InDesign's main task is to produce layouts for posters, brochures, and books. But this desktop publishing software also provides methods to select, resize, and edit images and objects. Once you have imported an image into InDesign, there are several methods to resize it.
Use Selection Tools
Step 1
To crop portions of the image, make the graphic frame smaller (also called "masking"). Using the "Selection Tool" on the toolbar, select the image frame.
Step 2
Click on one of the handles (square boxes) and drag to your desired size. If you hold the shift key as you resize, the frame will remain proportionate.
Step 3
To resize the image and leave the frame untouched, use the "Direct Selection Tool." Click on the image inside the frame. Select one of the handles and drag to your desired size.
Use the Control Panel
Step 1
Click the "Window" menu, then "Control." Resize your image by changing the "width" and "height" or the percentage amounts on the control panel.
Step 2
Use the "Direct Selection Tool" to change these options for the actual image, but the "Selection Tool" to change these options for the frame.
Step 3
You can also use the control panel to make the image and its frame the same size. Use "Fit content to frame," "Fit frame to content," "Fit content proportionally," or "Fit frame proportionally." These options are also found by clicking the "Object" menu, then "Fitting."
Edit Original Work
Step 1
This command opens most images in the application where they were originally created. (You must have that original program.) In the Links panel ("Window" menu, then "Links"), select the image link.
Step 2
Click the "Edit Original" button on the panel or from the panel fly-out menu.
Step 3
Click "Edit," and then "Edit Original."
Step 4
Once you edit the original file, save it and, if necessary, click "Relink" on the Links panel in InDesign to update.
Tip
If you do not have the original software an image was created in, locate the image file in its folder location. Try right-clicking on the image, and clicking "Open with" to change the application.