Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Problems Pasting Large Pictures.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated September 28, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
If you paste a large picture into a document (or resize a small picture so it is larger), the picture may disappear from where you think it should be on the screen. Don't panic; the picture is still there—it is just off the screen at the moment.
A common default setting for pictures is "Move with text" and word-wrap is set to "Above and Below." The picture is attached to a paragraph mark, and when you inserted the picture (or resized it), the paragraph mark and picture pushed to the next page. When this happens, some people panic and think the best solution is to undo the paste/resize.
The picture is still selected, even if you don't see it. An easy way to see the picture again is to make sure the Format tab is visible (it will be, assuming that the picture is still selected). In the Arrange group click Text Wrapping (Word 2007) or Wrap Text (Word 2010 or later) then click In Front of Text.
At this point everything jumps back to where it belongs because the text now flows "through" the picture. This makes it easy to decide if you want to move the picture to the next page manually or keep it where it is.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (4266) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Problems Pasting Large Pictures.
The First and Last Word on Word! Bestselling For Dummies author Dan Gookin puts his usual fun and friendly candor back to work to show you how to navigate Word 2019. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2019 For Dummies today!
You want your documents to look as good as they can. If those documents include graphics, then you also need to make sure ...
Discover MoreRotating graphics in Word is not always straight-forward, but it can be done. This tip examines a special need to ...
Discover MoreWord allows you to add images to your documents. If you send those documents to others, you may run across a problem that ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here:
Comments