Add an Image in Word

Adding images to your Word document can really spice it up and make your information stand out. There are multiple ways to insert an image, depending on the situation you find yourself in. Add an image in Word using the built-in Insert feature, by clicking on and dragging the image into the document, or by copying it from the source and pasting it into the document.

Steps

Using the Insert Feature

  1. Place your cursor where you want to insert the image. Click the Insert tab, or the Insert menu. In Word 2007 and later, click Picture to select a file on your computer to insert. In Word 2003 and earlier, select “From File…” in the Picture submenu.
    • If you’d like to choose from Word’s preinstalled Clip Art, select the Clip Art option instead. This will open a new window where you can browse through the available Clip Art.
  2. Choose your image file. A window will open that will allow you to browse your computer’s files. Navigate to the image that you want to insert, and then click the Insert button. The image will appear where your cursor was placed.
  3. Manipulate the image. Once the image has been inserted, you can drag it around the document and resize it by using the boxes surrounding the image.
    • You can click and drag the green circle to rotate the image.
    • You can add effects, borders, and more using the Picture Tools tab.
  4. Wrap the text around your image. In Word 2007 and later, right-click on the image and hover over Wrap Text. Select the alignment that bests suits your document. You will see a preview as you hover over each option.
    • In Word 2003, right-click on the image and select "Format Picture" from the pop-up menu. Choose a wrapping style on the Layout tab of the Format window. Change the alignment style for your image to reflect a left, center, right or other alignment.
  5. Place your image exactly where you want it. If you've inserted an image, you may be getting a little frustrated trying to place it precisely where you want. There are a couple of ways to gain more control over moving images:
    • Enable text wrapping. In Word 2013, click the layout options button next to the image and select the text wrapping that will allow you to move the picture around. The easiest way is to select "Square", where the text will attempt to flow around the image no matter where it is placed.
    • Select the image and then hold the Ctrl key. While holding the key, use the arrow keys to move the picture around the document.

Clicking and Dragging

  1. Find the image on your computer. Open a file browser and find the image that you want to add. Click and drag the file into your Word document. You can set where you want it by looking at the preview cursor. Release the mouse button to place the image.
  2. Manipulate the image. Once the image has been inserted, you can use drag it around the document and resize it by using the boxes surrounding the image.
    • You can click and drag the green circle to rotate the image.
    • You can add effects, borders, and more using the Picture Tools tab.

Copying and Pasting

  1. Copy the image that you want to insert. You can do this with images on your computer or images from websites. To copy an image from a website, right-click and select Copy Image. To copy an image on your computer, select it and select Copy from the Edit menu, right-click on it and select Copy, or press Ctrl + C.
  2. Place your cursor where you want to insert the image. Select Paste from the Edit menu, press Ctrl + V, or right-click and select Paste. Your image will appear where the cursor is.

Tips

  • You can create a colored border of various thicknesses and line styles to draw more attention to your image.
  • You can click and drag to add an image at any position within the text if you choose the "Other" alignment style.

Warnings

  • Don't try to resize an image in Word by dragging one of the four edges. This will result in a stretched or condensed image instead of a different size. Either resize from a corner or use the Resize tab in the Format Image window or drag the edge and hold the shift button to resize it while maintaining the current aspect ratio.

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