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I can't get text to wrap around pictures in my Word document

Steve Chaney 0 Reputation points
2025-07-01T21:59:18.2933333+00:00

I have Word 365 and Windows 11. When I insert a picture into a text box I can't get the text to wrap around it. The picture appears to be in the inline mode, but when I click on Format Picture, the wrap text feature is grayed out. How can I change that?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For business | Windows

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  1. Stefan Blom 4,121 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-07-01T23:45:10.23+00:00

    A picture inside a text box must be "In line with text," so no Text Wrapping will be possible.

    Note that you don't need the text box. Just put the picture in the document and set its Text Wrapping to what you require.

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  2. Michelle-N 2,400 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-07-02T00:09:59.74+00:00

    Hi @Steve Chaney

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Q&A Forum. 

    I understand you're having trouble inserting a picture inside a Text Box in Word 365. The Wrap Text option is grayed out and unusable, which forces the picture to remain "In line with text."  This is the default behavior in Word. The Wrap Text feature is designed for the main document's text to wrap around an object (like a picture or the text box itself). When you place a picture inside a text box, it is treated as part of the text box's content, not as an independent object that the text within that same box can wrap around. 

    Please try to use a one-cell table instead of a text box > Go to Insert > Table and select a one-cell table (Make the table position like a text box) > Insert your picture into the table cell > Right-click on the table and select Table Properties > Around button to allow text to wrap around the table. 

    Or you can try another workaround 

    Please try to use a Shape instead of a text box: Go to Insert > Shapes > choose a Rectangle > Draw the shape > Right-click the shape and choose Add Text > Insert your picture inside the shape, not a text box > Now select the picture, and you should be able to use Wrap Text options. 

    I hope this information can help you to solve your issue soon. If the issue persists, please feel free to send me more information    

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".   

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  3. Stefan Blom 4,121 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2025-07-02T08:09:02.11+00:00

    We use a two column format in Publisher. I have learned we can recreate that in Word by creating two text boxes side-by-side and linking them. That works well, but placing pictures in those text boxes is the problem.

    Is there another way to create a two column format?

    In Word, you can add section breaks and then format your new section in newspaper columns. This will let you add pictures and have text wrap around the pictures. This may help (although it won't be the same as using multiple wrapped objects in Publisher).

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