Inserting Pictures and Symbols in PowerPoint

There are many ways to insert pictures – these are the most common methods

Copy and Paste

Copy and paste is probably the easiest way to insert a picture into PowerPoint. It works well with all the specialist software by allowing you to browse or search the images. It also works if you have a number of photo albums open and wish to compare photo’s side by side to choose the most suitable.

If you have specialist software, open the selected program, we will use Change Picture Bank as an example.

1. Search for the image or picture required.2. Right click on the image to bring up the menu.3. Left click ‘copy’ in the drop down menu.

Next, go back to the PowerPoint presentation.Right click on the page to bring up the drop down menu.Left click ‘paste’.

The image will now appear in the presentation.Click once on the image and small white circles (the handles) will appear around the image. Next you’ll see how these are used to move, rotate and resize the image.

Click on the picture and you will see small white circles on the corners and along the sides.

When you put the pointer over a square you will see arrows or a cross.

if you click and hold down the left mouse button when you see the cross you can drag the image around the page, and drop it by releasing the button

If you move the pointer over the circles on the sides or corners you will see an arrow. If you click and hold the mouse button you can change the size of the image

It is best to use the corner circles for this or else your picture will lose its shape and might not look right.

To change the size of an image in PowerPoint

To change the size of an image in PowerPoint

If you use the corner arrows, the image will keep the same proportions

This is particularly important when you are using photos

Copy and paste of photos from files

Open file folder from start menu, click on ‘pictures’.

Right click on selected picture to bring up drop down menu.

Left click on ‘copy’ then paste into PowerPoint as before.

Start Menu

Pictures

Inserting Pictures from File

1. Click on Insert (top menu), Picture, From File

2. Use the drop down menu to find the folders. Here you can see the locations of the different ‘Change’ picture banks. Often images may be stored in My Documents or My Pictures.

To Crop a Picture in Power Point

If there are parts of the picture you don’t want, you can cut them off by ‘cropping’ them.Click on the picture, and the ‘handles’ will appear around it. Then click on the ‘Crop’ button on the tool bar, this is what it looks like .

When you click on the ‘Crop’ button, the handles (white circles) will become black lines and corners

By dragging each of the lines or corners into the picture, you can ‘Crop’ the unwanted areas out

Grouping pictures lets you move them together as one picture. For example, if you wanted to add a cross to the calendar, you want them to stay in that position even if you move the calendar somewhere else.

Click on the calendar (so the handles appear). then press shift (the arrow key you use to make a capital letter) and hold the button down.

Keep holding the shift key and click on the other parts of the picture e.g. the red crosses. Let go of the shift key – all the parts of the picture should have white circles at the ends to show you have selected them.

To Group Pictures in Power Point

Right click the mouse button for the menu, as you move the pointer onto grouping a sub-menu will appear. Left click once on group and all the crosses will move with the calendar.

Guide written by

Jason Boyce Inclusive Communication Essex

ICE Resources ManagerEssex County Council

September 2009All photographs © Jason Boyce 2009

Do not reproduce or alter any part of this guide without permission from

Inclusive Communication Essex