Notion

How to Resize an Image in Notion on iPad

Spencer LanoueSpencer Lanoue
Notion

Resizing an image in Notion on an iPad might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's a straightforward process. Images play a crucial role in making your Notion pages more engaging and visually appealing. Knowing how to adjust them to the perfect size is a skill worth having. Let's explore how you can achieve that with ease.

Getting Started with Images in Notion

First things first, let's make sure you're comfortable with how images work in Notion on your iPad. Notion provides a flexible canvas where you can add a variety of content, and images are no exception. Adding images is as simple as tapping the screen and choosing to insert one. Here's a quick refresher on how to add images:

  • Tap on the plus sign (+): This is usually located on the left side of the page. It opens a menu with options for adding different types of content.
  • Select "Image": From the menu, choose "Image." You'll have options to upload from your device, take a new photo, or even add one from a URL.
  • Insert and position: Once your image is uploaded, you can tap and drag it to the desired location on your page.

Now that you have your image in place, let's move on to resizing it to fit your needs.

Resizing Images Directly on Your iPad

Resizing an image on an iPad in Notion is all about using touch gestures effectively. Unlike on a desktop, where you can click and drag with a mouse, the iPad relies on taps and pinches. Here's how you do it:

  • Tap to select: Tap the image you want to resize. This will bring up a couple of options at the bottom of the screen.
  • Use pinch gestures: Place two fingers on the screen and pinch inwards to make the image smaller, or spread your fingers apart to make it larger.
  • Fine-tune the size: If you need precise adjustments, you can tap and hold the image's edges to drag them to your desired size.

It's a bit like zooming in and out on a photo in your gallery. You'll find it becomes second nature after a few tries.

Maintaining Aspect Ratio

One important thing to consider when resizing images is maintaining the aspect ratio. This ensures that your image doesn't get stretched or squished, which can distort the content and make it look unprofessional. Here's how to keep things proportional:

  • Pinch and zoom carefully: When resizing, try to use the pinch gesture equally on both axes. This helps maintain the original proportions.
  • Trust the guidelines: Notion often provides subtle guides or outlines as you resize to help you keep things balanced.
  • Check your work: After resizing, take a moment to look at the image in the context of your page. If something seems off, adjust it again.

Maintaining the aspect ratio is key to ensuring your images look their best, keeping your page polished and professional.

Positioning Images for Better Layouts

Once you've got your image at the right size, think about where it should go on your page. Notion gives you plenty of flexibility here, and a well-positioned image can dramatically change the look and feel of your page. Here are some tips:

  • Align with text: You can position images next to text blocks, creating a visually appealing layout. Simply drag and drop the image to the side of a text block until you see a vertical guideline.
  • Use columns: Notion allows you to create columns by dragging content side by side. This is great for placing images alongside text for a balanced layout.
  • Center for emphasis: If your image is the focal point, you might want to center it. You can do this by placing it in its own block and aligning it to the center.

Taking a moment to consider how your images are positioned can make a big difference in how your page is perceived.

Advanced Image Editing Tips

For those looking to go beyond basic resizing, Notion offers a few additional options to enhance your images. While it's not a full-fledged photo editor, here's what you can do:

  • Adjust positioning: Even after placing an image, you can adjust its position by dragging it to a new location or into a different block.
  • Add captions or alt text: Tap on the image and select "Add caption" to provide context or a brief description, which can also aid accessibility.
  • Link images: You can add a hyperlink to an image, turning it into a clickable element that leads to another page or an external site.

These small tweaks can enhance the functionality of your images, making your Notion pages more interactive and informative.

Collaborating with Others

One of Notion's strengths is its collaborative features. When you're working on shared pages, image resizing and positioning can be a group effort. Here's how to make the most of it:

  • Share your page: Tap the share button to invite others to view or edit your page.
  • Real-time edits: Notion allows for real-time collaboration, so your team can see changes as they happen.
  • Communicate changes: Use Notion's comments feature to discuss image positions and sizes with your collaborators, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Working together can lead to more creative and effective page designs, leveraging the strengths of each team member.

Integrating with Other Tools

Notion's flexibility extends beyond its internal features. You can integrate it with other tools to enhance your workflow. For instance, if you're working with documents, Spell is a fantastic tool for creating high-quality documents faster. Here's how it might fit into your Notion workflow:

  • Drafting content faster: Use Spell to draft content quickly and then import it into Notion, pairing it with your resized images for a complete package.
  • Collaborative editing: Spell allows for real-time collaboration, just like Notion, ensuring your whole team can contribute to both text and design elements.
  • Polishing your work: After importing from Spell, use Notion's features to refine the layout, ensuring everything looks perfect.

By combining the strengths of multiple tools, you can streamline your workflow and enhance productivity.

Using Notion's Mobile Features

Notion on the iPad has some unique features that make working on the go easier. While resizing images is just one part of it, here are a few other mobile-specific tips to enhance your experience:

  • Gesture controls: Notion on the iPad supports various gestures for navigation and editing. Take advantage of these to move through your pages quickly.
  • Offline access: Work on your pages even when you're not connected to the internet. Notion will sync your changes once you're back online.
  • Use the Apple Pencil: If you have an Apple Pencil, use it for precision when resizing images or navigating your pages.

These features make Notion on the iPad a powerful tool for productivity, even when you're away from your desk.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

While working with images in Notion is generally straightforward, there are a few common pitfalls to watch out for. Here's what to avoid and how to fix any issues:

  • Stretching images: Trying to manually adjust the height or width disproportionately can lead to stretched images. Always use pinch gestures for uniform resizing.
  • Ignoring aspect ratio: As mentioned earlier, keeping the aspect ratio intact is crucial. Take the time to make sure your images aren't distorted.
  • Overcrowding your page: Too many images can make a page look cluttered. Be selective with your visuals to maintain a clean and professional look.

Being aware of these common mistakes will help you maintain the quality and professionalism of your Notion pages.

Final Thoughts

Resizing images in Notion on your iPad is a simple yet powerful way to enhance your pages. Whether you're creating a personal journal or a collaborative project, mastering this skill will make your content more engaging. And if you're ever in need of quick, high-quality document drafting, Spell is there to help you speed up the process. It's all about making the most of the tools at your disposal to create something truly impressive.

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer has been working in product and growth for the last 10 years. He's currently Head of Growth at Sugardoh. Before that he worked at Bump Boxes, Buffer, UserTesting, and a few other early-stage startups.

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