Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated December 1, 2018)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021
Word allows you to create drawing objects in your document. These objects (such as ovals, rectangles, lines, etc.) are positioned on what is termed the "drawing layer," which is separate and distinct from the text that appears in a document. You create such objects by using the tools on the Insert tab of the ribbon. Click the Shapes tool in the Illustrations group and you can see all of the drawing objects available to use—almost 140 of them.
You can follow these steps to place a drawing object in your document:
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5926) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Creating a Drawing Object.
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