Using images in your PowerPoint presentation can make it more engaging—but if you’re not citing them properly, you could be violating copyright or academic guidelines. Whether you’re creating a school project, business presentation, or public slideshow, it’s important to cite pictures correctly in PowerPoint.

This guide walks you through when, why, and how to cite images the right way—without cluttering your slides.

🎯 Why Cite Pictures in PowerPoint?

Citing images gives credit to the original creator and helps you:

• Avoid plagiarism
• Comply with academic or professional standards
• Maintain transparency and credibility
• Respect copyright and fair use rules

📸 What Types of Images Need to Be Cited?

You should cite:

• Photos from websites
• Stock images (if attribution is required)
• Artwork or illustrations not created by you
• Screenshots from software or media (when required)

You don’t need to cite:

• Images you created
• Public domain images
• Free-use images that clearly state “No attribution required” (but it’s still good practice)

🛠 How to Cite Pictures in PowerPoint (3 Methods)

✅ Method 1: Add a Citation Below the Image

This is the most straightforward method.

Format:

Image source: [Creator/Website Name], [Year] ([License])

Example:

Image source: John Doe via Unsplash, 2023 (CC0)

To do this:

1. Insert the image
2. Click Insert → Text Box, and type your citation below or beside the image
3. Use a smaller font to keep it unobtrusive

✅ Method 2: Add Sources in the Slide Notes

If you want a cleaner look:

1. Select the slide with the image
2. Click Notes at the bottom
3. Add the image citation in the Notes section

This keeps the citation visible to the presenter, not the audience.

✅ Method 3: Include an Image Credits Slide

For long or formal presentations, add a “Credits” or “Image Sources” slide at the end.

Format for each image:

Slide 2 – Image: Jane Smith via Pexels.com (CC BY-SA)
Slide 4 – Graphic: DataWrapper.com screenshot, 2023

This works well when you’re using many images and want to keep slides clean.

🧠 Citation Styles (APA / MLA / Chicago)

Depending on your purpose, you may need to follow a citation style like APA or MLA.

APA Example:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of image [Format]. Site Name. URL

MLA Example:

Last Name, First Name. “Title of Image.” Website Name, Publisher, Date, URL.

Always follow the required format for your school, employer, or publication.

✅ Final Thoughts

Citing pictures in PowerPoint isn’t hard—and it shows you’re professional, ethical, and credible. Whether you add citations below each image, in the notes, or on a final credits slide, what matters most is that you do cite them when needed.

Need help formatting image citations in a specific style? Drop a comment—I’ll walk you through it.