Inserting & Formatting Images

Images & Graphics in Documents

A picture is worth a thousand words. High-impact documents use screenshots, product photos, corporate logos, and diagrams to complement textual explanations.

Inserting an Image

Navigate to Insert tab > Pictures:

• This Device: Insert a JPEG, PNG, SVG, or WebP file stored locally on your hard drive.
• Stock Images: Browse thousands of royalty-free, high-resolution stock photos, icons, and illustrations provided by Microsoft 365.
• Online Pictures: Search Bing images directly within Word.

The Most Important Setting: Text Wrapping (Wrap Text)

When you insert an image into Word, it defaults to In Line with Text, treating the picture like a giant letter. This makes it impossible to drag freely! Click the image, click the floating Layout Options icon (or go to Picture Format > Wrap Text):

1. 1
   In Line with Text: Image sits inside the line of text. Moves whenever text before it is edited.
2. 2
   Square: Text wraps in a crisp rectangular box around the image.
3. 3
   Tight: Text wraps closely around the irregular contours of the graphic (great for transparent PNGs).
4. 4
   Through: Text flows around and within hollow spaces of the graphic.
5. 5
   Top and Bottom: Text stays above and below the image; no text sits on the left or right.
6. 6
   Behind Text: Image sits as a background watermark underneath text.
7. 7
   In Front of Text: Image floats above text, obscuring what is behind it. Allows free dragging anywhere!

Picture Formatting Tools

When an image is selected, the Picture Format contextual tab unlocks:

• Remove Background: Automated AI detection removes background scenery, leaving only the primary subject.
• Corrections: Adjust Sharpen/Soften and Brightness/Contrast.
• Color: Recolor images to sepia, grayscale, or brand-specific duotones.
• Artistic Effects: Apply watercolor sponge, pencil sketch, or blur filters.
• Crop:
• Regular Crop: Trim unwanted edges using black corner handles.
• Crop to Shape: Crop your rectangular photo into a perfect circle, oval, heart, or star!
• Aspect Ratio: Crop to 1:1 square, 16:9 widescreen, or 4:3 standard.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is the default Text Wrapping setting when a picture is first inserted into Word?

A. Square B. In Line with Text C. Behind Text D. In Front of Text Answer: B Explanation: By default, Word inserts pictures "In Line with Text", treating them like a large text character.

2. Which Text Wrapping option allows text to flow tightly around the contours of an irregular PNG graphic?

A. Square B. Tight C. Top and Bottom D. Behind Text Answer: B Explanation: Tight wrapping flows text smoothly around the actual outline of the image rather than a bounding box.

3. Which tool allows you to trim off unwanted outer edges of an image in Word?

A. Crop B. Wrap C. Erase D. Scale Answer: A Explanation: The Crop tool on the Picture Format tab allows you to trim edges or crop to specific shapes.

4. How can you crop an image into a perfect circle or oval in Microsoft Word?

A. Draw an oval over it B. Use Picture Format > Crop > Crop to Shape C. Export to Paint D. Use Format Painter Answer: B Explanation: Picture Format > Crop > Crop to Shape allows masking any photo into circles, arrows, or callouts.

5. Which Text Wrapping setting allows an image to float completely freely over text without pushing paragraphs aside?

A. In Line with Text B. Square C. In Front of Text D. Tight Answer: C Explanation: In Front of Text places the graphic on an overlay layer floating freely above document text.