Wrap Text Around a Graphic

You can control the way that Word wraps text around a graphic image in your document.

This becomes very important when you want to place graphics in a document where space is at a premium, such as a two-columned newsletter.

1. Click the Print Layout icon () to display the document in Print Layout view.

2. Click the graphic.

   Handles ( or ) appear around the image.

   

3. Click Format.

4. Click the command for the type of graphic you selected, such as AutoShape, Picture, or WordArt.

   

   The Format AutoShape dialog box appears.

5. Click the Layout tab.

6. Click the wrapping style you want to apply.

7. If appropriate, click the Horizontal alignment you want to apply to the graphic ( changes to ).

8. Click OK.

   

   Word wraps text around the graphic using the settings you specified.

   

How come I can use Horizontal alignment for some but not all wrapping styles?

You can set horizontal alignment for any graphic that is a floating graphic. By default, Word creates inline graphics that act as text characters. Change a graphic from inline to floating by changing the text-wrapping style to any wrapping style other than In line with text.

What do the various wrapping style settings mean?

Square places the graphic in an imaginary box that fits the graphic’s largest dimensions; text wraps around the imaginary box. Tight works similarly to Square, but text fits tightly around the edges of the actual image, rather than the imaginary box. Behind text places the image behind, and showing through, text. In front of text places the image in front of text, hiding the text.