An image processing apparatus includes an extracting unit, a detecting unit, a selecting unit and a change control unit. The extracting unit extracts a first part of an image that is a processing target, as a display area. The detecting unit sets a second part of the image as a detection target area and detects a boundary of an image element included in the detection target area. The selecting unit selects one of sides that constitute the detected boundary. The change control unit receives a command for changing the display area and changes the display area to a position in which the selected side is matched with one side of the display area.