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
In Line with Text: Image sits inside the line of text. Moves whenever text before it is edited.
2
Square: Text wraps in a crisp rectangular box around the image.
3
Tight: Text wraps closely around the irregular contours of the graphic (great for transparent PNGs).
4
Through: Text flows around and within hollow spaces of the graphic.
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Top and Bottom: Text stays above and below the image; no text sits on the left or right.
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Behind Text: Image sits as a background watermark underneath text.
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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.
Interactive Quiz• Knowledge Check
Multiple Choice Questions
Question 1
What is the default Text Wrapping setting when a picture is first inserted into Word?
Question 2
Which Text Wrapping option allows text to flow tightly around the contours of an irregular PNG graphic?
Question 3
Which tool allows you to trim off unwanted outer edges of an image in Word?
Question 4
How can you crop an image into a perfect circle or oval in Microsoft Word?
Question 5
Which Text Wrapping setting allows an image to float completely freely over text without pushing paragraphs aside?
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Adding Shapes & Icons
Continue learning with hands-on practice, examples, and exercises in the upcoming topic.