Reducing the size of a file in PowerPoint is often a good idea. Photo compression quickly reduces the file size of one or all of your photos. In this guide, we show you how to compress images using PowerPoint 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010; PowerPoint for Microsoft 365, and PowerPoint for Mac.

What to Know

  • Select an image and choose Picture Tools Format > Compress Pictures. Choose a resolution, then select OK to compress images.Options: Select Apply only to this picture to compress select images. Select Delete cropped areas of pictures to remove cropped areas.Choose Email (96 dpi) resolution unless you want print-quality images. There is little difference between 150 and 96 dpi.

How to Compress Photos in PowerPoint

Follow these steps to reduce the file size of your PowerPoint images.

  • Open the PowerPoint file containing pictures you want to compress and select the picture or pictures.
  • Select Picture Tools Format.
  • If you do not see the Format tab, make sure you have a picture selected.
  • Select Compress Pictures in the Adjust group. The Compress Pictures dialog box opens.
  • Place a check next to Apply only to this picture if you want to compress the selected picture or pictures. If you clear this checkbox, all images in the presentation are compressed.
  • Place a check next to Delete cropped areas of pictures if you want cropped areas to be deleted.
  • Choose a Resolution. In most cases, choosing Email (96 dpi) is the best selection. Unless you plan to print out quality photos of your slides, this option reduces the file size by the greatest margin. There is little difference in the screen output of a slide at 150 or 96 dpi.
  • Select OK to compress the selected image(s).

Open the PowerPoint file containing pictures you want to compress and select the picture or pictures.

Select Picture Tools Format.

If you do not see the Format tab, make sure you have a picture selected.

Select Compress Pictures in the Adjust group. The Compress Pictures dialog box opens.

Place a check next to Apply only to this picture if you want to compress the selected picture or pictures. If you clear this checkbox, all images in the presentation are compressed.

Place a check next to Delete cropped areas of pictures if you want cropped areas to be deleted.

Choose a Resolution. In most cases, choosing Email (96 dpi) is the best selection. Unless you plan to print out quality photos of your slides, this option reduces the file size by the greatest margin. There is little difference in the screen output of a slide at 150 or 96 dpi.

Select OK to compress the selected image(s).

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