How to Enlarge or Shrink a Picture with One Click in Excel

Jul 29

Resizing pictures in Excel with one click can make your workbook more visually appealing and your data easier to digest. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Insert Your Picture

First, insert the picture into your Excel worksheet.

Step 2: Set up a Macro

Next, you'll need to set up a macro. Macros are sets of instructions that automate tasks in Excel. In this case, the task is resizing an image.

Step 3: Write the Macro

Write a macro that changes the height and width properties of the picture. For example, the following macro enlarges a selected picture by 10%:

Sub EnlargePic()
    With Selection.ShapeRange
        .LockAspectRatio = msoTrue
        .Height = .Height * 1.1
        .Width = .Width * 1.1
    End With
End Sub

Similarly, this macro shrinks a selected picture by 10%:

Sub ShrinkPic()
    With Selection.ShapeRange
        .LockAspectRatio = msoTrue
        .Height = .Height * 0.9
        .Width = .Width * 0.9
    End With
End Sub

Step 4: Assign the Macro

Assign the macro to a form control button, such as a push button.

Step 5: Resize the Picture

Finally, select the picture and click the button to resize it according to the macro’s instructions.

💡 I first used this exact macro setup while preparing screenshots for the BridgeBudget app, which helps users track and plan their spending each month. I also apply the same method when creating dashboard visuals for MyBudgetSystem, where consistent image sizing makes tutorials easier to follow. Whether you're designing mobile-friendly layouts or Excel-based planners, one-click resizing saves time and keeps things sharp.

Jonathan Burks