How to Resize a Picture in PowerPoint without Distorting?

Almost every PowerPoint user knows how to insert images into the slides. Most also know how to resize images. Do you know how to resize a picture in PowerPoint without distorting? You might have noticed some distortion in the image when you resize it beyond certain points.
Stretched or distorted images do real damage to the visual appeal of the presentation. It is always advised to use high-quality images and visuals for your PowerPoint presentation slides. For now, let’s focus on resizing a picture in PowerPoint without distorting or ruining the image quality.
Why Do Pictures Distort in PowerPoint?
While resizing, maintaining the aspect ratio of the images is the key to preventing distortion in the images. Uneven stretching of the picture ruins the original form. PowerPoint allows freeform resizing, but it can also make things harder for users.
If you want to resize an image or picture without distortion, you need to lock the aspect ratio. But there are some other reasons that might result in distorted images, including:
- Dragging from the sides instead of the corners
- Low-resolution image
- Aspect ratio not maintained
- Incorrect scaling options
- Improper cropping or compression
Resize Images without Distorting
As we know that an uneven aspect ratio is the main reason for distortion while resizing, we will learn how to lock the aspect ratio for images in PowerPoint. When the aspect ratio is locked, make sure to resize a picture by dragging from the corners, not the sides.
How to Lock Aspect Ratio in PowerPoint?
Let’s learn how to lock the aspect ratio in PowerPoint by adding an image to the slide. Once the image is added to the PPT slide, go to the Picture Format tab and click the small Arrow as shown in the image.
A new pane will appear, and from here, make sure the “Lock Aspect Ratio” box is checked. It means that the aspect ratio will be maintained while resizing pictures from the corners.

If you uncheck the box, freeform resizing will be enabled, and you may not be able to resize the picture without stretching it or ruining the original form.
Short Key to Lock Aspect Ratio
Resizing any image from the corners while pressing the SHIFT Key will also lock the aspect ratio. You can also press the SHIFT Key while drawing different objects to maintain the aspect ratio.
If you simply draw an oval shape without pressing SHIFT, you may not be able to draw a perfect circle. Using a locked aspect ratio, pressing the SHIFT Key will help you draw a perfect circle.
Tips to Prevent Image Distortion in PowerPoint
We have learned how to resize a picture in PowerPoint without distorting. But how to prevent it from happening in the first place? Here are some practical tips to prevent distorted images in PPT slides.
1. Use High-quality Images
High-quality images and pictures can be resized according to your requirements without ruining the original quality. When you try to expand low-quality images and logos, image distortion becomes almost inevitable.
2. Resize by Dragging Corners
With the aspect ratio locked, use the corners of the picture to resize. When you drag an image from the sides, an uneven aspect ratio results in a distorted and misaligned image.
3. Don’t Over-enlarge Small Images
Logos and other small images aren’t supposed to be used on full screen. Stretching a low-quality image too much will make it blurry or pixelated. Keep the logos small, and if the image is of low quality, don’t expand or resize it beyond a certain limit.
How to Find High-quality Images for Slides?
Are you tired of distorted, blurry, out-of-proportion, and low-quality images for PowerPoint presentations? Do you want a quick solution and resource to find high-quality images for your PPT slides?
Microsoft PowerPoint has a limited collection of images in the library, and these aren’t enough to make professional slides. What if you could get access to popular stock image sites and an AI image generator all inside PowerPoint?
Twistly for PowerPoint
Twistly is an AI add-in for PowerPoint that automatically fetches images from online free stock sites. If you are not satisfied with the relevance of these images, there is an AI image generator inside that can be used for custom images.
AI Image Generator for PowerPoint
Do you want to generate AI custom images for a presentation without leaving PowerPoint? Install Twistly and you are all set to explore ChatGPT-like features for your PowerPoint presentations. Here is how to generate AI images for slides with Twistly.
Step 1: Select AI Images as Source
Open the PowerPoint presentation and launch Twistly. On the tool’s home page, select the ” Add Images button and then select AI Images as the source.

Step 2: Enter AI Prompt
Now, enter your prompt, select art style, orientation, and click generate. Twistly will give you some relevant results.
Hover over the image and click the Insert button to insert the image into the slide. For more ideas, click the Regenerate button.

This image is of high quality, which you can stretch or resize without distorting the quality. Similarly, change the Image Source to any other stock image sites to fetch images from those sites.
Conclusion
Lock aspect ratio and drag from corners if you want to resize a picture in PowerPoint without distorting. For AI and high-quality images, use Twistly. Images generated and inserted by Twistly are also optimized and resized automatically for AI PowerPoint templates.
Do you want to make presentations within seconds just like ChatGPT? Download Twistly for free and enjoy the trial version. Upgrading to the premium version will unlock all premium AI features that you would love for making attractive PowerPoint presentations.
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