Moving an Image

By default, Word places images inline . (Word documents use two layers , which you can think of as transparency sheets. The document text is on the lower sheet, and images can either be placed on the lower sheet along with the text, in which case they are inline, or on the upper sheet, in which case they are floating .) As you saw in the previous section, you can resize an image when it's inline. However, if you want to move an image, it's much easier if you first set a text-wrapping option , which takes the image out of the text layer. You'll learn more about text-wrapping options in the next section. For now, note that you can choose any text-wrapping option you like before moving the imageyou can always change it later.

You can tell when an image is inline because it has black square sizing handles. As soon as you remove it from the text layer, it gets white circle sizing handles.

Drawing objects and WordArt images, unlike pictures, have a text-wrapping option (In Front of Text) turned on by default. So if you're moving one of these image types, you can skip step 1.

Follow these steps to move an image:

1. Select the image. If it is inline (has black sizing handles), click the Text Wrapping button in the Picture toolbar and click Square , as shown in Figure 17.3. (If you don't see the Picture toolbar, choose View, Toolbars, Picture .)

   Figure 17.3. Choose the Square text-wrapping option for now (you can always change it later).

   

2. The image's sizing handles are now white circles, and any text that had been below the image has now moved up alongside it. Point to the middle of the image and drag the image to the desired location (see Figure 17.4). As you drag, you'll see the moving pointer, which looks like a four-headed arrow, and an outline of the image.

   Figure 17.4. Drag your image to the desired location.

   

3. Release the mouse button when the outline is in the right place.

In Figure 17.5, the photograph has been moved to the right side of the page, and the text is wrapping on its left.

Figure 17.5. The photograph is now on the right side of the page.

To position a image precisely on the left margin, in the horizontal center of the page, or at the right margin, follow these steps:

1. Make sure the image has a text-wrapping option turned on, and then double-click the image.

2. In the Format dialog box that appears, click the Layout tab.

3. Mark the Left, Center , or Right option button under Horizontal Alignment.

4. Click OK .

When an image is selected, you can use the four arrow keys on your keyboard to move it around a small amount at a time. The image will move in increments based on invisible gridlines in your document. If you want finer control than you get this way, hold down the Ctrl key as you press the arrow keys. (See the Q&A section at the end of this hour for more information about this.)