Wrapping Text around Images in Microsoft Word 2007

Written by:  • Edited by: Tricia Goss
Updated Dec 29, 2009
• Related Guides: Microsoft | Microsoft Word 2007

Adding images is a great way to liven up a Microsoft Word document, but if the text wrapping around the object isn’t formatted correctly, it can make the entire document look poorly-prepared and unprofessional. In this tutorial, we’ll show how to get the most out of Word’s text wrapping options.

One of the beauties of working with images in Microsoft Word 2007 is that you can add them to any position in your document. However, if you don’t select a proper text wrapping style, this can make your document look worse rather than better.

How to Wrap Text around an Image

Step 1: Locate the point in the Word document where you want to add the picture, and insert it in the same manner described in Part 1 of this series (this part also contains information about resizing pictures). If you want to resize the picture, it’s a good idea to do so now. This way, you’ll be able to tell how the image will look when we apply the text wrapping in later steps. You can always resize again later on, if needed.

Inserting and Resizing Picture
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Step 2: Right-click on the image, select Text Wrapping, and then choose More Layout Options.
Text Wrapping Options
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In the Advanced Layout window that appears on your screen, make sure you are on the Text Wrapping tab.
Advanced Layout
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Step 3: The first thing to do in this window is to select a Wrapping style. Depending on the style you choose, certain other options in the window will become available. You can use the small thumbprints to get an idea of how each style will appear, but if you’re still unsure, try a couple out. If you don’t like them, you can always Undo the action and start afresh from Step 2 of this process.

Step 4: Next, if applicable to the style you chose in Step 3, pick an option from the Wrap text list. If the style you chose does not support this option, all choices will be grayed out. Just as in Step 3, if you’re not certain about which option to choose, test one or two out and see if you like how each one appears in your document.

Step 5: The final items to look at in this window are the Distance from text options, if applicable. Most of the time, the default measurements in these fields will be fine, but you may want to tweak them a bit based on your own personal preferences. The numbers entered here will be used to determine how much of a buffer is placed between the text and the image.

Final Word Wrap
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Comments

Showing all 6 comments
 
Djarrand Nov 9, 2011 8:42 PM
RE: Wrapping Text around Images in Microsoft Word 2007
i know all this but I can't seem to save the two photos as one.  Thanks
Lisa Jun 1, 2011 2:24 PM
Deleting Image after text wrapping?
I know how to insert a picture and then select it and using the Picture Toolbar to select Text Wrapping of Behind Text. What I don't know is how to reselect that picture and UNDO the text wrapping the
next time I update the document and want to change the picture. I've move my cursor all over the place and I'm unable to 'select' the picture again in order to change the type of text wrapping (short of deleting the whole text and redoing the whole thing).
Adrien Apr 13, 2011 10:21 AM
Text wrapping does not work in headers
I cannot achieve the desired result in header. I have tries all options and the layout never changes in headers. The text never wraps around images although it wraps nicely when the same image / text / options are used in document body.
Cameron Morissette Aug 31, 2010 1:51 PM
Designating a Page for a figure
Can you kindly tell me how to designate a page for a figure? I am writing a science thesis and I need a figure to be on page 9 with the caption, but I also need the text to go from page eight to page ten uninterrupted. It's very annoying when it doesn't work!
Michele McDonough Sep 1, 2009 1:20 PM
Changing Default Text Wrap
Hi Alice,

To change this setting, click on the Office button and then select Word Options. Select Advanced, then scroll down to the Cut, copy, and paste section. There is a drop down box next to Insert/paste pictures as that you can change to Top and Bottom. Hopefully, this will do the trick!
Alice Sep 1, 2009 12:21 PM
Wrapping Text around images - Default Settings
When inserting a picture, the text wrapping default setting is "In Line with Text." I always change the text wrapping to "Top and Bottom." Is there any way I can change the default text wrapping to "Top and Bottom" so that I don't have to change it every time I insert a picture? I use screen shots a lot to write instruction manuals, and if there was a way to change this default, it would save me a lot of time!
 
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