How to Crop an Image in InDesign

When you don’t feel like editing the image in Photoshop, you can use this trick to crop.
Total time: 2 minutes 
Updated: September 24th, 2020

You’ve placed that great image into your InDesign document, but only want to use a portion of it. We’ve all been there.

Of course, you could crop your placed image in a separate software application like Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s really no need to open up another application, however. You can easily crop the image in InDesign.

In this guide, we’ll show you how!

We’re going to assume you’ve already placed and fit your image into the frame. If you need help with this, then see our guide on inserting images in InDesign.

Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)
Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

How to Crop an Image in InDesign

When you don’t feel like editing the image in Photoshop, you can use this trick to crop.
Total time: 2 minutes 
Updated: September 24th, 2020

You’ve placed that great image into your InDesign document, but only want to use a portion of it. We’ve all been there.

Of course, you could crop your placed image in a separate software application like Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s really no need to open up another application, however. You can easily crop the image in InDesign.

In this guide, we’ll show you how!

We’re going to assume you’ve already placed and fit your image into the frame. If you need help with this, then see our guide on inserting images in InDesign.

Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)
Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

 
1

How to Crop an Image in InDesign

When you don’t feel like editing the image in Photoshop, you can use this trick to crop.
Total time: 2 minutes 
Updated: September 24th, 2020

You’ve placed that great image into your InDesign document, but only want to use a portion of it. We’ve all been there.

Of course, you could crop your placed image in a separate software application like Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s really no need to open up another application, however. You can easily crop the image in InDesign.

In this guide, we’ll show you how!

We’re going to assume you’ve already placed and fit your image into the frame. If you need help with this, then see our guide on inserting images in InDesign.

Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)
Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

How to Crop an Image in InDesign

When you don’t feel like editing the image in Photoshop, you can use this trick to crop.
Total time: 2 minutes 
Updated: September 24th, 2020

You’ve placed that great image into your InDesign document, but only want to use a portion of it. We’ve all been there.

Of course, you could crop your placed image in a separate software application like Photoshop or Lightroom. There’s really no need to open up another application, however. You can easily crop the image in InDesign.

In this guide, we’ll show you how!

We’re going to assume you’ve already placed and fit your image into the frame. If you need help with this, then see our guide on inserting images in InDesign.

Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

How to Crop an Image in InDesign

When you don’t feel like editing the image in Photoshop, you can use this trick to crop.
Total time: 2 minutes 
Updated: September 24th, 2020
Michael
 
1
Mentioned here
How to Insert an Image in InDesign How to Insert an Image in InDesignKnowing how to insert images is an essential skill for indesign work. We can show you how!
How to Insert an Image in InDesign
Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1

Howchoo is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no cost to you.

Adobe InDesignAdobe InDesign ×1
Adobe InDesign
Table of Contents

Steps to Crop an Image in InDesign:

  1. Click the gray circle in the center of your image
  2. Constrain your image proportions
  3. Click and drag a corner out to expand the image
  4. Drag the gray circle to crop the image
 
1
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h/indesign18 guides
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h/design13 guides
Adobe InDesign LogoAdobe
Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)
Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Gray Circle in Image InDesignGray Circle in Image InDesign

You should see a small gray circle in the center of your image’s frame. Click it. This should change the frame and box color to red. (See step image.)

This gray circle allows you to do a couple of things:

  • Select the image in the frame, as opposed to the frame.
  • Adjust the image, separate from its frame.

Think about the frame and image as a literal window frame with a cloudy sky in the background respectively. InDesign allows you to actually edit and move around the sky in the background while keeping the frame the same.

Click the gray circle in the center of your image

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Transform Pane in InDesignTransform Pane in InDesign

In the “Transform” pane near the top-right of your InDesign screen, make sure the chain links are locked (as shown). This will ensure that your image does not lose its proportions as you enlarge it.

Also, note that if your original image was quite small, you may not be able to enlarge it enough for cropping into your frame (whether in InDesign or elsewhere). You’ll need a bigger image from which to work.

Constrain your image proportions

Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)
Image Enlarged Outside Frame InDesignImage Enlarged Outside Frame InDesign

Click on one of the corner boxes and drag it outward to expand your image’s size.

Notice that:

  • The frame does not change. Just like a window, you can only see what’s showing through the frame.
  • Some of the image is missing and can’t be seen. (It’s what’s outside of the frame.)

Click and drag a corner out to expand the image

Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

Image Cropped in InDesignImage Cropped in InDesign

When you click and drag the gray circle now, you’ll essentially be cropping the image into your frame. Just drag the image until only the portion you want appears in the frame.

If you need to, you can enlarge or shrink the image (step 3) as needed to make the perfect crop.

Drag the gray circle to crop the image

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Michael's profile pictureMichael
Joined in 2020
A maker at heart, Michael loves all things DIY. Michael is an award-winning poet, writer, and editor. He has published two books of poetry and has writing in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, The New Yorker, and many others. He has taught writing at colleges across the country, and managed many leading literary magazines to national prominence. Now, he’s excited to devote his energies full time to Howchoo. He currently resides in the Tampa-area with his wife and puppy.
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