Images in Google Docs & Slides
You can create visually engaging documents or presentations using carefully selected, well-placed images when you know how to work with images in Google Docs or Google Slides effectively. Finding images does not need to be a time-consuming struggle. Google offers three different options for adding images to Docs and Slides. Once you’ve found the perfect visuals, you can crop and move images as needed for a polished look!
Three Options for Adding Images in Google Docs or Slides
Insert –> Image
The Insert –> Image menu allows you to pull an image in from your computer, Google Drive and even Google Image Search directly from
inside your file. This method is ideal for new users and younger students. The “Camera” option allows users to take a photo using their webcam.
Adding Images with the Explore Tool
Add image while maintaining the link back to it’s source. From inside the file, choose “Tools” –> “Explore” to open up the built in Explore Tool. If you’ve never used this before, you’re missing out on an amazing feature! Not only can this tool be used to conduct research from right inside a Document, but it can also be used to find and simultaneously cite images without leaving your file!
Drag & Drop from the Web
Most Google Apps users are unaware of this nifty little trick. If you find an image on a website that you want to add to your Google Doc or Slides presentation, no need to save or try to copy and paste. Instead, simply click and drag the image from the webpage to your file. This requires that you have two browser tabs open, one with your desired image, the other tab should be open to your file. Check out the tutorial video below to see this in action.
Customize Images in Google Docs or Slides
Resizing and Cropping
It’s not uncommon for the image you select to be the wrong size. Resize and even crop an image right inside Google Docs and Slides by clicking on the image and using the handlebars. Remember to drag from the corner to maintain the images proportions when resizing.
The native cropping tool is available by double-clicking the image. Adjust using the black handlebars which allow you to adjust the cropped image while never losing the original one.
Moving Images in Google Docs
Google Docs offers a range of image positioning options, as follows:
- In Line – Default image position places image where your cursor is right in line with text.
- Wrap Text – Use this option to move your image while keeping text wrapped around the image. This setting allows them most flexibility in positioning your image in the document.
- Break Text – Text appears above and below the image but not on either side of the image.
- Behind Text – Image is layered below text on the page. Perfect option of creating a watermark. Remember – you can adjust image transparency to create a watermark effect in Google Docs (Image Options –> Adjust Color & Filters).
- In Front of Text – If you prefer to have the image in front of the text, you can adjust transparency to get the desired effect.
Other Image Options
Click your image to select it and access image options including recoloring, transparency, rotation and more by clicking the 3 dots that appear at the bottom.
Recoloring Images
Adjust Image Transparency
If you want to use and image as a background in Google Slides, adjusting the transparency is a great way to allow the text to appear clearly over a subtle background image. Right click on the image and choose “Image Options”. Click and adjust the transparency slider to adjust the image.
