Crop a Picture into a Circle on a PowerPoint Slide Using Crop to Shape
by Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 12, 2023
Applies to: Microsoft® PowerPoint® 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 365 (Windows)
If you want to crop an image into a circle in PowerPoint, you will need to combine cropping options. Crop options appear on the Picture Format or Picture Tools Format tab in the Ribbon. You can use these tools to crop a picture into an oval and then crop again to change the aspect ratio so the oval changes into a circle. In PowerPoint, you can achieve some great effects by cropping images to different shapes.
To crop an image into a circle in PowerPoint (typically in Normal View), you'll need to:
- Crop the image into an oval.
- Change the cropped image into a circle by changing the aspect ratio.
- Change the size, shape or position of the cropped image as required.
Recommended article: How to Crop an Image into a Circle in PowerPoint Using Merge Shapes
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Note: Buttons and Ribbon tabs may display in a different way (with or without text) depending on your version of PowerPoint, the size of your screen and your Control Panel settings. For PowerPoint 365 users, Ribbon tabs may appear with different names. For example, the Picture Tools Format tab may appear as Picture Format.
Step 1: Crop the picture into an oval
To crop a picture into an oval on a PowerPoint slide:
- Select the picture you want to crop.
- Click the Picture Format or Picture Tools Format tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Size group, click the arrow below Crop. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Choose Crop to Shape. A fly-out gallery will appear.
- Click the oval.
Below is the Crop to Shape gallery:
Step 2: Change the cropped picture into a circle by changing the aspect ratio
To change the cropped picture (currently an oval) to a circle by changing the aspect ratio:
- Ensure the picture is selected.
- Click the Picture Format or Picture Tools Format tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Size group, click the arrow below Crop. A drop-down menu will appear.
- Choose Aspect Ratio. A sub-menu will appear.
- Select 1:1 to crop the image into a circle (this changes the oval into a circle).
Below is the Crop menu with Aspect Ratio:
Step 3: Change the size, shape or position of the cropped picture
To change the size, shape or position of the cropped picture:
- Ensure the picture is selected on the PowerPoint slide.
- Click the Picture Format or Picture Tools Format tab in the Ribbon.
- In the Size group, click Crop. Cropping and sizing handles will appear.
- Resize the cropped area by dragging the black crop handles. To ensure that the shape remains a circle, hold down Shift and drag a corner crop handle.
- Resize the picture by dragging the white circular handles. To ensure that the shape resizes proportionally, hold down Shift and drag a corner circle handle.
- Move the picture within the cropped area by dragging the image.
- Click outside the picture or click Crop again to exit crop mode.
Below is a picture that has been cropped into a circle in crop mode. Note the black crop handles and the white circular resizing handles:
You can create some really interesting effects in your PowerPoint decks when you try some of the more advanced cropping options.
This article was first published on March 28, 2019 and has been updated for clarity and content.
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More resources
How to Print a PowerPoint Presentation with Notes
How to Quickly Change Shapes on PowerPoint Slides
How to Group and Ungroup in PowerPoint (with Shortcuts)
How to Change Picture Brightness and Contrast in PowerPoint
How to Compress Images in PowerPoint to Reduce File Size (10 Strategies)
Related courses
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Design for Non-Designers
Microsoft PowerPoint: Accessible PowerPoint Presentations
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