Stop Graphics and Text from Jumping Around

Thank you Tips.net c/o Allen Wyatt for your site work.

I have some documents with a text box running the length of nearly all of the pages (on the far right side of the page). How do I prevent Word 2016 from moving the text boxes from one page to the next and from moving text from one box to the box on the next page? I have the HORIZONTAL POSITION set to PAGE and the VERTICAL POSITION set to PARAGRAPH. What is the correct setting to prevent movement? (I'd rather not use 'trial and error', due to the time it will take.)

David Faubion

I write instruction handouts and use a lot of graphics, so I wanted to share some macros I use to make this easier - Allen has instructions on how to get this into your copy of Word, so look it up if needed. I actually embedded these in the VBA of the template I use and assigned them to a custom toolbar for that template, which is even faster than using the Developer tab, so if you know to work with templates then I recommend that.

1. Click in the paragraph you want as the anchor, paste your image, select it, then run this - it sets the wrapping to square and locks the anchor to the paragraph.

Sub Graphic_SquareLocked()
Dim myShape As Shape

If Selection.InlineShapes.Count > 0 Then
Set myShape = Selection.InlineShapes(1).ConvertToShape
ElseIf Selection.ShapeRange.Count > 0 Then
Set myShape = Selection.ShapeRange(1)
Else
MsgBox "Please select a picture first."
Exit Sub
End If

With myShape
.WrapFormat.Type = wdWrapSquare
.WrapFormat.DistanceLeft = InchesToPoints(0.03)
.LockAnchor = True
End With
End Sub

2. In case you get a graphic anchored to the wrong paragraph, select it and then use this to unlock the anchor (then drag the anchor to the desired paragraph and run this again to lock it).

Sub Graphic_ToggleShapeAnchor()
If Selection.Type = wdSelectionShape Then
For Each Shape In Selection.ShapeRange
Shape.LockAnchor = Not Shape.LockAnchor
Next
End If
End Sub

3. If you like your pictures consistently sized, aligned right (to the margin), locked to the paragraph and bordered, you could use something like this - change the image size in different copies of this to allow for small or larger images based on your space & the image itself:

Sub Graphic_2()
Dim myShape As Shape

If Selection.InlineShapes.Count > 0 Then
Set myShape = Selection.InlineShapes(1).ConvertToShape
ElseIf Selection.ShapeRange.Count > 0 Then
Set myShape = Selection.ShapeRange(1)
Else
MsgBox "Please select a picture first."
Exit Sub
End If

With myShape
.WrapFormat.Type = wdWrapSquare
.WrapFormat.DistanceLeft = InchesToPoints(0.03)
.LockAnchor = True
.LockAspectRatio = True
.Width = InchesToPoints(2)
.RelativeHorizontalPosition = wdRelativeHorizontalPositionColumn
.Left = wdShapeRight
.Line.Weight = 1
End With
End Sub

This saves me hours of time - I hope you find it useful!

I think I have an even newer version of Word so none of this is working can anyone help me out?

Allen - Thank you - perfect - got me back to work in 10-seconds getting things done. Those guys at microsoft can't give a straight answer to save their lives.

Similarly, in section B, step 8 (the same item) the wrong boxes are checked.

P.S. Would it help to also click on "set as default ..."?

You need to modify the sreenshot in section A, step 9, to check Move Object with Text as in the text.

Thanks so much - this really helped. I didn't know I could lock my anchor and move my object. Jumping text is a problem I have had with a number of my tables. Thanks.

Sorry (I am 84 years old) I could not find in my Word 2010 Doc in the Print Layout View, neither the (block arrow) nor the object anchor...

When I click "tabs" in any part of the doc, the cursor jumps to the end of the doc...

John Beckett, I checked again and you are right, Figure 4 is fine. Sorry for my incorrect comment. I did still have to go though "Wrap Text" to get to "More Layout Options" in Word 10. Anyway, I am just happy to have found this tip. It has saved my sanity.

When I've made a useful template (for my regular requirements) [EG: template for Avery Labels L7160] how can I get it to save as a W.2013 template and join the pages of NEW on-line DOCUMENT TEMPLATES which are displayed on offer?

I agree with Connie Goss. I've saved all the Word Tips in a special folder and used most of them, however, my copy of Word 2013 shows exactly what Fig.4 shows!

Can someone explain the purpose of "Allow overlap"? I've always kept that checkbox clear. When you select it, doesn't that make the figure or table overlap with your body text--a feature we seldom want?

Thank you, this is very helpful. However I think you have the wrong picture for Figure 4, and there is one more step for Word 10 users - from the context menu you have to select "Wrap Text" before you can get to "More Layout Options..."

That being said - your website has been an absolute godsend to me! You would not believe how many problems you've help me solve. Thank you for all your great work.