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: Moving Images Behind Text.

Moving Images Behind Text

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 26, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365

Word allows you to place all sorts of graphic images in your documents. Many times you may want to place the images behind the text. Exactly how you do this depends on the type of images with which you are working.

If you are working with an image you created by using the Shapes tool on the Insert tab of the ribbon, you can follow these steps:

Select the shape.
Make sure the Format tab of the ribbon is displayed.
In the Arrange group, click the down-arrow next to the Send to Back tool (Word 2007 or Word 2010) or the down-arrow next to Send Backward tool (Word 2013 or a later version). Word displays a series of options.
Choose Send Behind Text from the submenu. The image should move behind the text.

If you are using any other kind of image, perhaps one you inserted from a graphics file, then the process is different:

Select the image.
Make sure the Format tab of the ribbon is displayed.
In the Arrange group, click the Text Wrapping tool (Word 2007 or Word 2010) or Wrap Text tool (Word 2013 or a later version). Word displays a list of wrapping methods you can choose.
Choose the Behind Text option.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (7792) 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: Moving Images Behind Text.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Too Many Cell Formats

The error message "too many cell formats" can be difficult to fix. This tip describes ways you can attempt to get rid of ...

Discover More

Debugging a Macro

Part of writing macros is to make sure they work as you expect. This involves a process known as debugging. Here's how ...

Discover More

Sorting Letters and Numbers

Sorting information in a worksheet can be confusing when Excel applies sorting rules of which you are unaware. This is ...

Discover More

Do More in Less Time! An easy-to-understand guide to the more advanced features available in the Microsoft 365 version of Word. Enhance the quality of your documents and boost productivity in any field with this in-depth resource. Complete your Word-related tasks more efficiently as you unlock lesser-known tools and learn to quickly access the features you need. Check out Microsoft 365 Word For Professionals For Dummies today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

Finding and Removing Stubborn Graphics

When you convert a document from a PDF to a Word file, you may end up with more than you bargain for. This tip discusses ...

Discover More

Getting Higher Resolution Images

It is no secret that Word allows you to add images to your documents. However, those images might be low resolution and ...

Discover More

Adjusting Shadow Settings

Insert a graphic into a document and Word allows you to add a shadow behind the graphic. You can also adjust the ...

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is seven less than 7?

2024-10-30 07:16:27

Arya

Thank you so much Allen! You are a gem.

2024-10-30 06:09:56

Arya

Thanks for the tip

This Site

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.