How to Crop a Picture in OneNote for Windows
Question details
The user needs to crop an image within the OneNote desktop app for Windows, which currently lacks a built-in crop tool.
- Product
- Microsoft OneNote
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Editing a document or notes containing images that need to be trimmed or cropped.
- Observed behavior
- The OneNote desktop application does not display a 'Picture Format' tab or a 'Crop' command in the ribbon when an image is selected.
Ensure the image you want to crop is already inserted into your OneNote page and is clearly visible on your screen.
Use the Windows Screen Clipping Shortcut
Since OneNote for Windows lacks a native crop tool, you can use the built-in Windows screen capture tool to copy and paste the cropped portion.
This is the fastest workaround for desktop users. By taking a specific screenshot of the area you want to keep, you can instantly replace the original uncropped image.
Click a blank area within your OneNote page so that the original picture is no longer selected.
Press the Windows logo key + Shift + S simultaneously on your keyboard to activate the screen clipping tool.
Click and drag your mouse cursor over the specific portion of the picture you want to keep. This will copy the selection to your clipboard.
Return to your OneNote page and press Ctrl + V (or right-click and select Paste) to insert the newly cropped screen clipping.
Click on the original, uncropped image and press the Delete key on your keyboard to remove it.
Crop Using OneNote for the Web
OneNote for the web includes built-in picture formatting tools that the desktop version does not have.
Edit Documents and Images Effortlessly with WPS Office
If you frequently struggle with missing editing tools in apps like OneNote, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Office provides comprehensive document, spreadsheet, and presentation tools with built-in image formatting capabilities, allowing you to crop and edit pictures directly within your files without relying on screen capture workarounds.
- 1. Insert Image: Open a document in WPS Writer and insert your picture.
- 2. Select Crop Tool: Click the picture to reveal the Picture Tools tab, then click the Crop button.
- 3. Adjust and Apply: Drag the black cropping handles to frame your image and click outside the picture to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the crop tool missing in OneNote for Windows?
Microsoft maintains multiple versions of OneNote. The OneNote for Windows 10 app and certain desktop iterations streamline the interface by removing advanced image editing options, like the 'Picture Format' ribbon, which are still available in OneNote for the web or full Office desktop suites.
Can I crop an image before pasting it into OneNote?
Yes, you can use built-in Windows applications such as Microsoft Paint or the Photos app to open and crop your image first. Once you have saved the cropped version, you can insert it directly into your OneNote page.
Does OneNote on Mac have a native crop tool?
Similar to the Windows app, OneNote for Mac lacks a native crop feature. Mac users commonly rely on the Command + Shift + 4 screenshot shortcut to capture a cropped version of an image and replace the original.
