Change the brightness, contrast, or sharpness of a picture

Change the screen brightness

Do you want to adjust your screen brightness?

  • Windows 10 or 11: Select Start, choose Settings, and then select System > Display. Under Brightness and color, move the Change brightness slider to adjust the brightness. For more details, see: Change screen brightness

  • Windows 8: Press Windows key + C. Select Settings, then select Change PC Settings. Select PC and devices > Display. Turn on Adjust my screen brightness automatically. For more details, see: Set brightness and contrast

Read on for information about picture adjustments in Office apps.

You can change the brightness, contrast, or sharpness of a picture by using the Corrections tools.

Adjust the brightness, sharpness, or contrast

  1. Click the picture that you want to change the brightness for.

  2. On the Picture Format tab, in the Adjust group, select Corrections.

    Corrections button on the Picture Tools tab

    Depending on your screen size, the Corrections button may appear different.

    Corrections button, smaller size Corrections button, smallest size

    If you do not see the Picture Format tab, make sure that you have selected a picture. You may have to double-click the picture to select it and cause the tab to appear.

  3. Do one or more of the following:

    • Under Sharpen/Soften, click the thumbnail that you want. Thumbnails on the left show more softness, and more sharpness on the right.

    • Under Brightness/Contrast, click the thumbnail that you want. Thumbnails on the left show less brightness, and are brighter on the right. Thumbnails on the top show less contrast, and more contrast on the bottom.

      Tip: When you point at an option in the Corrections gallery with your mouse, the picture on your slide changes to give you a preview of the effect of the option you're pointing at.

  4. To fine tune any correction, click Picture Corrections Options, and then move the slider for Sharpness, Brightness, or Contrast, or enter a number in the box next to the slider.

    Picture Corrections options in the Format Picture task pane

Note: If you are using PowerPoint, you can still save the original version of the picture, even if you have made corrections. This feature is not available in Word or Excel.

Video: Add and change picture effects

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Change the Office color scheme for greater contrast

Is the Office color scheme too bright for you? Do you need more contrast in the Office apps? See Change the look and feel of Microsoft 365.

You can change the brightness, contrast, or sharpness of a picture by using the Corrections tools.

Adjust the brightness, sharpness, or contrast

  1. Click the picture that you want to change the brightness for.

  2. Under Picture Tools, on the Format tab, in the Adjust group, click Corrections.

    Corrections button on the Picture Tools tab

    Depending on your screen size, the Corrections button may appear different.

    Corrections button, smaller size Corrections button, smallest size

    If you do not see the Format or Picture Tools tabs, make sure that you have selected a picture. You may have to double-click the picture to select it and open the Format tab.

  3. Do one or more of the following:

    • Under Sharpen/Soften, click the thumbnail that you want. Thumbnails on the left show more softness, and more sharpness on the right.

    • Under Brightness/Contrast, click the thumbnail that you want. Thumbnails on the left show less brightness, and are brighter on the right. Thumbnails on the top show less contrast, and more contrast on the bottom.

      Tip: When you point at an option in the Corrections gallery with your mouse, the picture on your slide changes to give you a preview of the effect of the option you're pointing at.

  4. To fine tune any correction, click Picture Corrections Options, and then move the slider for Sharpness, Brightness, or Contrast, or enter a number in the box next to the slider.

    Picture Corrections options in the Format Picture task pane

Note: If you are using PowerPoint, you can still save the original version of the picture, even if you have made corrections. This feature is not available in Word or Excel.

Change the Office color scheme for greater contrast

Is the Office color scheme too bright for you? Do you need more contrast in the Office apps? See Change the look and feel of Office.

See also

Make a picture transparent

Change the color of a picture

Apply an artistic effect to a picture

Edit pictures with the Photos app in Windows 10

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