picture fillof WordArt letters is not available (anymore)

Question

In the latest version of Word the picture fill of text, in other words, the fill up of the interior of the WordArt text is, although stated in pop up window, not available

Answer 1

If you mean a picture as the fill for your text, rather than the shape containing the text, I do not believe that has been available since Word 2007 without Add-Ins. Here is the menu for changing text when in Word 2007 compatibility mode.

If you save your document in Word 2007 Compatibility format, you would have access to the older WordArt controls and menus. A macro to do this is at the bottom of this answer.

You can get access to the classic WordArt through a macro prepared by Greg Maxey.
https://gregmaxey.com/word_tip_pages/classic_wordart_in_word2010_2013_documents.html

Greg's macro gives you access to the traditional controls in a WordArt tab.

Greg's macro and a menu of legacy WordArt is available in my WordArt Add-In.

In recent versions of Word, though, using the Picture fill command only changes the first letter of your WordArt. If you have Word 2016 or earlier, they are more powerful and can change the entire WordArt.

Here is a macro to change the current document to Word 2007 Compatibility mode. Using it changes your Insert > WordArt command to the old menu.

Sub Word2007CompatibilityOn()
    '
    ' Word2007CompatibilityOn Macro
    '
    '   Charles Kenyon
    '   Written for WordArt Add-In
    '   Converts Active Document to Word 2007 format
    Dim Result As Long
    Result = MsgBox(prompt:="This will convert this document to Word 2007 format. You will lose any features added in later versions." & _
                            vbCr & "Are you sure?", title:="Word 2007 Conversion Warning", Buttons:=vbInformation + vbYesNo)
    On Error GoTo SkipConversion    ' in case this is run in an earlier version of Word
    If Result = vbNo Then GoTo SkipConversion
    ActiveDocument.SetCompatibilityMode (wdWord2007)
    MsgBox "Conversion completed. If you are using Word 2010 or later, you should see Compatibility Mode in the Title Bar.", vbInformation, "Done"
    On Error GoTo -1
    Exit Sub
SkipConversion:
    MsgBox "Conversion skipped", vbInformation, "OK"
    On Error GoTo -1
End Sub

To use macro - see https://www.gmayor.com/installing_macro.htm.

Answer 2

Make sure that the document is saved to the most recent .docx format to get access to all settings of the modern WordArt. (If the document is saved in compatibility format, you will see "classic" WordArt from older versions of Word.)

Here, it seems that picture fill is working as expected with WordArt.

Could you perhaps upload a screen shot which illustrates what you see?

Answer 3

Hello,

Check the title bar at the top of your Word window. Does it say Compatibility Mode next to the file name? Using older file formats often disables specific WordArt features like picture fill.

Also, confirm if you are clicking on Text Fill rather than Shape Fill in the Shape Format tab. You usually need to have the specific text highlighted rather than just the text box border for that specific option to light up.

Answer 4

The issue you are experiencing with the picture fill of WordArt letters not being available in the latest version of Word could be related to several factors. While the context provided does not specifically address this feature, it is important to ensure that you are using the correct settings and that your version of Word is fully updated.

If the picture fill option is stated as unavailable, it might be due to compatibility issues or settings that need to be adjusted. Here are some general troubleshooting steps you can consider:

1. Check for Updates: Make sure your Microsoft Office is updated to the latest version, as updates often fix bugs and improve features.
2. Restart Word: Sometimes, simply restarting the application can resolve temporary glitches.
3. Recreate the WordArt: Try creating a new WordArt object to see if the picture fill option becomes available.
4. Check Graphics Settings: Ensure that your graphics settings are configured correctly, as issues with video drivers can sometimes affect how features are displayed.
5. Consult Help Resources: If the problem persists, consider checking Microsoft’s support documentation or forums for any known issues related to WordArt features in the latest version of Word.

If you continue to have difficulties, reaching out to Microsoft support may provide more tailored assistance for your specific situation.