Deborah had some problems with a drawing object (a block arrow) placed behind the text of a table with rows of fixed width. When Deborah would try to nudge the arrow into position, the text would jump around, even after setting the Wrapping Style for the object to Behind Text.
The first thing to check, of course, is that the wrapping style didn't somehow get inadvertently changed. Select the block arrow, display the Format tab of the ribbon, click the down-arrow at the right of the Send to Back tool (in the Arrange group), then choose Send Behind Text. If this is the setting that was already made, then the next thing to check is where the object is anchored. Follow these steps if you are using Word 2007:
Figure 1. The display options of the Word Options dialog box.
Figure 2. The Layout tab of the Format AutoShape dialog box.
Figure 3. The Advanced Layout dialog box.
If you are using Word 2010 or Word 2013, the steps are slightly different:
Figure 4. The display options of the Word Options dialog box.
Figure 5. The Position tab of the Layout dialog box.
At this point you should still see the object anchor, but a little padlock appears next to it to indicate that it is locked. Now you should be able to adjust the positioning of the block arrow itself without your text jumping around.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10075) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Stopping Text from Jumping Around.
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 2013. Spend more time working and less time trying to figure it all out! Check out Word 2013 For Dummies today!
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2018-02-08 12:31:45
mzk1
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 ..."?
2018-02-08 12:23:39
mzk1
You need to modify the sreenshot in section A, step 9, to check Move Object with Text as in the text.
2017-09-21 08:23:10
Alison
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.
2015-09-15 11:19:17
Armando Brons
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...
2015-09-08 13:53:53
Connie Goss
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.
2015-09-04 06:18:37
John Beckett
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?
2015-09-04 06:05:58
John Beckett
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!
2015-09-03 09:56:11
Paul Stregevsky
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?
2015-09-02 17:18:40
Connie Goss
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.
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