Cropping trims away the parts of a picture you do not want, such as extra background, a stray object, or empty space, without leaving Microsoft Word. Word also lets you crop to a shape, crop to an exact aspect ratio, and fine-tune the crop with fill and fit options. This guide covers every cropping method in Word for Windows, Mac, and the web, and how to undo or permanently delete cropped areas.
Quick Answer
Click the picture, open the Picture Format tab, and click Crop. Drag the black crop handles on the edges or corners inward, then click Crop again or press Esc to apply.
Method 1: Basic Crop
- Click the picture to select it.
- Click the Picture Format tab (called Format under Picture Tools in older versions).
- In the Size group, click the top half of the Crop button. Black crop handles appear on the sides and corners.
- Drag a side handle to crop one side, or a corner handle to crop two sides at once.
- Click outside the picture, click Crop again, or press Esc to finish.
Handy modifier keys
- Hold Ctrl while dragging a side handle to crop both opposite sides equally.
- Hold Ctrl while dragging a corner handle to crop all four sides equally.
- While cropping, drag the picture itself to reposition what shows inside the crop area.
Method 2: Crop to a Shape
- Select the picture.
- Click the arrow under Crop and choose Crop to Shape.
- Pick a shape, such as a circle, rounded rectangle, or star.
For a perfect circle, first use Crop > Aspect Ratio > 1:1, then Crop to Shape > Oval.
Method 3: Crop to an Aspect Ratio
- Select the picture and click the arrow under Crop.
- Choose Aspect Ratio and pick an option, such as 1:1 (square), 4:3, or 16:9.
- Drag the picture to position it, then press Esc.
Method 4: Fill and Fit
After cropping, use Crop > Fill to fill the crop area completely with the picture (some edges may be hidden), or Crop > Fit to fit the whole picture inside the area while keeping its proportions.
Method 5: Crop by Exact Measurements
- Right-click the picture and choose Format Picture.
- Click the Picture icon and expand Crop.
- Enter exact values for Picture position and Crop position (width, height, left, and top).
This is useful when several pictures need identical crops.
Permanently Remove Cropped Areas
Word keeps the cropped parts hidden in the file so you can undo the crop later. To delete them and reduce file size:
- Select the picture.
- On the Picture Format tab, click Compress Pictures.
- Check Delete cropped areas of pictures.
- Uncheck Apply only to this picture if you want to affect all pictures, then click OK.
After this, you cannot restore the cropped areas.
Undo or Reset a Crop
- Press Ctrl + Z right after cropping.
- Click Crop again and drag the handles back out.
- Click Reset Picture > Reset Picture & Size on the Picture Format tab to remove all cropping and formatting.
Crop in Word for Mac and the Web
- Mac: select the picture, open Picture Format, and click Crop. The same shape and aspect ratio options are available.
- Word for the web: select the picture, open the Picture tab, and click Crop. Options may be more limited than the desktop app.
Troubleshooting
The Crop button is grayed out
You may have selected a shape, SmartArt, or a picture in a text box or canvas. Crop works on pictures. Also check that the document is not in Compatibility Mode or protected.
Cropped image looks blurry
Cropping and then enlarging a small area reduces quality. Use a higher-resolution image, and in File > Options > Advanced, check Do not compress images in file if needed.
The picture jumps when I crop
Change the layout: click the Layout Options button next to the picture and choose In Line with Text or Square.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I crop a picture in Word?
Select it, click Picture Format > Crop, drag the black handles, and press Esc.
Does cropping delete part of the picture?
Not until you use Compress Pictures > Delete cropped areas. Until then, you can restore it.
Can I crop a picture into a circle?
Yes. Set the aspect ratio to 1:1, then use Crop to Shape > Oval.
Summary
- Select the picture and click Picture Format > Crop.
- Drag the black handles, then press Esc.
- Use Crop to Shape and Aspect Ratio for special crops.
- Use Compress Pictures to delete cropped areas permanently.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.