Wrap Text Around a Picture in Word

You added a picture and it shoved your text aside or trapped it on a line by itself — you want the text to flow around the image instead.

Why: When you insert a picture, Word defaults to In Line with Text, treating the image like a giant letter. Changing the wrapping style lets the picture sit inside a paragraph with text flowing around it, and lets you drag it freely.

Step 1: Insert the picture

1. Click where you want the image.
2. Go to Insert > Pictures, choose This Device (or a stock/online source), pick your file, and click Insert.

Step 2: Choose a wrapping style

1. Click the picture once to select it.
2. Click the Layout Options button that appears at the top-right corner of the image (or go to the Picture Format tab > Arrange group > Wrap Text).
3. Pick a style:
   • Square — text flows around a rectangle bounding the image. The everyday choice.
   • Tight / Through — text hugs the actual shape of the picture, useful for cut-out images.
   • Top and Bottom — text stops above and resumes below; nothing beside the image.
   • Behind Text / In Front of Text — image floats under or over the text (good for backgrounds or stamps).

Once you choose anything other than In Line with Text, you can drag the picture anywhere on the page and the text reflows around it.

Step 3: Fine-tune the spacing (optional)

1. With the picture selected, go to Picture Format > Wrap Text > More Layout Options.
2. On the Text Wrapping tab, adjust Distance from text to add breathing room on each side.
3. For an irregular image, use Wrap Text > Edit Wrap Points and drag the black handles to shape exactly where text flows.

FAQ

My picture jumps to a weird spot when I type. That’s normal for a floating image — it’s anchored to a paragraph. To keep it put, choose Layout Options > Fix position on page.

The text won’t get close enough to the image. Lower the Distance from text values under More Layout Options, or switch from Square to Tight.

I want the image as a faint background. Use Behind Text, then lighten it with Picture Format > Color > a washout/recolor option.

Sources: Microsoft Support — Wrap text around a picture in Word