saving picture as PNG

Question

I use Save as Picture quite a lot, and it defaults to PNG format.  It's easy to use another program to save a PNG as a JPG.  But I'm just curious, is PNG better than JPG?  They look the same to me in my image viewing software.

Answer 1

Indexed-color PNGs are the format of choice for logos and any artwork with areas of flat color. JPGs are better for photos, as they can compress to a smaller size while still looking good.

Answer 2

Minor quibble:  PNG isn't uncompressed, it's LOSSLESSLY compressed; the compression doesn't alter the image data that you see when you view the image.

JPG uses a kind of compression that tosses out or alters the image data to make it more compressible.  Or can.  IIRC, PPT by default uses the highest quality compression, meaning bigger files but better image quality.  As a result, there may not be a great deal of difference between its PNGs and JPGs.

Answer 3

Of course because the total image requires transparency as there will (probably) be transparent areas.   If you want a jpg just change the save as type box.

Answer 4

I Select All, including JPGs and text boxes, then right-click to Save as Picture.  It always goes to PNG.

Answer 5

PNG is uncompressed so may be a little better but the real difference is that PNG supports transparency.

Save as Pic doesn't really always default to PNG BTW - but often it's most appropriate. (e.g. it's already a PNG. It's a shape with transparent areas.) If you start with an EMF or a JPG it will default to that type.