Sometimes you know an image is just huge and needs to be optimized. Using paste-special is a great option to instantly create an optimized version of an image.
Presentations can quickly become bloated with large image files, even when the images appear small on the slide. One common reason is that PowerPoint stores the original image dimensions and resolution – not just the size you see on the slide. This means a small-looking image may contain a much larger image file behind the scenes.

Using Paste Special as PNG, you can create a new optimized version of an image that matches the actual size on the slide. Copying and pasting as a PNG image will optimize the image dimensions and remove unnecessary resolution + data which results in a smaller file size.

The TLC Creative presentation design team uses the Paste Special PNG shortcut on the Quick Access Toolbar (covered in our previous post) to quickly optimize individual images.
Here’s how:

1. Select the image you want to optimize
2. Copy the image (CTRL+C)
3. Delete the original image (trust us, it’s okay to delete it)
4. Use Paste Special > Picture (PNG)
5. The new PNG image added to the slide is created based on the original image, but at the size it was copied at, creating an optimized exactly to the display size image!

Here is an example of the original image, that is small on the slide, but really a massive file size in the PowerPoint file:

Here is the Paste Special PNG version of the image – what you see is the file size in the PowerPoint file:

Now when the image is reset, its no longer the unnecessarily large image – which results in a smaller file size for the presentation:

For entire presentations with many images, PowerPoint’s build in Compress Pictures feature can also help (but the TLC Creative design team trusts NXPowerlite for optimizing full presentations vs. PowerPoint’s built in option). But, when you need more control over individual images, PowerPoint’s Paste Special is a built-in option that works fast and really great, giving you a targeted way to optimize specific problem images!

-Troy and the TLC Creative presentation design team

Need an image of  a slide, on your slide? We do – often! Here is a quick PowerPoint trick that will create a full-size image of any slide in just a couple of clicks.

This is built into PowerPoint, if you know about using Paste Special to convert a slide into a PNG or JPEG instantly.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In the thumbnail pane on the left side of PowerPoint, select the slide to convert to an image and right-click the thumbnail
2. Choose COPY or press CTRL + C

3. Go to HOME tab
4. Click the PASTE drop-down

5. Select PASTE SPECIAL

6. Choose an image format and click OK

That’s it! PowerPoint creates a full-resolution image of the entire slide, which is inserted as a single picture. Unlike the original slide, the image can’t be edited object by object, but it can be resized, cropped, rotated, or have picture formatting applied (inserted here slightly smaller than the slide to see it is an image of the original slide, on a new slide, all created in just a few clicks!).

TIP: Make this a 1-click formatting option. If you haven’t already added Paste Special – PNG to your QAT (Quick Access Toolbar), check out the on how to add this super helpful shortcut to your PowerPoint setup. This of course is if you are working in PowerPoint Windows desktop app. See the July 16, 2026 post, PowerPoint “Paste Special” Tip – Make it a QAT Button.

-Troy and the TLC Creative presentation design team

If you regularly use Paste Special in PowerPoint, navigating through Home > Paste > Paste Special every time can quickly become repetitive. The TLC Creative Services design team uses Paste Special dozens of times a day – most often to paste content as a PNG image. To optimize our workflow, we’ve added Paste Special as .PNG directly to the PowerPoint Quick Access Toolbar (QAT), turning a multi-click process into a single click.

The QAT is always visible, regardless of which ribbon tab is open. Adding frequently used commands means less time spent navigating menus and more time designing, this is definitely a great power-user setup hack!

Here’s how to add Paste Special to the Quick Access Toolbar:
1. Click the small Customize Quick Access Toolbar arrow on the QAT

2. Select MORE COMMANDS

3. In the CHOOSE COMMANDS FROM dropdown, select ALL COMMANDS

4. Scroll down to PASTE SPECIAL

5. Click ADD >>

6. Optional – use the MOVE UP button to position it where you’d like on the toolbar

7. Click OK
The Paste Special button will now appear in the Quick Access Toolbar and be available no matter which ribbon tab is active.

Paste as PNG can also be added to the QAT by following the same steps and choosing PASTE AS PNG from ALL COMMANDS. While Paste Special offers several formats, the design team most often selects Picture (PNG) because it provides a great balance of quality and reliability. We still use other Paste Special options when appropriate, but PNG is our default choice for most design work.

-Troy and the TLC Creative presentation design team