How to Add Icons in Word (and Customize Them)

To add icons in Word, click where you want the icon, go to Insert > Icons, search or browse the library, select one or more icons, and click Insert. Icons come in as scalable SVG graphics, so you can resize and recolor them without losing quality. The Icons button is available in Microsoft 365 and Word 2019 or later; in older versions, use symbol fonts or insert your own SVG or PNG files.

Below are the steps for Windows, Mac, and the web, how to style and position icons, and alternatives when the Icons button isn’t there.

How to insert icons in Word

1. Click in your document where you want the icon.
2. Go to the Insert tab and click Icons.
3. In the window that opens, make sure the Icons tab is selected.
4. Type a keyword in the search box (for example, “phone,” “email,” or “check”), or click a category.
5. Click each icon you want. You can select several at once.
6. Click Insert.

The same Insert > Icons command works in Word for Mac and Word for the web.

How to change an icon’s color and style

1. Click the icon to select it. The Graphics Format tab appears.
2. Click Graphics Fill to change its color.
3. Click Graphics Outline to add or change an outline.
4. Click Graphics Effects for shadows, glows, or 3D rotation.
5. Pick one of the preset Graphics Styles for a quick look.

Recolor parts of an icon

To color sections of an icon separately, select it and click Convert to Shape on the Graphics Format tab (on some versions, you’ll need to right-click and choose Group > Ungroup afterward). Each piece becomes its own shape that you can fill independently. This change can’t be reversed except with Undo, so make a copy first.

How to resize and position icons

• Resize: Drag a corner handle. Hold Shift to keep proportions, or set an exact size in the Height and Width boxes on the Graphics Format tab.
• Wrap text: Click the Layout Options button next to the icon and choose a wrapping style. In Line with Text keeps it with the words; Square or In Front of Text lets you drag it anywhere.
• Align: Select several icons, then use Graphics Format > Align to line them up or distribute them evenly.
• Group: Select icons and text boxes together, right-click, and choose Group so they move as one.

Add alt text to icons

Screen readers announce icons using their alt text. Word often adds a description automatically, such as “Telephone receiver with solid fill,” which can be distracting. Right-click the icon and choose View Alt Text. If the icon is purely decorative, check Mark as decorative. If it carries meaning, such as a warning symbol, write a short description of what it means rather than what it looks like.

Copy icons between Office apps

The same icon library is available in PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook. You can also copy an icon you’ve already styled in Word and paste it into another Office app with its color and size intact, which keeps a set of documents and slides looking consistent.

Ideas for using icons

Document	How icons help
Resume	Small phone, email, and location icons next to contact details
Report	Icons beside section headings or key statistics
Flyer or newsletter	Visual cues for dates, places, and contact info
Instructions	Warning, tip, and check icons to highlight steps
Checklist	Check marks or boxes beside each item

Keep icons consistent: use the same style and color throughout, and don’t overload a page.

If you don’t have the Icons button

Use symbol fonts

1. Go to Insert > Symbol > More Symbols.
2. Set the font to Wingdings, Webdings, or Segoe UI Symbol.
3. Choose a symbol, click Insert, and format it like text.

Use emoji

On Windows, press Windows + period (.) to open the emoji panel. On a Mac, press Control + Command + Space.

Insert your own icon files

Go to Insert > Pictures > This Device and pick an SVG or PNG icon you’ve downloaded. Make sure you have the right to use any icon you download.

Troubleshooting

• Icons is grayed out: You may be in Compatibility Mode. Go to File > Info > Convert.
• The icon library won’t load: It needs an internet connection and Microsoft 365 connected experiences turned on (File > Account > Account Privacy).
• The icon jumps around: Change its wrapping to In Line with Text, or turn on Fix position on page in Layout Options.

Related: How to merge shapes in Word.

Related: How to insert an angle symbol in Word.

Related: Add a drop cap in Word.

Frequently asked questions

Are Word icons free to use?

Icons from the Insert > Icons library are included with Microsoft 365 and can be used in your documents.

Can I add icons in Word 2016?

Word 2016 bought as a one-time purchase doesn’t include the Icons button. Use symbol fonts or insert icon image files.

Can I save an icon as an image?

Yes. Right-click it and choose Save as Picture, then pick SVG or PNG.