drag the tiny squares to adjust the image as needed.
  8. 8
    Insert a picture as a background (optional). If you want to use an image as the slide background, do the following:
    • Right-click the margin of the slide. [2]
    • Select Format Background .
    • In the right pane, select Picture or texture fill .
    • Select Insert under Picture source .
    • Select From a File , Stock Images , Online Pictures , or From Icons .
    • Select the photo and click Insert .
    9. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using a Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open a project in Microsoft PowerPoint. You can download the PowerPoint application for Mac or use it in a web browser on the Microsoft website .
  2. 2
    Select the slide where you want the picture. If you don't already have slides, you can select New Slide to add some.
  3. 3
    Click Insert . This is at the top.
  4. 4
    Click Picture , and then Picture From File . Alternatively, you can select Online Pictures to search the web or Photo Browser to use existing photosets on your computer. [3]
  5. 5
    Select the photo you want and click Insert . If you want to add and select multiple photos, hold down Shift and click each photo you want to add, and then click Insert .
  6. 6
    Adjust your image to fit your slide. Click the image to reveal the guidelines. You can click and drag the tiny squares to adjust the image to the desired size.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using an Android Phone or Tablet

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open the slide you want to edit. PowerPoint is available for Android in the Google Play Store. Make sure to sign in to your Microsoft account to use it.
  2. 2
    Select Insert . This is on the floating ribbon.
  3. 3
    Tap Pictures . This is in the menu.
  4. 4
    Tap Photos . Alternatively, tap Camera if you want to take a picture to insert instead.
    • You may need to allow permission to access your photos and camera.
  5. 5
    Select the photo you want to add. Use the tools at the top of the window to find your files. You can use your gallery or a connected cloud storage, such as Google Photos .
  6. 6
    Tap the check mark. This will add the picture to the slide.
  7. 7
    Adjust your image to fit your slide. Tap the image to reveal the guidelines. You can tap and drag the tiny squares to adjust the image as needed.
    8. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using an iPhone or iPad

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open the slide you want to edit. PowerPoint is available for iPhone and iPad in the App Store. Make sure to sign in to your Microsoft account to use it.
  2. 2
    Tap Insert . You can find this on the ribbon.
  3. 3
    Tap Photos . Alternatively, tap Camera if you want to take a picture to insert instead.
    • You may need to allow permission to access your photos and camera.
  4. 4
    Select the photo you want to add. Use the tools at the top of the window to find your files. You can use your Camera Roll or a connected cloud storage, such as iCloud .
    • The picture will be added to the slide.
  5. 5
    Adjust your image to fit your slide. Tap the image to reveal the guidelines. You can tap and drag the tiny squares to adjust the image size as needed.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I insert video in my presentation?
    Community Answer
    You can insert it the same way you do with an image. Follow the steps above, but when choosing a file to add, use your video instead.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question
    What view do I use to view the full notes of each slide in the presentation?
    Community Answer
    Select Notes view. You can drag the notes section up, so it is larger.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      Simple Steps to Make a PowerPoint Presentation
      How to
      Cite Images in PowerPoint
      How to
      Open a PPTX File on iPhone or iPad
      How to
      Fix a Corrupted PowerPoint PPTX File
      Easy Steps to Add a Header & Footer in PowerPoint
      How to
      Make a PowerPoint Template
      2 Simple Ways to Move or Delete a Slide in PowerPoint
      How to
      Insert Slide Numbers in PowerPoint
      How to
      Open a PPT File on PC or Mac
      How to
      Save a PowerPoint Presentation on a Thumbdrive
      2 Easy Ways to Change the Background on PowerPoint Slides
      How to
      Edit an Image in PowerPoint: The Complete Guide
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • When resizing an image, hold Shift (Windows) or Option (Mac) as you drag from one of the corners to prevent it from stretching or skewing. [4]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-rearrange-duplicate-and-delete-slides-in-powerpoint-e35a232d-3fd0-4ee1-abee-d7d4d6da92fc
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/add-a-background-picture-to-your-slides-a6875594-f531-4e8b-97ff-cbd05634ab18
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/insert-a-picture-in-powerpoint-5f7368d2-ee94-4b94-a6f2-a663646a07e1
      4. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/change-the-size-of-a-picture-shape-text-box-or-wordart-98929cf6-8eab-4d20-87e9-95f2d33c1dde

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To insert an image on a PowerPoint slide, start by clicking the slide in the left panel of PowerPoint. Next, click the ""Insert"" tab at the top of PowerPoint. If the picture you want to insert is on your computer, click ""Pictures"" in the toolbar and then select ""This Device."" Select the image you want to insert and click ""Insert"" to place it on the slide. You can then drag it anywhere on the slide. To resize the image without warping it, click and drag the circles at any of the corners (not the edges) inward or outward. As long as the picture is selected, you can use the tools on the Format tab to add artistic effects, color filters, lighting corrections, borders, and more. If you'd rather insert a picture from the web, return to the ""Insert"" tab—if you see the option for ""Online Pictures,"" click it—if not, click the ""Pictures"" icon first and then select ""Online Pictures"" from the menu. You can then choose a photo from your OneDrive or search for one using Bing Image Search. After inserting an online picture, you can edit it using the tools on the format tab.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 144,774 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Viman Haraen

        Nov 19, 2016

        "You have given me a lot of help in doing my PowerPoint presentation. Thanks."
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement