Elements doesn't crop the way a photo program does. Instead you want to open the image you want to crop and open a new image the same resolution. Then use the Marquee Selection Tool. It's the tool that is at the top left of the tool pallet. It has a square or an elipse. With that tool make a shape around the area you want to keep. Leave it selected (marching ants). Then go to Edit, Copy. then paste it into the New image.

Well once again I have gotten a solution for a problem by posting on the computer forum. First, thanks Owbist, what you said is so true. I can attest to your comments about lurkers learning a lot just from reading the postings here and understanding more about their own computers. I have been one of those lurkers for several years now. I have learned an incredible amount about my computer but probably just as important I have gained confidence in tackling problems. So thanks to all who participate here. Jean....you led me to a the spot where I found the solution to my problem. While your "view/toolbars/tools" didn't work for me, I kept looking and when I looked again in "window" there was a line that said "reset palette location". I clicked on that and like magic the toolbar reappeared and once again all is right in my little computer corner. So thanks for getting me in the right area.

cheerit, you might try asking this at the graphics & scanning forum. I bet someone there can help you.

I find Adobe products in general are very difficult to use...not intuitive at all. I'm a nurse...16 years in ICU using all sorts of monitors and equipment, so I don't consider myself a total dummy. I have been involved in Telephone Nursing for the past 16 years and have learned many programs to manage patient care and also to manage employees and projects. Everything I have learned has been in the office setting by osmosis or taught myself. I'm not an expert by any means, but I can catch on to programs and even write technical curriculum as needed...but Adobe...YIKES...it makes me crazy. I just had to learn a new program out of the Adobe Premier Pro CS3 over the last 2 days within a couple of hours. I built myself a guide with screenshots, but need to practice some more. Maybe after I get better with this video adaption program I will be able to use more elements in Photoshop...but I am a total hack in that program. I wish I had someone at home to show me how to use all these programs...I would be sooooo happy. But I can CROP damitall!!! LOL