Edit images

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to enhance images in Adobe InDesign using the Adobe Express image editing tools.

Place the image you want to edit in your InDesign document.

Right-click the image and select Edit with Adobe Express.

You can also access Express from the contextual taskbar by selecting Edit with Adobe Express, from the Properties panel under Quick Actions, from the context menu by choosing Edit With > Adobe Express, from the Links panel by selecting Edit With > Adobe Express, or from the Edit menu by choosing Edit With > Adobe Express.

Use the Express image editor tools to make the following enhancements:

  • Apply filters and visual effects
  • Crop to remove unwanted areas
  • Remove the background or specific objects
  • Insert shapes, icons, or text
  • Adjust opacity, brightness, contrast, and color
  • Flip the image horizontally or vertically

Select Apply in the top-right corner to see the updated image in InDesign.

Select a save option from DiscardReplaceSave as New & Relink, or Save as New & Replace.

  • You can use the Save as New & Relink option for all the supported linked images. This will update all the linked instances of an image.
  • You can use the Save as New & Replace option to update the selected embedded instance.
Screenshot of the Save as New & Replace dialog box for embedded images.
Select the Save as New & Relink option to update all the instances of the supported linked images.

Screenshot of the Save as New & Replace dialog box for embedded images.
Select the Save as New & Replace option to update the selected embedded instances.

Note
  • Edit with Adobe Express feature supports PNG, JPEG, PSD, and AI files in RGB color mode and does not support CMYK color models.
  • All PSD, AI, and PSDC assets edited in Adobe Express are now exported and saved as PNG files, ensuring transparent backgrounds are preserved after background removal.
  • This feature isn't available in Russian, Hungarian, Czech, Ukrainian, English (Israel), English (United Arab Emirates), Spanish (Mexico), French (Canada), and French (Morocco).