By default, if an image you place on a slide is larger than the slide, Keynote scales down the image to fit the slide, in a process called downsampling. A downsampled image has fewer pixels than the original, so some of the image information is removed. Images in JPEG format remain JPEG images; other formats are converted to TIFF. After an image has been downsampled, you can’t restore it to its original size by clicking Original Size in the Metrics Inspector. To avoid downsampling and use images at their original size, turn off automatic downsampling in Keynote preferences.

To turn off automatic downsampling of images:

  1. Choose Keynote > Preferences, and then click General.

  2. Deselect the checkbox “Reduce placed images to fit on the slides.”

If you intend to greatly enlarge or reduce a graphic’s dimensions, consider converting it to a PDF file before bringing it into Keynote. PDF files don’t lose their crispness when they are significantly resized. Other file types may not retain their clarity as well when they are enlarged or reduced.

Tip:  You can also convert an image on your desktop to a PDF file by using the Grab application. Open Grab (it’s in the Applications/Utilities folder on your hard disk). Choose Capture > Selection, and then select the image you want to make as a PDF. Choose File > Print, and then click Preview to save the image as a PDF.
Was this page helpful? Send feedback.