Using images, tables & other visual material in your work

It is likely that sometimes you may need to modify a figure that you wish to use in your work. This could be to add or replace information, to focus on a particular part of the figure, or simply fit it into your work.

Getting permission to adapt a figure

First of all, check that you have permission to adapt the figure. If the property rights the figure is published under doesn't permit adaptation, then you will need to contact the rights holder to get permission. If you don't get permission, you can't adapt the figure!

Declaring you have adapted a figure

If you have permission to adapt the figure, then you should indicate that you have adapted the figure in the caption. You can do this by adding a short note in square brackets [ ] after the title or description. Often it is enough simply to write [Adapted], which is enough to alert your reader that changes have been made from the original image. For example:

Figure 6.  Annual CPIH and CPI inflation rates eased in February 2025: CPIH, owner occupiers' housing (OOH) costs component and CPI annual inflation rates, UK, February 2015 to February 2025 [Adapted]. (Office for National Statistics, 2025, p.4). Open Government Licence 3.0

You can be more specific about changes you've made if you feel it might help your reader understand what you've done. For example:

• If you have only included a small portion of the original figure, you could write [Detail]
• If you have cropped out some of the outer parts of the original figure, you could write [Cropped]

You can create a more detailed custom indications as you see fit if you have done something more complex and want to describe what you have done.

You should never manipulate an image to conceal relevant information or mislead your readers. 

It is important to always check that:

• The licence or rights holder gives you permission to adapt the figure
• You do not misrepresent what the figure's creator intended
• You do not mislead your readers about the figure's meaning or context
• You have made it clear to your reader when you have changed or adapted the figure