Word for Microsoft 365 Word for the web Word 2021 Word 2019 Word 2016 Word 2013 More…Less
Moving or repositioning a picture on page in Word is as simple as dragging it with your mouse. But sometimes it doesn’t work. The key to getting the results you want is to select Layout Options.
-
Select a picture.
-
Select the Layout Options icon.
-
Choose the layout options you want:
-
To bring your picture in front of the text and set it so it stays at a certain spot on the page, select In Front of Text (under With Text Wrapping), and then select Fix position on page.
-
To wrap text around the picture but have the picture move up or down as text is added or deleted, select Square (under With Text Wrapping), and then select Move with text.
-
For or more information and examples of text wrapping, see Wrap text around pictures in Word
The picture is probably behind another object, like a block of text:
To select the picture, use the Selection pane:
-
Select Home > Select > Selection Pane.
-
In the Selection pane, select the picture.
To move a picture a tiny amount, select the picture, then hold down the Ctrl key and press an arrow key.
To move several objects at the same time, group them together:
-
Select the first object.
-
Hold down the Ctrl key and select the other objects.
-
Right-click one of the objects, point to Group, and then select Group.
Tip: If you are unable to group or multi-select pictures, it’s possible that the layout of your picture is inline with text. If so, please refer to Open Layout Options to change the picture layout to any option under With Text Wrapping.
For absolute control over the alignment and positioning of a picture, use the Layout box to set alignment relative to margins or columns, absolute position in inches, or relative position by percentage. This comes in handy when you want to place a picture a certain distance from something else, like a page margin.
-
Select the picture.
-
Select the Layout Options icon.
-
Select See more, and then make alignment and position adjustments on the Position tab.
If you can’t select any of the position options on the Position tab, select the Text Wrapping tab, and then select any option except the In line with text option.
If you have more than one picture that you want to overlap on a page, you can enable this in the Layout box.
-
Select a picture.
-
Select the Layout Options icon.
-
Select See more.
-
On the Position tab, in the Options group at the bottom, select the Allow overlap check box.
-
Repeat for each picture for which you want to enable overlapping.
In addition to aligning and positioning pictures on a page, you can also align pictures to each other, or to other objects on the page. Although picture-to-picture alignment is not available from the Layout Options icon or the Layout dialog box, it’s a common task that you might do while working with picture positioning and alignment.
-
Hold down the Ctrl key and select each object that you want to align.
-
Go to Picture Format or Picture Tools Format > Align, and then choose an option, such as Center, Top, or Bottom.
An object anchor 
indicates where a picture or object is located in relation to the text in your document. Anchors do not appear for inline pictures; inline objects are tied to the place within the text where they were inserted and are treated like any text character—»in line with text.»
All other wrapping options (Square, Tight, Through, Top and Bottom, Behind Text, In Front of Text) are anchored to a particular place in the document; the anchor indicates the paragraph with which the object is associated. Select a picture, and then select the Layout Options icon to find out how your picture is inserted.
Notes: If you select a picture and it’s not inline with text, but you don’t see an object anchor, you can ensure that anchors are shown in two ways:
-
Show formatting marks On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, select Show/Hide ¶.
-
Always show anchors Select File > Options > Display, and then select Object anchors.
Because anchors are simply a visual indication of a picture’s relative position on a page, they cannot be removed. However, by trying different text wrapping options, you should find all the flexibility you need in positioning a picture, regardless of its anchor.
For or more information and examples of text wrapping, see Wrap text around pictures in Word.
If you want to ensure that an image stays put even if the text around it is deleted, you can lock its anchor:
-
Select the picture.
-
Select the Layout Options icon.
-
Select See more, and then select Lock anchor.
Note: Because anchors are not used for pictures placed In Line with Text, anchor locking and all other positioning options are unavailable for inline images.
See also
Wrap text around pictures in Word
Rotate a text box, shape, WordArt, or picture in Word
Group or ungroup shapes, pictures, or other objects
If you inserted a picture into your document while using Word for the web, you can cut and paste it to move it within a document, and you can apply paragraph formatting, like vertical spacing and centering, to it. However, you cannot move a picture that was inserted while using the desktop version of Word if the picture has text wrapping or a fixed position on the page.
If you find that you cannot make changes to a picture, and you have the desktop version of Word, select Open in Word to open your document in Word and make changes to its layout.
When you are done, press Ctrl+S to save your document to its original location. You can then open the document again in Word for the web, and continue editing. Word for the web will retain the layout settings that you applied in the desktop version of Word.
Need more help?
By default, you can’t freely move pictures (by drag-and-drop) to any position in a Microsoft Word document without also placing them somewhere in the text. But with a small change, you can drag images anywhere. Here’s how.
Make a Picture Freely Move in a Word Document
Using the method below, you can move a picture anywhere you want in your Word document—outside of the normal flow of text. You can even place the picture on top of an existing block of text if you want.
We’ll use a blank document to do this. Start by opening Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer. On Word’s first screen, select “Blank Document” to create a new document.
In Word’s editing window that opens, click the “Insert” tab at the top.
In the “Insert” tab under the “Illustrations” section, click Pictures > This Device. This lets you add a picture from your computer.
Use the “File Explorer” window that opens to navigate to the folder containing your picture. Double-click the picture to add it to your Word document.
Back on Word’s editing screen, right-click the image that you just added and select Wrap Text > In Front of Text from the menu.
Your picture is now freely movable. Drag and drop it anywhere you want in your document.
Make All Future Pictures Freely Move in a Word Document
If you’d like to make all of your future pictures freely move in your Word documents, you can modify an option in Word’s settings menu. To do so, first, open Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer.
On Word’s main screen in the lower-left corner, click “Options.”
Note: If you’re on Word’s document editing screen instead, click “File” at the top to see the “Options” option.
In the “Word Options” window, select “Advanced” in the sidebar on the left.
Scroll down the right pane to the “Cut, Copy, and Paste” section. In this section, find the “Insert/Paste Pictures As” option and click the drop-down menu next to it.
Select “In Front of Text” in the drop-down menu.
Click “OK” at the bottom of the “Word Options” window to close the window.
And that’s it. From now on, Word will allow you to freely move pictures on top of text in your documents.
If you ever need to remove many images from your Word document, it’s easy to remove all of them at once. This handy tip can save you a lot of time in the future. Good luck!
RELATED: How to Quickly Remove All Images from a Word Document
READ NEXT
- › How to Move Images in Google Docs
- › 8 Microsoft Word Tips for Professional Looking Documents
- › How to Move a Table in Microsoft Word
- › How to Prevent Accidentally Dragging and Dropping Text in Microsoft Word
- › How to Overlay Images in Microsoft Word
- › How to Perfectly Align Objects and Images in Microsoft Word
- › The New NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Is Like an RTX 3080 for $599
- › BLUETTI Slashed Hundreds off Its Best Power Stations for Easter Sale
How-To Geek is where you turn when you want experts to explain technology. Since we launched in 2006, our articles have been read billions of times. Want to know more?
Back on Word’s editing screen, right-click the image that you just added and select Wrap Text > In Front of Text from the menu. Your picture is now freely movable. Drag and drop it anywhere you want in your document.
Contents
- 1 Why can’t I move images freely in Word?
- 2 How do you freely move in Word?
- 3 How do I drag an image in Word?
- 4 How do you move a picture in Word that is locked?
- 5 Why is it so hard to move pictures in Word?
- 6 How do you move a floating object in Word?
- 7 How do you move an object in Word?
- 8 How do you move objects in Word?
- 9 How do you move pictures on Microsoft Word 2007?
- 10 How do I change the anchored image in Word?
- 11 How do you lock an image in Word so it Cannot be deleted?
- 12 What is lock anchor in Word?
- 13 Why is Microsoft Word terrible?
- 14 How do I move a picture in Word 2013?
- 15 Where is layout options in Word?
- 16 How do you move floating pictures?
- 17 What is an anchored object in Word?
- 18 Can you float an image in Word?
- 19 How do you move a picture on word without snapping it?
- 20 How do you move a picture in WPS Office?
Why can’t I move images freely in Word?
Select the picture. Select the Layout Options icon. Select See more, and then make alignment and position adjustments on the Position tab. If you can’t select any of the position options on the Position tab, select the Text Wrapping tab, and then select any option except the In line with text option.
Move a picture, shape, text box, or WordArt
- Click the border of the WordArt, text box, or shape that you want to move. To move multiple text boxes or shapes, press and hold Ctrl while you click the borders.
- When the cursor changes to the four headed arrow, drag it to the new location.
How do I drag an image in Word?
Position the mouse over the image so that the cursor shape turns into a 4-way arrow, then click and drag the image. Be careful that you don’t drag the resize handles!
How do you move a picture in Word that is locked?
Click on the Picture Position tab. Under both the Horizontal and Vertical selections, select Absolute Position, and pick “Page” from the drop-down menu at the right. Also, click on the checkbox that says “Lock anchor.” Now, your pictures won’t move around the page.
Why is it so hard to move pictures in Word?
Make a Picture Freely Move in a Word Document
We’ll use a blank document to do this. Start by opening Microsoft Word on your Windows or Mac computer. On Word’s first screen, select “Blank Document” to create a new document. In Word’s editing window that opens, click the “Insert” tab at the top.
How do you move a floating object in Word?
Click on the object anchor icon and drag it either up (towards the beginning of the document) or down (towards the end of the document). Release the mouse button when the mouse pointer is next to the paragraph where you want the object anchored.
How do you move an object in Word?
Move a picture, shape, text box, or WordArt
- Drag it to the new location.
- Press and hold Ctrl while pressing an arrow key to move in small increments.
- Press and hold Shift while you drag it to move the object horizontally or vertically only.
How do you move objects in Word?
Click the frame border to display the pull handles. Click the handle and drag on the document to resize the object. Click in the object and drag to move the object around your Word document.
How do you move pictures on Microsoft Word 2007?
How to Move a Picture in Word 2007
- Launch Microsoft Word 2007 and open a document that contains a picture.
- Click the picture that you would like to move to select it.
- Hold down your left mouse button and drag the picture to a new location in the document.
How do I change the anchored image in Word?
Here are the steps to accomplish this.
- Step 1: Find and open the document that contains the image you will anchor.
- Step 2: Enable the Object Anchors option.
- Step 3: Change the layout of the selected image through text wrapping.
- Step 4: Position the selected image to your desired area on the page.
How do you lock an image in Word so it Cannot be deleted?
You just have to click on the Protect button under the Review tab and select Restrict Editing. It will launch a menu on the side of the screen. From there, just click on Stop Protection and then enter the password you used to enforce protection to the document.
What is lock anchor in Word?
When you turn on “Lock Anchor,” you can then move your image to any position on the same page as the anchor paragraph, and the object will stay in that position. However, if you move the anchor paragraph to another page, the object will also move to that page, but stay in the same relative position on the page.
Why is Microsoft Word terrible?
And Microsoft Word is an atrocious tool for Web writing. Its document-formatting mission means that every piece of text it creates is thickly wrapped in metadata, layer on layer of invisible, unnecessary instructions about how the words should look on paper.
How do I move a picture in Word 2013?
In your Word 2013 document, select the picture you would like to move. Choose Picture Tools Format→Position button to open a menu of positions. Choose the position that shows the picture in the upper-right corner of the document. Drag the picture downward so that its top aligns with the top of the first body paragraph.
Where is layout options in Word?
The layout options and compatibility options in Word 2007 and later versions are found near the bottom of the Word Options dialog box > Advanced category. This illustration shows the options found in Word 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word for Microsoft 365.
How do you move floating pictures?
Firstly, right click on the picture and move cursor over “Wrap Text” option on the contextual menu. Next choose any style other than “In line with text”. Then you will be able to drag the picture to wherever you like.
What is an anchored object in Word?
Inline objects are those that reside on the same layer as your text and are positioned within the stream of text that surrounds the object.The thing that indicates essentially where a floating object is located in relation to the text in your document is referred to as an object anchor.
Can you float an image in Word?
The key point is that Word has two ways to position an image: an image can float (which is cool, because you can drag it around the page) or. an image can be in line (which is cool, because you can’t drag it around the page).
How do you move a picture on word without snapping it?
Turn off the snap-to options
- Click a chart, picture, or object in the document.
- On the right end of the ribbon, select Format > Align > Grid Settings.
- To turn off the Snap objects to grid when the gridlines are not displayed or Snap objects to other objects settings, clear the respective box.
How do you move a picture in WPS Office?
Click the picture, and choose Picture Tools → Wrapping Style → Square. Then we can move the picture around. Perfect your work with WPS Writer like Microsoft word.
Download Article
Step-by-step guide to inserting pictures in Word
Download Article
- Windows
- Mac
- Web App
- Video
- Q&A
- Tips
|
|
|
|
|
Whether you’re working on a hefty research project or a friendly holiday greeting card, adding images to your Word document can really add value to your project. Whether you want to insert a picture from your computer or find one online, it’s easy to add photos in Word. This wikiHow teaches you how to insert an image into a Microsoft Word document using Windows, a Mac, and the free web version of Word.
Things You Should Know
- Use the Insert tab on Windows, Mac, and the web app to add a picture.
- Select Pictures > This Device to use an image on your computer.
- Click the image to resize and reformat it.
-
1
Click the place in your document where you want to insert the picture. Word’s insertion cursor, a vertical blinking bar, will appear at this point. When you insert the image, its bottom-left corner will be at this point.
- This method works for all modern versions of Word beginning with Word 2016. You can also use it as a guide for earlier versions of Windows, although there will be fewer tools and features.
- Changing the background is done through a different method, using the Design tab.
-
2
Click the Insert tab. It’s near the top of Word between «Home» and «Draw» (or «Home» and «Design» in some versions).
Advertisement
-
3
Click the Pictures tool. It’s in the «Illustrations» section of the toolbar running along the top of Word. Some location options will appear. If you’re using Word 2019 or later, a menu will expand. If you’re using Word 2016 or earlier, your file browser will appear.
-
4
Select the type of image you want to insert. You can choose an image on your computer, a stock image from Microsoft, or an image from the internet.
- Word 2019 or later:
- Click This Device if the picture is on your computer.
- Click Stock Images to select a free stock image from Microsoft’s collection.
- Click Online Pictures to use Bing’s image search to find photos on the web.
- If the photo is on your OneDrive, select Online Pictures and click OneDrive at the bottom-left corner.
- Word 2016:
- If the picture is on your computer, simply navigate to it in the file browser.
- If you want to search for a photo online or insert one from Facebook, Flickr, or your OneDrive, close the file browser and click the Online Pictures icon next to the «Pictures» in the toolbar. You can then select an image from Bing image search, Flickr, or Facebook.
- If the picture is on your OneDrive, click Online Pictures instead of Pictures and click Browse next to «OneDrive.»
- Word 2019 or later:
-
5
Select the image you want to insert. When you find the picture, click it once to select it.
- If you’re selecting from stock images or online images, you can click multiple pictures to add more than one.
- If you’re choosing files from your computer and want to add more than one picture, hold the Ctrl button down as you click each image.
-
6
Click Insert. It’ll be near the bottom-right corner of the window no matter where you’ve selected your image(s). You’re done! Continue to the next steps for formatting information, or print the document when you’re ready.
-
7
Resize the picture. If you want to change the picture’s size, click it once to select it, and then drag any of the corner circles in or out.[1]
- You can also specify the size if you want. Double-click the picture to open the Picture Format tab at the top, and then set your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
-
8
Use the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center part of the picture. To rotate, place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag the cursor left or right until you’re satisfied.
-
9
Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture Format» (2019 and later) or «Format» (2016) tab at the top of Word. On this tab, you can:
- In the «Arrange» panel in the top-right area, click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text. You can also set alignment preferences here. Wrapping the text is a good way to get your document formatted exactly the way you want.
- To crop the picture, click the Crop tool in the «Size» panel at the top-right corner.
- The «Adjust» panel near the top-left corner has additional tools for background removal, color effects, and corrections.
- To add a border or effect around the picture, select one of the «Picture Styles» at the center of the Format bar, or choose any of the other options in the section to have more control over the style.
Advertisement
-
1
Click the place in your document where you’d like to insert a picture. This places the cursor at that location.
-
2
Click the Insert tab. It’s at the top of Word between the «Home» and «Design» or «Home» and «Draw» tabs.
-
3
Click the Pictures icon. It’s on the toolbar that runs along the top of Word. Look for an icon of a green mountain with a yellow sun between «Tables» and «Shapes.»
-
4
Click Photo Browser or Picture from File. If you want to browse images in your Mac’s Photos app, use Photo Browser. To select an image file using Finder, choose Picture from File.
-
5
Insert the picture into the document. If you’re using the Photo Browser option, simply drag the photo into your document. If you’re using Picture from File, select the image and click Insert.
-
6
Resize the picture. If you want to increase or reduce the picture’s size, click the image to select it, and then do one of the following:
- To maintain the picture’s proportions so it doesn’t stretch or warp, hold down the Shift key as you drag any of the sizing handles (the circles) inward or outward.[2]
- To keep the image’s center in place as you resize, hold down the Option key as you drag the handles.
- You can also specify a size. Double-click the Picture to open the Picture Format tab, then enter your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
- To maintain the picture’s proportions so it doesn’t stretch or warp, hold down the Shift key as you drag any of the sizing handles (the circles) inward or outward.[2]
-
7
Drag the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center edge of the picture. Just place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag it left or right until it’s correct.
-
8
Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture Format» tab at the top of Word, which has a bunch of editing features, including the ability to remove the background and add styles.
- Click Corrections near the top-left corner to correct lighting and color problems.
- Click Artistic Effects to play around with filters, and Transparency to make the picture more see-through.
- To crop the picture, click the Crop tool next to the height and width controls.
- Click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text, and use Align and Position to ensure correct placement.
- Click Quick Styles to choose pre-styled borders, shadows, and other options.
Advertisement
-
1
Click the place in your document where you’d like to insert a picture. This places the cursor at that location.
- If it’s your first time using Office Online on the web, go to https://www.office.com, sign in with your Microsoft account, and select Word to get started.
-
2
Click Insert. This opens the Insert tab.
-
3
Click Pictures. This opens a drop down options menu.
-
4
Select a picture type. There are four options to choose from:
- This Device — choose a picture on your computer
- OneDrive — choose an image from your OneDrive
- Stock Images — insert a stock image or sticker
- Bing Pictures — search Bing for an image
-
5
Select an image. If you choose the This Device option, you’ll be prompted to select an image from your computer. Click it to select it.
-
6
Click Open. This is in the bottom right corner of the image selection window. This will confirm your selected image and insert it into the document.
-
7
Resize the picture. If you want to change the picture’s size, click it once to select it, and then drag any of the corner circles in or out.
- You can also specify the size if you want. Double-click the picture to open the Picture tab at the top, and then set your desired measurements next to «Height» and «Width.»
-
8
Use the curved arrow at the top of the picture to rotate it. It’s above the dot at the top-center part of the picture. To rotate, place the mouse cursor over the curved arrow, and then click and drag the cursor left or right until you’re satisfied.
-
9
Double-click the picture to access more editing tools. This opens the «Picture» tab at the top of the Word web app. On this tab, you can:
- In the «Arrange» panel in the top-right area, click Wrap Text to choose how to situate the picture in blocks of text. You can also set alignment preferences here.
- To crop the picture, click the Crop tool in the «Image Size» panel at the top-right corner.
- To add a border or effect around the picture, select one of the «Picture Styles» at the center of the bar, or choose any of the other options in the section to have more control over the style.
Advertisement
Add New Question
-
Question
How do I take screenshots?
On a Mac, shift command 3 to screenshot the whole screen. If you want to take a screenshot of a certain area on the screen, press shift command 4. On a Windows PC, press control and print screen at the same time, then you can paste the image into Paint or Microsoft Word.
-
Question
When I insert several photos on an age in a Word document, the photos often won’t stay in place. How do I stop the photos from bumping each other around?
You can right-click the image, hold the cursor over the «Wrap Text» menu option, and select an option from the list that is NOT «In Line with Text» (usually selected by default), such as «Tight» or «Behind/In Front of Text.» Then you should be able to move the image freely around the page.
-
Question
How do I format images in a Word document?
Try double-tapping the photo. A photo format menu should come up on the right side.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
-
Adding photos to your Word document increases its size.
-
Other photo modification features available in newer versions of Microsoft Word include the ability to add borders, cutout styles, shadows, beveled edges, glows, and drop shadows.
-
When you crop a picture, the actual cropped part of the picture is hidden, not removed; unless you check the «Delete Cropped Areas of Pictures» box in the «Compression Settings» dialog box. Any compressed pictures with their cropped areas deleted cannot be restored to their original appearance.
Show More Tips
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
About This Article
Article SummaryX
1. Click the place you want to insert the image.
2. Click the Insert tab.
3. Click Pictures.
4. Choose a location.
5. Select the image and click Insert.
6. Double-click the picture to open editing and format tools.
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 650,203 times.
Is this article up to date?
More than ever, pictures are critical to the effectiveness of your communication materials. With the image formatting and layout tools in Microsoft Word, it’s possible to add and manipulate pictures in your document—even if you’re a beginner.
Starting with a Microsoft Word template makes it even easier. With a well-designed Word template, the positioning and formatting of pictures have already been done for you. All you’ve got to do is to drag your pictures into the image placeholders.
Even if you’re using a template for Word, it’s good to know how to format pictures so you can make your document look exactly the way you want it to.
In this article, you’re going to see, step-by-step, how to work with pictures in Microsoft Word.
(Note: The screenshots below show Microsoft Word for Mac. The screens and steps may be slightly different if you’re using a different version of Word.)
How to Insert a Picture in Word
To add a picture to a Word document, click Insert > Pictures. From here, you’ve got three options:
1. Photo Browser
If you choose this option, you’ll be able to select an image from the existing photo sets on your computer. On a Mac, that includes photos in iPhoto and Photo Booth. When you find the picture you want to use, click on it, then drag it into the document.
2. Picture From File
This option lets you insert an image from another location on your computer. Find the image file, select it, then click Insert.
3. Online Pictures
Insert pictures in Word from the web by selecting Online Pictures…. This opens a Bing image search right inside your document. Type a keyword or phrase in the search bar.
By default, the Creative Commons only filter is checked. Keep this selected to make sure you don’t violate any copyright laws. Click on the filter icon to filter the image results by other parameters.
Select an image by clicking on it, then click Insert. You can select several images before clicking the Insert button.
Microsoft Word automatically includes the image attribution and license details as a caption.
Note: While you can import many image formats into Word, the ones that work best are JPG and PNG.
How to Format Pictures in Word
After importing pictures into Word, you can apply different formatting settings to each Microsoft Word picture and control its appearance. Below are some of the most basic image formatting you can apply in Word:
1. Resize an Image
Resize a picture in two ways:
Resizing Method 1
Click on the picture. Press and hold the Shift key, then click and drag one of the sizing handles either towards or away from the center.
Holding the Shift key ensures that the proportion of the picture is retained. Otherwise, it would become distorted and your entire document will look amateurish.
Resizing Method 2
This method allows you to resize the picture to a specific length or width. Click on the picture, then click on the Picture Format tab. Type the length or width you wish the image to have.
By default, the original proportion of the image is retained even when you change either the length or width of the image. Keep this checked to avoid distorting the image.
2. Rotate or Flip Images
To rotate an image, do so either manually or by a specific amount.
Manual Image Rotation
To rotate an image manually, click on the image to select it. Click on the rotation handle and drag it in the direction you want.
Flip or Rotate an Image By a Specific Amount
Rotate a picture by a specific amount. Click on the picture, then go to Picture Format > Rotate. From here, you’ve got the option to:
- Rotate Right 90°
- Rotate Left 90°
- Flip Vertical
- Flip Horizontal
- Select More Rotation Options
To rotate a picture to an exact angle, choose Select More Rotation Options.
Type in the amount you wish to rotate the object, then click OK.
How to Crop Photos in Word
If you’re wondering how to crop a picture in Microsoft Word, it’s not difficult. Follow the steps below to not only crop an image, but also to dress it up by cropping it to a shape or adding decorative borders:
1. Basic Image Cropping
To crop a picture, select the picture, then go to Picture Format > Crop > Crop.
Black cropping handles appear on the sides of the picture. From here:
- Crop one side. Drag one side handle inward.
- Crop two adjacent sides at the same time. Drag one corner inward.
Click outside the image to apply the crop.
2. Crop Image to a Shape
To crop the picture to a specific shape, select the picture. Go to Picture Format > Crop > Crop to Shape. Select a shape from the selection that appears.
Click away from the picture to apply the new shape.
3. Frames and Borders
Borders are an easy way to dress up a picture in Microsoft Word. To add a border, select the picture, go to Picture Format. Click on the Picture Border button on the ribbon to reveal the border options.
From here, choose the color, weight, and dash style you wish to use for the border.
To add a frame, click on the picture, then go to Picture Format. Click on the Picture Quick Styles button on the ribbon. Select the border you want to use.
How to Use Image Editing Tools
There are many Word image editing tools. Learn how to format pictures in Word by removing the background or adjusting the brightness. Here’s how:
1. Remove Background
Microsoft Word allows you to remove the background from your pictures. This feature works best if the color of the background is distinct from the colors on the main subject of the picture.
To remove the background, select the image. Go to Picture Format > Remove Background.
Use the tools provided to select which parts of the image you wish to keep and which parts you want to remove.
The parts that’ll be removed are colored pink.
When you’re happy with the selection, click Keep Changes.
2. Sharpness and Brightness Corrections
Improve the sharpness and brightness of your pictures in Microsoft Word. To adjust these, select the picture. Go to Picture Format > Corrections. Select the sharpness and brightness/contrast settings you wish to use.
To more finely control these settings, go to Picture Format > Corrections > Picture Corrections Options. The Format Picture sidebar appears. It allows you to provide specific settings for sharpness, brightness, and contrast.
3. Picture Color
Microsoft Word also allows you to control the color saturation and tone of your picture. And you can recolor the entire picture for special effects. Select the picture, go to Picture Format > Color. Select any of the options that appear.
From here choose:
- More Variations. Recolors the image with a different color from the options provided.
- Set Transparent Color. Makes certain colors transparent so that the color of the background shows through.
- Picture Color Options. Opens the Format Picture sidebar, where you can fine-tune the settings for color saturation, tone, and recolor.
How to Use Layout Options
Microsoft Word’s layout options for images lets you control how photos are displayed alongside text.
By default, a picture is set to be «In line with text.» This means the picture is treated as an object that moves with the text. This means whatever formatting is applied to the text applies to the picture as well, which may not be how you want it to appear. When a picture is in line with text, you won’t be able to drag and drop it to a different part of the document.
To set up a picture’s layout options, select the image, then go to Picture Format > Position. Select one of the pre-configured layout options to position your picture on the page.
Gain more control by going to Picture Format > Wrap Text.
Select one of the text wrapping options:
- Square — wraps text around the picture in a square shape
- Tight — wraps text following the shape of the picture
- Through — shows text through all the “open” parts of the picture (may only be visible with certain picture shapes)
- Top and Bottom — wraps text only above and below the picture
These text wrapping options allow you to overlay pictures in Word or merge them together into a collage-type layout.
You’ve got other options:
- Behind text. Overlays the text in front of the picture
- In Front of Text. Places text behind the picture, covering it
- Edit Wrap Boundary. Lets you fine-tune how text wraps around the picture, which is especially useful if it’s irregularly shaped
- Move with text. Keeps the picture anchored to the text
- Fix position on page. Keeps the picture on the same position relative to the page, even if the text moves
- More Layout Options …. Gives you precise control over the picture layout
How to Move Pictures in Word and Arrange them on the Page
You may be wondering how to move a picture in Microsoft Word. The easiest way to move a picture is by clicking and dragging it. If this doesn’t work, the picture is probably set to be inline with text. Follow the instructions above to select a different text wrapping option.
To move multiple images, hold the shift key down as you click on each picture. Then, drag and drop them into place.
You can also move images using precise measurements. Select the image, go to Picture Format > Position > More Layout Options …. Specify the horizontal and vertical position of the picture relative to an element of the page.
Get Creative With Pictures in Word
Use the skills you learned above to add pictures in your Word documents and display them exactly the way you envision. As you’ve seen, it’s easy to control the appearance and placement of images on the page. By following the steps above, you can produce professional-looking documents all by yourself. However, we’ve only scratched the surface of the many ways you can work with pictures in Word!
Of course, if you prefer to have these design choices made for you, you’ve got the option to start with a Microsoft Word template. If you make a lot of Word documents, then you’ll like the cost-effectiveness of Envato Elements. You get unlimited downloads of templates as well as fonts, stock photos, and more for one low subscription price. On the other hand, GraphicRiver may be a better option if you only need the one-off template.
This gives you the ultimate convenience because professionally-designed Word templates have image placeholders. All you’ve got to do is to drag and drop your own pictures into the placeholders. The picture formatting steps in this article will help you fine-tune the image settings as you wish.
Now you, too, can get more creative—and effective—with pictures in Microsoft Word. But first, get your head start by downloading your favorite MS Word Template from Envato Elements or GraphicRiver.