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: Wrapping Text around a Graphic in a Text Box.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated July 6, 2024)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Word in Microsoft 365
Doris is trying to put together a newsletter and is using text boxes so she can flow the continuation of an article from the front page to a later page. She wants to use a graphic image with one of the articles, but can't get Word to flow the text around the image within the text box.
The reason that this won't work is because wrapping of text, in Word, is implemented through the interaction of two layers of content: the text layer and the drawing layer. When an object is on the drawing layer, information on the text layer can be wrapped around it. Any text within a text box cannot be wrapped around another object in the text box because both the text and the object are on the same layer—the drawing layer.
This means that if you still want to wrap text around the graphic, you'll need to take a different approach to laying out your newsletter. For instance, you might use multiple text boxes, butted up next to each other, to give the appearance of the text flowing around the graphic.
If you want to stick with a single text box, you could insert a two- or three-column table inside the text box and put the graphic in one of the columns. You can then add text to the other column and it appears to be beside the graphic. You would, of course, need to experiment with the borders and shading of the table to make sure they don't detract from the layout you are trying to achieve.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (10937) 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: Wrapping Text around a Graphic in a Text Box.
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!
Want to change how a text box is oriented on the page? You can't do it, but you can adjust the dimensions of the box ...
Discover MoreWant to divide a text box into columns? Word doesn't allow you to do this, but there are ways to work around the limitation.
Discover MoreDo you find yourself frequently creating text boxes and callouts? This tip describes how to change the default settings ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
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.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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:
Comments