Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 2, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016
When you insert a picture in Word, it defines a series of "wrap points" around the picture. By default there are four wrap points that surround the perimeter of the picture, forming a rectangle. When you wrap text around the picture, the wrap points define how close the text can come to the picture.
If you want, you can create custom wrapping of text by editing the wrap points so they more closely reflect exactly what you want. Simply follow these steps:
You should note that you will only be able to edit the wrap points of an image if you've set the wrapping for the image to the Tight setting. If set to some other type of wrapping, the Edit Wrap Points option will be "grayed out."
Finally, remember that when you work on an image in this way (by adjusting its properties) that image is typically in the foreground, meaning that it is layered in front of text. This isn't a big deal if your image is rectangular and the wrap points reflect that—there will be no conflict between the image and the text that wraps around the image. If, however, you adjust the wrap points so they are toward the center of the image, then the reflowed text will occupy the same space as the image. This can cause visual problems, but you might be able to alleviate those problems if you simply move the image behind the text. This should cause the text to "overlay" the image, and it may give you the effect you seek.
How you change other wrapping and layering settings has been covered extensively in other issues of WordTips.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (6065) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, and 2016. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Editing Wrap Points.
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2020-09-24 20:12:46
Ruth
Hi Allen, I am using MS Word for Mac version 16.40 (MS 365), and tried usng the 'ctrl' key to add new points to the boundary. However, pressing any modifier key - ctrl, option/alt, command or shift causes the wrap boundary edit state to be cancelled and the red line disappears.
You can re-enter edit state at will, but no points get added. Any thoughts?
2017-07-07 18:14:52
warren cancilla
Thanks, you're awesome
2017-04-13 06:24:46
John Greenshields
This doesn't work, can you help bring this to the attention of MS please?
2017-03-13 08:34:39
John
Hello - the wrap points do not appear to work in 2016, the points move but the image remains un-edited.
2016-11-04 15:33:51
Paul Stregevsky
To use this tip in Word 2013, make the picture's background transparent, as directed in this Microsoft workaround: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2800047
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