Objects
Types of Objects in Word
Under the Insert tab on the ribbon you can add various objects into your document. Here's a quick gloss over what each of them are. Click the links to see how to insert them.
| Object type | Definition |
|---|---|
| Text boxes | Text boxes sound like what they are, they are portable wrappable and formattable containers you can add text into as well as other content. |
| Equations | Equations are created within a field object inserted into the document. |
| Embedded files (OLE objects) | You can import other files directly onto the page in your document. |
| Drawing canvas | A container that groups text boxes, images and graphic elements together. |
| Grouped objects | Any combination of the above grouped together. |
Inserting text boxes
Text boxes are exactly what they sound like. When you insert a text box onto the page you can enter text into it, change the size, position, style and format of the text box as needed. You can also insert images into them.
The quickest way to insert a text box is via Insert > Shapes - it's the top left option under the Basic shapes category. There are templated text boxes you can use too which are found under the Insert > Text boxes menu on the ribbon.
Text boxes are adjustable, formattable and wrappable; to see how to alter their properties, look at this article: Altering images and objects.
Inserting equations
Word offers some pre-made equations from the Equations drop down menu but you'll likely need to create one from scratch, so click the top half of the equations button, not the drop down.
An equations field will appear on the page and the Equations tab will now be visible on the ribbon with tools to create the equation. See more on equations here: Equations
Inserting embedded files (OLE objects)
You can embed existing files onto a page of a document. This acts as a way of attaching file content to your Word document either as a static standalone copy of that file or linked to the source file. There's a lot to unpack about these, to understand everything about them look at this article: Embedded files (OLE objects).
Inserting drawing canvases
A drawing canvas is a little-known container that groups images, graphic visuals and text boxes together in a locked area, which is useful if you need certain content to remain together in one space.
To insert a drawing canvas go to Shapes and select New Drawing Canvas at the very bottom of the drop down menu.
Once inserted the canvas itself behaves like a single object, it's formattable and wrappable, but while selected you can add images, other graphic visuals and text boxes inside it. See more on how to do this here:
