How to Crop an Image in Adobe InDesign

Updated on:

April 6, 2026

By:

Madhav Bhandari

Use this interactive demo to learn how to crop an image in Adobe InDesign.

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Here’s a simple and quick guide on how to crop an image in Adobe InDesign:

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To crop an image in Adobe InDesign, select the 'Selection Tool' from the left toolbar.
Using the Selection Tool, click the image until a blue frame appears, then drag the corner handles inward to crop it.
Notice how the image frame adjusts and crops the image as you drag the handles.

📌 Why this matters

Cropping images directly in your layout saves you from constantly switching between applications and maintains your design workflow momentum. You can experiment with different compositions in real-time, seeing exactly how each crop affects your page balance and visual hierarchy.

This becomes especially powerful when working with multiple image variations or tight deadlines—you're making creative decisions within the context of your actual design rather than guessing how a pre-cropped image might look once placed.

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