Altering images, graphic visuals and some objects

This article explains how to alter certain images and graphic visuals and some objects, specifically these:

• Images/Pictures
• Shapes
• Icons
• 3D models
• SmartArt
• Charts
• Screenshots
• WordArt
• Text boxes
• Embedded files (OLE objects)
• Drawing canvas

Altering images and objects

When an image or object is inserted it is automatically selected with a selection frame around it. The selection frame has points around the image called sizing handles used to resize it as needed. Some will also have a rotate handle icon to rotate your image/shape freely.

Your cursor icon changes depending on where you hover it, indicating available actions you can do by clicking and dragging.

Hover over the table rows below to see an example of each in action:

Function	Action	Cursor icon
Hover over sizing handles	Hover over sizing handles and you'll see a two-way arrow indicating what direction you can resize in (i.e. horizonal, vertical or diagonal). Click and drag to resize, drag inward to reduce the size, drag outward to increase the size.
Hover over the rotate handle	Hover over the rotate handle and you cursor icon will change to a rotation icon. Click and drag to rotate the image, dragging the image clockwise or anti-clockwise. Alternatively you can also use the Layout Options or Picture Format tab for precise rotation like 90° or flip horizontal/vertical.
Hover anywhere over the image/shape	Hover over the image/shape, then when the cursor icon changes to a four-way arrow you can click and drag to move it. Note: by default images fit within the text sharing a line with it which will restrict how and where you move it. To move images more freely you can change its layout options so it 'floats' above, below or amongst text.
(Shapes only) Hover over adjustment handle	Shapes may have a yellow circle called an adjustment handle. Hover over it and when the cursor icon changes to a different arrow you can click and drag to alter the internal dimensions of the shape like the angle, curve, width, tail length or custom geometry tweaks.
(3D Models only) Hover over the central rotate handle	Hover over and when the cursor icon changes to rotate icon you can click and drag to rotate the model around anyway.

Layout options

When the image/shape is selected you'll also see a small box top right, click this to see the layout options which include several wrapping styles. Wrapping is where the image/object can move between, above or below the text rather than in line with it. Wrapping can greatly improve your document's layout, readability and aesthetics.

Hover over the rows below to see how text acts around the image/shape each option:

Layout option	Function
Layout options in line with text	This is the default option. The image/shape will sit alongside text sharing the same line.
Layout options square wrap	Text wraps around the outer edge of the image/shape’s selection frame in a square or rectangular shape. This is useful for placing images/shapes beside paragraphs or in columns.
Layout options tight wrap	Text treats the image/shape like a solid block flowing around it, but doesn’t enter any internal gaps. This works well for Logos, cutouts and images with transparent backgrounds.
Layout options through wrap	As above but text will also wrap through transparent or open areas inside the image. Only noticeable on images with transparency and it needs to be a particular shape for this effect to work.
Layout options top and bottom wrap	Text remains above and below the image/shape, never beside it. This is useful for isolating visuals to make them stand out.
Layout options behind text wrap	The image/shape will sit behind the text like a background. This is useful for watermarks or decorative backgrounds, though it may make text hard to read. With this wrap option the image/shape can be moved freely anywhere on the page.
Layout options in front of text wrap	The image/shape floats over the text, potentially obscuring it. Can be used for overlays, callouts, or dramatic visual effects. With this wrap option the image/shape can be moved freely anywhere on the page.

When you select one of the text wrapping options two other options become active to choose from. Hover over below to see how each work:

Anchoring

An image/shape set to be In Line with Text behaves like a text character on a line of text. It doesn't have a visible anchor icon because it's part of the text layer itself.

By contrast, images set to other wrapping styles (like Square, Tight>, or Behind Text) are known as floating images. You can position these anywhere independent of text, but they are also 'anchored' to a specific paragraph. This is indicated by a small blue anchor in the left margin when selected.

The anchor is helpful if you have the default option Move with text enabled, as you can use it to predict whether your image/shape will shift if that paragraph — or one before it — moves.

Locked Anchor

With floating images if you drag the image/shape far enough up or down the page, Word reassigns its anchor to a different paragraph. To prevent this, you can 'lock' the anchor.

Locking the anchor means that the image/shape will stay associated or 'anchored' with its original paragraph, even if you move it elsewhere on the page. The image/shape can move but its anchor — and thereby its association to that paragraph — stays fixed.

Why does this matter? Because if the anchored paragraph is moved (drag and dropped or cut and pasted elsewhere, for example), then the image will move with it, maintaining the same relative position from the paragraph as you've chosen to position it.

To lock an anchor right click the image, then from the menu:

• For images, icons and 3D models select Size and Position
• For shapes select More Layout Options

On the window that pops up select the Position tab and then check Lock anchor.

The anchor turns black and gains a little yellow padlock symbol indicating it's now locked as shown in the example below. Note how the image is far below the paragraph its anchored to. Unless the image is moved it will keep that position and distance from the paragraph wherever it is.